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