Where to buy your gear..?

Sadly, due to many closures, we don't currently know of a music shop for rock instruments that we could recommend in the immediate area, but please support your local shop if you do have one and tell us about it so we can list it here.

As a "school" for young musicians, we encourage you to support music shops where possible, as we know how useful it is for families and musicians to have a shop that can be depended upon for advice and convenience. If you do need to buy online, try to buy from a website that also has a retail shop as that will help to ensure their survival in their local community.

Many shops also sell pre-owned instruments, often with a guarantee, and may accept a trade-in against a new purchase. Pre-owned instruments can be an ideal way to get your hands on a quality instrument at a knockdown price.

Ideally, it's best to try out a guitar before buying it; getting hands-on to judge its shape, weight and size, and to be able to ask questions to help you choose which is best for you.

Please ask your Rockschool tutor for advice if you're at all unsure what to buy. We have guitars in different sizes for you to try out.

We can recommend...

Norman's Music - One of London's longest established music shops, in Eltham. Tel: 020 8850 1263

GuitarGuitar - huge shop in Epsom comes highly recommended for extensive range (not only guitars) and top quality service. Alternatively, order online for next day delivery. Tel: 01372 730578

GAK - The Guitar, Amp & Keyboard Centre. A top quality music shop in Brighton, East Sussex. Very worth going out of your way to visit, or buy online. Tel: 01273 665400

Andertons - shop in this quality store in Guildford, Surrey or online. Tel: 01483 486 777

Bonners Music Superstore - shops in Sussex, Surrey and Milton Keynes, or buy online. Tel: 01323 639335

Gear4Music - order online for quick delivery. Recommended for speedy customer service and 60-day returns policy.

Arts Council financial support for parents

Take It Away scheme - Arts Council initiative to make musical instruments accessible to children and young people. Interest-free loans are available to parents of children under 18, and 18-25 year olds who can apply in their own right.

Where to buy your gear..?

We can recommend...

Arts Council financial support for parents

07593 787701