New Guitar Shop, Greystones

Dr.Silly

anyone think it would do well ?
selling guitars mainly..some keyboards etc etc and would also provide lessons

Charlie-Bravo

nice idea - I'd certainly pop for bits and bobs when I need them rather than going to Bray to Everest - price conscious though, needs to be faily priced.

What about percussion - love to get my hands on a cajon.

Matt Le Tissue

is there a guitar shop opening? Or are you sounding out the idea of opening one yourself? Why limit it to a guitar shop? Why not a musical instrument shop? Everst in Bray is ridiculously dear esp for bass strings. I'd love to see one open. My kid's school (St Patricks) have started music lessons across a wide range of instruments, mostly classical and there are guitar lessons after school too. So I reckon a music shop would be a great addition to the town.

wardie214

Would love to see one too, but it will be difficult to compete against the likes of Thomann. I agree about Everest,bought my last set of bass strings on eBay and got them shipped and saved about 50%.

Dr.Silly

Matt Le Tissue wrote: »

is there a guitar shop opening? Or are you sounding out the idea of opening one yourself? Why limit it to a guitar shop? Why not a musical instrument shop? Everst in Bray is ridiculously dear esp for bass strings. I'd love to see one open. My kid's school (St Patricks) have started music lessons across a wide range of instruments, mostly classical and there are guitar lessons after school too. So I reckon a music shop would be a great addition to the town.

Am thinking about it, and initially it would be mainly guitars as that's where the expertise is.
I agree, Everest is a good shop, but it's expensive I find. I think it could do well if priced appropriately.
Things for sale would include

• Guitars, acoustic, classical and electric
• amps
• strings for all
• keyboards
• violins
• some sheet music/dvd's

all ranging from starter sets to good quality acoustic guitars such as Martin, Taylor, Tanglewood etc

Dr.Silly

wardie214 wrote: »

Would love to see one too, but it will be difficult to compete against the likes of Thomann. I agree about Everest,bought my last set of bass strings on eBay and got them shipped and saved about 50%.

I'm not so sure about the competition with the likes of Thomann, especially for higher priced guitars. Alot of people want to hold play feel a guitar, even if it's new as they all vary, especially the higher priced range.

I know for instance I could save a couple of hundred in buying a Martin online, but would I ? Not a chance ... it's just one of those things

Batesy

Would you be doing guitar repairs and pro set ups etc?

Dr.Silly

Batesy wrote: »

Would you be doing guitar repairs and pro set ups etc?

definetely

loyatemu

I change my strings once a year, so you probably wouldn't make a lot of money out of me.

TBH, like a lot of shops you might struggle to compete against online retailers.

Blandpebbles

Dr. Silly bravo for actually trying to determine if there is a potential business opportunity in Greystones.

It sounds like it is something you love to do, which always helps.

Boards is a real microcosm of Greystones, so I would recommend you contact the local schools and ask if you can canvas the classes. A little incentive in terms of school discounts always helps to open doors.

Even a few nights canvassing folks coming of the Dart will give you a view of the feasibility.

Also the great long lasting music stores seek to be the centre of music playing as well as selling... Music Maker in Dublin being a prime example. It's wonderful to walk past there on a Saturday and hear live music.

Advertising alongside or inconjunction with musical events could also boost revenue.

Good Luck, if you choose to pursue it.

Dr.Silly

Blandpebbles wrote: »

Dr. Silly bravo for actually trying to determine if there is a potential business opportunity in Greystones.

It sounds like it is something you love to do, which always helps.

Boards is a real microcosm of Greystones, so I would recommend you contact the local schools and ask if you can canvas the classes. A little incentive in terms of school discounts always helps to open doors.

Even a few nights canvassing folks coming of the Dart will give you a view of the feasibility.

Also the great long lasting music stores seek to be the centre of music playing as well as selling... Music Maker in Dublin being a prime example. It's wonderful to walk past there on a Saturday and hear live music.

Advertising alongside or inconjunction with musical events could also boost revenue.

Good Luck, if you choose to pursue it.

I've worked in the industry before and know it very well.
The likes of perfect pitch, music maker, waltons etc etc..

The thing about that industry is definetely not just price orientated. I would say 75% of each of these shops are extremely loyal customers, even to the point of paying an extra euro for a set of strings instead of walking two doors down to get it cheaper...sounds silly I know, but it's true. I'm seriously looking into, all dependent on rates, location etc. etc. which I'm looking into.

nungesser

sounds great DR. i go into Everest some times but the guys in there aren't very chatty, and i've gone to shops in town it seems like they all have the same guitars especially in the acoustic department, Tanglewood's and some others, i've been trying to find chrome wound strings and just get blank looks, Greystones is a hard and expensive place to do business especially cause the rents are so high, but there are a lot of musicians around and like myself wouldn't mine paying a few euro's more for the convenience and to support the local guy, and if you had some nice guitars well you know yourself if you can pick it up and play it they sell themselves in that respect, i'm out of work and would love to come work for you, i'm a carpenter and could help you set up the shop, i'd let you hang my Dobro in the window to attract business!

saibhne

For what it's worth - you'd get some business from me.. I wouldn't be too worried about the online competition. Your biggest problem I would think would be rent of a suitable space. Main street would be nice but would be expensive. What about a business like hot spot but with instruments instead? Come in, buy a coffee and play a guitar.. At least you are making money when people are browsing and any musician knows that browsing a music store is deemed a 1/2 hour well spent! Have small gigs as well to get punters through the door.

Best of luck!

S.

Teh Russ

Make sure you've got a good selection of bass stuff as well (especially sets of Elites 5-string bass strings), and you'll be having to kick me out.

I think the important thing is not to have the same old cheapo made-in-China rubbish that most music shops seem to have. Sure, have some cheap (but good) stuff for beginners, but cater to the pros and those with a bit more cash too. Like, have USA Fenders as well as Squiers. Have German-made Warwicks as well as the Rockbasses.

And yes, have tea, coffee and magazines - I've noticed that musician's partners usually need something to keep the boredom away!

The best example of a music shop I've ever seen is a place called The Gallery in London. It's a specialist bass shop, and it's a very nice place to be, the staff bring you tea and coffee, and it's nicely decorated and presented. Would love to see a place like that a bit closer to home.