Best Guitar Shops in Leeds
Not only does Leeds offer a vibrant and active music scene, it also has a handful of music shops which gives music lovers, from the amateur hobbyist to the seasoned professional, the opportunity to go into a physical store and try out some guitars.
See the best beginner amps I recommend from experience.
Whether you are looking for a brand new Fender Strat, a used amp for practising at home, or a few picks with a cool-looking guitar strap, you won’t be disappointed to pay a visit to the guitar shops in Leeds. Having been in Leeds for 7 years spending more than half of those years studying music full-time, I have bought countless musical items (thank you, student loan) which supported my studies, teaching work, and performing work.
Given the choice between online or in-store, I would choose the latter. I still wander in every now and then to have a look especially when I am looking for something specific, or if there is something I want to clear off the wish list! Online shopping can be troublesome with delays for shipping or returning etc. and the biggest convenience is actually trying out the gear with your own hands, listening with your own ears and not through some recorded mp3 files. Read to the end to see what I have bought from where.
Bonus: As the old motto goes, always try before you buy. But you don’t always have to buy… or you can buy online after you try. No hard feelings!
This blog post is only accurate at the time of publishing. Some shops have closed or moved online permanently. Please check before travelling.
Dawsons Music - online only
Located right in the centre of Leeds between the Headrow and the Grand Arcade, it has recently expanded to include a guitar booth. On the left, there is a keyboard/piano section, behind that an audio section with field recorders and monitors. On the right, there is the guitar section with a lot of Fenders and Gibsons, amps and pedals, accessories etc. Bass section is behind the electric guitars right next to the booth. Acoustics upstairs. Parking available nearby. Student discounts!
Dawsons Music, 113-115 Vicar Ln, Leeds LS1 6PJ. 0113 203 1470
Source: pmtonline.co.uk
PMT Leeds
Located just past TGI Fridays’ on the way out of Leeds into Kirkstall Road, this is the largest music shop in Leeds. However, this doesn’t mean that they will have everything, so be sure to check online or phone in. By all means though have a walk around if you have time to spare! Extra-friendly staff are helpful when it comes to advice on gear, and super patient for trying things out in the booth, so be sure to do just that! Guitarists beware: there are beautiful PRS guitars stacking high on the walls!
As a guitar teacher who teaches rock guitar lessons in Leeds, this is the place I always refer them to go to if they are looking for a guitar which suits their style.
PMT Leeds, Citygate, 9 Kirkstall Road, LS3 1LH. 0113 242 6601
Hobgoblin Music
Located two streets from Dawsons by the Headrow, this music shop has a vintage vibe to it, probably because of the wood of the acoustic instruments! Perfect place for beginner or entry level purchases, friendly and helpful staff. They also buy and sell secondhand instruments, so give that a try if you ever need to! Woodwind and percussion instruments can also be found here, as well as banjos, too!
This store specialises in acoustic instruments which are more prominent for certain styles of music. I recommend students who have jazz guitar lessons with me to come here for semi-hollow and hollow-body guitars. Read more about different types of guitars.
Hobgoblin Leeds, 13 Eastgate, Leeds, Yorkshire, LS2 7LY. 0113 245 3311
Northern Guitars
This place has been around for a good while (almost 30 years), for good reason! Located on Call Lane right by the Corn Exchange, it is known for great secondhand deals. The staff there know their trade, and are more than happy to help. Although it runs on a smaller scale, the coziness and vintage feel of the whole place makes you want to stay just that little longer! Guitars, amps, pedals, strings, straps… Anything guitar-related you will find here. They also do guitar repairs. Live music happening most nights downstairs at the bar, including open-mic and jam nights!
Northern Guitars, 41 Call Lane, Lane, Leeds LS1 7BT. 0113 234 1976
For in-depth reviews on more shops in Leeds (music shops rather than guitar shops), visit https://leeds-list.com/style/the-best-music-shops-in-leeds/
Story time - my experience
Bit of a personal touch here, I bought my Yamaha Pacifica 112V from PMT back in 2015 for around 250 pounds. In my opinion, this is one of the best guitars for entry level players or beginners on a budget. Watch me play an infamous guitar solo here.
My Godin session 2006 was bought for 400 pounds from Northern Guitars in 2019 and I am still playing it now. This guitar is so versatile and I use it to play anything from pop & rock to jazz & blues - watch this official Godin Guitars demo! The Pacifica was brand new this Godin was second hand. However, both plays fine! My top tip would be to always go and have a play first - specs are nothing compared to the actual physical touch when you play. The connection between you and your instrument matters. Ask Santana about that!
PS. My Boss Katana 50 was bought from Dawsons - it had some noise issue just before the one year warranty ended so I brought it back to the store and they sent it back for inspection and repairs! Overall good communication from friendly staff, and the problem was fixed in the end.
Guitar shops outside of Leeds in the UK
Music Street
This music shop was established by longstanding music industry retailer Tony Rawson (formally Manager of Machinehead Hitchin 'Jeff Pumfrett era' ), with the ethos of customer satisfaction comes first alongside high quality products and the best customer service possible.
Address: 10 Chequers Ct, Huntingdon PE29 3LJ
Phone: 01480 431222
In their own words:
5 Step Customer Service Guarantee
1. Pricing
We offer, what we feel and have seen as, some of the lowest prices on stock found anywhere in the UK. As we buy products in bulk from distributors we can pass the savings back to you. We do not, however, substitute quality for offering the cheapest prices. Each guitar or accessory that leaves our warehouse has passed the quality tests from our in-house technicians.
2.Service
Whether over the phone, in our shop, or through email we pride ourselves in offering unparalled levels of response and information. We`re well aware that issues, though minimised, can develop with instruments or delivery services. With this in mind, we offer a response rate second-to-none in the industry.
3.Assistance
Our team is comprised of musicians who can offer both their own opinion and unbiased information relating to any product on our site. If we can`t answer your question, we make sure that we find somebody that can! This includes both pre-sales and after-sales. If you`re struggling with the instructions, call us, and we`ll be glad to assist!
4.Range
Our products are sourced from each manufacturer`s own UK distributor. Whilst we don`t shout about the fact we have every possible guitar or contraption available in the UK, we only source products we feel are of the quality and value that our thousands of customers expect from us. Saying that, if there is a product we have overlooked, tell us and we`ll source it for you!
5. Convenience
You can order your products 24/7 through musicstreet.co.uk. - ordering is simple and there are lots of different ways you can pay, regular credit or debit card, Google wallet, Apple Pay and v12 finance options if you need to spread the payments.
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