I was heading down to a Dream Theater gig in Southampton on Saturday and my mate and I decided to pop into
World Guitars in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire on our way. I have to say that both the staff and the shop have left a very positive impression on me. That's the best I've ever been treated in a guitar shop in my life. If only all guitar shops were like this!
I have to say Bruce and Smiffy were great. Down to earth and honest and made us feel right at home. I'd never stepped in the place before and I had a cup of tea in my hand within a couple of minutes. They made us feel welcome and with no sales pressure at all. Made realise what tw@ts most of the sales people I've come across in guitar shops in the past are. We even got a bit of a story about Bruce's love life. Classic stuff!
They have some wonderful planks on the wall (the PRS private stock are drool inducing) and they also have some lovely amps. I think I'm going to try and trade the wifey for the Matchless Lightning Reverb I played through. I couldn't get a bad sound out of the amp, and with my playing that's saying something! The layout of the place is really interesting with the sales counter where the judges used to sit and it's a lovely old building with lots of character.
I can thoroughly recommend the place to anyone looking at higher end quality gear as it's an eye opener both for the stock and for the experience as a customer. I think I've found the place I'm going to be getting my future purchases from. It's a bit of a trek from the North West, but a worthwhile one I think.
Even if you can't afford or like what they have for sale, pop in there and see how a music shop should be run and if Bruce is there get him talking, the entertainment is as good as the gear.
