I really can be an arse sometimes. Looking back at my initial review, I appear to have went into a…read morewee strop about this place not having wifi and boo hoo, boo hoo, moan, moan, moan! Well, despite having to suppress a wee cringe of 'och man, did I really moan about that... whit a tool!', I must point to the fact that this place now has wifi (still an arse, but a smug arse). So, it's been a good wee while since that initial review and having given up on the big nasty buck of star, I've been on the hunt for coffee shops with reliable wife and decent coffee in certain areas of town. This place ticks a few boxes, wifi, lot's of seating, plugs, slightly better decor than before (still feels a wee bit like a converted shop floor... oh it is!) and friendly staff. I think the one down side of this place is the coffee, and hey, this goes for a good number of coffee shops in Glasgow. Prick up your ears guys. Certain places in Glasgow have entirely upped the coffee quality in the past couple of years (Artisan, Papercup, Avenue G etc) and for those who like what these guys are doing *sticks hand up* going back to regular bean juice really, REALLY sucks. Rant over. Decent place. It's on my wifi radar and may also have to pop in for some grub at some point.

I'll agree with Lewis on this one. Biggars is definitely the place that your primary 4 music…read moreteacher would have pointed you towards. In fact, I think it's the reason I ever shopped here in the beginning. Biggars are music specialists, but not specialists within music. That is to say, they have a great selection, and if you're a beginner it's undoubtedly the best place to shop, but if you're looking for niche products or something alternative, Biggars isn't necessarily the place to look. Basically, it has made its mark, and is a Glasgow institution in terms of music. They aren't going anywhere.

Rub a dub has a very good selection of Records, a vast amount of Electronic equipment too!! . I…read moremust say that he staff are extremely helpful and knowledgable when it comes to helping the customer choose the product. They also have their new website up and running which has a Fantastic range of D.J. Gear etc... All in all it's a fantastic place to shop!

Back when I was a fresh-faced teen, a trip to Rub a Dub for some obscure techno tunes, followed by…read morean internet-based splurge on the most bangin' UK garage vinyl I could find was quite literally my idea of heaven, and the first step to world domination. Real life got in the way, but it's worked out as a fun and interesting sideline that I'd recommend to any budding muso too talentless to pick up a set of drumsticks. But once you become "that sad c*nt in the corner", trading his last shreds of dignity for a few quid as he rolls out "Sweet Caroline" don't come into Rub a Dub, it will break your heart.

Now this is a weird store, if your looking for dangerous quirky stuff this is the place you want to…read morego. Crossbows, sling shots, knifes etc etc. The staff are a little scary, nothing quite like selling you a paint ball gun with a evil smile and him hiding it behind his back with a slightly frankenstine voice saying sorrryyyy we are out of stock. A little expensive but thats what you expect when trying to buy things like this which are harder to find. Also watch out since it appears to be ned heaven.

I used this place over the years mostly to buy weapons but they seem to have mostly shifted over to…read moremusic kit. I was looking for a couple of dusters and some heavy leather saps but I was told that they no longer supply this type of merchandise. Apparently it was all confiscated by the Old Bill a few years ago ( much to Victor's chagrin ). I must admit I was tempted by some of the absolutely lethal crossbows and hunting knives but I settled for a karaoke microphone with a free Kate Bush CD and then headed for Baird's Bar for a few cool ones with my cronies.

A cracking music shop…read more The staff are supercool and laidback, but totally into their music and know their stuff which is a big help to me as an amateur guitar player. No snobbery comes my way in this shop, unlike many others. They have a sweet separate little acoustic room with a wee leather couch, including loads of lefty guitars. Upstairs there's also alot of electrics, without the shop being too crowded like other music shops and loads of accessories. Downstairs (by way of a GOLDEN ELEVATOR) is a whole sub-section full of bass guitars and PA equipment. There's some great acoustic bass guitars and fretless ones, with huge price ranges from really cheap to really not so cheap. There's not as much in the way of effects pedals in here, if thats your thing, but they do have alot of charm and character and the basic feel of the place I find much more laidback as to encourage a purchase than to feel on the post surrounded by folk judging your guitar playing skills as I have found is often the case elsewhere. Last time I was in downstairs I could hear a member of staff upstairs playing the Pink Panther themetune. I like stuff like that.

asked them to sell an instrument for me and commission was agreed…read more months went on and I was told Instrument apparently didn't sell. I WAS ASKED "WOULD I LIKE TO DROP MY PRICE?"..NOPE,, I decided to take it away and made a surprise visit to collect the item, suddenly it wasn't there and someone fessed up..it apparently sold ages ago. Shame! I used to buy loads of stuff from them now I would not even buy a plectrum from them,before checking it didn't belong to someone else.

This place used to be called Sound Control and is now under the name Reverb…read more It's in a decent location near Central Station and walking distance to some rehearsal studios if you need to grab some strings ahead of a 6-9 practice. I only really dive in for accessories, but bought my electric out of here some years ago under the old name. Managed to get it down to £250 from £320 or thereabouts. It's got a good selection of products including amplifiers and pedals. I know a few people who have got bad service from here with regards to employees recommending a certain sort of guitar strings 'as a beginner' etc. A decent enough music store with a good selection but there are a few other big ones in Glasgow that will always get my business on big purchases ahead of this one. Recommendation: shop around.

Good, friendly staff, plenty of products, always a good deal or two knocking around: Reverb seems…read moreto be able to be a serious music shop without becoming hell for the casual shopper. The guitar and amp offers aimed at the beginner are good value, but most of the stock is aimed at the semiprofessional. The staff are always happy to help and will, at the merest request, unlock cabinets and show you whatever it is that you asked about. This can get a bit much: I asked for a price on a microphone and they handed one to me to inspect, pointed out the features and explained how it worked. I had no idea what they were talking about, due to my own ignorance... I think this sort of quality service is wasted on me.

Band Supplies is the kind of shop that you can't go in without ringing the doorbell. I'm never…read morequite sure why business owners do this - sure it keeps timewasters away, but it also keeps away the browsers who might be tempted by impulse buys. At first I thought this was a bizarre position for a music shop, but if you look around you'll actually find that just around the corner there is a specialist violin shop and another music shop. Although it looks a little bit like a jumble store inside (there are piles of boxes everywhere) Band Supplies is actually one of the UK's leading musical retailers (or so they say!) They're not the cheapest place for musical instruments - but they've been in the business a long time and sell good quality products.

I have been trying to return a tenor horn, invoice # 5168 with NO success. I was told to return to…read morea place in Chicago, but was not given a complete address! I am totally Stuck, get NO response from Band Supplies

Five stars is all I'm allowed to give this place, but I'd rather give 6/5!! Friendly guys, REALLY…read moreHELPFUL, and top quality stuff that's at a very, very reasonable price. I only went in to buy a microphone stand, and I know this sounds like an advert, but I was really impressed with this little shop. If you're driving there, parking is easy across the road in a side street. If you have ANY interest in playing music at all, MAKE THIS PLACE YOUR ONLY STOP!! Thanks guys, I'll be back.

Merchant music…read more This is a great company to buy from. Let me enlighten you. I first heard of them via the "Total Guitar" magazine, as they use to advertise for mail order. Then I discovered they were actually in Glasgow. After a few looks back then, I decided to buy 2 expensive Yngwie Malmsteen guitars, with the candy apple red version having to get imported from Holland. They had gave me a great price as I bought the 2 together. So I made this a regular stop for buying things. The guys know their stuff, and are not pushy compared to some other shops. This shop is bigger than their old store, and yet again, rather than focusing on one price market of customers or genre. They have brands to suite everyone's needs. Looking for a Vai guitar or Satriani? They've got it covered. Along with lots of prestige Ibanez guitars, and a few really cool 7 strings, including the Vai Universe. This was a place I always remembered as having a great selection of guitar effect pedals etc and cool amps. If you are wanting to go from a budget small Line6 or Roland combo or maybe an amp stack to blow your socks off. Then this is the place to sort you out. I'm the old Proprietor of the recording and rehearsal studio "Power One" so I know the good equipment from the bad. And it seems these guys know the good from the bad too, and boy, don't they have the right selection. If you are looking for this place, then it's a stone throw from "Guitar Guitar" If you are looking for a good guitar for your kid starting out. And maybe Santa Clause has not packed his bag. Then swing by here and have a look. They have a web site too. And if they don't have what you are looking for, then they will get it in. And to be honest. They are fast at getting it in. I'd give this place 10 stars if I could. And I'm sure you would too. I'm thinking of getting a new sexy guitar soon. And I'd trust this place to sort that out:)

I got my first bass out of here sometime ago, at a reasonable price…read more I haven't really been back though since finding some other guitar shops in Glasgow. That being said, I only really pick up strings and accessories nowadays. It's quite small inside and as such, the selection is limited. Sometimes I just like to have a stroll around a music store and have a look which is easier when it's a large store because you can go unnoticed.. but it's not so straightforward in here. Having said that, they are cool with you trying out guitars on amps and the usual pre-purchase proceedings.

Specialist orchestral String shop (I believe it's called The Violin Shop not A Violin shop though!)…read moreExcellent for advice whether you are a beginner starting out, or a professional musician. Large stock of instruments and bows. Trials are normally negotiable on instruments to make sure that you're really making the right choice. Fascinating shop to browse in - Oh.. and there is also a really good repairs department.

I was very happy with The Violin Shop! The gentleman working there was very helpful, and was able…read moreto give me a great deal on a used violin.