Wavelength Music was one of Sheffield’s longest-running independent guitar shops and was located on London Road. It was particularly well known among guitarists and bass players for repairs, setups, second-hand instruments and knowledgeable staff. Many Sheffield musicians rated it very highly. In an old Sheffield discussion on Reddit, one guitarist commented:
“Wavelength. I don’t buy guitar stuff from anywhere else.”
The shop had a ground floor with new guitars, amps and accessories, while the upstairs room was often where the second-hand and traded-in instruments were kept. A lot of local guitarists remember going upstairs to browse used Fenders, Tokais, Westones, Yamahas, old effects pedals and odd vintage gear that had come in on part-exchange. Local guitarist Malcolm Walmsley was a regular member of staff.
Owner Glen Ibbotson finally called it a day after 40 years of trading. He wrote: “After over 40 enjoyable years I am closing my music shop on London Road. I should like to thank all my friends for the laughs and the stories and the teas and coffees and the comradeship you have shared with us at Wavelength Music. It was never like a proper job.”
Wavelength developed a reputation for:
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