Sad News It Looks Like GAK In Brighton Have Gone Bust.

[Dave Lewis]

All shops have shutters down and websites have gone and phone lines are dead.
They have been one of my favourite retailers for years

 

[SillyOctpuss]

All shops have shutters down and websites have gone and phone lines are dead.
They have been one of my favourite retailers for years
View attachment 41153

Bax music have gone too.

 

[Dave Lewis]

Bax music have gone too.

Jezz ,
That’s awful news.
I bought two guitars from them a few weeks ago.

 

[SillyOctpuss]

Jezz ,
That’s awful news.
I bought two guitars from them a few weeks ago.

Their website says "it is currently not possible to place an order" and all their EU stores are shuttered like GAK

 

[Dom Mcsweeney]

It's a big shame, I think they were one of the first companies I ever bought from in the early days of my guitaring. Something like 25 years ago?
I hope all their stock doesn't get wasted or damaged in the liquidation process. They had plenty of amazing second hand stock, not just new stuff.

 

[norminal]

Another one down. Only a matter of time. If it weren’t for their band instrument business and lessons, my local shop would’ve closed their doors a decade ago.

 

[Eagle]

Yes very sad , hard to make money in this business. A good friend of mine quite being a rep a couple of years back and he told me he was glad to be out because he was sick of trying to sell stuff nobody wanted to people with no money.

 

[norminal]

Yes very sad , hard to make money in this business. A good friend of mine quite being a rep a couple of years back and he told me he was glad to be out because he was sick of trying to sell stuff nobody wanted to people with no money.

To make matters worse, many shops are switching to a “by appointment only” business model. Personally, many of my gear purchases are made by impulse.

If I have to make an appointment to check out a piece of gear, I’ve likely already lost interest. If I’m driving past a shop on my way home and decide to stop by and check out their inventory, I’m more inclined to make a purchase.

A few years ago, my local shop was broken into and had dozens of expensive guitars stolen. They now have all of their guitars locked in a separate showroom and customers have to ask to be let in. The last time I stopped by for some strings, the person who had the key was at lunch. Another missed opportunity for a sale.

 

[SillyOctpuss]

To make matters worse, many shops are switching to a “by appointment only” business model. Personally, many of my gear purchases are made by impulse.

I really dislike the appt only nonsense some guitar stores have adopted. A lot of my instore purchases have been on impulse too.

 

[Eagle]

To make matters worse, many shops are switching to a “by appointment only” business model. Personally, many of my gear purchases are made by impulse.

If I have to make an appointment to check out a piece of gear, I’ve likely already lost interest. If I’m driving past a shop on my way home and decide to stop by and check out their inventory, I’m more inclined to make a purchase.

A few years ago, my local shop was broken into and had dozens of expensive guitars stolen. They now have all of their guitars locked in a separate showroom and customers have to ask to be let in. The last time I stopped by for some strings, the person who had the key was at lunch. Another missed opportunity for a sale.

Most of my contacts are by appointment only including me. I totally get your point though. The best part for me is finding stuff that you weren’t expecting to see.

 

[SillyOctpuss]

Most of my contacts are by appointment only including me. I totally get your point though. The best part for me is finding stuff that you weren’t expecting to see.

I'm assuming you're talking about vintage guitars dealers? That never bothered me being appointment only tbh. People are much less likely to impulse buy stuff like that.

 

[Eagle]

I'm assuming you're talking about vintage guitars dealers? That never bothered me being appointment only tbh. People are much less likely to impulse buy stuff like that.

Yes and rare or ex famous owners.

 

[Dave Lewis]

Their website says "it is currently not possible to place an order" and all their EU stores are shuttered like GAK

View attachment 41156

GAK notice was published in teh Gazette last month, which is where you post notices of administration. Their last accounts show profits of circa £6k on turnover of £23m and similar the year before. Clearly struggling.

Bax Music, I had to google translate to find anything out, because the accounts aren't published, but found a headline in the press with the below published a couple of days ago

loss-making Bax Music struggles with millions in corona debt
The Zeeland music company can no longer meet all its financial obligations and is looking for a solution for the outstanding corona receipt with the Tax Authorities.
A sad state of affairs .

 

[AFKAEjay(retired)]

GAK notice was published in teh Gazette last month, which is where you post notices of administration. Their last accounts show profits of circa £6k on turnover of £23m and similar the year before. Clearly struggling.

Bax Music, I had to google translate to find anything out, because the accounts aren't published, but found a headline in the press with the below published a couple of days ago

loss-making Bax Music struggles with millions in corona debt
The Zeeland music company can no longer meet all its financial obligations and is looking for a solution for the outstanding corona receipt with the Tax Authorities.
A sad state of affairs .

I’m really surprised about Bax. Biggest one in the Benelux, and did afaict a big chunck of the online marketshare. 3 physical shops if I’m correct. Seemingly it has always aligned it’s prices with Thomann…which is probably the biggest one in the EU, and putting a lot of price pressure on the brick and mortar shops.

 

[paisleywookiee]

To make matters worse, many shops are switching to a “by appointment only” business model. Personally, many of my gear purchases are made by impulse.

I immediately leave a negative review for them, when I see that shit. Fuck that. Don't choose having a guitar shop then.

 

[Dave Lewis]

I’m really surprised about Bax. Biggest one in the Benelux, and did afaict a big chunck of the online marketshare. 3 physical shops if I’m correct. Seemingly it has always aligned it’s prices with Thomann…which is probably the biggest one in the EU, and putting a lot of price pressure on the brick and mortar shops.

Bax was everything on one massive site out in the country in Holland .

 

[Dave Lewis]

Jonny the budget guitar show released this detailed what’s going on at Bax Music video yesterday.

 

[Alonious_Monk]

I remember getting my Behringer V-Amp from GAK when they first came out to rival the POD, so sad to see them go, was always a must-go whenever I was in Brighton.

 

[aivoryuk]

Looks like gear4music has purchased the stock of GAK - https://www.gear4music.com/information/GAK

 

[maguchi]