My thing is photography. i loved going to my local photo shop, hanging around, talking to photographers and the owners, browsing what they had in stock, and buying my gear. Now they're all gone. Young photographers will never have that experience. I imagine it will be the same for guitar players as well.
Another reason for the decline of guitar shops is the aggressive ‘don’t touch’ customer experience - as demonstrated here. A much more customer-friendly approach would have been ‘Hi mate....can I help you with that guitar’ and then a gentle reminder about store policy. This is why so many of us shop online.
You make a good point Andy. They make you feel like a naughty kid. One commented under his breath "Jesus" and tutted. I can only imagine what types go in there for them to behave in such a away. Thanks for commenting. Regards AH
What has always killed trade for these shops is the dastardly vat on second hand instruments, this reminds me of being 19 and taking the tube to freedmans in 1979 to pick up my first quality guitar, a Washburn falcon in a fitted had case... wonderful
Really enjoyed this, I was there in '87 and I have an image of a shop with a long line of Rickys hanging from the ceiling (clearly visible from outside the shop), being a Jam fan I was dazzled by the amount and the colours. I can't seem to find the shop that I have in my memory but it appears that so much has changed over the decades that it may not even be there anymore. Thanks so much for making this video.
Two corrections. London prices are forcing music shops out of the area, not out of business. The 3rd guitar shop is called 'Regent Sounds' not 'soho jazz bar'.
Thanks for posting this. I was thinking of having a look round these guitar shops myself this past weekend but didn't make it. Lovely to get such a close up view of everything. I think the advent of guitar 'supermarkets' and online shopping has taken much of the glamour and excitement away from the few remaining stores in and around Denmark Street, sadly. It used to have a real attraction, now it seems more of a relic of a past era. The repair shops are definitely a continued need for those like myself and I really hope they can afford to stay. Still enjoyable to spend time wandering around the area but as others have already pointed out, it feels a much diminished area in many respects.
I agree Arthur. Still glad you enjoyed the video. I suppose for those in London, Denmark streets guitar techs do offer a convenient service. Must be fun working there although it is looking very corporate now. Hey maybe I’m just getting older and the 18 year old in me is growing up? I’m sure if I was in my teens again, i’d still love it? The quality of guitars is a difficult one. So many now are in collections. Finding good jazz guitars is getting rarer and rarer.
Wonderful video, thanks much for posting. As someone who grew up in NYC and been to UK a handful of times it brought me back to the special, unique vibe strolling through London. It's especially cool when seeking out niche specialty shops that can take you into a whole other world off the usual tourist circuit. Sadly NYC's 48th St "music row" is now lost and appears Denmark St. might not have long. Perhaps not what it once was -- what is? -- but still quite valuable to capture even in it's diminished state. Wonder if there's some home film footage of Denmark St in its heyday sitting in someone's attic?
Great video ! I’ve been into a couple of shops you videoed but was totally put off by the total lack of space !!! The whole experience is vile, worried to death you’re going to knock something over at any time !!! Beautiful guitars but like i said, hardly room to breathe !
Hello Sir really enjoy the channel, do you have any recs on upgrading humbuckers in an archtop? Think i have kent knock offs now, i would like a "clear". Maybe Bartolini?
Hi Andor. I wish I could help more but I’m not too familiar with either maker. My fav pickups are usually Guild Hb1, super 58’s, classic 57’s etc.. I suppose I’m quite unoriginal in this way. If you go to the www.jazzguitar.be/forum and post a question there, you will get a LOT of help. Sorry I couldn’t have been more helpful. Thanks for your kind words.
the shops you showed us on the way to denmark street are they all in that area as i intend to come to London looking for a nice L5 or artist award . or a jazz box i like
Hey Vic, they are all along the soho area, piccadilly area. If you got to Piccadilly underground and then head behind the big boots chemist (on the circus) you’ll be on the same path. Then keep steering to your right, or at least don’t wander left. It sounds difficult but you’ll likely see what I mean. Have fun!
I been goin for years and its sad to see whats happened there. That said, i said this to someone in one of the stores an why no famous people have stepped in. He smirked an basically told me there is a big investor in the street someone famous an that they were building a club under the street an that the streets going to get a revamp. it may not all be bad. I really enjoyed it when wango had a bunch of shops near each other with real obscure guitars
@@archtopheaven9549 live venue i think he hinted. Kinda said there lots goin on with the sex pistols film an the place get a second wind. I was reading inbetween lines
Thanks for this great video! As an American it has been a dream of mine to visit the UK. I had hoped jazz was more popular over there than in the US, but I guess things are the same everywhere. Man, the prices on those old Gibsons are sky-high. What a great trip through London!
Yes the prices of old Gibson Archtops and new ones, has got a little ‘eye brow raising’. I hope one day you get to visit! Stockholm has a great jazz scene. Likely one of the best anywhere. Glad you enjoyed the video.
I've seen a lot of sellers refusing to budge on prices and for what ends I'm not sure. Maybe pride, stubbornness etc.. Makes you wonder if they're in business to sell guitars or not? I suspect these maybe commission sales where the seller has no motivation to lower the price and the shop has the space on the wall. However time and space is money.
Me and me mates use to go there in the 1970`s to find gear ,always come back with what we needed . Now ! been around them in the last 3 years and nothing, the soul has just gone Nothing. Sadly my thinking is it will all go online..real estate people will move in and just build apartments... :-(
That’s how I felt too. Used to go in the 90’s; was a lot of fun. Now it all seems a bit sad. Saying that, I think the market as a whole is different. Most of the best stuff is online and already sold into collections.
Retail on the high street, has been dying for years. On-line is the way they have all gone. Better to invest in a big shed and a computer. Sad, for iconic locations such as Denmark St, but the current fact of life.
If people and stores can’t afford rent who’s gonna rent the buildings? And why will people still go there? Every business can’t be a five star restaurant or a Rolex shop.
My guitar heaven ❤❤❤though i know most of the shop workers there jack at Regent sounds Tom at wunjos as well as Annie there to Marc at Notom Blackpool steve at Hanks as well as toby
Sadly, I’ve been there a few times in the last two years. There’s nothing to get excited about - it’s more just a guitar vibe more than finding any amazing guitars
Love the guy casually playing a bunch of John Mayer lines on a strat in the background.
My thing is photography. i loved going to my local photo shop, hanging around, talking to photographers and the owners, browsing what they had in stock, and buying my gear. Now they're all gone. Young photographers will never have that experience. I imagine it will be the same for guitar players as well.
Another reason for the decline of guitar shops is the aggressive ‘don’t touch’ customer experience - as demonstrated here. A much more customer-friendly approach would have been ‘Hi mate....can I help you with that guitar’ and then a gentle reminder about store policy. This is why so many of us shop online.
You make a good point Andy.
They make you feel like a naughty kid. One commented under his breath "Jesus" and tutted.
I can only imagine what types go in there for them to behave in such a away.
Thanks for commenting.
Regards
AH
th-cam.com/video/g7-5io1muSQ/w-d-xo.htmlsi=wSIJ9dPv5-RHHZmr
No dont even touch it 🤓
guitar guitar are great for helping
Agree. I always ask if I can try a guitar and generally they’re always willing to oblige.
I know heard him say Jesus 😡😡😡😡
What has always killed trade for these shops is the dastardly vat on second hand instruments, this reminds me of being 19 and taking the tube to freedmans in 1979 to pick up my first quality guitar, a Washburn falcon in a fitted had case... wonderful
Interesting thought.
Really enjoyed this, I was there in '87 and I have an image of a shop with a long line of Rickys hanging from the ceiling (clearly visible from outside the shop), being a Jam fan I was dazzled by the amount and the colours. I can't seem to find the shop that I have in my memory but it appears that so much has changed over the decades that it may not even be there anymore. Thanks so much for making this video.
Glad you enjoyed it esc2dos.
The jam were a great band and Weller is from my neck of the woods. Grew up on the same street as my dad.
Two corrections.
London prices are forcing music shops out of the area, not out of business.
The 3rd guitar shop is called 'Regent Sounds' not 'soho jazz bar'.
What a beautiful sight 😮, it's been years since I've been inside a guitar shop. Fond memories of the sixties and seventies.💯👌
James what a time to have visited. I can only imagine what it must have been like. Buzzing for sure!
@@archtopheaven9549 I was there with the kinks, the faces, Spencer David, Andy low.
I used to go to that place when it was called Andy's!!.....
Thanks for posting this. I was thinking of having a look round these guitar shops myself this past weekend but didn't make it. Lovely to get such a close up view of everything. I think the advent of guitar 'supermarkets' and online shopping has taken much of the glamour and excitement away from the few remaining stores in and around Denmark Street, sadly. It used to have a real attraction, now it seems more of a relic of a past era. The repair shops are definitely a continued need for those like myself and I really hope they can afford to stay. Still enjoyable to spend time wandering around the area but as others have already pointed out, it feels a much diminished area in many respects.
I agree Arthur. Still glad you enjoyed the video.
I suppose for those in London, Denmark streets guitar techs do offer a convenient service.
Must be fun working there although it is looking very corporate now.
Hey maybe I’m just getting older and the 18 year old in me is growing up?
I’m sure if I was in my teens again, i’d still love it?
The quality of guitars is a difficult one. So many now are in collections. Finding good jazz guitars is getting rarer and rarer.
@@archtopheaven9549 There's few things in life more appealing than a fully stocked guitar shop window :)
Wonderful video, thanks much for posting. As someone who grew up in NYC and been to UK a handful of times it brought me back to the special, unique vibe strolling through London. It's especially cool when seeking out niche specialty shops that can take you into a whole other world off the usual tourist circuit. Sadly NYC's 48th St "music row" is now lost and appears Denmark St. might not have long. Perhaps not what it once was -- what is? -- but still quite valuable to capture even in it's diminished state. Wonder if there's some home film footage of Denmark St in its heyday sitting in someone's attic?
Hey Rubiera
I’m sure there must be footage? If I find some I’ll send you a link.
I agree with your sentiment.
Thanks for the message.
My impression from the video is that Denmark street still has as many, if not more, shops than 48th street had back in the 1970s.
Great video ! I’ve been into a couple of shops you videoed but was totally put off by the total lack of space !!! The whole experience is vile, worried to death you’re going to knock something over at any time !!! Beautiful guitars but like i said, hardly room to breathe !
Hello Sir really enjoy the channel, do you have any recs on upgrading humbuckers in an archtop? Think i have kent knock offs now, i would like a "clear". Maybe Bartolini?
Hi Andor.
I wish I could help more but I’m not too familiar with either maker.
My fav pickups are usually Guild Hb1, super 58’s, classic 57’s etc..
I suppose I’m quite unoriginal in this way.
If you go to the www.jazzguitar.be/forum and post a question there, you will get a LOT of help.
Sorry I couldn’t have been more helpful.
Thanks for your kind words.
@@archtopheaven9549 I think you have been a help- I’m going to check those pickups you mentioned out!
Beautiful, thanks.
With 4-5 figure prices, there's no wonder these places go out of business. BTW, what's with the hand-writen price tags?
What a dreamland of great instruments!
And dream prices :)
I wonder how much it would cost to buy the entire inventory of Denmark St? Hmmm
the shops you showed us on the way to denmark street are they all in that area as i intend to come to London looking for a nice L5 or artist award . or a jazz box i like
Hey Vic, they are all along the soho area, piccadilly area. If you got to Piccadilly underground and then head behind the big boots chemist (on the circus) you’ll be on the same path. Then keep steering to your right, or at least don’t wander left.
It sounds difficult but you’ll likely see what I mean.
Have fun!
I been goin for years and its sad to see whats happened there. That said, i said this to someone in one of the stores an why no famous people have stepped in. He smirked an basically told me there is a big investor in the street someone famous an that they were building a club under the street an that the streets going to get a revamp. it may not all be bad. I really enjoyed it when wango had a bunch of shops near each other with real obscure guitars
Interesting. I know Hanks have been saying they’re doomed but they’ve been saying that for a while.
I wonder what type of club they’re making?
@@archtopheaven9549 live venue i think he hinted. Kinda said there lots goin on with the sex pistols film an the place get a second wind. I was reading inbetween lines
@@amoskamil6823
Sounds interesting. I hope whatever happens, it's for the historic benefit of the street.
I bought that 66 12 string 335 ! It’s awesome!
Thanks for this great video! As an American it has been a dream of mine to visit the UK. I had hoped jazz was more popular over there than in the US, but I guess things are the same everywhere. Man, the prices on those old Gibsons are sky-high. What a great trip through London!
Yes the prices of old Gibson Archtops and new ones, has got a little ‘eye brow raising’.
I hope one day you get to visit!
Stockholm has a great jazz scene. Likely one of the best anywhere.
Glad you enjoyed the video.
That venetian Byrdlands been there for years
I've seen a lot of sellers refusing to budge on prices and for what ends I'm not sure. Maybe pride, stubbornness etc..
Makes you wonder if they're in business to sell guitars or not?
I suspect these maybe commission sales where the seller has no motivation to lower the price and the shop has the space on the wall.
However time and space is money.
Those sort of guitars dont go to players they end up in the hands of investors ...
@@nolslifegren
At the moment, the only one investing is the shop.
@5:19 Wow, a 13,995 left in the window everyday. Not to bright* :O
Me and me mates use to go there in the 1970`s to find gear ,always come back with what we needed . Now ! been around them in the last 3 years and nothing, the soul has just gone Nothing. Sadly my thinking is it will all go online..real estate people will move in and just build apartments...
:-(
That’s how I felt too. Used to go in the 90’s; was a lot of fun. Now it all seems a bit sad.
Saying that, I think the market as a whole is different. Most of the best stuff is online and already sold into collections.
Retail on the high street, has been dying for years. On-line is the way they have all gone. Better to invest in a big shed and a computer. Sad, for iconic locations such as Denmark St, but the current fact of life.
All the good guitar shops are out of London.
If people and stores can’t afford rent who’s gonna rent the buildings? And why will people still go there? Every business can’t be a five star restaurant or a Rolex shop.
Everywhere will look the same.
England is smaller then california :)
If everyone would quit paying the ridiculous prices, the prices would all come down. And gee ... a Confederate flag. Must be a free country.
Ye had a terrible time in Denmark st it’s either don’t touch or full of Japanese stuff, hanks was the worst.
All ridiculously overpriced!
My guitar heaven ❤❤❤though i know most of the shop workers there jack at Regent sounds Tom at wunjos as well as Annie there to Marc at Notom Blackpool steve at Hanks as well as toby
I had the owner of NO-Tom guitars at my workshop a few weeks back. Interesting people no doubt.
Sadly, I’ve been there a few times in the last two years. There’s nothing to get excited about - it’s more just a guitar vibe more than finding any amazing guitars
I felt the same way tbh.