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.

Whilst Johnny Roadhouse and Sounds Great look and feel like homely, independent music stores run by…read moreaspiring musicians, Dawsons looks and feels like a professional music chain run by aspiring sales assistants. One of nine branches across the UK, this one looks more like an art gallery or contemporary museum with bright lights and slick, floor to ceiling glass windows. Inside is almost as austere with strategically placed pianos, synthesisers and drum kits in one areas and neat rows of guitars, bass, keyboards, clarinets, saxophones and percussion elsewhere. Local deejays should note they also sell decks, mixers, amps, cartridges and needles at Dawsons but sadly, no Technics decks! All of which lead me to suspect that this store is more for amateurs and beginners than seasoned and professional musicians. The awesome White Stripes in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-t1_ETuWIbE

The massive array of weird and wonderful instruments on show makes the Dawsons on Portland st a…read morebeautiful store just to be in. But be warned- anybody hanging about with no more than a leather jacket and a hangover as proof of their rockstar credentials will inevitably found out by the impressively knowledgable staff who are always on hand to help out with any musical issues you may have- yes even guitar and singing lessons! Obvoiusly the prices are pretty much dictated by your choice of instrument but Dawsons does always try to give you their best possible rate and I have found them to be pretty open to a spot of haggling so it's always worth forgetting your British roots for a minute and having a go.

It was so amazing employees really helpful and kind overall best experience of my life.read more

Hit it, Strum it, Blow it, Play it!…read more Johnny Roadhouse's motto speaks volumes about the company's passion and enthusiasm for music. Run by a team of dedicated staff who are as familiar with Ry Cooder as they are Jimi Hendrix, it's the music shop of choice for established and emerging local musicians. Johnny Marr is a regular and I once waited an hour for The Buzzcocks whilst they wandered round trying out new guitars! Going strong for over five decades, JR stocks everything from new, vintage and second-hand guitars to drum kits, synths, bass, percussion, woodwind, saxophones, brass and amps to PA and recording equipment. Folk and world music lovers should note they also have a dedicated section to acoustic instruments from harps and dulcimers to harmonicas. Handily, they also rent out equipment to local promoters and touring bands that have been unfortunate enough to have their gear lost or stolen. Early Buzzcocks in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Unxlh2ucxCg

Very interesting I found this left handed bass guitar with a one piece back at a local pawn shop…read morefor dirt cheap (under $500 USD). It appears to be a 20/40 Beatles bass. From what I have been told in the states this was made for MusicGround some time ago, and only a few were made. I have since cleaned the ol gal up and taught myself to play left handed, as I'm a righty geetar picker. But if anyone has some more info please let me know.

'The Supreme court of Rock 'n' Roll'…read more With a strapline like that, you'd expect Music Ground to have a wonderful selection of guitars and boy, it doesn't dissapoint. As soon as you walk into the Oxford Road store you see rows of new and secondhand Fender Telecasters and Coronados, Gibson Les Pauls, Hofner Razorbacks, Rickenbackers and Epiphones all lined up waiting for you. They also have vintage amplifiers, effects pedals, 4 and 8 track records and much more. Really though, it's all about the geeeetars and the fact they stock the same instruments John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Elvis Presley and other musicians have played. My personal favourite has to be Burns 1964 Hank Marvin Signature Series. As well as looking smoking, this is the guitar that Hank used to write hits like 'Apache.' Which leads me to the biggest problem with Music Ground, the staff aren't over enthusiastic about people picking up and road-testing the instruments. A lot of the guitars are also priced at the high end of the market meaning they'll be out of a lot of aspiring and amateur musicians' league. (: Hank and the boys in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6n3DqWmKkO0

For what just looks like a small, independent guitar shop on Oldham Street, Chase Music is actually…read moresurprisingly bursting with guitars. In fact, there are so many that it's kind of daunting when you go in. I didn't want to turn around too quickly in case I caused some kind of catastrophic domino effect with all the guitars falling down. Thankfully, I stayed quite still and tried to find the Gretsch electric guitar that I've had my eye on recently to see what they were selling them for. And then I discovered that Chase actually have a really bizarre selection of guitars. Gone are your mainstream brands like Fender. This shop is full of Tanglewood electric guitars (I've seen and even own Tanglewood acoustics, but I've never seen an electric) and lots of guitars from a brand called Shine. This is because Chase specialise in selling guitars that have been overproduced and then selling them at discount prices. Which is fair enough, I guess. To be honest, I didn't really like many of them. Lots of the guitars were also a bit too metal for me. At the back of the shop there is a small range of amps, electric pianos and sheet music. As I left Chase I noticed a Spongebob Squarepants guitar in the shop window. I'm not really sure this place is for me.

This company are to be avoided at all costs…read more Seriously. My experience with them to date has been terrible. We purchased a piano set from them worth over £400. It arrived with a fault. When we reported the fault they collected the piano and then basically forgot about us. I called to enquire and was spoken down to by a very unpleasant person. They told me that the piano needed to be inspected before they could issue a replacement or refund. This would be understandable if we'd had the item for a few weeks or even days, but we had it for a few hours! He said that he couldn't process anything until he received the piano in case we didn't send it back, as that had happened in the past (everyone is guilty until proven innocent with this company then!). After they collected the piano, they said we could have a full refund, and then informed us that we may have to pay for the delivery of the other items in the order to be sent back. I had to argue with them for quite a while to have that charge rescinded. Basically, you are dealing with a generation of shop salesmen that have been forced to trade online. They have no idea what it takes to be customer-centric. They don't seem to appreciate that consumers have a voice. I can assure you that purchasing from this company will be more hassle than it is worth. The prices may be low, but you should seriously consider this situation and the many others online before going ahead. Purchase from a local shop if you can, the extra few pounds will be worth it if something goes wrong. It has been 2 weeks since we returned the piano. We have nothing back. We are currently talking to the credit card company, they have told us that we need the company (Chasedirect) to release the funds. Chase have said that it has taken 11 days for the piano to get back to them via ParcelForce (find this hard to believe). They have said they 'may' release the funds in the next 'few' days if the 'service department' are happy with the condition of the piano (that's right, the one we had for about an hour). If you have to call them, expect replies like "I don't know anything about your order..." or "It's with another department..." Hopefully this review will save a few people from making a huge mistake. There are loads of great online retailers, in my experience, this is not one of them. People like this spoil online purchasing for everyone.

Hobgoblin is located upstairs in the Johnny Roadhouse shop. It is its own shop! Hobgoblin…read morespecialise in traditonal, folk and acoustic musical instruments such as acoustic guitars, harps, tin whistles, bodrhan drums and mandolins, you will find everything you need here for the perfect folk arrangement! The staff are friendly and very helpful too which is refreshing these days!