Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Musical instruments for children
Can anyone recommend a musical instrument shop in north/central London, where I could get an acoustic guitar for a child's music lessons? If anyone's had a good experience of getting one at the correct size and not too expensive, I'd be very grateful for any tips.
Tags for Forum Posts: instruments, musical
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Gordon T on
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Les Aldrich Music in Muswell Hill used to be the go-to place, but the shop closed last year and the continuing business doesn't look as if it sells instruments. Perhaps worth asking their advice anyway.
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Permalink Reply by Maddy on
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I recently went to Rose Morris in Denmark street, which has been the go-to guitar shop in London for decades. The guys that work there are super-nice and helpful, so if you fancy a trip into town I would recommend them.
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The stock has been transferred to Renaissance on Myddleton Road, Bowes Park. Renaissance also has a terrific café!
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I recently sold a very good well made, yet well priced acoustic on eBay to what turned out to be a junior school. It had a suitable scale for a smaller child. I don't know what age your child is, but often a 3/4 length guitar is suitable. A full sized acoustic usually 24.75 - 25.5 inches. (Scale length is the distance from the top of the bridge near where the strings go into the body, to the nut at the end of the fretboard.)
This is exactly what I sold, I never used it and got I think 300 quid shipped with a hard case. Unfortunately the model has been discontinued but they turn up used now and then. Note the scale is 23.5'' so it's 1 1/4'' less in scale length than something like a Gibson J-45 which is Gibson's most well known acoustic guitar.
https://www.guitar.co.uk/fender-pm-te-travel-standard-natural-elect...
Shops in Denmark Street are fun but they will usually point you to something they happen to have in stock. The Paramount TE I sold was very playable and not something with a mile high action that will deter new players from staying with the instrument ("action" is how high the strings sit off of the frets on the neck).
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If your child is getting lessons at school with Haringey Music Service then you will be eligible for the Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme https://new.haringey.gov.uk/schools-learning/haringey-music-service.... You may be able to discuss and get recommendations with one of the teachers there.
The AIPS scheme gives you less 20% VAT although with a small admin fee. You can provide details of an online retailer and model etc which will get sent to the HMS office for pick up.
If your child is learning classical guitar then the London Guitar Studio specialises in this and I would say the Alhambra Rodrigo is a good all round model for beginners. Our experience with our daughter was we got a cheapie on Amazon and within a year brought the Rodrigo as the playability and sound quality was not good. Otherwise we have found Anderton’s very good for other types of guitar/instruments.
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