Guitar accessories availability in India

Discussion in 'Guitar Gear Talk Forum' started by axemanrio, Nov 25, 2010.

  1. axemanrio

    axemanrio New Member

    I'm new around here so hello. Curious about which stores in India stock guitar accessories and parts. I'm returning to India in a year or so and considering setting up an accessories shop.

    As well, what kinda stuff is available and are they reasonably priced? I used to shell out 300 bucks for a set of strings many years ago, pick selection was crappy and forget about getting decent cables or straps.

    I understand there are a few popular stores in major cities but are they big on accessories, or do they focus on selling higher margin instruments?

    Thanks in advance for your responses.
     
  2. flood

    flood New Member

    your question is fairly complex. i daresay things have improved a bit but not enough for me to honestly think that this would be a great idea, unless you're matching or only slightly more expensive than american retail prices. as an online concept, it might just work, but only if you find a way to keep your running costs to a minimum.

    i'm not convinced that there is a large enough market for accessories; most people who know what they want simply order it online. your idea isn't a bad one, but i think you'll need a bit more real feedback than what unsubstantiated opinions off the interwebs have to offer.
     
  3. thehundredthone

    thehundredthone Well-Known Member

    The market isn't there for accessories yet IMO. People don't have budgets to buy a decent guitar, so upgrading it is, for the most part, of of the question.

    Almost every guitar shop stocks plectrums and strings now. Choice exists as well, customers are not limited to local/Chinese strings, Ernie Ball, Dean Markley, D'addario, they're all on the shelves now. They still cost Rs300-400. Planet Waves has brought in their products so quality cables and other accessories are available now as well.
     
  4. axemanrio

    axemanrio New Member

    Thanks, this is what I suspected - more brands and a wider selection available through brick and mortar stores but prices are still nuts because of overhead.

    I bet no single MI store can tout that they're an authorized dealer or distributor yet for any major brand because they're not moving enough merch to qualify. That's probably true and related to prices and sometimes businesses usually get caught up in being profitable short-term.

    I get the point about budget being tight for a decent instrument but can you go without strings or picks or a decent strap or cable? Depends on what exactly is available and whether it's reasonably priced - I used to import stuff from the US because local stock was boring and sometimes I'd open a packet of string and find strings 1 - 3 rusted (indicating the store had it for months/years?).

    Anyway, I've been part of the International ecommerce industry for over 10 years working for the top 2 retailers but this business will probably start out small. Serious market research will begin in Q1 2011 but trying to get a brief idea about the current state.

    One other request, if possible - can you guys please PM links to other popular musician forums in India and maybe online stores? I'd like to get feedback from as many people as possible. When I was part of the music scene in India there was only Gigpad and a metalindia email distribution list :)
     
  5. rickkkyrich

    rickkkyrich Guest

    One thing i came across recently was regarding the guitar strings. I broke my second string and since i had replaced all the strings recently so i wanted only the 2nd string of D'Addario. When i went to stores they said that they sell only the entire set. I don wanna spend 400 bucks just to replace one string so i had to buy some local string.
    I wonder if we could get individual strings of some good brands. I donno how feasible it's gonna be from business perspective.
     
  6. axemanrio

    axemanrio New Member

    That's a good point and it is absolutely doable. In fact, every set of strings you buy should have a spare 1st and 2nd string.

    D'Addario and Ernie Ball send me spare 1st and 2nd strings for every set I buy, although I buy in bulk every other month for my guitars as well as the ones that come in for a setup.

    Btw, D'Addario's new EXP strings come with a spare 1st string - hopefully they start adding a spare 2nd soon. As a guitarist myself, I'd like that.
     
  7. thehundredthone

    thehundredthone Well-Known Member

    My Rotosound R10 Yellows came with an extra first string. Have found no use for it so far.

    Anyway, the Indian music scene forums are mostly dysfunctional. You can still try Gigpad but I think it's dead.

    Off of the top of my head:
    https://www.rsjonline.com/forum/
    https://headbangers.in/
     
  8. rickkkyrich

    rickkkyrich Guest

    So.. You mean no one else shud need it either..
     
  9. thehundredthone

    thehundredthone Well-Known Member

    No I mean you don't know how to play the guitar because I've never broken a string. Or perhaps I mean there are some string brands that provide an extra 1st string. This is a hard one to figure out.
     
  10. rickkkyrich

    rickkkyrich Guest

    I was yet to see guitar players who "NEVER" broke their strings.. Glad i met you sir..
    A learned guitarist would have never said that.
     
  11. guitardoctor

    guitardoctor Will Rx for food

    Lawl.

    BTW I use D'addario and have broken two e strings in the last one year... I really think the e string alone should be available. D'addario e strings are available solo but not of the specific type or gauge you want (the packet just says "plain guitar string for acoustic or electric", .09)

    @hundredth: I would love some better quality strings, what should I go for? And are those Rotosounds available in India or imported?
     
  12. guitardoctor

    guitardoctor Will Rx for food

    A little bit of info that I don't know the significance of: In Raj Musicals, the strings as well as other accessories all have a bar code that says "Imported by: Furtados Music India"
     
  13. thehundredthone

    thehundredthone Well-Known Member

    Don't you mean a learned guitarist would have "NEVER" said that?

    They're available locally. They're imported by Bhargava's. Rs.325 for the R10 Roto Yellows. My previous set was Dean Markley Signature Nickel Steel, cost Rs.400 but those were really good strings too, made my mahogany 24 3/4" Idol sound slightly brighter than the current ones.

    Of course, you'd be better off asking a learned guitarist.
     
  14. guitardoctor

    guitardoctor Will Rx for food

    OK, Looks like my next string is going to be a rotosound R10 as well... Btw what say about string materials why are there steel, nickel and nickel steel strings... What difference does string material make and which is the best string for classic rock, soft rock and blues?
     

Share This Page