Brighton Guitars

took the money from my credit card, nineteen days later no sign of guitar and no reply to email
avoid at all costs, they’re clearly listing musical instruments which they don’t have in stock, undercutting other shops to bring in money for orders they have no intention of fulfilling and basically stealing peoples money. How places like this are allowed to remain in business is a disgrace

Oh hello, a new guitar shop in Brighton? I don’t think we need one of these. Well that’s what I thought when I first laid eyes upon this place. Until the point when I stepped through the door and realized that these guys have simply changed premises and upped their game. This shop is a refreshing little independent boutique staffed by friendly young men who clearly know their stuff and don’t constantly shred on some pointy bodied Ibanez while giving you monosyllabic responses. They have a pretty comprehensive range of stock too. The normal trend for any new music shop is to only start out with the most budget brands of instrument as the suppliers often refuse to supply any store that hasn’t been trading for a decade. But in this well laid out and comfortable store they seem to have side stepped this by dealing not only in new stock but also a fine and ever changing selection of vintage guitars. This gives them a stock capable of catering to the more discerning musician and student alike.

My brother is the musician in the family. I managed about 1 year of guitar lessons and some bad tab playing. Still, I always have a soft spot in my heart for the six stringers.
In a lot of ways being above a second hand clothes store is perfect for a guitar shop such as this. They tend to stock a more vintage and purist breed of guitar and I don’t need to go into the Howe Gibson, Jack and Sarah-​Jane have more than done it justice already. I would not suggest any hard core metal axe-​men to come here (although they may still enjoy an alternative instrument to their staple piece), but if you want that 60’s/70’s spirit of Woodstock and related guitars then you will be in heaven.
I had a wander round during the week and it was a pretty quiet day, so the staff were pretty chatty and good for a laugh. They did make a valiant attempt to return me to the path of the musician, but alas I knew my credit card would not allow such a venture. Still, if I was ever to think about picking up a guitar in the future (most likely a mid life crisis moment in 10 years time) then I reckon these guys would get my business.

Just above ‘To Be Worn Again’ on Sydney Street, ‘Brighton Guitars’ sits proudly, amps buzzing lightly, waiting for you, yes YOU to pick up that Howe Gibson Es-​175D, put it confidently in the palm of your hands, clear your throat, stare up to the skies silently praying to the Lord Hendrix to give you power, crack your knuckles… and then shyly and shakily strum knocking on heaven’s door.
Because that’s exactly what I know I would do. This guitar shop though is not so much about the electrics, and all about the dominant selection of tanglewood acoustic and semi acoustic guitars that it stocks. If your a first time buyer, and sensibly your not going straight for a American built Telecaster or a Gibson Les Paul for about a grand, this place with its selection of simple guitars is a great starting point.
I accompanied my friend here to buy his first guitar and he came away with a completely acoustic tanglewood guitar, which has a lovely rich sound for about £200 and is great for attempting to impersonate early Bob Dylan with its look and tone.
Friendly staff. Just ask them anything and they’re well informed and not too intimidating.

Wanna be the new Jimi Hendrix, Joan Jett or Jack White?
Better get your ass down to Brighton Guitars then.
They sell amplifiers, FX pedals, acoustic guitars and recording equipment but the main selling point is their brilliant selection of Fender Stratocasters, Burns Scorpions, Tanglewood 4 and 5 string basses and Crafter electro-​acoustic guitars. You can road-​test them, buy spare strings and get advice on which guitar sounds best for the type of music you want to play.
Don’t even think about picking up the Howe Gibson ES-​175D however, unless you have a cool two grand in your pocket and fingertips like Chuck Berry.