Professional Music Technology

I got taken here by a friend who is currently obsessed with guitars to the point where I think he may actually marry one. Anyway I am a man who loves his music and have flirted with instruments throughout my life guitar, piano, and even had a go on drums a few times. I have never mastered any of these instruments however so don’t visit many music shops. This friend however is like I said obsessed with guitars and is in a band so a frequent visitor to this and other establishments. He had ordered in two guitars he was interested in and went in to try em out. The guy who helped him out was very friendly very knowledgeable as far as I could see and even acknowledged my presence and asked if I needed any help. They left my friend to his own devices on the guitar as he played around with Alexisonfire songs and I tired to guess. The range of instruments in this place is staggering, 10 foot high walls full of guitars, bass’, drums, tuners, speakers, amps whatever you need pretty much. The prices aren’t to bad either plus you can haggle with them to get em to throw in some extra goodies like straps or bags drumsticks etc. I highly recommend this place if your a musician they won’t steer you wrong.

BRILLIANT. One of my favourite shops in Manchester. You will of course draw comparions to it’s major competitor, Dawsons on Portland Street. But where this place differs is in feel and atmosphere. It’s the kind of place where even if you are just looking around you are encouraged to try whatever you want. You don’t have to seek permission to pick anything up or have someone hovering round you all the time, just choose your weapon and unload. it is this ethos which has led to me losing a lot of money, but gaining lots of pleasure.
The staff are all very helpful, having got to know most of them by name now. They are knowledgeable, courteous and I have exchanged purchases if I have found them not to be quite to my liking without any negativity what so ever. I have purchased several things from there now in excess of £2k, so has my father and any of my friends who come to visit we always take a trip down just to be in awe of the content of this establishment. It’s a typical tardis, doesn’t look much or that big from outside but once you are in, boom — it’s huge. With a whole drum section upstairs containing electronic Roland V sets and acoustic sets, a separate acoustic guitar room and electric guitars all split into their own sections by brand, it’s brilliantly laid out to find what you want in seconds. I can not speak highly enough of this place. Pay them a visit anytime.

Im no expert when it comes to music shops, I admit, I am a bit of a music geek, but other than owning a huge collection of MP3’s & spending an unhealthy proportion of my wage on gig tickets, i would normally have no desire to visit a shop selling musical instruments, especially one that proclaims to be a ‘House of Rock’ on its shop front.
But, my best mate is a musician, so I accompanied him on a visit to pick up his bass which had been in for repairs. First off, this place is massive! As well as laying claim to having the largest guitar wall in Europe (and im not one to argue, it was huge!), the warehouse sized shop has areas dedicated to drum kits, amps, keyboards and all manner of studio equipment.
There is also an in-​house guitar repair workshop, so if you need a string replacing or a complete reconstruction after smashing your guitar in a Kurt Cobain styley on stage, they should be able to sort it out for you out. They are an authorised Gibson service centre and as i’ve been lucky enough to visit a Gibson guitar factory in America, thats good enough for me!
As well as the staff seeming very helpful, I know my mate raves about their friendly service, they also have in store signings and performances, so if I ever get round to finally learning to play the drums (a dream of mine) this is the place I will go to for valuable advice and my kit.

I hold my hands up, my non-​calloused, soft hands… I’m not a musician, Unilocalers. I’ve tried the guitar, bass, keyboard, flute, violin, and I can’t practise. Musically, I have the attention span of a gnat. I know the fact that I tend to hang round with them is well documented, and I constantly protest that I’m not a groupie; they just happen to be in my social circle. But as a result of this I do happen to find myself escorted into musical instrument shops, and Professional Music Technology, being right down the road, is one that crops up quite regularly.
PMT to musical purchase is what a chain restaurant is to eating. Real foodies love the creative, unique process that goes into cooking at a local independent restaurant, and die-​hard musicians love beat-​up second hand gear full of character, which is something you won’t find here. Nor will you find… the food thing at the… you understand what I’m saying, yes. It does the job, and it’s excellent for the mid-​level or hobby player as they always have the necessary strings, leads and accessories in stock.
In terms of Manchester, if you’re after something one of a kind and looking to spend an absolute fortune, Johnny Roadhouse or Sounds Great would be your best bet. And while for new players it makes a great browse, this is the professional musician’s Superdrug or Boots; it’s the local supermarket metro, that quick stop-​off to grab some essentials. And we all need those!