As music shops go in Leeds, Call Lane is generally considered the Mac Daddy street to go and…read morebrowse. But, this of course is hugely biased towards the guitar playing musicians of Leeds. To the lay person a music shop is a music shop is a music shop. To a saxophonist, not so. There is little, if next to nothing, in Northern Guitars for example. Or Music Ground, really, for that matter. Enter: Band Supplies. This lovely little music shop is run by a very kindly and friendly gentleman and it specifically caters towards brass and woodwind instruments. There are hoards of different reeds, specialist items, sheet musics and generally all related materials that one might need for, say, their trumpeting. Generally, as it goes, any questions you may have related to brass and woodwind instruments can be answered here also. They do sell a few stringed instrument items, although not being their specialist bits, there is not a lot to choose from. Typically, before a gig at the Adelphi, I needed some guitar strings and my band mate needed a new bow for his violin. Happily enough the chap managed to sort us both out with our items, though neither were the best we could have found. He even warned us that the bow was a bit of a cheap item and certainly not of the best quality, but we needed it nonetheless and it was really good of him to let us know! It did it's job, just fine, and so all's well that ends well. Since the shop doesn't really cater for stringed instruments it was simply nice to know we could come here again if at a loss! All in all, this is another fine music shop to browse in Leeds, with a helpful and friendly owner/manager.

Ordered online and delivered next day. Superb service as…read morealways from Chris and Steve. Five stars

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.

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!

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!

The Rock Factory has been in Castleford since ROCK began, and maybe its owners have been around a…read morelittle longer, maybe even since time itself began with their long 80's rockers hair and stonewashed denim, this places oooooozes 1980s Guitar Store Americana. Like, cool dude. totally awesome. Either that or these guys never got over Iron Maidens ridiculously tight skinny jeans and white trainers look. Situated directly opposite Castleford Tigers rugby ground, it is unfortunately one of the only reasons why I would ever step foot in Castleford even though a lot of money has been spent to regenerate this former mining town community. Even Kevin McCloud "that bloke off telly, off that Grand Designs" of said self-build architectural design show had a stab at re-working Castleford by being involved in the construction and documentation of a footbridge across a river in the town. Improved facilities such as nearby retail outlet Junction 32 and X-Scape snow-slope and leisure complex has done much to boost the area, which frankly needs it. Its a shame that creative writing and publishing group, The 'Yorkshire Art Circus' was stopped recently due to lack of funding. Inside the rock factory, A good selection of PA, percussion, acoustic and electric bass and six-string guitars can be found here, with the guys willing to strike deals. Like any good musician will know, selecting a guitar is about being in the right place at the right time really, a question of luck and patience, which is also suggested here unless you are looking for a beginners instrument of which they have plenty. You'll find expensive Gibsons with some nice Fenders and Tokais alongside the aformentioned beginners Squiers at the bottom end of the range. these are mainly blues, rock and metal guitars. They have some great amps too at some even better prices, especially the Fender re-issues. Prices are very good. Just have a good look and have a good play beforehand. It's good to see places like this surviving in this day and age and I hope they continue to be around for some time, as shopping for things as personal as musical instruments, especially guitars seems to be becoming a more and more sterile experience, and dread the day when we can only select instrumets from internet sites without being able to look and play.

Being a born again guitarist trying to pick up where I was left behind in the sixties, I was drawn…read moreto the Rock Factory both by recommenation and checking their web site. I was not disapointed, having purchased a secondhand practice amp after it was demonstrated to me (I was scared of making a fool of myself), returning home to try it out, it proved to be faulty. Returning the amp the following weekend, there was not a hint of any hassle, full marks for customer satisfaction, so I purchased a new upgraded amp with new strings thrown in for good measure, great people, no hestation in recommending them

Leeds is an extremely musical city, what with the Music College and the music production courses…read moreavailable at the Met there are plenty of amateur Rick Rubens floating about. Leeds also seems to have the most incredible amount of bands trying to get noticed. With home recording became more of an attainable option it is now surprise that Production Rooms has come and taken the place of Music Ground and really showed them where they went wrong. If you are an inspiring Phil Spector (hopefully without the murderous tendencies) this is the place to come down and get some inspiration. You are paying for the quality you get but the staff is really helpful and will talk through your options with you, no pushy sales people here. Go down if you're a muso and your student loan has come in or you just want to go and enjoy a coffee and a chat with like minded people.

If you were perhaps struggling to find equipment for mixing, making, producing or setting up a…read moremusic night then this place will more than likely have the solution for you. Check out the website for the massive range of professional, quality goods of all things electronic-musically related.