Author Topic: Birmingham... anybody know that place? (Read 7228 times)

Alex · « **on:** May 16, 2008, 10:24:23 AM »

Hi all!

I will be moving to Birmingham in September due to a new job at the University where I am a research student (Aston). Up to now I've been living in London, but the job is just too good to pass it up.

In any case, in case you wonder I am not English but German/American, so I am not native to England. :D

Are there any good guitar stores in Birmingham? I am planning on buying some new gear once the paychecks roll in, speficially a new Marshall.

I was already recommended to look for a place to live in areas like Harbourn, Mosley, Selly Oaks and the like in the south or Sutton Coldfield in the north. Any more recommendations for a good & preferrably safe living area?

Any opinions are welcome!

Twinfan · « **Reply #1 on:** May 16, 2008, 11:10:57 AM »

Biggest and best music shop in Birmingham is Professional Music Technology, or PMT :lol:

ToneMonkey · « **Reply #2 on:** May 16, 2008, 11:32:04 AM »

Edgbaston is quite nice. There's a few places in between Coventry and Brum which are fairly nice if you don't want to live in the city. Try places like Hampton in Arden.

Aston University is quite a good uni, I've been there a few times (mainly open days) and I've had a couple of mates go there.

Jonny · « **Reply #3 on:** May 16, 2008, 12:31:25 PM »

My dad's best friend in his business is from there. We paid a trip to him and around the city, it was awesome!

Nolly · « **Reply #4 on:** May 16, 2008, 02:02:22 PM »

Birmingham is great. I really enjoyed the 2 1/2 years I spent there at uni (uni of Birmingham, not Aston though).

Selly Oak is pretty much a student enclave, it's the surrounding area to the Birmingham uni campus, and it's where 99% of the students live, including myself during my time in Brum. It's reasonably safe, there are quite a large number of break-ins over the summer break, with thieves aiming to check the empty houses for stuff left behind by students. It's not that close to Aston though.

I can't really comment on living in Harborne, Moseley etc.. I do know that Harborne high-street has 11 pubs on it (the "Harborne Mile" is a well-established event ;) ) and many charity shops, which are great for fancy dress nights..

As Twinfan has said, PMT is the best guitar shop in Birmingham. The staff are actually very helpful, and they certainly have a big selection of Marshalls if that's your thing. Don't overlook the Blackstar amps either..

gwEm · « **Reply #5 on:** May 16, 2008, 03:24:24 PM »

PMT isn't bad for a mainstream commerical music store, there was one in oxford when i lived there. birmingham people have the most impenetrable accent ever though.

HairyChris · « **Reply #6 on:** May 16, 2008, 04:09:09 PM »

Birmingham's definitely OK, Aston's a bit of a cr@phole though!!

:D

stuh84 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 16, 2008, 06:02:53 PM »

Avoid Balsall Heath, I lived there and it was awful. Felt scared to walk out the house sometimes.

In terms of guitar shops, theres PMT which is great if you know what you want, but there isn't a lot of selection. There was Sound Control, not sure how long that will be there, or if its still there (I left Brum two years ago you see).

Fairdeal Music is there too, not far from the Bullring, not an amazing place, but has some decent gear, always worth a look at the pedal cabinet if nothing else.

I think theres one called Musicstop on Snow Hill too, near where Sound Control is. Its a weird place, can order in most things, but not a great selection in store. One or two low end Engls, a H&K or two and a THD Flexi 50 last time I was there. Worth a look to pass the time if nothing else, and probably the most talkative and nicest staff in the area, the rest in all the other stores seem to be either jaded or on commission.

Alex · « **Reply #8 on:** May 18, 2008, 11:30:53 AM »

Thanks for the information guys. I heard the public transport in Birmingham is not as good as it should be for a city that size. Apparently there are only busses (which I hate) and few trains. Is it recommended that I maybe lease a car there? I have a driver's licence and all but don't really want to spend too much money on leasing a car.

ToneMonkey · « **Reply #9 on:** May 19, 2008, 09:19:39 AM »

You could always buy my BMW. Up for sale as of tomorrow (picking up the wife a new car). Only £450. I used to drive it around Brum a fair bit and it never let me down. SALE'S BANTER OVER :lol:

Ted · « **Reply #10 on:** May 19, 2008, 10:31:18 PM »

Best guitar shops are in brum :P

gibsongaz#1 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 25, 2008, 02:27:21 PM »

Quote from: Twinfan

Biggest and best music shop in Birmingham is Professional Music Technology, or PMT :lol:

+1 :D Bye Bye Soundcontrol as we know it though! (MX was always better anyway....)

Roobubba · « **Reply #12 on:** May 25, 2008, 03:29:04 PM »

I don't find the PMT in Oxford that great. To be fair, though - they've always been courteous and dealt with my faulty Randall Amp very well indeed, so don't get me wrong! I just never found that they had any stuff that I really wanted to try in store!

Plus their caption "the boyz with the toyz" just sounds wrong :D I'm after real equipment, not toys :)

Roo