Where should I go tomorrow? Acoustic guitar shopping question

Rich31k · June 2022

I have an unexpected day off tomorrow

. I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to go acoustic guitar shopping and the stars have aligned for tomorrow.

I live in Derby - happy to travel a bit (an hour or so) - I was thinking Guitar Guitar Birmingham or Rich Tone in Sheffield. It’s been years since I’ve been to either.

I’ve visited Foulds Guitars and they have a nice Colin Keefe guitar, but nothing else around that price (£3500) to compare it to. I’d like to try and few, particularly Taylor, before I commit to anything.

Anyone have any suggestions of good shops to visit for acoustic guitars that are reasonably close?

Whistler · June 2022

If you are going to Birmingham then a bit beyond to Stratford-upon-Avon will get you to the shop I have bought the most guitars from. You will be amazed at the acoustic and electro-acoustic range in stock. It is a great place where they will leave you alone and let you get on with finding the guitar(s) that have the sound, feel and looks that appeal to you. The shop is opposite the railway station. See rguitars.co.uk

Edit: I should say that I am biased as I have bought five guitars over the years from there.

mrkb · June 2022

^ has Richards guitars had a rebrand to avoid the past “issues”?

OP surely Coda music acoustic store in Stevenage is worth a visit.

Rich31k · June 2022

mrkb said:

^ has Richards guitars had a rebrand to avoid the past “issues”?

OP surely Coda music acoustic store in Stevenage is worth a visit.

Coda was high on my list. But Google Maps has it at a 4-hour round trip. I’d probably prefer to stay closer while I’m weighing up my options.

mrkb · June 2022

Rich31k said:

mrkb said:

^ has Richards guitars had a rebrand to avoid the past “issues”?

OP surely Coda music acoustic store in Stevenage is worth a visit.

Coda was high on my list. But Google Maps has it at a 4-hour round trip. I’d probably prefer to stay closer while I’m weighing up my options.

But one trip to Coda will sort you out, so no longer will you need to weight up any options. It’s incredibly well stocked.

bertie · June 2022

try the acoustic section ? there might be peeps there that dont venture this far north

Rich31k · June 2022

mrkb said:

Rich31k said:

mrkb said:

^ has Richards guitars had a rebrand to avoid the past “issues”?

OP surely Coda music acoustic store in Stevenage is worth a visit.

Coda was high on my list. But Google Maps has it at a 4-hour round trip. I’d probably prefer to stay closer while I’m weighing up my options.

But one trip to Coda will sort you out, so no longer will you need to weight up any options. It’s incredibly well stocked.

I’ll give it some thought. Thanks. It is a good option.

Rich31k · June 2022

bertie said:

try the acoustic section ? there might be peeps there that dont venture this far north

Good point. Moved to Acoustics

Mellish · June 2022

I have no hesitation in recommending GG Birmingham.

If you *do* go there, check out that almost horizontal Taylor in the acoustic room. Man, that's a cool guitar

Adamski · June 2022

All good choices but if you go to Brum you can also go to PMT so you’ll have two big stores. With anything, it’s a numbers game and that’ll give you the chance to try the most stock

bertie · June 2022

Mellish said:

almost horizontal Taylor

intrigued what is a "horizontal" guitar ?

mrkb · June 2022

Adamski said:

All good choices but if you go to Brum you can also go to PMT so you’ll have two big stores. With anything, it’s a numbers game and that’ll give you the chance to try the most stock

And you could also try Express Music in Coventry as a small detour afterwards if needed, they’ve got a fair range of acoustics upstairs.

Wazmeister · June 2022

Whistler said:

If you are going to Birmingham then a bit beyond to Stratford-upon-Avon will get you to the shop I have bought the most guitars from. You will be amazed at the acoustic and electro-acoustic range in stock. It is a great place where they will leave you alone and let you get on with finding the guitar(s) that have the sound, feel and looks that appeal to you. The shop is opposite the railway station. See rguitars.co.uk

Edit: I should say that I am biased as I have bought five guitars over the years from there.

I'd personally avoid this one...

Top drawer and best service is Coda Music. Full stop - Doug and his team are brilliant, especially when it goes wrong or you change your mind.

Worth the journey in every way - it's still my no.1 dealer and I live in Wolverhampton.

Guitar guitar Birmingham and PMT would make sense.

Mellish · June 2022

@bertie ; - it's mounted almost horizontally on the display wall

Normally side-mounted controls just put me off, but there's something about that one. It's the looks, the sound, it just does it - for me.

bertie · June 2022

Mellish said:

@bertie ; - it's mounted almost horizontally on the display wall

ah right - LOL

which model is it ?

I had a 612 and a 614 back in the early 2000's - bought the 612 off ebay, sold it and bought the 614 from Soundcontrol for the princely sum of £1800 (and a Deville for £500)

couldnt believe when I saw they're north of £3k now for the new models

Mellish · June 2022

Well that's the thing mate, I can't tell you the model cos I didn't look! Checked it over fully otherwise though, a great guitar in every way

greejn · June 2022

Another vote for Coda, especially when things go wrong, they are very helpful.

Mellish · June 2022

@bertie ; - I've called the store.

From my description they say a 614ce with honey-coloured top

VimFuego · June 2022

Mellish said:

@bertie ; - I've called the store.

From my description they say a 614ce with honey-coloured top

now, you don't get that level of service on other forums.

Mellish · June 2022

@VimFuego ; - cheers mate

bertie · June 2022

VimFuego said:

Mellish said:

@bertie ; - I've called the store.

From my description they say a 614ce with honey-coloured top

now, you don't get that level of service on other forums.

I feel I ought to pay........................................................

then felt better

my old 614

Image: https://scontent-man2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/289433438_10228426379866333_4222845480842061476_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=dFHk6eorhUkAX8WDxqZ&tn=jp2s1H4RSkn2tM3B&_nc_ht=scontent-man2-1.xx&oh=00_AT-TfcbIGKUiE7VI226Q-s6gyiUOA7ghdF4kVDE1KmauXg&oe=62B7226B

Rich31k · June 2022

So my day off turned into half a day off. But that’s the way it goes!

Nonetheless, had a good few hours at GG Birmingham. Nearly left with a nice 714ce, but wasn’t completely happy with it.

The staff were great and left me to my own devices, giving input when asked.

The search continues…

Mellish · June 2022

@Rich31k ; - at least you know now that it's a nice store, staffed by friendly guys.

Glen is the store manager btw

Soupman · June 2022

@bertie I see you have a horizontal Taylor too....

Mellish · June 2022

Soupman said:

@bertie I see you have a horizontal Taylor too....

Oh well *he can*, it's only other people...

bertie · June 2022

Mellish said:

Soupman said:

@bertie I see you have a horizontal Taylor too....

Oh well *he can*, it's only other people...

LOL very good

had......................... long gone to a producer friend in Cornishland

idiotwindow · June 2022

Wazmeister said:

Top drawer and best service is Coda Music. Full stop - Doug and his team are brilliant, especially when it goes wrong or you change your mind.

Yes, given a choice, I wouldn't buy a guitar or amp from any other dealer. Doug replaced my amp not just once, but twice, in a period of 6-7 months. He even offered me my money back after the second amp developed a fault. I imagine most dealers would have just taken it in for repair. When I bought a CS Gibson (the one in my avatar) from Coda, Doug told me that if I didn't get on with it, I could bring it back. Fortunately, I'm only about half an hour's drive from Stevenage but I would certainly travel much further to buy from Coda if I had to.

WezV · June 2022

take a 10 minute drive to Burton for Pete Oakley's Guitar Superstore.

bertie · June 2022

.

Rich31k · June 2022

WezV said:

take a 10 minute drive to Burton for Pete Oakley's Guitar Superstore.

I’ll check it out thank you. Despite having grown up in Etwall, and having friends/family in Burton, I’ve never heard of Pete Oakley’s!

WezV · June 2022

He has had a few small and very cramped shops in Burton since the 90's, now has a bigger one where you can actually see stock

He has a good mix of stuff for a smaller shop. Last time I was there the highlights where some rather expensive Collings and a good selection of Maton's, along with the usual suspects. Might not be what you are after, but worth a look if you are close by

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories

In this Discussion

Become a Subscriber!

Where should I go tomorrow? Acoustic guitar shopping question

Comments