Denmark Street: The Ultimate British Guitar Experience.

[Archie]

Hello one and all.

Last weekend I went to Denmark St. It's been over a decade since I've last been and thought it would make a fun excuse to do a 'vlog'.
Some of you have probably been to, or heard of it but for those who haven't, it's one street in the centre of London that is packed with guitar shops.

In its day, it had likely twice as many shops as it does now and I was surprised how many shops have left. Prices are forcing retailers of musical instruments out, which is a shame, for such a historic British music phenomenon.

I hope this video provides a good view into the world of Denmark street and the journey to and from central London, which I'm sure some of you outside the UK might enjoy.
I warn you, there a thousands of guitars in this video, including a few Guilds. It could be guitar overload!

Thanks to Joe DeNisco for letting me use his music. (The video has been partially blocked for copyright. Not sure why but let me know if you can't watch it).

 

[DrumBob]

New York City had the equivalent; 48th Street, known as Music Row. All the music stores in the city congregated there. Now, they're all gone. Every one of them. When Manny's Music closed, that was the end. I spent so much time there years ago.

 

[GGJaguar]

New York City had the equivalent; 48th Street, known as Music Row.

That's exactly what I was thinking when I watched the video.

 

[DrumBob]

That's exactly what I was thinking when I watched the video.

It's really a shame. Rents in Manhattan have gone through the roof, and most of these stores just couldn't afford to stay there anymore. A lot of the music stores are now located in Brooklyn, where the rent is cheaper, There are music stores spread out around Manhattan here and there, but 48th Street was a magic place for any kid into music gear. I spent a lot of time with my nose pressed against windows, ogling guitars. You were almost guarantied to to meet a famous musician every time you went into Manny's. I met Lionel Hampton, John Mayall, Todd Rundgren, Barry Tashian from The Remains, and couple of the members of the Climax Blues Band there.

 

[Uke]

I will probably get "moderated" for this comment, but here goes: That's not a particularly flattering backdrop behind the Guild at @ 15:20. Otherwise, a very nice vlog -- thanks, I'd never heard of Denmark Street.

 

[fronobulax]

I will probably get "moderated" for this comment, but here goes: That's not a particularly flattering backdrop behind the Guild at @ 15:20. Otherwise, a very nice vlog -- thanks, I'd never heard of Denmark Street.

To save some folks the trouble, the background is a Confederate Naval Jack from the Americana Civil War. Geeks of a certain type know that the battle flag of a similar design used by the Army was square whereas the Naval Jack was merely rectangular.

I think it is OK to acknowledge that displaying Confederate symbiology is controversial but any discussions about whether that is good or bad or why will almost certainly derail this thread. I will also note that the controversy can vary by country. The attitude towards the flag may certainly vary between the UK and the US.

 

[Archie]

I will probably get "moderated" for this comment, but here goes: That's not a particularly flattering backdrop behind the Guild at @ 15:20. Otherwise, a very nice vlog -- thanks, I'd never heard of Denmark Street.

Yes I see your point.

The flag in the UK doesn't have the same historical meaning or political connotations. In the UK it means 'People who liked watching 'dukes of hazard' in the 70's and like to play guitars.

Things take on different meanings to differing cultures.

 

[Bill Ashton]

I was lucky to visit Denmark Street in about 2001, and my "guide" (a friend I met on Voxtalks) said that then it was
a Shadow (see what I did there?) of its former self. My kick-me moment is not purchasing a Coloursound Fuzz or overdrive
unit from a little second floor shop...or, a relatively new at that time, Burns Bison-repro 12-string...of course, not sure how I would
have gotten the guitar back, so just as well...and now I am 99.8% acoustic when I play at home, so the pedal would be just sitting
on the shelf. Sour grapes? LOL