Why the Demise of PMT Marks a Turning Point for Musicians

In a blow to musicians across the UK, PMT (Professional Music Technology), one of the country’s most recognisable national guitar and music instrument retailers, has recently closed its doors. For many players, PMT represented one of the last chances to walk into a store, take a guitar off the wall, and feel its weight, tone, and resonance in person before making a purchase.

But PMT isn’t alone. Across the UK and globally, guitar shops have been closing at an alarming rate. In the US, long-standing chains like Sam Ash have begun closing stores after decades of serving musicians. In recent years, other iconic names like Denmark Street stalwarts and regional independents have shuttered as well. From Norwich to Nashville, the story is the same: rising rents, changing consumer habits, the convenience of online shopping, and shifts in musical culture have all taken their toll on the high street.

Buying Guitars Online vs In-Store: What’s Changed?

The fall of the high street music shop isn’t just about economics, it’s about experience. Once a rite of passage for budding guitarists, walking into a music store meant not only seeing and playing guitars but interacting with knowledgeable staff, discovering new gear, and connecting with a community.

This decline is symptomatic of broader retail trends. Across sectors, high street stores have struggled to compete with the rapid rise of e-commerce. According to the British Retail Consortium, over 6,000 UK high street stores closed in 2023 alone. Music retailers have been particularly hard-hit due to their reliance on experiential buying and their specialist stock.

For guitarists, that tactile in-store experience mattered. Whether it was testing different pickup configurations, feeling neck profiles, or comparing finishes under real lighting, playing before buying was a key part of the process. As fewer physical stores remain, buying guitars online vs in-store is no longer a choice, it’s a new reality.

Yet online buying comes with compromises. Photos and specs alone can’t communicate feel, resonance, or playability. This reality leaves many musicians making high-stakes purchases without truly knowing if the instrument suits them.

A New Alternative: Custom Guitars and the Rise of Personalisation

So, if the option to try before you buy is off the table for most musicians, what’s the alternative?

Enter custom guitars. What once felt like an exclusive or expensive niche is now emerging as a practical and rewarding path for serious musicians who want control over their instrument.

Commissioning a custom guitar or bass offers players a chance to reclaim the intimacy and personality that once came from trying many guitars on the shop floor. But with a custom build, that connection is deeper, because the instrument is designed around you.

A custom build allows you to specify:

• Tonewoods that shape the sonic character
• Neck dimensions that suit your hand size and playing style
• Hardware and pickups tailored to your genre or tone goals
• Finishes and aesthetics that express your personal taste

And most importantly, a direct line of communication with the luthier. You’re not just choosing a guitar, you’re part of the design process.

The Munson Guitars Custom Shop Experience: A Collaborative Approach

The Munson Guitars Custom Shop Experience is built around this philosophy. Every build begins with a conversation. Whether it’s via video call or in-person at their workshop in Norfolk, you’re invited to discuss your goals, musical influences, ergonomic needs, and aesthetic preferences.

Carl Munson and his team believe in transparency, collaboration, and education. As part of the experience, clients are shown available tonewoods, guided through the pros and cons of various materials, and involved in shaping everything from the pickup layout to the neck carve.

“Carl helped me create a lightweight fretless bass with everything I wanted—something I couldn’t find anywhere else.” – Mike, Munson Guitars client

“It’s not just a guitar—it’s a piece of history.” – Angus, Munson Guitars client. Read Angus’ Story

Why This Matters Now More Than Ever

We are at a turning point. As the traditional retail experience disappears, musicians face a choice: accept a disconnected, one-size-fits-all online buying experience, or step into a more meaningful process that puts them at the centre.

Custom guitars offer more than craftsmanship. They offer creative agency.

They empower musicians to build instruments that align with their bodies, their tones, and their stories. For many, this level of personalisation is not a luxury, it’s a solution to the new problem of buying guitars online vs in-store.

And unlike mass-market instruments, a custom guitar is built to last a lifetime. It becomes a companion, not just a tool.

A New Future for Musicians

The loss of guitar shops like PMT is undeniably sad. But it also clears the path for a new model, one where instruments are not just purchased, but co-created.

At Munson Guitars, you don’t have to settle. You can start with an idea, a sound, a feel, and end up with an instrument that brings all of it to life.

Start Your Own Custom Guitar Journey

If you’re feeling uncertain about your next instrument purchase, you’re not alone. But there’s a better way.

Book a no-obligation call today to talk through your ideas, inspirations, and questions. Carl Munson and his team will help you understand what’s possible—and how to create a guitar that’s truly yours.

Begin your journey with the Munson Guitars Custom Shop Experience.