G M Music

Absolutely tamping… phoned today before going to the trouble of driving into town and parking after my 13 year old son had broken a string on his guitar.
Was told over the phone open until 4 pm and could buy a new set of strings and would fit at a cost of £2.50 per string.
Battled my way through the traffic, then paid through the nose to park.
When we went into the shop I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen such poor customer service.
Bought a set of strings, when I asked if he could fit and let my 13 year old see how he did it was told «don’t fit strings on a Sunday»… !
Not what you told me on the phone buddy…
Perhaps had something to do with other customers in the shop possibly going to spend more than £8.99 for strings and a £2.50 fitting fee…
Me and my 13 year old were treated like we were something he just flicked off his shoe.
I for one will never darken this rude, pretentious, greedy muppets door again.
I also strongly suggest you don’t either.

This is a reasonably small musical instrument shop when compared with the might of Gamlins and Cranes that dominate St. Mary’s Street’s musical instrument needs. This one’s tucked just off St Mary’s Street, but it still manages to provide a fair amount of stuff.
It’s a wee shop, but it’s jam-​packed full of instruments in every conceivable nook and cranny, everywhere you turn there’s a shiny guitar tempting your little hands towards it, so be careful about turning too quickly. If you were so inclined, this could be the location of one of the most expensive games of dizzy dizzy dinosaurs on record.
The staff are really passionate about their field, though. They know instruments and they’ll offer any advice you might want or need. A decent instrument can be relatively pricey, so you want to know you’re getting a good deal before you hand over your card.

G M Music is the little music shop in Cardiff. It is sandwiched between 2 other major music stores on St Mary Street but is actually located just off of St Mary Street on Wharton Street. Until recently a friend of mine worked here so I used to visit the shop every other day to say hi to him and see what’s new. My only problem with the shop is the size. It feels very claustrophobic when you are in there which makes me reluctant to spend as long browsing. Due to the size of the shop it appears they stock a large amount of guitars but in fact half of the stock is not on display as they simply don’t have the space to display it all.
I wouldn’t want them to find a bigger store however as I’m sure that the smaller premises helps to keep their prices to a minimum. They are certainly the cheapest music shop in the centre of the city and definitely worth a visit. The shop began in Newport where you will still find their store on Upper Dock Street, they branched out and opened up the Wharton Street store in 1984 where they have been ever since. This a family run business and it really shows, the staff are always able to display their knowledge and are always happy to help you out.

As a guitar player, the first think I really rate a store is the price of the strings, simply because it what you’ll be going into the store the buy the most. This stores strings are reasonably priced and with a wide selection (generally around the £6 mark for a set of acoustic Martins) which is really right in the middle of the price range. Next is guitars and as the other reviews have pointed out there is ALOT! In such a small space it’s a complete marvel how they have managed it all in as the shop is stacked to the roof with stock.
However and this is a big however I didn’t really see much of a range in terms of electric guitars brands there was one or two of big brand names and really that seemed to carry the stock. I don’t see this as a major problem but it would be nice to a bit more variety, although it is quite nice to see the odd banjo and ukulele. There are a few gems hidden in the mountain of guitars so keep your eye out you may very well get the guitar of your dreams at a very good price.

Try not to break anything as you walk in! Many a time I’ve taken an immediate left after entering GM only to knock a pricey guitar and, red faced, immediately apologise to whoever witness my clumsiness.
GM has a great selection and decent prices too. They have more guitars than you’d expect from the outside and a whole bunch more stored upstairs too. My only buying experience came a couple of months ago, when I decided to splash out on a new amp. I checked Gamlins and Cranes first, and both quoted me about £50 quid more than GM. Considering I paid about £250, that’s a good percentage cheaper.
Friendly staff who I imagine wouldn’t be intimidating to beginners and they were more than happy to answer my questions. When I said I only lived down the road, they even offered to help me carry it back, as it was a fair size. I said no, but appreciated the offer of course.
I’d recommend GM alot. It’s like a little Aladdin’s cave of good deals, and they’ve got a whole host of cool effects pedals in a display counter to gawp at for a bit.

This place is like a tiny little haven for guitarists and other musicians. Sat on Wharton Street, opposite the imposing figure of House Of Fraser is the tiny GM Music store. You’ll be able to tell it’s GM because it’s the only store with about 18,000 instruments crammed into a 6ft square window display.
In fact, the entire shop is like this. It’s a shop the size of a garage holding the stock of a shop the size of an aircraft hangar. And, whereas Cranes and Gamlins seem to only sell instruments from a small rota of companies (NO CRANES, I will not buy your Tanglewood basses. No one should ever have to play a Tanglewood bass unless they’re being punished for something, now go get me a goddamn Peavey!), GM will happily stock any and all varieties of equipment.
Honestly, the variety is the primary reason for choosing this store over the other two. Cranes can be a little snooty about their instruments, and Gamlins can be a little intimidating, but GM is the little shop that could, holding its arms open to welcome all potential customers.
The only issue is that there isn’t much room to sit down and try out the instruments, but if no one else is in the shop, this is fine.

Beware claustrophobics.
I’m always impressed at how much stock shop owners can fit into one tiny location. One step in, and you’re nearly overwhelmed at G.M.‘s variety and quality of musical instruments on display.
Only one person can fit through its narrow walkway, so if you’re pushing a pram, it may be worth leaving it outside. I’ve been in here when a few people were browsing, and it was nearly impossible to manœuvre.
G.M. is definitely worth visiting, however. For a more varied selection of books and instruments, you’re better off visiting Gamlin’s or Crane’s, but like Jamie said, there is a fine choice of electric guitars (even those crazy-​shaped ones straight out of a music video).
It’s great to see GM can even pack in a few instruments for younger musicians; most noticeably is the SpongeBob drum kit and matching maracas. My beloved doesn’t know it yet, but his Toddler Wonder is getting a pair for Christmas. Cue headaches all around!

Jamie is right, this little music shop is certainly stocked to the rafters.
It’s probably not advisable to go in with a big handbag on your shoulders for fear of knocking things off the shelves.
I have no interest in guitars because I can’t play them but I can imagine it’s like heaven for someone that does. All I know is, some of them are very pretty and there are lots of different types.
I went through a phase of wanting to play the ukulele and popped in for a bit of advice before walking out with a blue one. The staff know their stuff and the kind man behind the counter even tuned mine for me before I left the shop.
Not too pricey either, plus they have spongebob instruments stocked for the little ones who are just getting into music. Perfect for the little child prodigy in your life.

A real backstreet guitar/​music shop crammed full of as many products as they can.
It really is a tight squeeze if there is more than one person in here. The amps take up the middle with the cashier to one side with guitar effects etc and the other 3 walls decorated with guitars.
What I really like about this place is that they stock Ibanez’s. Not a lot of people do these days for some reason. All in all there is a great range of brands here from Fender, Yamaha, Ibanez, Jackson and some cheaper models etc. So you acoustics/​semi acoustics, electric, basses etc etc which is fascinating they fit in here.
The only slight gripe I have here is as far as I could (not see) there was no seven string guitars.

Not as big as some of the other guitar shops in Cardiff but just as interesting. Packed with guitars and every accessory you could want. The staff know their stuff and are always willing to help solve your problems. Their prices are very competitive as well.

yeh i’ve shopped at GM Music Cardiff many times and find the staff very friendly and helpful, the amount of stock, prices and cleaniness to be excellent!