O.M.D. The Icicle Works…read moreTeardrop Explodes Echo & The Bunnymen Frankie Goes To Hollywood The La's The Coral The Zutons & Candie Payne The list of artists that have bought instruments from Curly Music probably stretches the length of the shop. The reason they've chosen to shop there is simple, it's one of the longest running independent music shops 'run by musicians for musicians'. That means there's a top notch selection of guitars, bass, drums, keyboards, synthesisers, drum machines and percussion from leading brands. Beginners can pick up special guitar packages (including unbranded Telecasters and Marshall amps for a bargain £159) whilst there's a great secondhand section including Rickenbackers, Fender Stratocasters and Gibson Les Pauls for seasoned musos. Helpfully, Curly also sell spares and mend instruments on site. The thing that's most endearing however, is the staff's obvious love of all things musical. If you don't play an instrument yet, they'll make you leave wanting to!

Curly Music stock a huge range of musical instruments and is one of three musical shops on the same…read morestreet. It is argubly the best of the three. I am no music expert but I don't have to be, as anybody (whether or not you're a novice) will realise that staff here are passionate enough in the field to provide sound advice on all your musical needs. You can feel and sample instruments to your heart's content given permission, which is more than welcome. Curly Music are the most affordable out of the three music stores. It is undoubtedly a well-established independent shop, that ranks high with many music lovers.

As a rule of thumb, I'm not usually a fan of Dawsons Music. I think their shops look and feel more…read morelike department stores that happen to sell musical instruments rather than furniture and fashion. This particular branch however, seems to be run by staff that genuinely appreciate music and actively encourage customers to pick up and play the instruments. I've never witnessed it myself but apparently, most of the staff are musicians themselves and if asked nicely will happily perform guitar, bass and drum solos to show you the capabilities of individual models. They can also offer one to one tuition if you fancy signing up for lessons. As you'd expect, there's a good line of guitars, bass, drums, synths, woodwind, percussion and pianos as well as PA systems, recording equipment, turntables and mixers. Further proof that this Dawsons is one worth checking out is the fact they hold regular open days where you can find out more about particular equipment and brands. There was one awhile back about new and vintage Gibson guitars and there's one coming up on 10 April called 'An Introduction to PA Systems.'

Dawsons is one of at least three music stores on the same street, and if I'm honest it's not my…read morefavourite. They do have a large selection of musical instruments, ranging from guitars to pianos. It's a bit strange because you are encouraged to give the instruments a whirl, and the staff will play for you if you ask them. The quality of the instruments is great, but in this place, you pay for quality. My problem with Dawsons is that it can be slightly intimidating if you're not exactly a music scene king/queen as all the staff are wannabe rockstars. It also seems that they try and sell you the most expensive item, rather than what you're actually looking for.

I used this store when trying to buy a piano for my Mum. We couldn't go and see it as she is not…read moreable. The help I was given by a person from Mail Order was immense. They helped me every step of the way - never got tired of answering my questions - even did a CD for me of 2 different pianos! They were exceptional. We got the piano. Delivery was very efficient as well.

From the owner: Dawsons Music store in Warrington has been a centre serving the needs of local musicians for…read moredecades. It has an onsite music school, teaching guitar, bass, piano and drums, and the site itself is a Rockschool Examination centre! A range of over 150 guitars and basses provides options for every player at every level. And Dawsons are one of the country's leading Gibson and Epiphone dealers. Lovers of guitar amps can choose from Blackstar amps among a wide range of other brands. And, if all you need is a set of strings, you will find an accessory wall loaded with a massive range of D'Addario strings, along with other major lines. However, it isn't all 'rock 'n' roll'. As a stockist of Kawai, Dawsons have Yamaha Clavinovas, acoustic pianos and a range of synthesisers too. A very well stocked music technology department caters to the needs of producers, engineers and electronic musicians, whilst onsite repairers are on hand to fix brass, woodwind and guitars.

I find Forsyths music shop totally magical. It makes me feel like it's the 70s or something…read more Spread out over three expansive floors, this place is faded and full of character but well set out and full of helpful staff. Downstairs, there are shelves and shelves of sheet music for every kind of instrument you can imagine. It really is huge this place. If they don't have what you want, then one of the kind staff members will be able to see if they can get in what you need. On the first floor is where the grand pianos live. Again, there are absolutely loads of them, ranging from uprights to baby grand and full on grand pianos. When I went in there was a piano tuner over in the far corner doing his thing. It just added to the magic of the place for me. For any guitarists, upstairs on the second floor is the place to go. There are masses of acoustic guitars here, as well as a great range of electrics as well. Honestly, there is more of a selection than in Johnny Roadhouse and it competes with Music Ground as well. Like every floor of Forsyths, there are dedicated staff members on each floor ready to assist you. I really do like Forsyths. Its size is incredible and stock unrivalled in Manchester.

Know your Klangfarbenmelodie (twentieth century technique in which the notes of a melody are…read moredistributed among different instruments, giving a pointillistic texture) from your sarabande (stately Spanish Baroque dance type in triple meter, a standard movement of the Baroque suite). No neither do I but people who go into forsyth probably do. This big old music store is a giant of all things that make melodies. According to a musical friend you can track down whatever sheet music you may need...... ever in here; for a simpleton like me I just look around taking it all in, they've got lots of pretty pianos and shiny trumpets. So as far I'm concerned it's good.

Rimmer's is the sort of music store that offers customers a wealth of selection in many…read moreinstruments, ranging from traditional ones like guitar and pianos to more unusual ones like harmonicas and mandolins. The overall atmosphere in the shop isn't as comfortable or as personal as smaller, independent music shops, like nearby Quicksilver Music for example, but they make up for this by having such a large range of instruments for sale there. Their prices are pretty competitive there and the staff are quite friendly and approachable whilst being happy to offer you some advice if you're not sure what you're looking for. They're also happy to let you try before you buy, just don't go playing the intro to Stairway to Heaven anytime soon as it's a bit of a faux pas in music shops. It might not have the charming appeal of smaller places like Quicksilver or Wesley Music but if it's a good selection of products that you're looking for, then Rimmer's should be your first port of call. They also offer guitar tuition if you're daunted by the prospect of learning an instrument on your own.

Rimmer's has loads of choice, and great prices to boot. Whatever you need music wise, they have…read moreit. If they don't have they will either tell you where to find it, or find it for you.

This is a great music shop,it has a great selection of stuf,which include amps,guitars-electric and…read moreacoustic. There have guitar strings,violins,drums,any musical instruments etc. It is a family run business,they are always very fiendly and willing to help you,i go in here maybe few times a year,most of the time near christmas as my boyfriend loves his guitars. The only downfall is that the shop is very small,but it makes up for it as the service is great.

This is a great independent music shop. I have been in to buy things in the staff and the staff are…read morereally helpful. There is a large selection of instruments on display but they could do with a bigger shop - because this one is tiny. The prices are quite competitive with the bigger chain of dawsons. They also have the usual notice board feature which you find in a lot of music shops where you can leave a note if your are looking to form a band/sell an instrument etc. There are plenty of accessories on offer in this place too ranging from fingerpicks, amps, guitar straps through to sheet music or new sets of strings. I really like the comfy feel of the place. It feels like the shop of a music loving family rather than a small business out to rip you off.

One of Congleton's hidden gems. Perfect for all your musical needs.read more

From the owner: General purpose Music Shop selling CD, DVD, Guitars, Music Books, Accessories - Strings, Reeds,…read moreDrum Sticks etc.

As you would expect from a city that boasts about its musical heritage and contribution to pop…read moreculture as much as Liverpool, there a few independent music shops that can be found around the city centre. Music Notes is one of the smaller music stores that I have come across and placed in an odd area of town, in my opinion, to find it. Being small seems to encourage this place to stock mainly small musical instruments. I'm not entirely sure if they offer more online but you wont find any pianos or drum kits although there are plenty of half size guitars, eukeles, bongos and harmonicas. However they do stock a wide range of sheet music and song books. Good for those looking to take up a new hobby or dwarves in folk bands.

A nice and friendly music shop on North John Street. Very helpful staff which meant I didn't have…read moreto hunt through all the books in their well stocked music shop. The shop has been open for over eight years and really know what they are doing. The stock includes music for all abilities and tastes from the beginner to the professional musician. If you want to find the right music to learn to sing or play your chosen instrument be it piano, guitar, saxophone, drums, trumpet, violin, recorder, penny whistle, banjo etc. then you have come to the right place. There is a noticeboard in the entrance of the shop where you advertise concerts and gigs.

Called in at Guitar-A-Rama for a look round, great shop, lots of choice from entry level to top…read moreend. Where else can you see fifteen Gibson Guitars other than say Dawsons, and you can, without obligation, try any guitar in the shop. And you get a cup of tea. When ever I am in Wrexham now, I send the wife off shopping and I go to Guitar A Rama, for a chat, play on the guitars, and get some free advice. I highly rate this shop.