Guitar maker Gibson opens shop and studio on Eastcastle Street

US guitar maker Gibson opened a new retail shop, showroom and studio on Eastcastle Street in February.

The Gibson Garage London is its first flagship store outside of the US and promises “a retail experience like no other where visitors can pick up, play, and buy guitars, amplifiers, and effects from Gibson, Epiphone, Kramer, MESA/Boogie, and Maestro”.

Gibson has been in Fitzrovia for two decades. Previously they had a site at 29-35 Rathbone Street, which opened in 2005 containing offices, Gibson Guitar Studio, and a private performance space.

They later vacated Rathbone Street and relocated to the current site at Eastcastle Street around 2015, before refurbishing the site to create the shop with a more public-facing offering.

Fitzrovia has long been associated with the music industry. CBS opened a recording studio on Whitfield Street in 1972 and ITV had a studio on Wells Street where pop music videos were made. Both those sites have been redeveloped for other uses.

There remain a number of musical instruments shops in the neighbourhood but their number is dwindling.

Gibson’s new store gives a well needed boost to the district’s small cluster of music industry-themed destinations.

Gibson Garage, 61-62 Eastcastle Street, London, W1W 8NQ.