Journey across the pond

[Megafrog]

I am preparing for a trip across the pond to London to see The Cure at Hyde Park in July and am looking for suggestions on what is in the area besides Denmark St that a middle aged man and his 17 year old son would potentially be interested in. Is anyone else on the forum going to the concert?

[LWAG]

I am preparing for a trip across the pond to London to see The Cure at Hyde Park in July and am looking for suggestions on what is in the area besides Denmark St that a middle aged man and his 17 year old son would potentially be interested in. Is anyone else on the forum going to the concert?

I'm not going to the show, but I know London.

You took the suggestion right out of my mouth when you said Denmark Street.

 

London has lots to offer, so it depends on what are your interests.

[kelly campbell]

Sounds like a great time Megafrog, be safe and enjoy the show...enjoy London I am envious I have always wanted to go to England and Europe as well..is this the original band?

[pippy]

I trust you will have a wonderful time when you both get here. A couple of things to bear in mind, however...

 

The whole area around Denmark Street is currently being redeveloped / demolished as part of the Crossrail project. I was there just two days ago and only a few of the instrument shops are still operating - and who knows when it will be their turn to be closed as part of the ongoing works? It might be an idea to check out what's left just before you start your journey.

 

Secondly; the official London Gibson dealership, Macari's, has ceased to deal with the company. I have just spoken with the manager of the shop (who had premises in both Denmark Street and the adjacent Charing Cross Road) and the future looks very bleak as far as the Denmark Street traders are concerned. Although the council and developers have made assurances that the Music Industry will still be able to have a presence there as yet there has been no discussion about future rental rates and it looks almost certain that the guitar shops will be priced out of the market.

 

The dealers still trading (as far as I can remember) were Wunjo Guitars, Hanks, Rose Morris and No. Tom.

Macari's main shop, as mentioned earlier, is just around the corner from Denmark Street in the Charing Cross Road.

 

Hope you have a great trip!

 

Pip.

[Megafrog]

I hit Denmark St back in 2016 and it was fun. This will be my first real vacation to London and I will be in town for a full week then off to Paris (son's idea, not mine). Are there any good clubs or restaurants? I do like my bangers and mash as well as fish and chips.

[Rabs]

I would bet that a lot of guys don't know much about whats good in London any more with some exceptions (im sure Pippy could tell you where the good pubs are ;) ) .. London has become a bit of a tourist trap.. Expensive prices and busy as hell. So while I would have bee able to tell you more a while a go, that information is not very up to date.

 

I would check this site if I were looking to do something specific.

https://www.timeout.com/london

 

I went to the BST Gig at Hyde Park a few years back. Was a great day.

 

Hope you have a great time and the weather is with you :) (which is totally unpredictable).

 

One thing I would recommend Camden Market.. Again its been a while since I went down there but its was a cool place where you can buy street food from almost every continent... Last time I went I had African Goat curry :)

[pippy]

...I will be in town for a full week then off to Paris (son's idea, not mine). Are there any good clubs or restaurants?...

When in Paris I strongly advise you to have lunch Chez Chartier. One of the last remaining "La Belle Epoque" cafe/bar/bistros. Good, honest food at a very reasonable price (for Paris!).

 

https://www.bouillon-chartier.com/en/

 

As far as London is concerned?

You really will be spoiled for choice in the centre of town. Every type of food can be found pretty much within a five minute walk regardless of where you end up.

 

For casual pub grub and a great selection of really nice locally produced beers and lagers to be found in a small traditional non-spoilt bar in the heart of the West End I'd recommend The Lyric in Great Windmill Street. It's just a 5 minute walk from Denmark St.;

http://www.lyricsoho.co.uk/

 

For something more 'historical' take a short trip on the East London (metro)/Overground line to Wapping for The Prospect of Whitby (1520). Great place right on the north bank of the Thames with superb riverside views;

https://www.greeneki...pect-of-whitby/

 

If, however, you are on the South Bank then directly opposite the "Prospect..." (and one stop south on the same train line) you'll find the smaller but equally ancient and wonderful "The Mayflower". It was from this spot that the Pilgrim fathers embarked for their journey to your shores 400 years ago! Again; great river views with a tiny wooden terrace cantilevered out over the river. Sit here and you will get splashed through the timbers at high tide..

https://www.mayflowerpub.co.uk/

 

Better quality eating in the West-End? My own personal favourite traditional restaurants would be;

Rules(1798) in Covent Garden. Slightly pricey, I suppose, but the experience should make it worth every penny. If you were a fan of the Historical Drama series Downton Abbey you will have seen the place several times...

https://rules.co.uk/

Alternatively down near Victoria Station, and with a more "Scottish Highlands" flavour, there is Boisdale. Peerless;

https://www.boisdale...avia/the-venue/

 

Pip.

[krock]

Up until last year I worked on The Strand so Im very partial to the Covent Garden/Trafalgar Square area's. China town is 5 minutes walk from Trafalgar square as well, which is itself only 5 minutes from Denmark Street. I never use tubes in central London any more, since working there I've realised how close together everything worth seeing actually is

[LWAG]

You've got Benjamin Franklin's House (Embankment or Charring Cross)

http://www.benjaminfranklinhouse.org/site/sections/default.htm

 

Dean Street Studios (Tottenham Court Road)

http://www.deanst.com/studios.html

*Purple Haze was recorded here.

**Not really touristy, but it's in a fun neighbourhood.

 

Abbey Road Studios (St. John's Wood)

https://www.abbeyroad.com/

*Countless stuff has been recorded here.

** Has tours and tickets (and a gift shop).

 

(I've listed somethings and their London Underground station so you could find them).

[LWAG]

I trust you will have a wonderful time when you both get here. A couple of things to bear in mind, however...

 

The whole area around Denmark Street is currently being redeveloped / demolished as part of the Crossrail project. I was there just two days ago and only a few of the instrument shops are still operating - and who knows when it will be their turn to be closed as part of the ongoing works? It might be an idea to check out what's left just before you start your journey.

 

Secondly; the official London Gibson dealership, Macari's, has ceased to deal with the company. I have just spoken with the manager of the shop (who had premises in both Denmark Street and the adjacent Charing Cross Road) and the future looks very bleak as far as the Denmark Street traders are concerned. Although the council and developers have made assurances that the Music Industry will still be able to have a presence there as yet there has been no discussion about future rental rates and it looks almost certain that the guitar shops will be priced out of the market.

 

The dealers still trading (as far as I can remember) were Wunjo Guitars, Hanks, Rose Morris and No. Tom.

Macari's main shop, as mentioned earlier, is just around the corner from Denmark Street in the Charing Cross Road.

 

Hope you have a great trip!

 

Pip.

Sixty Sixty Sounds is the current Gibson Dealership.

 

But yeah, great guitars in Denmark Street both new and used.

Macari's is a place to try and get old new stock from Gibson if they have any left over.

[LWAG]

I recommend when on Denmark St. buying one of my favourite guitar straps I've ever used; handmade in London and found in guitars shops up and down Denmark Street.

 

It's called BearStraps and it's the coolest guitar strap I've seen on my travels.

 

I'd say hit Denmark Street for one of these.

https://www.bearstraps.com/

https://www.bearstraps.com/about

 

It'll be a cool guitar strap/souvenir from London.

[Megafrog]

I recommend when on Denmark St. buying one of my favourite guitar straps I've ever used; hand made in London and found in guitars shops up and down Denmark Street.

 

It's called BearStraps and it's the coolest guitar strap I've seen on my travels.

 

I'd say hit Denmark Street for one of these.

https://www.bearstraps.com/

https://www.bearstraps.com/about

 

It'll be a cool guitar strap/souvenir from London.

 

Last time I was on Denmark St, I had the wife in tow and I almost left a store with a early 1980s Explorer Designer Series. This time the wife will be home and just the man child with me so I must set a good example (or bad, depending on how you look at it). Those are very nice looking straps, I may have to get one.

[pippy]

...Sixty Sixty Sounds is the current Gibson Dealership...

Hmmm....didn't know that. Interesting!

 

As far as used stuff goes this place is hard to beat;

 

https://notomguitars.com/

 

I was smitten with a 1965 ES125 when I was in on Tuesday. So very tempting. Difficult to pass it up, actually. It was at a great price and it played so sweetly........

 

Pip.

[LWAG]

Hmmm....didn't know that. Interesting!

 

As far as used stuff goes this place is hard to beat;

 

https://notomguitars.com/

 

I was smitten with a 1965 ES125 when I was in on Tuesday. So very tempting. Difficult to pass it up, actually. It was at a great price and it played so sweetly........

 

Pip.

I found them on Gibson's Website and phoned them up and found it to be true the other week to find out about the 2018/2019 Les Paul 1950's reissues...

 

I then tried somewhere else Gibson listed, out Wembley way (I think)/somewhere... and they said they're no longer; so Sixty Sixty Sounds is the place to go atm for Gibson Dealership and someone should tell Gibson/this website about that place in Wembley (or somewhere) being advertised but no longer dealing with Gibson.

 

 

I've heard interesting stories from NoTom like not as advertised, however, I've still got very nice guitars there; just depends really.

I have a 2005 guitar they sold me as a true historic that wasn't, and they took over from Vintage & Rare in London who now only have the shop in Bath (other side of England) and Vintage & Rare in 2011 in London sold me my 1996 as a 1983.

 

 

MaCari's is the place to go if you want to know 100 % what you're going to get, NoTom is if you want a good buy, and a good price, but I've heard stories and my own experience, and, if it wasn't for that still not stopping you to score a very fine guitar at a great price, I wouldn't be telling you, but yes, great guitars at NoTom, great prices like, I have Gibsons I couldn't afford anywhere else because I am a guitar freak snob who cares about the feel and the touch etc; NoTom and their predecessor both helped me out; I'd rate them, but I'd have to include a red flag; however.

MaCari's nice guitars, and offer non EU customers VAT Off the price.

I mean, NoTom might offer this too (IDK) but MaCari's have that Duty Free price for their Non EU based customers who buy from them.

Anything you guys buy in the EU to bring back to the US can have the duty refunded when you leave CDG.

[pippy]

...Those are very nice looking straps, I may have to get one...

I agree. VERY tasty.

 

LWAG; which shop had the Bear straps in stock last time you were up?

 

Pip.

[LWAG]

I know NoTom and Regent Sounds sell Bearstraps.

IDK if MaCari's do, maybe.

Other than what I've noticed with my own two eyes, I've heard others do too, like, like Hank's, so if you do want that guitar strap, Denmark Street/multiple guitar shops.

[merciful-evans]

Hmmm....didn't know that. Interesting!

 

As far as used stuff goes this place is hard to beat;

 

https://notomguitars.com/

 

I was smitten with a 1965 ES125 when I was in on Tuesday. So very tempting. Difficult to pass it up, actually. It was at a great price and it played so sweetly........

 

Pip.

 

I just had a look. A (the?) ES-125 is on hold.

 

Oh... and this is on the last page

I reckon I could play that standing on my head

 

[pippy]

...I just had a look. A (the?) ES-125 is on hold...

No. Neither of those ones, M-E.

From what I can see in their inventory there are currently two Florentine cutaway 125s listed (one sold; the other on hold) but the one I played was a non-cutaway single P-90 version in Vintage Sunburst for £1,695.00...

 

Pip.

[Digger]

I’m coming to the UK in July and I bet my “pond” is bigger than yours....grin~

[Retired]

Sounds like a great time Megafrog, be safe and enjoy the show...enjoy London I am envious I have always wanted to go to England and Europe as well..is this the original band?

 

Ditto, I have never been anywhere over seas except Hawaii. Would love to go to Europe but may never happen. Enjoy your trip.

[LWAG]

I’m coming to the UK in July and I bet my “pond” is bigger than yours....grin~

Your pond's a hemisphere, when you come in July, it's;

"Welcome to Summer, flush the toilet on the left."

 

Have you ever been to the UK before?

Are you going to be in London?

If you're coming to London, I recommend the same awesome guitar strap as I recommended the guy travelling the pond that's hand made in London found in a place any guitar enthusiast'll love (Denmark St. London) (London Borough of Camden on the boundary of City of Westminster/Soho) - it's a very nice strap, my favourite in all my travels so far, and it's right here in my hometown. A world class guitar strap.

The gentleman who makes these also distributes these to shops up and down Denmark Street - they're called Bearstraps.

Think of it as a really cool guitar strap/thing from your travels to London if you want, but it's an excellent strap.

I know it's fun to travel and I know it's fun to have something nice that reminds you of your travel, and what better thing than something (for me at least) you'd use everyday, because me, that's what I do, I use my Bearstaps guitar straps everyday.

 

I use them for my Gibsons.

[Tman]

Leaving today for London

[Retired]

I am preparing for a trip across the pond to London to see The Cure at Hyde Park in July and am looking for suggestions on what is in the area besides Denmark St that a middle aged man and his 17 year old son would potentially be interested in. Is anyone else on the forum going to the concert?

 

Hope you have a great time. Wish it was 'Just a pond' I'd go visit a few people too!

[Megafrog]

I am getting ready to fly out tomorrow and have added a trip to Manchester. Any idea what there is to do in Manchester? My kid wants to go so I am looking for stuff to do.

[Rabs]

I am getting ready to fly out tomorrow and have added a trip to Manchester. Any idea what there is to do in Manchester? My kid wants to go so I am looking for stuff to do.

WARNING..

 

You must know we are in the middle of a heat wave. VERY VERY hot at the moment and is expected to last a couple of weeks.. Manchester has a load of bush fires going on right now too. They don't think it will be put out for days yet..