Expert advice

Buying Guides

Plain-English help from the team that sells, plays and knows this gear six days a week — so you buy once and buy right. Pick the guide that matches what you're shopping for.

How to Choose Your First Electric Guitar Buying guideHow to Choose Your First Electric GuitarBody shapes, pickups, sizes and setup explained in plain English — so you (or your kid) end up with an…Read guide → How to Choose an Acoustic Guitar: Sizes, Shapes & Pickups Buying guideHow to Choose an Acoustic Guitar: Sizes, Shapes & PickupsDreadnought or folk size? Steel or nylon? Plain-English advice from our Footscray floor on choosing the…Read guide → How to Choose a Bass Guitar Buying guideHow to Choose a Bass GuitarFour strings or five, short scale or long, P or J? The bass players at our Footscray store explain every…Read guide → How to Choose a Guitar Amp: Watts, Valves & Modelling Buying guideHow to Choose a Guitar Amp: Watts, Valves & ModellingBedroom practice or pub gig, valve or modelling — Scarlett Music's amp specialists explain wattage, speaker…Read guide → How to Choose Your First Guitar Pedals Buying guideHow to Choose Your First Guitar PedalsThe classic first five pedals, what order to buy them, and how to power and wire it all — plain-English…Read guide → Guitar Strings Guide: Gauges, Materials & When to Change Buying guideGuitar Strings Guide: Gauges, Materials & When to ChangeWhich gauge, which material and how often to change them — a plain-English guide to guitar strings from the…Read guide → How to Choose a Digital Piano or Keyboard Buying guideHow to Choose a Digital Piano or KeyboardWeighted 88-key digital piano or 61-key keyboard? Our Footscray keys team explains what teachers expect,…Read guide → How to Choose a Synth or MIDI Controller Buying guideHow to Choose a Synth or MIDI ControllerSynth or MIDI controller? One makes sound, one doesn't. Our Footscray keys team explains synthesis types,…Read guide → How to Choose a Drum Kit: Acoustic vs Electronic Buying guideHow to Choose a Drum Kit: Acoustic vs ElectronicAcoustic feel or electronic quiet? An honest guide to drum kits for beginners, kids and returning players —…Read guide → How to Choose Your First Ukulele Buying guideHow to Choose Your First UkuleleSoprano, concert, tenor or baritone? Our Footscray team explains ukulele sizes, woods, school requirements,…Read guide → How to Choose a Microphone: Vocals, Streaming & Stage Buying guideHow to Choose a Microphone: Vocals, Streaming & StageDynamic vs condenser, USB vs XLR, and the right mic for singing, podcasting, bands and schools -…Read guide → How to Choose a PA System Buying guideHow to Choose a PA SystemReal-world advice on sizing a PA for your room and crowd, powered vs passive speakers, mixers, monitors and…Read guide → Home Recording Starter Guide: Your First Track Buying guideHome Recording Starter Guide: Your First TrackThe honest minimum chain to record at home - interface, mic, headphones and a free DAW - plus where to…Read guide → How to Choose Headphones & Studio Monitors Buying guideHow to Choose Headphones & Studio MonitorsOpen or closed back? Flat or fun? An honest guide to choosing headphones, studio monitors and in-ears for…Read guide → School Band Instruments: A Parent's Survival Guide Buying guideSchool Band Instruments: A Parent's Survival GuideYour kid just joined the school band and you're holding a list of strange words. Flute, clarinet, sax,…Read guide → How to Choose a Violin or String Instrument Buying guideHow to Choose a Violin or String InstrumentSizing, outfits, setup and maintenance - a Footscray strings specialist helps parents, adult beginners and…Read guide →
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284-288 Ballarat Rd, Footscray VIC 3011
Mon–Fri 9–6 · Sat 9–5 · Sun 11–4
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