This week we are delighted to introduce the first edition of 'Businesses we love' starting with none other than, Studio 1 Vintage Guitars.

I have been lucky enough to sit down recently with Garrick Wynne who is the co-owner, along with his lovely wife Sarah, about their wonderful business ‘Studio One Vintage Guitars’ based in the Auckland Central.

We love local businesses that have a similar philosophy to ours- curated range, knowledgeable team and great value. Here's the Q&A from my chat with Garrick. Enjoy. 

‘Garrick, it has been a treat to visit your lovely store and have a look at your exceptional range of tasty guitars, new and vintage, I see. Can you tell me a bit about how your business started and what was the impetus to kick it off?’

The idea for Studio One Vintage Guitars started during the first Covid lockdown when I borrowed a Martin guitar from a friend. Although I hadn't played much since high school, where I was in a band, my passion for guitar music was reignited. After the lockdown, I bought a Gibson Advanced Jumbo guitar and realized my interest could turn into a business. Noticing a gap in the market for high-end vintage and acoustic guitars in New Zealand, I started our business online before moving to a studio and eventually to Victoria Park Market. We've always believed in the importance of a strong online presence, which we established early on.’

‘So what does set the business apart from the others?  What are you doing to make your shop in Victoria Park Market such a great destination for guitar lovers?’

‘Our collection is unparalleled in New Zealand (and possibly the Southern Hemisphere!), with a strong focus on vintage acoustics and high-end recent models, particularly from Martin and Gibson. As a Martin dealer, we aim to carry the largest range of their USA-made guitars. We've also expanded our electric range with a similar high-quality and vintage focus. Supporting NZ luthiers and businesses is important to us, and we work closely with David Benavides of Benavides Guitars to bring his guitars to the public. We also ensure that our accessories match the quality of the guitars we stock, and import our own.

Our store's design is inspired by the idea of a 'Guitar Bar' rather than a traditional retail space. We regularly host intimate gigs, taking advantage of the rich history and ambiance of our location in Victoria Park Market, with its beautiful historic brick walls and high ceilings. We pride ourselves on a welcoming atmosphere, inviting everyone to come in, play, and enjoy the space.’

'I have one of our family members keen on learning guitar and were interested in getting  some advise on the best way forward.

‘There is an overwhelming amount of information available on the world wide web these days, and this is fantastic. Back in my youth we used to rely on the few tab books that we could afford, or trying to slow down cassettes and records to learn by ear! You can’t beat learning by ear! But my number one tip to avoid getting overwhelmed by the vast amount of info on offer, is to take on a Guitar teacher to guide you through the journey. Our own Nick Brightwell is a world-class fingerstyle player and a great teacher. I also work a lot with David Ward, a talented musician.’ 

‘With the tough market for retailing what do you think will help to see you through?’

‘In all honesty we are fortunate to have income from other businesses to keep us going when times are hard. It’s a really really tough business environment at the moment for retail, hospitality and small business in general. We continue to produce content and try to listen to our audience and customers. Please support local, small businesses!’

‘With our collab running to Dec 2024 I have been lucky enough to meet your team. Can you tell me a little more about them please?

Ed Castelow - Manager: Ed started playing guitar at 14 and has been involved in music ever since, including his band Dictaphone Blues. He has over 20 years of experience in music retail, previously working at Lewis Eady.

Josh Thomas - Photographer/Socials: Josh is our in-house photographer, bringing our guitars to life online. With 13 years of experience, his creativity ensures our online presence is visually appealing and smooth.

Nick Brightwell - Acoustic Guitar Specialist: Nick is an acoustic guitar specialist, teacher, and historian. He was the first international student to graduate from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee with a BFA in Fingerstyle guitar and Rock n' Roll studies. He has won the NZ Gold Guitar awards Instrumentalist category three times and has played some of the finest guitars in the world.

Thanks again for your time and look forward to watching your ‘In the Groove’ slot, and one of the team discussing the featured album.

‘Thanks so much for partnering up with us – we have wanted to partner with a vinyl outlet for some time! We love vinyl. 

Check out this week's edition of 'In the Groove' right here. Make sure you are following OnVinyl and Studio 1 Vintage Guitars on Instagram and / or Facebook for each week's edition hot off the press.