Music shops in Durban

guitarboy2828 · 2010-03-12T21:17:12+00:00

I thought it might be cool to develop a list of GOOD guitar shops in the durban area. I came to this conclusion after thinking to myself, "I really want to t...

Music shops in Durban

guitarboy2828

PM sent! ?

Tokai-SA

Thanks, guitarboy.

PeteM

I think the problem in Durbs is that most of the shops are either owned by or are franchises of chains. Stock is therefore dictated by these chains. I don't know of any independent music stores in Durbs who might carry the more 'exotic' brands. It would be interesting to know whether Larrivee, Martin, Breedlove, Schechter, Lakland basses etc. are available in Cape Town as well.
Volumes dictate I suppose.

DonovanB

I think you are right Pete, Coastal Music is TOMS, Glenwood Village is Bothners. Then we have the Thekwini, Pavilion and Gateway stores being one franchise.

Everyone tries to cater for the low cost market. so there are a LOT of really cheap products out.

guitarboy2828

I never knew that Coastals was apart of TOMS. That is interesting. So, maybe there are little shops that have nice guitars, none of us know about them though? I do know there is a guy, in berea i think, that is a luthier and he has some custom built guitars. Well, he was there 3 years ago when I lived close by there. Some awesome guitars, but nothing cheaper than R30 000, because he would fly to the USA to buy the wood and come back and build the guitar!

I'm thinking that guys like him may stock breedloves and all those fun brands. Maybe we should start doing some research durbanites? ?

shaunf

Nobody mentioned Marshall Music in Hillcrest.

guitarboy2828

shaunf wrote: Nobody mentioned Marshall Music in Hillcrest.

There's a reason for that! ?

Haha, completely joking. I have only been there once, when I went there, they didn't have anything "wow", they had one taylor.

Garth-S

I heard that Marshall Music in Hillcrest closed down, i may be wrong, but thats what came via the grapevine ?

PeteM

Garth S wrote: I heard that Marshall Music in Hillcrest closed down, i may be wrong, but thats what came via the grapevine ?

I thought so too, but found this http://www.marshallmusic.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=82:hillcrest-store-re-opened&catid=15:news-and-events

I don't think it addresses the problem though. ☹

MMHillcrest

Hi guys.

My name is Iain and I'm manager of the new Marshall Music in Hillcrest. We've only been open 5 months at the new premises (Richdens Centre) and as we all know times have been tough and opening a new store while keeping overheads low is also tough, so the gear that has been selling is the cheaper stuff and it's keeping things going for now along with pianos and keboards which is the bigger market up here. However I am aware of the problem of everybody selling the same level gear and I'm here to try and change that with this shop as there are guys like you who do like their quality gear.

So if you got some spare time, come up to the new store and have a chat, I'm a gear junkie myself, check out what we got and see for yourself.

Cheers ?

DonovanB

Heya Iain, I think I must pay you a visit up there...

you don't, by any chance, feel like hosting a GFSA Durban get together there do you? we are battling to find a decent venue...

guitarboy2828

MMHillcrest wrote: Hi guys.

My name is Iain and I'm manager of the new Marshall Music in Hillcrest. We've only been open 5 months at the new premises (Richdens Centre) and as we all know times have been tough and opening a new store while keeping overheads low is also tough, so the gear that has been selling is the cheaper stuff and it's keeping things going for now along with pianos and keboards which is the bigger market up here. However I am aware of the problem of everybody selling the same level gear and I'm here to try and change that with this shop as there are guys like you who do like their quality gear.

So if you got some spare time, come up to the new store and have a chat, I'm a gear junkie myself, check out what we got and see for yourself.

Cheers ?

Sweet, great to have you on the forum Iain.. Next time I'm anywhere remotely close to that side of the world I'll definitely stop in! ?

MMHillcrest

Hey Donovan

Sounds like a great idea! Come up to the store, check the space out and we can go over some ideas for a get together. We're right next to a Primi restaurant and there's loads of parking, so I'm sure it could be an ideal venue. Or give me a call at the shop on 031 765 8450 or my cell 0724781681 and we can discuss further.

Thanks guitarboy, need to know what's happening in the world of guitarists! It is a bit far from Ballito, but would be cool to see you guys up this way. ?

Dillon

MMHillcrest wrote: Taylors, from the 210ce up to the 814ce (beautiful guitar!)

Cheers ?

I'm so driving up to Hillcrest this weekend! What are your trading hours?

Dave-the-Pub-muso

Good news to hear that there's a Marshall Music in greater Durbs. I drive two hours from my home town in Zululand to get guitar supplies and I'm glad to hear about this. Most guitar shops in Durban are crap, but I must put in a good word for Durban North Guitar shop (I think that's it's name) it's on Umhlanga rocks drive, but is in Glensahley area. Very small shop, but they do at least stock some high end stuff like Fender American and Highway one guitars and some decent Fender tube amps. Nice staff too.

Let me know about potential Durban get togethers!

Dave

MMHillcrest

Dillon wrote:
MMHillcrest wrote: Taylors, from the 210ce up to the 814ce (beautiful guitar!)

Cheers ?
I'm so driving up to Hillcrest this weekend! What are your trading hours?

We're open Saturday 9:00-15:00 and Sunday 09:30-13:30. So whenever you want, come in and have a play on some and see what's what!

PeteM

Hey Iain - will make trip up and pay you a visit. The get-together sounds good.

MMHillcrest

Dave the Pub muso wrote: Good news to hear that there's a Marshall Music in greater Durbs. I drive two hours from my home town in Zululand to get guitar supplies and I'm glad to hear about this. Most guitar shops in Durban are crap, but I must put in a good word for Durban North Guitar shop (I think that's it's name) it's on Umhlanga rocks drive, but is in Glensahley area. Very small shop, but they do at least stock some high end stuff like Fender American and Highway one guitars and some decent Fender tube amps. Nice staff too.

Let me know about potential Durban get togethers!

Dave

Thanks Dave, it's good to see that there is a demand for the higher end gear in Durban and surrounds, I don't think there's enough exposure to all the amazing stuff that's out there. We're a small shop too, but we're looking to cater for all ends of the market, and things will be happening in time.

MMHillcrest

PeteM wrote: Hey Iain - will make trip up and pay you a visit. The get-together sounds good.

Thanks Pete, much appreciated. Hopefully we can get everything together soon and get the Durban scene going!

Garth-S

Great! I would also be very keen to be at the Durban get together ? , and check out the new store.