To help answer them we have drawn together a short list of what we believe are the top music shops for all budgets and needs. In no order...
Cranes Musical Instruments have served the guitar needs of some of Cardiff's most famous bands - the likes of Stereophonics, Manic Street Preachers, Super Furry Animals, Funeral for a Friend and Lost Prophets just to name a few. As if that doesn't speak for itself, Cranes were also the first guitar store in the UK to import Gibson Custom Shop guitars. This family business, therefore, needs little explanation as to why we think it is simply fantastic. Packed with guitars and guitar equipment the store is staffed by extremely knowledgable employees, eager to assist you. The diversity of the stock, as well as its sheer scale, can cater for almost all guitarist's needs and anything they don't have they are happy to track down for you. Located at 5a High Street, CF10 1AW, Cranes really is a great guitar shop. Well worth checking out.
Gamlin's Music Centre, located at 56 St Mary Street, CF10 1FE is a first class guitar store. Boasting a huge range of diverse guitar equipment and guitars, the store is a family owned business that has been part of the Cardiff music scene for over fifty years. Their attention to detail is amazing, stocking and being able to advise guitarists on the more unusual pieces of equipment as if it were mainstream. Their online shop is always a good place of reference, brimming with equipment and detailed product descriptions. An all round amazing guitar shop that will fulfil all your everyday guitarist needs & much more.
Cardiff Guitars is one of the only music stores in Cardiff that is completely dedicated to the needs of guitarists. Located at Unit 2, St Clair Court 3-11, West Bute Street, CF10 5EN the store is literally packed with guitars and guitar equipment. Stocking both new and used guitars, catering for all sizes of wallets, Cardiff Guitars Ltd is a fantastic example of what a guitar shop should look like. The staff are incredibly passionate about the products that they sell & are knowledgable about all aspects of the guitar. The shop also has a repairs service which is probably the best in Cardiff - a great thing to know if you have a technical problem with your guitar.
Noble Music is an old school guitar shop with some awesome guitar gear. Famous for its limited and vintage edition Gibson's and Fender's the family owned business really is one of the top places to check out if you are a more experienced guitarist looking for rarer items. Located at 2 Old Church Road, CF13 1AE the 42-year-old company is steeped in history & expertise, somewhere any serious guitarist should certainly head to.