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Top Gear London

bramley

Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2005
Messages
408
Just came across this thread as I was looking for any references to this shop. I sold my Flying V there in the summer of 1971 and although I don't have any pictures of it, I wonder if it was the one that ended up with Marc Bolan. I've been looking at several web pages and it looks to be the same model as far as I can tell and refers to him buying it in the late summer and debuting it in October at the Fairfield Halls in Croyden.
I originally bought it around the corner in Orange just a few months earlier and remember being told that it was already a 'few years old' but brand new. I had already had 2 previous guitars from there, a Dan Armstrong plexiglass and a Gibson SG Standard, and had took them back as I couldn't get on with them (like all kids, I was looking for 'the one')
I think the salesman who I dealt with was John, he was your typical Londoner who wore dark glasses and had seen it all.
By now they were getting fed up of me bringing these guitars back and said ' we've got just the thing for you'. So, out to the backroom and there was a large rectangular black case on an empty floor. I opened it and saw this gorgeous guitar and said 'I'll have it'. Of course, I had no money but we had a management company taking care of this .....
It was a great guitar with a big fat neck and a big fat sound ! Stupidly, a few months later, I had the urge for something different again and toyed with the idea of selling it - but not to Orange. So, I popped along to Top Gear and while they looked at me suspiciously, they decided to call Orange to check it's authenticity. Satisfied, they offered me £200 and happily I then strolled along to Pan in Wardour Street and bought a 1962 ice blue Strat for £135 - and £65 in my back pocket !

So, after all my rambling, I wonder if you would know anything at all about the possibility of Marc Bolan buying this guitar.
On a side note, about 10 years ago I happened by chance to contact Kim Simmonds (Savoy Brown) and we reminisced about these lovely guitars. I think he said his ended up in Japan.


Sid Bishop recently confirmed that Marc did buy a Flying V at Top Gear around that time , no way of knowing if it was yours . Former staffers are turning up on the FB page so I'll ask around . Thanks for the info !
 

Melodyman

Member
Joined
Aug 11, 2012
Messages
191
Lived in London from 63 thru 71. The places I used to drool at were Rose Morris on Shaftsbury ave who were the Marshall guys and also there was a small shop located upstairs on Wardour Street called Pans. It was near the Whisky and is where I got my first 64 SG standard in 67. They used to advertise in Melody Maker on the last pages all the guitar shops and their inventories so you could see who had what and go have a strum. Everyone wanted the Les pauls which were at that time not too expensive and barely 10 years old. Who knew then what ws to come..?
 

bramley

Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2005
Messages
408

mistersnappy

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 20, 2006
Messages
7,321
Quite a lot of material and pics have turned up in the year & 4mths the FB page has been going.

https://www.facebook.com/Top-Gear-Music-London-289183784906634/

The thread on former staffer and owner of Steve Marriott's Dwight , Guy Mason had an interesting conclusion when Armand Serra sent a message saying he purchased it following Guy's untimely passing.


https://www.facebook.com/289183784906634/photos/a.289208494904163/344304109394601/?type=3&theater

Thats a great page. Love the stories!
 

miczap

Active member
Joined
Oct 31, 2018
Messages
213
I've just puchased a '64 Epiphone casino that was bought on Denmark St in 1967. I've trying desperately to put together some history but am running up short- I was wondering if anyone would have some idea of which stores are likely to have sold a casino at that time?
 

lento

New member
Joined
May 25, 2007
Messages
2
I've just puchased a '64 Epiphone casino that was bought on Denmark St in 1967. I've trying desperately to put together some history but am running up short- I was wondering if anyone would have some idea of which stores are likely to have sold a casino at that time?


My guess is Rose Morris on Denmark St.

I think Rosetti were the UK importers at that time.
 

bramley

Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2005
Messages
408
I've just puchased a '64 Epiphone casino that was bought on Denmark St in 1967. I've trying desperately to put together some history but am running up short- I was wondering if anyone would have some idea of which stores are likely to have sold a casino at that time?

Hard to believe these days but there was very little guitar shop activity on the street then.

Top Gear Music didn't shop open until late '68 , the only other shop on Denmark Street then was Image/ Rotossound at # 19 who sold mainly lighting and PA gear, Macaris were at #22 Denmark St., but had possibly moved to Charing X Rd by '67.

My guess is Rose Morris on Denmark St.

Rose Morris were on Shaftesbury Avenue back then.

Sure the Casino was purchased on Denmark Street ?
 

Tom Wittrock

Les Paul Forum Co-Owner
Joined
Aug 2, 2001
Messages
42,567
Hard to believe these days but there was very little guitar shop activity on the street then.

Top Gear Music didn't shop open until late '68 , the only other shop on Denmark Street then was Image/ Rotossound at # 19 who sold mainly lighting and PA gear, Macaris were at #22 Denmark St., but had possibly moved to Charing X Rd by '67.



Rose Morris were on Shaftesbury Avenue back then.

Sure the Casino was purchased on Denmark Street ?

Were Selmer's and Lew's close? :hmm
 

miczap

Active member
Joined
Oct 31, 2018
Messages
213
Hard to believe these days but there was very little guitar shop activity on the street then.

Top Gear Music didn't shop open until late '68 , the only other shop on Denmark Street then was Image/ Rotossound at # 19 who sold mainly lighting and PA gear, Macaris were at #22 Denmark St., but had possibly moved to Charing X Rd by '67.



Rose Morris were on Shaftesbury Avenue back then.

Sure the Casino was purchased on Denmark Street ?

Could have been 'in the area' as opposed to literally on Denmark St- but the original owner said 'Denmark St'. Unfortunately, I've lost contact with the original owner so can't clarify further.
 

bramley

Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2005
Messages
408
Were Selmer's and Lew's close? :hmm


Tom , yes very close. They were almost the in same block.

Could have been 'in the area' as opposed to literally on Denmark St- but the original owner said 'Denmark St'. Unfortunately, I've lost contact with the original owner so can't clarify further.

Probably "in the area". Unless he was a year out on recalling the purchase date it was likely Shaftesbury Ave or Charing Cross rd.
 
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