Five essential music stores in Leeds for budding, or seasoned, musicians to gather supplies

For as much as we ‘harp on’ about gigs coming to the area, Norman Records is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year with exclusive vinyl and record fairs to pick up those quintessential ‘musts’ for your collection - what about for those who actually ‘want to make music instead?

Truth be told, Leeds has seen a little bit of a drop off when it comes to music stores.

Where once the city boasted of having a PMT on the fringes of the city centre and Dawsons smack-dab in the middle, mother (or father) time has not been too kind, with several stores shuttering up, leaving some to ask not just “why” but now “where” to pick up an instrument and start making music.

Thankfully, there are still a few places that cater to budding and seasoned musicians in the area, and you won’t need to travel all the way out to York to hold a tangible product in your hand.

Be it picking up a bass to slap along to some post-punk, Jah Wobble style, or getting to grips with the violin or viola, we’ve rounded up five stores in Leeds for musicians to gather their essential supplies, and, bucking the trend of previous stores in Leeds, they are still going strong.

Let’s keep it that way, right?

What musical equipment stores still exist in Leeds?

Northern Guitars

Located on one of Leeds’ most iconic streets, Northern Guitars is a hybrid sanctuary for those who take their six-stringed instruments seriously. Forget mass-produced beginners’ packs; this is where you go for "holy grail" equipment.

Their inventory remains particularly strong on boutique effects and classic 1960s and 70s Fenders and Gibsons. While the ground floor buzzes with the energy of a live music bar, the upper floor is a dedicated sanctuary for guitarists to browse in peace. For seasoned players, they offer a professional appraisal service widely considered the most trusted valuation in the city for inherited or vintage instruments.

Meanwhile, for those ready to move on from their first starter guitar, the staff offer invaluable advice on finding an instrument with a specific "voice" rather than just a brand name.

• Location: 41 Call Lane, Leeds LS1 7BT

Hobgoblin Music

A city-centre staple, Hobgoblin Music is an acoustic and folk wonderland, famously rammed with items.

In an age of online shopping, it remains the only place in Leeds where you can demo professional-grade melodeons, harps, and dulcimers in person. Beyond the instruments themselves, they stock a huge range of acoustic-specific tech, from specialised pickups to preamp pedals. For experienced musicians, Hobgoblin offers a deep stock of antique and restored second-hand instruments that have been professionally vetted, providing high-quality alternatives to brand-new factory models.

Their greatest asset for budding musicians is their ‘hands-on’ policy; a beginner can spend an hour trying out three different mandolins without any of the usual sales pressure.

• Location: 13 Eastgate, Leeds LS2 7LY

All Brass and Woodwind

This high-precision shop is the technical heart of the Leeds jazz and classical scene.

While they stock leading manufacturers like Yamaha, Buffet, and Selmer, the real draw here is the set-up; every instrument that leaves the shop has been meticulously checked and calibrated by an on-site technician.

Their insurance-approved repair workshop is a genuine lifesaver for seasoned pros, handling everything from full saxophone overhauls to precision valve alignment. For students and budding players, they offer a curated range of "step-up" instruments, making them the perfect destination for those who have outgrown their basic school rentals and need a reliable horn to take them through their grades.

• Location: 82 York Street, Leeds LS9 8AA

Band Supplies

As the North’s leading retailer for iconic brass names like Besson, Stomvi, and Jupiter, Band Supplies is a cornerstone of Yorkshire’s proud musical heritage.

Uniquely, they also cater heavily to orchestral percussionists, stocking professional-grade mallets, stands, and concert drums that are hard to find elsewhere. They act as a "one-stop shop" for professional bands, supplying the massive catalogues of sheet music and specialised mutes required for competitive performance.

For younger players, they provide a specialised service for schools and music hubs, acting as the primary gateway for the next generation of talent entering the historic Yorkshire brass band tradition.

• Location: 7 Hunslet Road, Leeds LS10 1JQ

Leeds Violin Shop

Tucked away within the Hobgoblin premises is a true artisan workshop led by an expert restorer.

This is a "white glove" service where you find instruments with real provenance, far removed from the "violin-shaped objects" found online. Seasoned orchestral players from across the region visit for master-level restorations, tonal adjustments, and expert bow re-hairs that simply cannot be entrusted to a generalist.

For budding string players, their expertise is invaluable in navigating fractional sizes (1/4, 1/2, 3/4). They ensure that a growing child has an instrument that is ergonomically correct and properly set up to stay in tune, preventing the frustration that often leads beginners to quit.

• Location: Inside Hobgoblin Music, 13 Eastgate, Leeds LS2 7LY