As I walked into the Guitar Centre, a staff member with wild long black hair welcomed me most…read moreenthusiastically. I responded in a like manner, and before I knew it, we had skipped usual staff- customer repetoire and had begun goofing off. I remember asking as an afterthought, "oh, can I possibly find banjo strings here?". He responded with "pfft, no trouble. They're even up on the wall. Got tonnes of 'em. Now, what were we talking about..." They've got three rooms full, FULL of all sorts of guitars and related instruments. They've got a solid collection of classical, acoustic, electric, and vintage guitars. From there, we start shrinking down to your half size guitars, and then to your ukeleles. They've also got a couple of fine looking banjos. They sell amps, books, and all the other sort of paraphrenalia you'd need. Guitar repairs are also available. It's not the cheapest guitar shop, however, who really wants a dodgy instrument? You want to pay more for the new love of your life. If you're ever in the mood to fulfil Wayne's World type fantasies and mutter that legendary line "She will be mine, oh yes, she will be mine", you'd be best to do it here. The dudes who work in this place are extremely affable and helpful, (which earns them the 'dude' title), and I reckon they've got a guitar for almost every personality.

I walked in here looking to buy a new guitar and I was extremely impressed. The staff were…read moreknowledgeable and answered every question I had. I really liked their no-pressure attitude - I didn't even for a minute think they were trying to up-sell me. In fact I paid less than I expected to pay, for exactly what I wanted, and I got a free bag of picks as a bonus.

A friend of mine has her son enrolled in lessons at Guitar Gym and he absolutely loves it. Every…read moreSaturday morning he can't wait for his lesson. The teachers seem to mix pleasure and learning well, and incorporate theory while also allowing their students to learn their music of choice. There are both group and individual lessons and an end of year concert that showcases the students' talent. On the one or two occasions I've been past the studios they appear well equipped with stands and television screens and access to internet to highlight a certain band or gain musical tab. And I've also been told the teachers hold about a thousand degrees between them, including a few PhDs! Just a few! What!! If my friend's son is anything to go by, not only is he becoming really good but he's also really keen which must have something to do with the teachers.

As a passionate supporter of independent retailers and an avid guitarist I am always on the lookout…read morefor small-scale music stores like Music 440 and the Guitar Shop in Paddington. You seem to get that little bit better service and specific product knowledge compared with the big chains like Allans, plus the understanding born from being served by a 'real' musician who understands the pressures of poverty... The chains might be able to get the bulk price on their instruments but they seem to peddle a few cynical cash grabs, like selling guitar picks in packets and not letting you buy just one (what's that all about?). Music 440 definitely has that "rocker's best friend" vibe, happily setting up a stool to let you have a sample 'shred' on one of their 'axes' without giving you dirty looks that translate to "buy something or get out...". Like a lot of instrument sellers their bread and butter seems to be the cheaper starter options, such as guitar brands Tanglewood and the lower-rung Cort and Ibanez models, but they also stock some more prestigious labels like Aussie industry-leader Maton, Cole Clark and the really attractive German Duesenberg models, which you can't find at most guitar sellers.

The guitars in this place are to die for. i was drooling the whole time i was in there and they…read morehad to get a mop. i am totally in love with the acoustic i bought. they were super helpful and did left-handed stringing for me on the spot. the new owners are lovely guys.

When it comes to art and design markets, Brisbanites are getting pretty spoilt for choice these…read moredays. There's the Suitcase Rummage and Finders Keepers Market but the Young Designer Markets at Southbank remains my favourite. I once applied for a stall here when I was a second year QCA student and got turned down. A few weeks later, I actually walked down to the markets, saw the quality of work on display and nearly died of mortification for thinking I was in the same league. This market will bring out the bowerbird in anyone with their shiny buttons, badges, feathers and beads. There are also other original fashion designers (some fantastic dresses and funny t-shirts), homewares (keep an eye out for the funky lampshades with bird prints) and girlish hair accessories that will tempt even boys. So mark it down on your iphone and androids - first Sunday of the month. See you there.

What I love about the Young Designers Market is that there is always something new and different…read moreevery month. Unlike most other markets (like the Southbank markets just next door) which almost always have the same stallholders with the same products, these markets can vary from month to month. Of course there are the regular stall holders but even some of these have different one-off items each time. It's great for finding gifts with a difference, clothes from up and coming young designers and plenty of art and craft items.

If you are lucky enough to be taking a course at uni where the textbook never changes from year to…read moreyear, then Secondhand Texts & Stationary is definitely a place to check out. You will find it next to the famous UQ Lolly Shop. Be warned that the popular books will go fast so try and get in early if you can. You can also sell your old textbooks to the shop. Other than that, the Stationary section of this store is impressive. I love stationary. There is something about colour-coding my books, post-its and pens with each subject that makes me feel as though I will be more productive. Sadly this tends to all fall apart after one week or so, but still, I cannot resist the urge to buy copious amounts of stationary at the start of each semester and Secondhand Books & Stationary is a fine place to do this.

Gone are the days secondhand was daggy. This spankingly great looking secondhand textbook shop is…read morewhat all secondhand shops should aspire to. Located in the Union complex of The University of Queensland, this place is the hub where students buy and sell old textbooks. You never have to buy new again... the books are in pretty good condition here and have obviously been well looked after... may be a condition of selling books to them I guess. Either way, it's a great place and should be your (yes i'm looking and pointing my firm finger at you the new UQ student) first point of call when you get your textbook list after you enrol for your courses online. It will save you or your parents money and you can also pick up all your stationary there at a reasonable price. Worth a check out if you're looking for specific texts in particular to subjects at university or you might get lucky with the other stuff.

Having been to this store 3 times in the past we've received the same poor assistance each time…read more On our first visit it took 20 minutes before we could get help locating a particular furniture suite we had seen advertised and the staff member seemed inconvenienced to be helping us. As my wife and I are both young I feel as though we weren't taken seriously as potential customers for the store. After approaching the registers advising them we wished to purchase the $700+ furniture suite the first thing we were asked was "so I assume you'll be wanting to put it on a payment plan?"... Offended I said no i'd like to pay for it now, and again I was asked "like a deposit? $50? $100?" "No thanks i'll pay the total in cash today". Every other visit we've had staff members walk past us in the store only to go up to someone (older) who had just entered the store to ask them if they need assistance.

By the time I came back to bubs to buy my pram I'd certainly done my share of research and…read moreprocrastination. I knew what I wanted though and when the price was higher Bubs didn't hesitate to match the price for me. I find the service great which is I chose to spend my money here over other baby shops, I love that most people I've spoken to in store are mums so they know first hand what works. I also love that this is a Queensland business so I'm shopping local when I spend my money here. If you're looking for something special for baby then this is the place to start, they have an exceptional range of prams, furniture and assessories and certainly lots of useful gadgets you didn't realize you wanted until bubs came along.

This is my epicentre of craft. My novice skills have stemmed…read morefrom visits to this store and now Bernina Centre has become my sewing port of call. When I'm in the chermside area, I come here to ogle the new machines, get project ideas, buy replacement needles and get valuable advice from the helpful and knowledgeable staff. If you are a novice or an enthusiast, I guarantee you will find something to your liking in this great store.

Fabulous service, highly recommend this store. I had my Bernina Record 730 machine fixed here…read more Thanks Martin & Sharon

Whatever band I've been in, we've always ended up rehearsing at Via Studios. Its one of the most…read morecentral spaces where band members from all parts of Brisbane can come together, jam out, or practice. There are ten room at Via, all air conditioned and professionally sound proofed. It's very rare to hear any noise spill from rooms next to yours and if does its probably someone has left a door open. Each room is also stocked with high-end PA systems, microphones and leads. If you wish to record one of your sessions call in and they'll work on setting something up for you. Via staff are very approachable and technically savvy and will try their best to help you if any issues occur with your own equipment. Via has made sure that they have stocked up on enough basic hardware to aid when strings breaks, batteries run out or the when the bassist has forgotten his leads. Because, as we know 90% of musicians are starved, Via has a small range of chips, lollies and drinks at cheap prices that even the most skint of singers can afford. After rehearsal is done you can pay an extra charge to store your good on site as the studio has a 24 hour monitored security system. For $17.50 an hour or $50 for a block of four, Via, with its in house equipment, easy locality and good rooms is worth every note.