Rude, grumpy and unhelpful. I wanted some advice about acoustic guitar strings, they basically made really unhelpful comments, made me feel like i was wasting their time, when all i wanted was help about the kind of strings to buy. Wish I'd gone somewhere else on the street and wont be returning the shop. read more

I would look elsewhere if I was you. TLDR: Guitar sold under false pretences, stops working because it hasn't been set-up in probably 15 years, they refuse to take it back though they said they'd take it back, had to go there 4 or 5 times and eventually they took it back at a cost, for me, of 500 pounds - 3 days in still haven't got my money back even though they have the guitar. Extremely shady business, I have not encountered this kind of trickery and blatant, obvious lying before, and I used to work in telemarketing sales years ago. So I was sold this 2000 Martin D18 I was told had been setup and everything was fine, all sunshine no rain. Except for it didn't have its original case, but instead came with this case with a big gaping hole in it that made my house smell like old mans testicles for a week so I returned it for a gig bag. 2295 I paid for this D18, turns out a new one with case and everything is just 2595.. Okay, local businesses need to make money. But then I changed strings, I noticed the old strings were really rusty, like actual rust - and after getting the new strings on there (11's, that they gave me after they told me there was 11's on the guitar since before) every fret was buzzing, unplayable. I tried to adjust the truss rod but it didn't move which I told the shop and the manager went crazy over me trying to adjust it - to the point where he thought I had said I actually adjusted it which isn't true - and even if I had adjusted it, its made for adjusting, that's why its there, if you're scared of a truss rod then I don't know, its a guitar shop. The owner of the store promised me I could return or exchange it, via Facebook messenger, but the store manager refused. Then the guy (manager) says I must have done something to the guitar - I tell him that since the strings have been on for so long and probably heavier gauge then when you change strings that changes the tension in the neck which can lead to these kinds of problems because the wood is moving (this is stated on Martin, Taylor, Gibson, Fender, everyone's websites and ask any hobby-luthier and above and they'll tell you the same thing) - but he tells me that "no, that's not a thing, tension affecting the neck? no no" Long story less long; I went back 3 times trying to return it, on the fourth time he (manager) still refused to take it back and refund me the money until I said he could keep 500 of it, I just wanted out of this place asap and I know it was a really bad deal for me but I couldn't stand being there and dealing with this crap. Now 3 days later I still haven't got my money - they have the guitar obviously, and my 500 pounds that they got from using fraudulent sales tactics lying about the guitar, but of course still no refund. Now I tried to contact them on Facebook about this but im guessing they're withholding the whole refund now because they've just blocked me on Facebook so I can't ask them where my money is. I feel pretty helpless against this place, they've been abusive since right after they swiped my card but at the same time its developing into a funny story, guitar store manager scared of truss rods and denies any knowledge of neck tension in guitars. Its pretty comedic in a pathetic way, they must be desperate for money but I don't think they realise that these scumbag tactics are just going to cost them more - im going to tell every living soul I know about this now who in turn will tell some of their friends and never recommend anyone go to this place. Nevertheless if I don't get my money back (-500 of course) im not sure how to deal with it, call the police? Go in there and repossess my 1799 in form of equipment which I believe I can sell quickly to get that money back? Of course that's not going to happen, but sometimes I feel a little itch to go and treat them how they treated me. Real pieces of........ fish. read more

Hanks Guitar shop sells, you've guest it, guitars. I play a little myself, and I was playing in front of a friend around two months ago, and from that moment on, he has decided to take up the guitar. I have him my old one to start playing, but he wanted to get a new one, so we took a trip up to Denmard Street, which is renowned for it music shops. He ended up choosing a nice swanky guitar from Hanks, he managed to barter the price down from 295 to 250! So I don't forget to haggle, gosh I'm sounding like a repeat on daytime tv. The staff are very helpful and more like teachers than anything else. They have a humongous selection to choose from and we were taken through most of them. I personally love the sight of all those guitars, and looking around there are plenty of people who are just visiting them, just to have a strum. So, if you are looking to buy a guitar, take a visit to Hanks, which happens to be on a street where you will find music shop after music shop, but Hanks gave both me and my friend the best vibe and were by far the most helpful. read more

Hank's Guitar Shop - Guitar Stores Near Me - London, XGL

I'm no Jimi Hendrix but I do love a good tune on my guitar. The only thing about going to buy a good guitar - especially on the legendary Denmark Street, is that if you are not of an exceptional standard, the guys in there can be rather intimidating and always feel the need to play amazingly in front of you 'just so you can hear the sound'. Hank's guitar shop is very good however and you don't feel that intimidation as the staff aren't there to show off, but are true music enthusiasts and want to help you. The range of guitars are amazing and I ended up buying a gorgeous bright pink Daisy Rock guitar which is for female players but is built the same as normal guitars and definitely as heavy! They also offered to teach me how to re-string the guitar and what plectrum would be best. I'm still no Jimi Hendrix but I am getting better! read more

Hank's Guitar Shop - Image courtesy of Hank's Guitar Shop website - Guitar Stores Near Me - London, XGL

Being a bit of a folk enthusiast myself, this shop full of unplugged instruments is definitely one of my favourites. Located on Denmark Street, this shop is an acoustic gem amongst many other music stores. The shop has a notably big collection of instruments. Rather than just having them hung on the walls, they really use as much floor space as possible to display guitars, leaving just enough room for people to walk in and out. There are some really amazing little instruments such as banjos, dobros and lapsteel guitars. The staff are great, and the vibe of the shop is really authentic in a folk kind of way. read more

Hank's Guitar Shop - Guitar Stores Near Me - London, XGL

I love girls with guitars. I want to be a girl with a guitar, but I have not quite got there yet. My lovely brother gave me his acoustic guitar when he moved away to California, and would occasionally ask if I was getting anything out of it. Well, I can pick it up, and hold it like guitarists do... but that is about it. So, the last time he came to England he took me to Hanks Guitar shop to try and get me started. My dream would be to play like Cat Power. I love her with all my heart and I love how she noodles on the guitar as if she is picking the chords apart. The moment I got there I froze up with the social anxiety of someone who feels completely out of their depth. Fortunately the guys were all extremely helpful. Of course they were beyond knowledgeable of all things guitar, but they also knew how to talk in easy language to a guitar novice, and I soon stopped feeling overwhelmed. I picked up some strings here, and a pink guitar pick. My brother gazed at the hundreds of acoustic guitars on display. This really is a guitar lovers paradise. Perhaps next time I will have the confidence to come unchaperoned by my big brother. read more

Hank's Guitar Shop - Guitar Stores Near Me - London, XGL

Hanks is something of a legendary shop on Denmark Street and with good reason (not to mention quite a few famous customers/ex-customers). That's all very good, but is it deserved? (Short answer = yes). They have a great range of acoustic instruments from starter guitars and banjos through to the top-end instruments. On my last trip there, they seemed to be slightly lacking in th £200 - £350 price bracket compared to some of their competitors but the staff were fairly forthright about this and clearly know their stuff. They're also very helpful and keen when it comes to letting you try out the instruments, letting you take your time with a selection of guitars without any hard sell. Left-handers might have more luck at Macaris on Charing Cross Road but for most a visit to Hank's has to be on your list when in Denmark Street. read more

So I had a little mishap with my guitar last week that involved a lot of whisky and ended with wearing it as a shoe, so I needed a new guitar. I asked around and everybody told me 'go to Denmark Street'. So I head over to Denmark Street and after checking out a few reviews I decided to have a look in the famous Hank's Guitar Shop. If it's good enough for Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan to name a few then it's good enough for little ol' me. I chose Hank's because I was looking for an acoustic guitar, which they specialise in, and they have a large selection. They have a great range of guitars to choose from with a lot of different brands depending on your preference. Admittedly their cheaper guitars were mostly ones I haven't heard of but the staff were very helpful and knowledgeable and I was able to find the one I was looking for. Upstairs you can see some of the most amazing guitars ever crafted, most of which unfortunately I was only able to play for a few minutes in one of their rooms. I could only whisper to the one I wanted 'goodbye, one day I will be back for you!' as I picked up the one I loved that was only slightly over my budget. The thing I like the most, apart from the guitars of course, was that the staff were so friendly and not once did they try the hard sell, up sell or make me feel uncomfortable, like the people you have to nearly tell to back off before you floor them as they pounce on you when you walk into the place. I got what I needed and they even through in a few things for free as an added yet unexpected bonus. I highly recommend this place and will surely be going back again! read more

I'm so torn... On the 1 hand, Hank's shop is everything it should be; A treasure trove of mystical and magical items that seem to say "If you buy me, I'll make you a better musician". On the other hand the sod sold me a guitar string that snapped 30 mins into a gig!!! Hanks is one of the only places that sells individual strings, all I needed was a D string. The one he (I'm assuming it was Hank) sold me wasn't a big name string but he said it'd be alright... and i trusted him. After the incident i went back and bought myself a whole set of Martin's for a fiver which is very reasonable. But now I am forever doomed to carry around with me a packet of strings with the D missing, I'm a laughing stock.. thanks a bunch hank! Seriously though, if you're into acoustic instruments, you can't go anywhere finer x read more

A fun place to visit off the beaten path in London. It has all of your guitar needs.

A truly relaxed and authentic experience. Space given to play and helpful offers from staff for them to also play the guitars we were considering so we could listen. They also helpfully questioned what was important to ensure we found what was the right instrument. Don't be overawed by the dense collections of guitars. Like an art gallery, give yourself time to browse, play and ask for guidance when you are ready. read more

This is a great guitar shop. The staff are very knowledgable and helpful. But be warned, it's very hard to leave the shop without buying something - it's that tempting! read more

Fantastic selection of guitars. Good location on Denmark St. Friendly sales guys... until, that is, you have a problem with your guitar. My £550 Tanglewood bought from Hank's began buzzing shortly after purchase. A really annoying, occasional resonant buzz. The worst part was that it happened only occasionally. I took it in for repair and they promised to look at it. I got it back a week later and the problem seemed fixed. I noticed that they had replaced some of the bridge pins. Couple of days later the problem was back and I took it back in again. This time I've got to say, they were a lot less friendly and I was left with the distinct impression that they had had enough of me. I was told that there was no component part in the guitar that could be loose (since everything is glued or fixed in place) and so it would be impossible for anything to move around. To cut a long story short, it was the washer and bolt holding the input jack in place that had come loose and that was causing the problem. It's very difficult to reach to tighten up as you have to take the strings off and try to get to it through the sound hole. Even once you get your hand in you probably need to have a special tool to do it. In conclusion, I wasn't impressed. I understand why most reviews here are so glowing... they don't involve after-sales service! Buyer beware. read more

I visited Hanks to try and establish a value for a vintage guitar. I had photos on a memory stick and I asked if they could take a look and give me some indication of value. I was told they couldn't look at photos from a memory stick and please email them. I did so and waited for a reply, which I did not get. I phoned the shop and they said they had received it and had no idea of the value. I asked for a ball park figure, but they said that was impossible to give! They don't exactly live up to their own boast printed below: "We are a real shop. Our staff are real people. Actually, we've been a real shop for over a quarter of a century. And since then we like to think our values haven't changed much. This means when you send us an email, it will be replied to. From the shop. Personally." read more