A brief history of Gear4music

Gear4music was launched in 2003, and since then we’ve been providing instruments, equipment, and more to beginner musicians and advanced players alike.

Our roots lie in North Yorkshire, where Andrew Wass, a musician and sound engineer, established a small commercial recording studio and began supplying other studios with music tech. Wass identified a demand for affordable music gear, and so… the e-commerce platform Gear4music was born. We now have five distribution centres worldwide: the UK, Sweden, Germany, Spain, and Ireland, and we deliver to over 190 countries.

Gear4music’s central hub is based in the historical city of York. This is where UK shipping is handled, as well as all customer service, marketing, purchasing, and much more. We also have a development team based in Manchester who make sure your shopping experience is a smooth one.

We may have grown, but that same ethos — a passion for helping fellow musicians — is still at our core all these years later. We are a team of like-minded people; our operation is provided for musicians by musicians.

On our site, you’ll find thousands of products for any level, from beginner to pro. Plus all the biggest brands at competitive prices, giving you the best deal possible.

We’ve got our own range of products too, providing you with premium gear at an affordable price. So, whoever you are, you’ll find equipment to suit your needs at a price to suit your pocket.

Gear4music as an online retailer

Customer experience

As of 2021, we’ve had over 13.5 million unique customers – and that number continues to grow. Because of this, we always want to hear about your experience with us, whether it’s good or bad. And with 142,000+ customer reviews, we’ve gained a Trustpilot rating of 4.6 stars.

A big reason for this is our dedicated customer service team, who are musicians and producers themselves. They handle thousands upon thousands of calls and emails each month. If you have questions or problems, they’re always happy to help!

Guarantees and warranties

Sometimes purchases don’t work out – and that’s okay!

We offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on all our products and will collect them free within a 14-day window if they’re broken or incorrect. Sometimes items break, too; that’s why our 3-year warranty is there — for your peace of mind. Just send it back to us, and we’ll fix it and send it right back to you.

Plus, we offer an optional extended warranty. This lasts for up to 10 years, depending on the item. There are many extra benefits to this scheme you can read about here.

Delivery options

We offer many delivery options, whatever your requirements may be, whether you need super speedy next-day delivery or delivery on a specific day. This is all made possible by our dedicated warehouse teams situated in hubs across the UK and Europe.

Whether you’re a bassist in Botswana or a trumpeter in Tuvalu, you need gear to make music. Because of this, we introduced worldwide delivery in 2017 to make our reach truly global.

Our warehouse in York

The Gear4music showroom

If you ever want to try out our gear for yourself, come to one of our showrooms. We have one in our hometown of York, attached to the delivery warehouse.

There are two rooms packed with guitars, a drum room, an orchestral room, tons of pianos, a PA and DJ room for live sound, and a studio equipment section.

And if you’re located in Sweden or Germany, we have showrooms here too! So why not come on down and try some gear for music yourself?

The Gear4music showroom in York

The Gear4music own-brand range

“By Gear4music”

Our house brand is designed to give you the best start to your musical journey. Offering guitars, amps, drums, keys, orchestral instruments, and studio and live gear, our own brand is affordable and ideal for beginners. Our experts know exactly what makes a difference to musicians just starting out: good playability, good ease of use, and good sound. Nothing is overcomplicated; just great-quality craftsmanship and music equipment that keeps inspiring you to play.

G4M

G4M is a brand that offers guitars, keys, live gear, and studio equipment aimed at intermediate and semi-professional musicians. Whether you’re a gigging or recording musician, or a hobbyist building a rig at home, these premium-spec products are designed to fit seamlessly into your setup and workflow.

SubZero

Chances are you’ve seen SubZero somewhere or other! From PA speakers used at weddings to wireless systems relied on for gigs, SubZero’s studio essentials and live sound gear provide the rock-solid consistency that musicians, producers, and engineers need.

Hartwood

Hartwood is for guitarists. The brand makes guitars, basses, pedals, and amps inspired by timeless designs, and the accessories to go with them. Expect smooth playability and excellent sound quality that belies the product’s price point. Often, these guitars start as people’s first instrument but become a mainstay in their setup.

VISION

VISION instruments are designed for people picking up an instrument for the first time. They make learning easy, with high-quality builds that can take any amount of practice, comfortable playability, and the kind of sound quality that makes you want to keep playing. The brand creates electric guitars, basses, drums, and keys. If you want to learn more, check out our guide to VISION.

Premier

Our brand of drum kits, Premier, is a renowned name in drumming. Known for their premium-quality builds, Premier drums have a huge artist roster and are trusted by musicians worldwide. They’re built to command the stage and captivate the room. Find everything from kits to marching drums to orchestral percussion.

Eden

Another iconic name, Eden is well-known in the world of bass amplification. Bassists rely on Eden for solidly built combos, heads, cabs, pedals, and accessories that will see them through any heavy gig. Offering supremely clear tones, Eden is a go-to range for many musicians.

modul furniture

modul makes robust, adaptable furniture for creative spaces, including recording studios and hi-fi setups. From desks to chairs, their products look contemporary and sleek while always remaining practical and sturdy.

FAQs about Gear4music as a retailer and own-brand manufacturer

What’s the difference between “Gear4music” and “by Gear4music”?

“Gear4music” refers to the retailer, whereas “by Gear4music” refers to their own house brand. The retailer stocks a huge array of brands, covering all kinds of instruments and music gear, with showrooms and distribution centres worldwide. The own brand, “by Gear4music”, is the range of beginner-friendly instruments.

Is Gear4music legit?

Gear4music is legit and safe to purchase from. The retailer ships worldwide and has hubs in the UK, Ireland, Spain, Germany, and Sweden and receives good reviews for their helpful customer service and fast delivery.

Are “by Gear4music” own-brand guitars good?

“By Gear4music” own-brand guitars are great for beginners starting their musical journey. They’re designed in-house to equip new guitarists with the essentials they need: comfortable playability and great sound quality. Whatever style, whatever colour, we’ve got something for you, including solid bodies, semi-hollows, and hollow-body guitars. There are acoustic guitars and folk instruments too!

Are “by Gear4music” amps from Gear4music good?

“By Gear4music” amps are great, particularly for guitarists who want excellent sound quality and a simple setup. They combine innovative design with quality components to give you the best electric guitar sound possible. Whether you’re looking for a practice amp or a fully-fledged stack, you’ll find the amp for you at a brilliant price.

Is Gear4music a reputable company?

Gear4music is a reputable company. They’ve been providing excellent customer service and quick, reliable delivery since 2003. With a diverse range of premium brands as well as entry-level names, Gear4music are trusted by musicians worldwide — no matter their ability level. With at least 2 million registered users, an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 on Trustpilot, and 68,556 products, they’ve built a reliable reputation among their customers.

As a beginner, which Gear4music own-brand instrument should I buy?

Gear4music’s house brand, “by Gear4music,” is a great range for beginners, offering entry-level guitars, amps, drums, keys, orchestral instruments, and studio and live gear built for easy setups that encourage you to start playing. Specifically for guitarists, Hartwood is another great own-brand to try if you’re after a beautifully built guitar to see you through from beginner levels to more advanced stages. VISION is also a great option for younger players.