Classical Guitar News Links

If you have a classical guitar-related link you would like to see add to our list of retailers, guitar societies, string manufacturers, concert venues and more, simply e-mail us with the site address and a 50-100 word description of the site. We'll add it here and will let you know once it has gone live too.

Likewise, if you are a webmaster or web-owner of a guitar-related site, we would similarly appreciate a listing in your relevant site area. If interested, please e-mail editor@classical-guitar-news.co.uk

StaffordGuitarCentre-located, at the name suggests, in Stafford, England, the centre is both a highly successful mail-order operation focusing on classical guitars and guitar accessories. The centre is particularly well-known for its range of English-made guitars, Christopher Dean, Michael Gee and the like. As well as having a web presence it also has a studio which draws in students from around the country, Selina used to teach classical guitar and lute at the Royal Scottish Academy for music and Drama in Glasgow before lleaving to join Adrian, who together form the Stafford Guitar Centre.

Birmingham Classical Guitar Centre; is located in the heart of England. Essentially a retailer and mail order operation focusing on classical guitars of all descriptions and to suit any pocket. The centre is run by Brian Whitehouse and a warm, friendly and highly knowledgeable advice is guaranteed. The centre also offers interest free credit arrangements on guitars at conversatory level and above.

Barry Mason’s Classical Guitar Centre-situated closed to Leicester Square in the heart of London’s west end and founded by Len Williams, the father of a certain guitarist John Williams, this centre stocks a range of classical guitars, sheet music and strings etc. Don’t be put off by the flights of stairs to reach the centre, it's worth the ascent.

Nottingham-Guitar Notes-primarly a mail order company, specialising mainly in sheet music provision, although you’ll find other accessories, DVDs/CDs and the suchlike here too. If they don’t stock the music, it probably hasn’t been published. Delivery and packaging always of highest quality and professionalism.

London Guitar Studio-located close to Selfridges department store and just off Oxford Street, the centre carries all things classical and flamenco guitar. They also have an additional store “The Latin Quarter” close to Warren Street tube station, specialising, in more flamenco and danced-based guitar activity.

Chappells of Bond Street-this music retailer needs little introduction. You’ll find a range of guitar sheet music on offer here, well worth a visit if you’re up the west-end and fancy a browse.

Bristol Guitar Society-cates for enthusiasts of the Spanish guitar, both solo playing and ensemble. Meetings usually 2nd Thursday of each month at The Pierian Centre, 27 Portland Square, Bristol. Occasional recitals organised. Website http://www.bristolguitarsociety.org Contact info@bristolguitarsociety.org or Phone Tony Lewis (0117 9734070) or Dave Evans (0117 9567251).

Bromley Guitar Society-usually meets on the 3rd Saturday of every month (except August) at:St. Mark's Church., Westmoreland Road Bromley, Kent. St Mark's Church is about 250yds from Bromley South railway station -The meetings take place in the church hall from 6.30pm to 9.30 and members are welcome to attend for whole or part of the meetings.

The Hertfordshire Guitar Orchestra is professionally directed and comprised of high standard amateur and professional players.Founded in 1993 it has rapidly developed into a regularly performing concert orchestra. A musical policy that spans all styles from classical to rock to jazz to flamenco to world music and a repertoire that is immediate, often
exciting and quite definitely "fun to play and fun to listen to" results in an immensely entertaining concert programme. All music in the repertoire has been arranged or composed specifically, and for the exclusive use of the orchestra. This policy, and a line up that blends electric and bass guitars
with classical guitars, has resulted in a unique and surprisingly powerful sound.

York Classical Guitar Society meets on the first Monday in every month at The Black Swan, Peasholme Green, Heworth, York. We seek to promote interest in the classical guitar, both solo and in ensemble, in the York area.

Wigmore Hall-sadly, classical guitar concerts have become limited to around 2 or 3 a year, well down on the hayday of the 70’s and early 80’s when a weekly concert was a regular occurrence. You’ll have to savour the inimitable experience of the Wigmore Hall and the concert all the more now.

Royal Festival Hall-classical guitar concerts are held on a near monthly basis at the Purcell Room, the smallest of the 3 concert halls comprising the South Bank centre complex, close to Waterloo Station.

Bolivar Hall-this subterranean concert hall belongs to the Venezuelan embassy and situated close to Warren Street tube station. Many concerts are free and the embassy does a fantastic job of putting on regular concerts and bringing guitarists from all round the globe. Not to be missed. They also boast an annual guitar festival around March and April time too. Click to visit website

Royal Academy of Music-this venerable musical institution needs no introduction. You’ll find free and paid for concerts here as well as a range of classical guitar master classes hosted by such luminaries as David Russell, and David Leisner. Concerts are open to academy students and the general public alike and with free admission provide a valuable opportunity to observe and take input from leading professionals at close quarters;not to be missed.

Addario-possibly the most widely used of all classical guitar strings and renowned for the consistent tonality and reliability. Typically neutral in tone allowing for expressiveness of the player to come through.

Augustine-earliest of the classical guitar strings on the mass market, post WWII. Typically warm and mellow sounding, can take longer to settle in whilst durability can be limited, but sound is engrossing.

Hannbach-may feel slippery to some players but hold a warm, rounded and well-balanced sound across the registers.

Luthier-bright sounding and sustain can be somewhat shorter than other brands.

Savarez-great strings and well-favoured amongst the amateur and concert guitarist community a like.

Forrest Guitar Ensembles-this fantastic site offers a range of music composed or transcribed for guitars and other instruments. It encompasses a range of styles and levels including guitar ensembles for schools, amateur groups and for more advanced performers.