Recommended Instruments
Signing up for a Musicademy course and need to know what instrument to buy?
You need to bring an instrument to each of Musicademy’s courses (except keyboard).
Staff at the shops listed below can advise you, but to get you started, here are our basic recommendations
Recommended basic guitars:- Kids acoustic - From £50 for a ½ or ¾ Collins, Hohner, Stugg or Santos Martine guitar
- Adult acoustic - Collins £40, Admira Almeria £119 (nylon string), Aria AW75 £149 (steel string)
- Basic electric and amp - £149 for a Squier Strat pack (from Toys R Us), Yamaha Pacifica pack (£134 from Imuso). Some branches of Tesco also stock these guitars. Do look around on the internet and Ebay too as you can often find a good price there.
Beginners also need:
- Electronic tuner - from £12. The GT-3 @ £21.95 is nice and easy to use
- Large thin plectrum
- Intermediate guitar players also need a capo.
Bass guitar
- Bass guitar -
£199 for Yamaha RBX270, £299 for starter kit including Marshall MB25II amp - Tuner Recommended basic drum and percussion equipment:Recommended basic drum and percussion equipment:
Drummers and percussionists at any level need a pair of sticks and a practice pad, preferably with a hard base (from £20). Stick sizes vary but any brand at size 5A will be a good starter. Around £5 a pair.
We would also recommend getting a metronome with an earpiece attachment. Most proffessional drummers practice with a metronome and it will really improve your sense of timing.
Percussionists should have simple instruments such as an egg shaker, tambourine, a small set of bongos or a djembe (prices ranging from £80 upwards).
Recommended Suppliers
Imuso
For beginners not wanting to spend too much, we have found the cheapest mail order supplier to be Imuso. They will even offer an additional 5% discount on Collins acoustic guitars, power amplifiers and PA equipment, HiTec mics and AAC cases. Just phone to order and mention Musicademy.
Imuso - 020 8481 9614 – don’t forget to mention Musicademy to get your discount.
www.imuso.co.uk
Guitar Slinger
223 High Street
Berkhamsted
Herts HP4 1AD
Tel 01442 878325
www.guitarslinger.co.uk
Guitar Slinger will give discounts of up to 15% to Musicademy students – just mention our name. They will also post items to you if required. They sell mainly guitars and accessories but also have drum sticks and can order kits and practice pads if required.
Perfect Pitch
72, The Broadway
Chesham Buckinghamshire
HP5 1EG
Tel: 01494 774826
Perfect Pitch will give a 10% discount or a free case if you mention Musicademy
Fretz
42 High Street
Hemel Hempstead
Herts HP1 3AE
Tel: 01442 260004
Fretz will post items to you if required. They stock guitars, drums and percussion instruments and accessories
Wembley Guitar Centre
Wembley Drum Centre
Forth Way
Metro Trading Centre,
Fifth Way, Wembley,
Middlesex, HA9 0YJ