Gamlin’s Music Centre

Gamlin’s music centre is at the opposite end of St Mary Street to Crane’s music and is very much a different experience all together. As you walk inside you will notice an abundance of musical books before you reach the counter. Every time I have visited the shop I have been welcomed by the friendly staff at this point.
This is a family business panning at least 3 generations with firm origins in the music industry. Gamlin’s has been in the same place since 1980 and occupies 3 floors of the building. Towards the rear of the shop is where you will usually find me browsing the range of guitars they have to offer. I’m very much a Gibson person but Gamlin’s was the first shop in Wales to stock Fender guitars which I personally think is quite a boast.
When it comes to their prices, I think they are quite fair although I’ve only ever bought strings and plectrums here. If you are looking for a good deal on a guitar I can recommend this store as they stock top names and offer both brand new and second hand guitars. They are very helpful and very willing to offer advice when required

This family-​run shop, located at the top end of St Mary Street (towards Mill Lane), is a very well-​established local business owned by Horace Gamlin.
The shop has been going since 1960 (originally at premises in City Road), but music has always been a big part of Horace’s life even before that. His father was a piano tuner, and during the war he sometimes accompanied his father to the celebrity concerts held at the Empire Theatre, where his father was the duty tuner. Nowadays, Horace’s son Philip is in charge of the overall management of the shop and the grandchildren are also involved.
Divided into separate departments, the basement is the drum and percussion area; the front of the ground floor has the printed music, and brass and woodwind instruments; the rear of the ground floor is home to guitars and basses, amplifiers and PA equipment; and the first floor showcases keyboards, pianos and electric pianos, both new and second hand.
It’s a great shop offering instruments to hire as well as buy, which is ideal for those taking up something new to see how they get on.

I haven’t been into Gamlins music centre for a few years until two weeks ago.
I used to go with my father whe he was keen to learn the piano and used to go in looking and trying out the various styles of piano. He has since bought a piano tried to learn to play it and now given up.
I’ve got to say the friendliness hasn’t changed and neither has the wonderful array of stock they keep. I love walking around good music shop as the pieces are almost works of art in themselves. Have a guess what I’m looking round for? Yep — a piano as I want to learn to play. Why? Because my father has encouraged me.
It’s a lovely shop and I guaranteee no matter at what level of musical expertise you are they will treat you well.

My only purchasing experience with Gamlins came a couple of years ago, when trying to find a guitar I had been obsessed with for some time. I had been looking online for a good month or two and the cheapest I could find anywhere in the UK was about £200 above the R.R.P. (it had recently been discontinued, raising the price). Out of the blue, on a shopping trip to Gamlin’s, I popped in and there it was. My dream guitar for about £75 less than the R.R.P. price! I snapped it up, and the staff were friendly and helpful, checking if I was a beginner and if I needed anything else at all.
The instrument was set up beautifully and I never had any problems with it. I browse in here all the time, and they’re got a great selection of books, accessories, pedals, amplifiers and guitars. I’d say with the selection and the prices — best music shop in Cardiff Centre right now hands down.

I love this music shop I have often attended this shop to buy either guitar strings, or music books or even to have keyboard lessons. There always friendly the staff and there very useful. I loved having keyboard lessons there after so long. In the end I just got fed up with the theory.
This shop is situated within Cardiff’s town centre near to Cardiff Castle. It is a wonderful shop full of Guitars; proper, well kitted Drum Kits, Violins, Trumpets, Piano’s, high class, modern keyboards, music books, drum sticks, Guitar strings, cleaners for instruments, other Guitar accessories, and a Guitar. And quiet a fair few more items also.
Since the Welsh have some amazing and talented people who are well known singers then it is not surprising for its Capital city to have brilliant music shops. As a part of my Keyboard lesson group, which was just the three of us girls including me, we got to enter a competition locally. We played I Had a Dream by Westlife, but we didn’t win although it was good fun to take part of.
I recommend all of the Keyboard lessons here and the shop to all music and to all of those interested in musical instruments.

Ah, Gamlin’s. The shop where I purchased my first (and only) guitar.
I strategically combed Cardiff, hunting for the perfect instrument upon which to pluck my C and D chords (which is pretty much all I can still play — my fault for not practising enough).
So it’s safe to say, I was and am still way below beginner level. I didn’t even know how to hold the damn thing before I started taking lessons, so it was a relief to find the guys at Gamlin’s helpful without being patronising.
You can argue that their selection may not be as extensive as Cranes, but that didn’t really matter too much to me. I did, however, find the atmosphere to be more inviting than other shops in the city. Plus, I love gawping at the expensive guitars housed in a glass room in the side of the store.
Gamlin’s can’t help me be a better musician, but at least they provided me with a handsome guitar to strum!

According to their website, this is a family business which has enjoyed success on a major scale. Geddit? I hope you’re shaking your head too.
That aside, Gamlin’s is an integral part to music tuition to all the young girls and boys throughout the Cardiff area. I took several music exams upstairs over the years, and the standard of tuition is high. Although it can seem a little threatening (that might have just been a young and nervous me though).
They have a good range of instruments here, and the staff generally know what they’re talking about. Once I did have to order in some standard violin strings, which seemed a tad silly to me. The sheet music section contains everything you need to take music exams, but not a great variety of other music.
In short, Gamlin’s is okay, but Cranes down the road is a lot nicer.

I bought my first guitar here in 1976 and its great to see that the store has lasted and maintained an excellent range of musical equipment.
On a recent visit I was impressed with the knowledge of the staff and the friendly service I received from them. Conveniently located close to the Railway Station which made taking my new guitar home nice and easy.

This is a marvellous store crammed full of musical instruments and music books and accessories. What a superb guitar department (both new and second hand)! There is a great soundproofed booth at the back where you can try out an instrument and amplifier in private. Matt (Matthew Aaron) the guitar tech, is very knowledgeable and extremely helpful — I can’t recommend him highly enough. The shop is quite close to Cardiff Central Station which is very useful.

Gamlins. not too fussed on this one, bit of bad attitude, though not as bad as the stuck up attitude in Cranes. Mediocre selection of gear, shame about the old dear behind the counter!