Magazine Index
Feature Section
Pete McClelland Contributors: Nicola McClelland
Dave Benton
Sarah Mallinson
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Magazine Index |
HOBNOBBIN MAGAZINE Feature Section |
Editor: Pete McClelland Contributors: Nicola McClelland Dave Benton Sarah Mallinson |
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Memories in an old CatalogueWhilst clearing out some old suppliers catalogues at the Folk Shop I came across a Hobgoblin catalogue from 1985. Browsing through it brought back some memories and also some reflections about how things have changed.The first thing I couldn't help but notice was the staff photograph. I was struck by two things. First that Pete McClelland has not changed at all in the last eleven years, except for his haircut. the second of course was that Nigel Chippindale was still with us. Nigel's death was a great loss, not just to Hobgoblin but to the folk scene. He was generous with his music and frighteningly talented - seeming to be able to play any instrument he touched and play it well. But what else? Well, there was only one shop in those days and as well as selling folk music we also stocked electric guitars, amps and all the things you'd expect of a local music shop. These days The Music Company just down the road does that and Hobgoblin truely specialises in folk and as a bonus giving up that side of the business has allowed us to expand into the four shops we have now with a dedicated mail order department. You can't resist asking about prices can you! They were roughly half what they are now, but I was surprised to find one or two things that have hardly gone up at all. It was sad to look through the book list to compare prices but find that many wonderful books in the list then are now long out of print. Of course there are some titles we have now that I wonder how we ever managed without. Gone too from the catalogue are some instrument makers names, Adams, Cook and Eccleshall, but some favourites still proving great sellers - Fylde and Burleigh for example. Perhaps one of the big shocks was not finding any Castagnari melodeons in the catalogue. the influence these instruments have had on both English and Irish playing is enormous and yet they were not readily available just eleven years ago. Gremlin didn't feature as strongly in the 1985 catalogue as it does now. For those who aren't aware Gremlin is the wholesale part of Hobgoblin and it's existance has enabled us to import instruments and get them on sale not just in Hobgoblin shops but further afield which has always been an important part of our existence. Now the range of Gremlin goods is extensive and allows our customers more than just a chance finding the unusual instrument but a choice as well. |
Supplier FeatureBlue MoonOur range of budget instruments have been relaunched with the name Blue Moon. The Blue Moon brand name is found on an ever growing range of good quality student instruments. Always good value, they are chosen to give the both uninitiated, and more experienced buyers confidence that they have a reliable instrument to play. Most Blue Moon instruments are made overseas, and all are chosen to represent value for money. (19/05/04)BlueridgeBlueridge Guitars are a significant addition to our catalogue. The guitars are of a high quality, and range between £250 and £1800. They are beautifully set up, very responsive, and highly enjoyable to play, with a lovely ringing tone. They've received excellent reviews in several guitar and music publications, and we're glad to be bringing them to the UK. (19/05/04)SerenelliniSerenellini is a top Italian manufacturer of Melodeons & Button Accordeons, and this year they have begun to make a real impact with players in England and Ireland. They are becoming seen as an alternative to Saltarelle, and in fact there used to be a link between Saltarelle and Serenellini. Although we presently only offer two models from stock, the full range more or less mirrors that of Saltarelle, and you should look out for some exciting additions to our range arriving early in 1995 (Now in stock and in the catalogue 04/01/96). |
Gift VouchersDo you know a folkie with everything who is due for a birthday soon? Is your son /daughter /uncle /granny saving up for a guitar but if you give them something towards it they’ll be off to the nearest hostelry with cash burning a hole in their pockets? We have the answer - Hobgoblin Gift Vouchers! You can specify the amount of the voucher (no fixed denominations for us!) and then leave dear Aunt Harriet to pick her own present at her leisure. Gift Vouchers are available from all our shops or by post and can be redeemed in the same way or at our Festival stalls. | ||
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