This shop is fantastic for anything guitar related in Leeds. I first came across Northern guitars…read morevia a T-shirt my friend was wearing. I used to work in a bar on Call Lane, Dr Wu's, and my friend who owned it was wearing a Northern Guitars T-shirt. I went to find out more and discovered, only a few doors down, this awesome shop. Firstly, they sell almost anything related to electric guitars - new and used electric guitars, amplifiers, effects pedals and so on - and at much less of a price than their close neighbours Music Ground. I once went in looking for a Cry Baby wah wah pedal, with instruction from my Dad *specifically* not to get a Japanese one as they make a 'bow wow' sound not a 'wah wah' sound (honestly, it's true!) and to my delight they had the exact one he had advised me to purchase. It wasn't even a modern version, it was the exact pedal from the era that I needed. They even do repairs on your equipment - awesome. Not only was that fantastic, but they also have another entire shop upstairs. This one, Northern Acoustics, is specifically for acoustic guitars. Despite the shop effectively being small sized room the owner, Val, has filled it with some of the loveliest guitars you could shop for in Leeds. Amongst others, brands include Martin, Faith and Hofner. I would tell you more but the last time I popped in he and my Dad talked guitars for so long I almost fell asleep! Anyway. The point is - guitarists of Leeds. This is your home.

Northern Guitars is a retro-looking little shop with a refreshingly genuine feel. The bloke working…read morethere when I last popped in had the appearance of an authentic aging rocker and had an amiable, relaxed style of customer service with a cheeky helping of banter. Northern Guitars is not as enthusiastically stocked as Music Ground, and their guitar strap section must have been a tenth of the size, but this just adds weight to the feeling that the guys at Northern Guitars are all about the music, not the flashy accessories. They stock some really beautiful guitars, a good range of pedals and pretty much everything else you could need including a huge range of second-hand items.

A good value guitar shop with knowledgeable and friendly staff. They stock a large range of guitars…read moreso there's something for everyone from beginners guitar and amp packages up to top of the line Rickenbacker's etc. Full range of accessories.

Playtime Music is a great little music shop and family owned business in the heart of Otley. They…read moreare situated in the awesome Kirkgate arcade and are one of the friendliest music shops that you could visit. They themselves are musicians/enthusiasts and so offer a down to earth and honest advice for any new and budding musicians. They have tried to cover all areas, selling sheet music for a range of skills, a range of strings and other musical accessories, and of course a number of instruments to peruse! If music be the food of love, Playtime Music helps those in Otley to play on. Fantastic little shop!

This is another one of those essentials in Leeds. I can say this mostly as I play guitar and need a…read moreregular supply of strings, but the guys that run this joint are just lovely. I once went down to pass on a poster for a live music event. They hadn't yet opened so I leant against the wall for a quick cigarette and the owner/manager/staff member came out to join me. We had an excellent little conversation about Leeds, music and Call Lane, before I handed the poster to him and got on my way. I guess that's it really. I could tell you about the range of sheet music, instrument strings, folk instruments, CDs and so on that they store, but essentially - if you're going to visit at all, it has to be for the celtic/folk nature of the shop - and if that's what you are looking for, at least you know it comes with lovely conversation and down to earth presence.

As a music student, the large amount of folk bands being created has come to my attention flared by…read morethe rise of pop-folk acts such as Fleet Foxes. More and more folk acts are performing around Leeds, and with musicians as colleagues, Hobgoblin Music has been mentioned positively to me many a time!! The shop is oddly located on trendy wine bar strip Call Lane tucked right away! However after a little search I found it and had a sneaky peek around to see what people rave about! Hobgoblin is a specialist shop which stocks Folk and Celtic instruments (including harps, whistles, fiddles, mandolins and banjos's), sheet music, Cd's and books. The shops range of Folk musical instruments is huge for such a tiny secret cave of musical treats! I had a natter to the boheminiam, long haired staff who were very friendly and helpful! There is an extremely laid back atmosphere in the shop stereotypical of Folk Music. I understand this will only apply to a minority of "Yelpers", however if you are in Leeds and have an interest in Folk music go in and have a look around. It really is a pretty and dainty display of Folk music history!

The Music Box is a great little music shop situated in the popular town of Otley, fairly close to…read morethe centre of the shopping area. As you might have guessed from the name, the items inside relate to music, and there is a lot to explore within. The windows from the outside are barred but don't let this put you off from having a wander inside, there is a lot to see! At the time of my visit there was an awesome old school gramophone sat in their window, which looked awesome, although as I have no record collection there really would have been little point considering it for purchase as it would have been somewhat defunct! There were also some electric guitars and a few other instruments dotted around. Mostly, it seems, this shop had lots of music related paraphernalia - biography books on big musicians, sheet music, how to books, CDs, records, collectables, tapes and (as they say on their sign) much more! As well as selling all related items they also purchase in bits, depending on their worth, so if you're moving house and want to shift that massive obsolete pile of CDs and records it might be worth considering going into The Music Box and seeing if they would take them on! There is even a rare and second hand book store in the upstairs of the shop. All in all it's a pretty interesting place to visit, while away some time, and perhaps buy an item or two.

Essentially, if you're looking for a quality acoustic guitar in Leeds, you go to Northern…read moreAcoustics. Newly housed in the glorious Corn Exchange, this beautiful little shop boasts a veritable bounty of lovely guitars, with an owner who not only has a wealth of knowledge, but an incredibly relaxed and warm attitude about him. In this shop you can feel at ease browsing, chatting, testing and more without feeling the pressure of a salesman. Back in the old location I ended up testing out over four guitars before picking one, and not once did I feel hassled to get on with it. In fact, it was so relaxed I could have happily left it for a few days to mull over without feeling like he'd pressure me to purchase! I have often found in other shops the priority of making a sale, and any old sale at that, takes over and so usually I end up leaving a little irritated. Not the case here. Whether you're looking to start out, move on or branch out with a new guitar you must consider this place first. With some fantastic brands, a wonderful knowledgeable chap at the helm and even Primos downstairs for a coffee (should you need to mull over your decision!) it's an asset to the Leeds music scene.

From the owner: Quality Acoustics Guitars from Martin, Sigma, Faith and Freshman as well as K&K Pure mini Pick-up's…read more, Uke's ,Strings ,straps and a whole lot more .

I've signed up to Yelp just to leave this review. Really friendly knowlegable guys that go above…read moreand beyond to make sure you're happy with what you want and that you've bought the wrong thing. Did a brilliant guitar setup for me then found me the perfect pair of studio monitors (Genelec 8081A) for recording in a small space with my Helix LT effects pedal. Store has a really chilled vibe - would recommend a trip whatever you are after. I genuinely look forward to going back.

PMT House of Rock is unfortunately-named to such a ridiculous degree that you have to wonder if it…read morewas set up by male music geeks of such stereotypical geekery that they had such limited knowledge of the female of the species as to happily settle on the name PMT without any knowledge of their folly. Oh well - at least it stands for 'Professional Music Technology', which is somewhat more relevant to the products on sale than the alternative. The shop is huuuge! And its layout allows it to display the products to almost terrifying peacock-like effect, due to its open-plan layout and central staircase leading to a balcony spanning the entire width of the shop. And due its size it was difficult to take in and remember the entire range of products but it really is extensive. Guitars, drums, keyboards and pianos are the focus of the instrument range with a huge variety of electric guitars, bases and acoustics and a balcony housing many a keyboard and piano. They sell a vast amount of equipment besides: mics, amps, effects pedals, recording equipment, speakers and everything in between. Prices are good, and they attempt to match any cheaper prices you have found, showing their commitment to value for money. Because of the vastness of this shop and the fact that it is a chain it lacks the character and charm of a smaller music shop and so feels rather impersonal, but this allows further freedom to browse and try things out, as there always seem to be plenty of other people doing so! And my, what a lot to try!

bought Audac AUCIELO120 for my showroom on their advice after I gave them specs, arrived next day…read more Looks the right kit, also didnt see cheaper any where else - so thankyou - Ben

From the owner: Soundsavers are a Leeds based suppliers of pro audio, PA systems, lighting, DJ gear, MI accessories…read moreand more. Their Headingley based PA showroom is accessed via the car park at the Headingley Taps Pub.