Machinehead Music - Closing Down

[Stevepage]

Well it seems Machinehead Music in Hitchin is closing down on tuesday. Their reason is they can't compete with online stores and the current economic climate.

However I think that since the original owner (Jeff) sold on the shop, it went very much downhill. Used prices were well above what they should of been, customer service wasn't that good and the shop seemed to lack the vibe it used to have.

It went from a shop that you knew you were going to be treated great and had great stock. Then it changed to a dull shop where 'indie' guys sat around talking to each other, not engaging the customers and had the same stock that they couldn't shift for months at a time.

In contrast, Jeff started up World Guitars and the shop seems to be doing very well.

Also, Machinehead Music had always been in some competition with Coda Music in Stevenage and in recent years Coda have been doing very well for themselves and the guys in their are a good laugh and are always helpful. On top of that they always have good stuff in.

But anyway, a shame to see a shop that had a 25 year or so history closing down.

[Philly Q]

I didn't know it was closing, but not surprised - I remember a while ago they "updated" their website and all of a sudden they didn't seem to have any stock.

I've dealt with them a few times over the years, with Jeff himself mostly.... and didn't someone own the shop before him, way back?  I may have that wrong.

As you say, a shame to see a long established business closing down.  But other shops have shown that it is possible to maintain both a thriving shop and an online business, and most of them are in out-of-the way places - Peach, Coda, Guitar Village, World Guitars, GuitarGuitar....  Perhaps the people now running Machinehead just weren't up to the task.

[Twinfan]

It's bad news re. Machinehead, but I don't think it'll be the only one.  It's tough out there for all music shops at the moment, and other closures must be just around the corner.

[Philly Q]

Yeah, maybe I was being a bit optimistic describing those businesses as thriving, I don't really know their financial circumstances.  Appearances can be deceptive.

Still, we do our best to keep 'em going, eh, Dave? 

[Twinfan]

Up to now, yep!  My spending has cut right back recently though.

[dave_mc]

ah that sucks. I was in it once (i think before jeff sold, but i could be wrong) and they were very nice and helpful.

[Frank]

Same thing happened to the once mighty A1 Music in Manchester, got sold and turned into Sound Control then died a slow lingering death.

Online stores are certainly cutting prices to the bone, Dawsons don't stock guitar parts or valves any more because it's just not economic for them. As for buying top end guitars online, I'd never do it. Unless I can sit down and play a guitar and find out how it sounds and feels, I'm not going to buy it.

[JJretroTONEGOD]

Same thing happened to the once mighty A1 Music in Manchester, got sold and turned into Sound Control then died a slow lingering death.

Online stores are certainly cutting prices to the bone, Dawsons don't stock guitar parts or valves any more because it's just not economic for them. As for buying top end guitars online, I'd never do it. Unless I can sit down and play a guitar and find out how it sounds and feels, I'm not going to buy it.

I went in dawsons in stockport yesterday and was very disturbed to notice that there is no noticeboard for guitar tuition and band ads anymore, to me that seems like a bad move especially for upcoming and starting creative businesses.

[Frank]

I went in dawsons in stockport yesterday and was very disturbed to notice that there is no noticeboard for guitar tuition and band ads anymore, to me that seems like a bad move especially for upcoming and starting creative businesses.

I suppose all the musicians wanted ads have moved online, same as the valves and spares sales!

[Alex]

It went from a shop that you knew you were going to be treated great and had great stock. Then it changed to a dull shop where 'indie' guys sat around talking to each other, not engaging the customers and had the same stock that they couldn't shift for months at a time.

This!

It is always easy to blame online competition and a tough economic climate and undoubtedly those aspects have not made it easier. However, you have to realize what is essential to your customers. I always wondered how some of the stores on Denmark Street manage to survide, or PMT in Birmingham, given that the staff either really doesn't care to work or treats you like a total idiot when you basically know way more about the product they're trying to sell to you, AND that their prices are way too high!

Prices can be easily compared, the better stores are aware of that and do it themselves (to some degree). Did you know that one of the largest music stores in Germany is owned by Thomann? And in the UK I hear GAK has a big store in Brighton. These online merchant giants wouldn't keep an actual "real" store as a sister company with staff and facilities if it wasn't worth it; it clearly is!