[Brighton] GAK Shop Closed

[AstroSloth]

Couldn't find a thread for it but as has been well documented in local papers and on forums, GAK in Brighton has been shut "for maintenance" for a while now.

Anyone have any clue what's happening?

It would be a huge shame to lose such an iconic store in the city. I've only ever bought guitar equipment from them as their service is great and their prices competitive.

 

[Weststander]

I wonder if they wouldn’t commit to a new lease? Their last active day was the end of the last rent quarter. Apparently a “To Let” sign is now showing.

 

[AstroSloth]

I wonder if they wouldn’t commit to a new lease? Their last active day was the end of the last rent quarter. Apparently a “To Let” sign is now showing.

Apparently when taking over the business the new owners wanted to focus on the online store.

But still I think a big driver of sales even online was walking past the store, stopping in to try some gear that you then order online

 

[Peacehaven Wild Kids]

It was briefly mentioned a couple of weeks back, nothing to see on the thread really apart from this article posted by @deletebeepbeepbeep

Music shop which closed suddenly tells customer it is 'unable to trade'

A landmark business in North Laine which closed this week "for maintenance" told a customer it is currently "unable to do any…

www.theargus.co.uk

 

[TWOCHOICEStom]

Found out by seeing Rob Chapman post this on YouTube.



I bought the majority of my gear from there over the years. Still love popping in and having a look round even if I don't spend in there like I used to.
I guess the only thing I would say about guitar shops in general is that they never really moved with the times or made people feel particularly comfortable. They're still pretty intimidating places to you if you want to actually try the stuff before you buy it. Lots of younger people have far less guilt ordering online and sending stuff back if they don't like it. Before the online boom they would always do a deal, chuck in a strap or a set of strings and make you feel a bit more like you were part of a club.

Sad times.

 

[P.C. Beard]

Bought my first sampler, mixing desk and headphones there. No doubt it will be a coffee shop or some kind of food place before long. The high street is dead.

 

[METALMICKY]

Found out by seeing Rob Chapman post this on YouTube.



I bought the majority of my gear from there over the years. Still love popping in and having a look round even if I don't spend in there like I used to.
I guess the only thing I would say about guitar shops in general is that they never really moved with the times or made people feel particularly comfortable. They're still pretty intimidating places to you if you want to actually try the stuff before you buy it. Lots of younger people have far less guilt ordering online and sending stuff back if they don't like it. Before the online boom they would always do a deal, chuck in a strap or a set of strings and make you feel a bit more like you were part of a club.

Sad times.

Some very good points in your comments and from Rob. The ability to try out gear without feeling intimidated is crucial. There has to be room for real world trying out gear as well as polished videos from the likes of Andertons. In respect of the videos you do always wonder how much post production is done on what you you hear as don't forget they are being paid by the company. I love Leon Todd's YouTube channel but suspiciously he could make a cardboard box and a plank of wood sound like a 59 Les Paul played through Helix into a Marshall 100 Watt! As an aside I think Andertons also need to reign in the bants between Lee and Danish Pete. You're not a comedy act! I much prefer Dagan from PMT.

 

[WATFORD zero]

IIRC they've been charging more for buying from the shop than they have for online purchases for quite a long while. I'm guessing that the overheads of having a bricks and mortar shop can't be justified by the extra charges.

Although I get the 'trying stuff out' thing, I always felt really sorry for the staff who must have spent hundreds of hours suffering well known riffs played badly, sometimes very badly

You shouldn't buy cymbals online though

 

[boik]

Bought my wife's first electric guitar from there (amongst many other things). She was so nervous about going in and trying something in a shop she thought was only for serious musicians. The assistant was fantastic and reassuring and we bought there and then. She's still enjoying that same guitar years later.

 

[METALMICKY]

IIRC they've been charging more for buying from the shop than they have for online purchases for quite a long while. I'm guessing that the overheads of having a bricks and mortar shop can't be justified by the extra charges.

Although I get the 'trying stuff out' thing, I always felt really sorry for the staff who must have spent hundreds of hours suffering well known riffs played badly, sometimes very badly

You shouldn't buy cymbals online though

But you all have to start somewhere so the answer is more little sound proof booths. They can then avoid my ' go to easy riff ' Rock You Like a Hurricane!

 

[AstroSloth]

Some very good points in your comments and from Rob. The ability to try out gear without feeling intimidated is crucial. There has to be room for real world trying out gear as well as polished videos from the likes of Andertons. In respect of the videos you do always wonder how much post production is done on what you you hear as don't forget they are being paid by the company. I love Leon Todd's YouTube channel but suspiciously he could make a cardboard box and a plank of wood sound like a 59 Les Paul played through Helix into a Marshall 100 Watt! As an aside I think Andertons also need to reign in the bants between Lee and Danish Pete. You're not a comedy act! I much prefer Dagan from PMT.

I was looking at buying a 7 or 8 string guitar in the near future so it's really a shame as I'd love to be able to go into the store to see what feels comfortable as it's something new to me.

Just means I'm less likely to buy from them now online.

 

[METALMICKY]

Bought my wife's first electric guitar from there (amongst many other things). She was so nervous about going in and trying something in a shop she thought was only for serious musicians. The assistant was fantastic and reassuring and we bought there and then. She's still enjoying that same guitar years later.

You mean you haven't upgraded and treated her to a Murphy Lab Gibson Les Paul or American Fender Custom shop strat? Tight wad!

 

[NorthstandRacoon]

This is gutting, really sad. I get my dj equipment from there, excellent Pioneer support too. Depressing.

 

[METALMICKY]

I was looking at buying a 7 or 8 string guitar in the near future so it's really a shame as I'd love to be able to go into the store to see what feels comfortable as it's something new to me.

Just means I'm less likely to buy from them now online.

8 strings? How wide is that neck and I wouldn't fancy changing strings on one of those if it had a locking trem!

 

[Winker]

I retired from GAK about three years ago, gutted for my former colleagues, a lot of good people there.

GAK had just been bought by entrepreneur Luke Johnson, he of Brighton Pier etc, but there's no mention of him in the news articles. Perhaps he baled out while he could.

 

[AstroSloth]

8 strings? How wide is that neck and I wouldn't fancy changing strings on one of those if it had a locking trem!

This is a pretty standard example of a multi scale guitar, means you don't have to tension the strings as much for the higher strings.

You can do so many cool things with them, or alternatively just use the low strings to chug for nasty breakdowns.

 

[METALMICKY]

View attachment 199986
This is a pretty standard example of a multi scale guitar, means you don't have to tension the strings as much for the higher strings.

You can do so many cool things with them, or alternatively just use the low strings to chug for nasty breakdowns.

Blimey that's a beast. Nice burled finish

 

[£1.99]

I loved going in there to try out guitars. I would vary what I played so as not to annoy the staff in the shop.
Usually I would start with, "Smoke on the water" followed with "Stair way to heaven" or the other way round just to mix it up.

 

[AstroSloth]

I loved going in there to try out guitars. I would vary what I played so as not to annoy the staff in the shop.
Usually I would start with, "Smoke on the water" followed with "Stair way to heaven" or the other way round just to mix it up.

I spent most of my time down tuning the guitars.

D Standard or Drop C to really get the good sound.

 

[scooter1]

Closed and into administration. A lot of the stock was purchased by another retailer at a fraction if the cost, as would be expected.
Margins have been horrifying for a while, and I’d not be surprised if we see more casualties in MI retail this year.
Bax going in Europe is a kicker as Thomann will just hoover up that business, and monopolise that market.