Chandler Guitars To Close - end of era

guitars4you

Just announced in a trade magazine that Chandler Guitars will be closing - This was the first UK Boutique store in the UK that introduced brands like PRS, Anderson, Schecter and Seymour Duncan  to the UK when no one knew what they were

I recall those old adverts in guitar magazines and always read their ad to see what was new and interesting

I suppose after Doug and Charlie left it was always going to be tough to replace their influence - Add to that the changing face of how business is now conducted coupled with high overheads and I suppose enough is enough - It is fair to say they have not been the influence in the last 10 years or so that they previously were, but still sad to see another quality independent close down

Benson

So is CCGX still run by Charlie? Not been there in years. 

crunchman

Wow!

I dread to think how much I've spent in there over the years - well into 5 figures

I think they were very important in getting Lazy J off the ground as well.  The early amps sold by word of mouth to people in and around Chandlers.  The shop also gave people a chance to try them as well - which is important.

Hope Al and Neil and everyone will be ok..

guitars4you

Benson said:

So is CCGX still run by Charlie? Not been there in years. 

Yes - happens to be brother in law, but whilst they share a similar business name CCGX has always been totally independent from Chandler Guitars in Kew

stratman3142

Benson said:

So is CCGX still run by Charlie? Not been there in years. 

Yes, I was in there about a week ago. A couple of my amps are in CCGX being fixed at the moment.

Moe_Zambeek

Wham are they closing? I've been watching their site and for the most part, even with 'sale' pricing they're still overpriced...

guitars4you

Oct 31st is the last date they are open I'm led to believe

impmann

This makes me sad. :-(

CHRISB50

Shame. It's a good place. 

They have stuff you wouldn't see anywhere else. 

And it it smells like a proper guitar shop. 

Kebabkid

Gassage put a thread up about this. Paula was just as important and relevant to the business as Doug and Charlie and has kept it going for some 15 years. Sad news

kjdowd

That is really sad. I regularly use the workshop there. Gutted.

Blaendulais

I also made it known that the workshop guys (andy, andy, brinsley) are keeping workshop going at another close location.  I have saved up some work to deliver when they open as I think its vital this aspect thrives.

andyoz

Ah fellas, there's always Amazon....reap what you sow

richardhomer

I've never visited - but their Guitarist ads certainly made an impact. They probably 'invented' the 'high end' guitar shop in the U.K. - Sounds Great (in its halcyon days) followed a similar path, as did Machine Head, World Guitars, Toneworld, et al.

 I love bricks and mortar shops - this is probably the most significant closure yet. Let's hope there aren't any more....

fretfinder

Moe_Zambeek said:

I've been watching their site and for the most part, even with 'sale' pricing they're still overpriced...

I look at their website from time to time and am surprised how toppy their prices are. So presumably they don't sell much and it must be hard to keep a business going if you're relying mainly on repairs. Their second hand prices also seem well over the top - surprising really when they can look at the web and easily see how overpriced they are compared with everyone else. I guess they thought their brand and cachet was enough to keep customers coming even if they were more expensive, but it seems not.

57Deluxe

Always meant to go in for a visit when over that way but never cropped up...

pintspiller

I remember doing a half-hearted tour of Soho twenty years ago. If I'd have done my research, I'd have done a much better job. Could this have been a shop I'd have seen? 

Whistler

Lovely shop, great staff. I got my Mesa Boogie there in about 1990 and had Chandler's do a fret job on my Strat. I had noticed the shop's web site had lost the plot and was not really as informative as in earlier times. It is a tough, competitive world out there. It will be a shame to see this one close.

kjdowd

Blaendulais said:

I also made it known that the workshop guys (andy, andy, brinsley) are keeping workshop going at another close location.  I have saved up some work to deliver when they open as I think its vital this aspect thrives.

Any more detail on this? I've used those guys a lot and would like to continue to do so. 

crunchman

I think they have gone for keeping the margins up rather than moving lots of stuff.  They are in a very well off part of West London and there are some very rich people who aren't that worried about paying a bit more - just not enough of them.

With the second hand stuff most of it is sale or return.  They put their commission rates up a while back, but with the high commission rates people are asking high prices to compensate.  I think that was a mistake when Charlie's commission rates, and New Kings Road's rates are a lot lower.

axisus

I've never been there, but it's such a shame when a great music shop goes. I was fortunate to have Machinehead on my doorstep for a great many years. Sadly it died on its arse after Jeff left and shut some time later. I've also lost Coda in Luton I just never get to the stevenage shop.