If, as I did many years ago, you walked into the Peter Cook's Guitar World shop in Hanwell, near Ealing, with little, or no idea of what you really wanted, then you couldn't have walked into a better guitar shop. All I knew was that I wanted a rocky sounding guitar with plenty of oomph. I was young with only £80 in my pocket, could play one chord, but I walked out with my first guitar, a Les Paul copy by Shaftesbury, which fulfilled my every desire, plus a strap, a plectrum and a guide to playing guitar - the last items thrown in with the guitar.

Under a year later I was back for better pick-ups and walked away with a couple of Di Marzio's that made my cheap little axe sound like a wolf in sheep's clothing. I had years of enjoyment thrashing around with it until I sold it for a profit, nearly £30, even after adding the pick-ups. I was soon back for my next purchase, an Epiphone SG G400 in worn cherry, which was a great guitar for the money - one of the first Epiphones with Alnico pick-ups - and cost me just £200 on a deal running at the time. I sold that a year later at a profit too, although I regret getting rid of it. 

And so the story goes on... What I'm trying to say is that when you find a shop that gives you great service, advice and so on, it pays to stick with them. However, mercenary that I am at heart, the real reason for going to Peter Cook's was the prices. That Epiphone SG I bought was retailing for up to £325 elsewhere at the time - no wonder I sold at a profit! 

Peter Cook's isn't a massive shop, if anything it is a little cramped on a Saturday when quite a few customers are milling around. There are usually only 70 or so guitars on show, but if you don't see what you want on display, just ask, because chances are they'll have it sitting upstairs in the stock room. This means you get to try the guitar fresh from the box, without it first being handled and pulled about by scores of people before you. 


Sorry to harp on about this, but it is price where Cook's score. Of the thousands of guitar retailers that you will find on the web these days, few will beat them on price. They also get some great bargain deals - currently on their website you can get the Epiphone Zakk Wylde Buzzsaw, which retails at £800+ for the mad price  of £329, or a Ltd Edition 60th Anniversary Mexican Strat in Silver for £399 (saving over £100), or a Gibson Historic Reissue 1960 Les Paul Special at £1400, that's half price, not to mention savings on most other makes and models. 

There's something to suit every budget, from a quality copy at a £110 to a top-end Eric Clapton 335 reissue at £7999. You'll also find a wide range of acoustics and quality amplification available, from Marshall and Fender to Laney and Trace Elliott.

Peter Cook's Guitar World was established in 1981 by luthier Peter Cook and Trevor Newman. Peter was most renowned for his custom building and repairs which attracted plenty of work from such established artists as B.B.King, the Damned, Whitesnake, Motorhead and the Who. Trevor, now runs and owns the business. His background is in MI distribution and he is an experienced musician with an extensive knowledge of vintage guitars and amps. 

Trevor has kept the same 'bijou' ambience of the business and the philosophy is still to give good service in the way the 'old school' guitar shops used to. Add to this the fact that the shop is staffed by people with a genuine interest in guitars and they rarely change. They also pride themselves on providing a good after-sales service. 

You can visit Peter Cook's Guitar World at 69 Station Road, Hanwell, London W7 3DJ, or visit their website at www.petercooks.co.uk.

To contact them telephone 020 8840 1244 or email petercooks@talk21.com