RIP Denmark st, affectionately known as Tin Pan Alley

axisus

Ahh, the happy days of a trip to Londons Denmark st in the 80s. An Aladdin's cave spread out over the space of one small street, a pilgrimage made many times throughout the year to feast on amazing instruments. As we all know, the area has slowly died a painful death over the years, and it sounds like the final death knell is imminent: http://thebluemoment.com/2014/12/31/farewell-to-tin-pan-alley/

stonevibe

Won't miss that place.

Used to work on Charing Cross Road and pop up to the church at the top for a lunchtime joint.

marantz1300

I work near Warren Street.
I'll have to visit Denmark Street before it's gone...maybe I'll have a spliff first.

Blueingreen

Shame to see a bit of history go.  On a trip to London I usually end up there even if it's only for a browse through the music books.  I won't miss the ludicrously overpriced guitars or snotty, posy shop assistants though.

koneguitarist

Can't say I am too upset by this to be honest. Somebody said once there are more custom colour strats in Denmark St than Fender made at one point, due to all the fakes and stuff.

Nunogilberto

That's a massive shame - yes, it's full of mainly overpriced shops, but there's a lot of history that goes with the place...

p90fool

I bought my first Fender in Denmark Street in 1981, and although it's not what it was it was an incredibly exciting place for a teenager from South Wales.

Sad news.

Nunogilberto

p90fool;466076" said:

I bought my first Fender in Denmark Street in 1981, and although it's not what it was it was an incredibly exciting place for a teenager from South Wales.

Sad news.

Same here - South Wales lad (still am) and although it's not the cheapest place to buy a guitar, there's a certain magic about the place, eapecially for a visitor.

koneguitarist

p90fool said:

I bought my first Fender in Denmark Street in 1981, and although it's not what it was it was an incredibly exciting place for a teenager from South Wales.

Sad news.

should have gone to Sound center in Cardiff, great old shop about that time. That made way for the St David's Center

fretmeister

Letting it die and remembering the glory days is a far better tribute than the insult of letting it continue as a travesty.

Philly_Q

I always wander up and down Denmark Street and have a look in the windows when I'm in the area (not often, although I only work a mile away), but I don't think it's anything like it used to be.  Still, it'll be a shame to see it go.

I've been more saddened by the disappearance of nearly all the bookshops in Charing Cross Road.  I guess you can't stop progress....

p90fool

koneguitarist;466084" said:

p90fool said:

I bought my first Fender in Denmark Street in 1981, and although it's not what it was it was an incredibly exciting place for a teenager from South Wales.



Sad news.









should have gone to Sound center in Cardiff, great old shop about that time. That made way for the St David's Center

I used to, pretty well weekly. Miserable, arrogant bunch of pricks.
Denmark Street had a magic about it 35 years ago which was definitely lacking in Gamlins and Sound Centre.

Obviously the magic is long gone, partly because it's seen better days and I'm now a jaded 50, but it's still a shame if it completely disappears.

Strat_a_tat_tat

The 'real' Denmark Street died many years ago.  Became a bit of a shark pool.

guitargeek62

Damn, I'm gonna miss having Westside there to check out new pedals.Regent's, & Rose Morris on the South side are great shops still too imo, and very fairly priced - more than willing to price match too when I've asked.

blueskunk

Hmm lunchtime joints - them were the days

Stevepage

Used to love that street but like you gents I think the real Denmark street has long gone and it started going when Andy's closed down.

Last time I went there (December 2013)
Rockers had gone which was a good place if you were a fan of metal guitars, always shit service though.

It's a shame there hasn't reallt been a community down that street. Imagine having our conversations on this board but in a real life setting of a decent size guitar shop or music bar. It didn't feel inviting. We can all love the romantic memory of that place though.

impmann

Shame but since Andy's went a few years ago, there haven't been any shops worth a light.

The best shop around there was Allbang and Strummits - and they weren't on Denmark St and went under years ago!

Hertz32

Westside will be missed, thats it though. Went into the rest once each and never retuned as they were all too pushy, or just twats. Only ever had good service at Westside though, chap was willing to concede when he didn't know something and offered to google it for me, rather than just bullshitting like i've found others will do.

dindude

Have seen it change over the last 20 years and it's been a slow painful death, RIP.

koneguitarist

impmann said:

Shame but since Andy's went a few years ago, there haven't been any shops worth a light.

The best shop around there was Allbang and Strummits - and they weren't on Denmark St and went under years ago!

V
I went there the day ( or week) they opened, must have been 1983, nice guys.

koneguitarist

Last time I went in Andy's, I asked to try a LP, and he told me to put through the 70's Deluxe reverb? It was a 1983 Paul Rivera Deluxe!