News of a new independent instrument store has come as music to the ears for Aberdeen’s community of local bands, singers and songwriters.
Since Bruce Miller’s on Union Street closed down in 2011, the city centre has been left without a choice of locally-run shops for musicians to buy and trade in instruments, music books and supplies.
But now, a group of former Bruce Miller’s staff have founded RamJam Music and created three jobs in the process.
The Crown Street store opened last Saturday, and will sell a whole range of pre-owned instruments and accessories, including drums, guitars, amplifiers and effects pedals.
Jamie Clafton, who has worked for more than 20 years in instrument retail in the Granite City, said that he chose to open his latest venture after noticing an increase in the national popularity of similar stores across the country.
Mr Clafton said: “I have been involvin music retail in Aberdeen since 1994 and now, finally, I am getting to run a place with my letters in the name.
“We are looking forward to seeing familiar faces that we remember from as far back as the early days in Bruce Miller’s coming through the doors.
“We have found that musicians tend to get very loyal to shops and individual staff sometimes – people grow to trust you.
“We have had a good reputation over the years and it’s one we are hoping to maintain with old customers and build with new ones.”
In addition to the closure of Bruce Miller’s five years ago, in 2013 One Up on Belmont Street – a long-standing independent record store which sold all kinds of music for years – closed its doors for the final time.
Mr Clafton said that by only primarily selling pre-owned instruments, he hopes RamJam Music will serve as a focal point for members of Aberdeen’s rich independent music scene to come and buy, trade and repair their instruments on a budget.
Mr Clafton added: “It will only be quality second hand equipment we’ll be offering.
“All items will have been checked, restrung, cleaned, serviced and come with a warranty.
“It allows customers to access quality instruments cheaper than usual if they were new – which in the current climate is what people tell us they are looking for.
“A lot of musicians prefer a guitar that has been played-in, loved and has a bit of history and character.
“Acoustic guitars sound better when they have been played a while and, with electric guitars, some people prefer the rustic, road-worn look and feel.
“We know it is tough out there in the music trade, but we are doing something different here.
“It is more homespun, it is a bit more local and it is a bit more unique and we think it will be a nice addition to a city that is vibrant.
“Musically, there is a lot of talent in Aberdeen and we look forward to seeing it come through our doors.”