Hessy's Music Store

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 8:33 am

I would be interested in a description of Hessy's Music Store during the 1960s that includes the layout of the store, along with some of the makes of guitars and accessories that they carried in the day. A few interesting stories of the atmosphere of the store would also be welcomed.

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 8:49 am

A local musician by the name of Pete Massey sent an email to the Liverpool Project mailbox, with the following memories of Hessy's Music.

Hessys was like an Aladdin's cave to us you musicians. It had a on street frontage of about 15 feet. Double display windows with shop door in the middle. The shop was long and narrow with guitars hanging up on either side. A sales counter to the rear with a small office.

Makes that come to mind are Selmer, Framus, Hofner, Futurama, Levin,on the inexpensive side and Burns, Fender, Gibson, Gretch, on the side I couldn't afford! There was also a selection
of amplifiers, Selmer, Vox, Fender, and a few cheaper makes (made locally just outside Liverpool) who name I can't remember, but they were OK. I would think the most popular strings he sold would have been the cheapest - Cathedral Wound is one name I can remember and Roto Sound seems familiar.

A guy who worked for Frank Hessy in the shop name was Jim Gretty, who was very helpful and always gave good advice. It was him who put me on to my Yamaha FG 180 acoustic. I had one of the
very first to arrive in the country, and it's sound was absolutely brilliant, 40 years on it sounded even better! I paid cash for it and got a discount price. £37.19s.6p in old money![/size]

Thanks Pete. This is such a detailed description of the store, I almost felt I was there.

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 9:02 am

I would think the most popular strings he sold would have been the cheapest - Cathedral Wound is one name I can remember

Pete Massey's memories of the Cathedral strings is validated by the strings found in Pete Best's drum case.

bill_yantz · Post by **bill_yantz** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 9:09 am

Sounds like the music store where I bought my first bass (Burns of London, 1964); Willard's Music Store, Burlington, VT. Same description. Two full display windows in front with a single door in the middle, reasonably narrow, Guitars hung on either side; register, desk and small office in the back. I also, bought my Gibson EBO1 bass guitar there as well as a VOX T60 and Foundation bass amps.

The really cool part about the Burns bass was that my Dad took out a personal loan for $250.00 to buy it for me. He didn't have the cash but he wanted me to have it. Needless to say, that made a lasting impression on me.