Blackstone Music

🎉 The Big Reveal! 🎉

The moment you've all been waiting for has arrived! We've been teasing and tantalizing, and now it's time to show you what's inside the box. 🥁🌟

Presenting the stunning Takamine LTD2024! This limited edition beauty is not just a guitar; it's a celestial masterpiece. Inspired by the cosmos, it features a breath-taking design with intricate inlays representing our solar system. 🌌✨

Ready to be starstruck? Come check it out at Blackstone Music and let the universe inspire your music! 🌠🎸

Step back in time with the Hofner Senator 1956 Brunette, an iconic piece of music history that's still rocking strong! This vintage beauty is in fantastic condition for its age, showing just the right amount of wear you'd expect from a guitar of the 50s. It's not just about looks though—this guitar plays like a dream.

✨ Black-stained holy wood headstock fascia with inlaid mother of pearl cross design.

✨ Single-pickup electric full-depth body, introduced in mid-1955, perfect for those classic tones.

✨ A true piece of craftsmanship from Hofner, offering a blend of vintage charm and exceptional playability.

Whether you're a collector or a player, the Hofner Senator is sure to impress with its rich history and superb sound. Come visit us at Blackstone Music to see this gem in person and maybe even take it for a spin.

Did you know that both the guitar and the ukulele share a common ancestor? The guitar, as we know it today, evolved from early stringed instruments like the lute and vihuela in the 16th century.

The ukulele, on the other hand, originated from the Portuguese machete, brought to Hawaii by immigrants in the late 19th century. Despite their different paths, both instruments have become beloved staples in the music world for their versatility and unique sounds. Whether you're strumming a six-string guitar or a four-string ukulele, you're part of a rich musical tradition that spans centuries and continents!

Elevate your strumming game with the Pono Big Baritone BN4-1 by focusing on strumming dynamics. This versatile ukulele's rich tone can be enhanced by varying your strumming intensity and technique.

🎸 Strumming Dynamics: To make your playing more expressive, alternate between soft and hard strums. Start by strumming gently near the fretboard for a mellow, soft sound. Then, move closer to the bridge and increase your strumming intensity for a brighter, louder tone.

🎸 Soft Strumming: Strum lightly near the neck to create a warm, smooth sound. Use the pads of your fingers or a light pick for a gentle touch.

🎸 Hard Strumming: Move your strumming hand closer to the bridge and use more force. This will produce a sharper, more percussive sound, perfect for adding emphasis and energy.

Experiment with these dynamics within a song to create contrast and keep your audience engaged. The Pono Big Baritone’s larger body and quality construction will beautifully showcase these dynamic changes.

This technique can be applied to any acoustic instrument to add depth and emotion to your music.

Happy strumming! 🎸✨

Introducing the Pono BN4-1 'Big Baritone' ukulele, a remarkable blend of craftsmanship and sound. This instrument boasts a tenor guitar body modified to take regular tuning baritone strings, offering a unique and rich musical experience.

👉 Body: Large tenor guitar-style for enhanced resonance

👉 Wood: All solid cedar top with acacia back and sides

👉 Finish: Stunning gloss finish

👉 Sound: Long sustain with beautifully rounded bass notes and crisp highs

👉 Craftsmanship: Perfectly dressed frets for smooth playability

👉 Extras: Comes with a hard case

The big body not only provides plenty of volume but also delivers a lovely, balanced tone that will elevate your playing. Whether you're strumming or picking, the Pono Big Baritone offers a rich, full-bodied sound that’s perfect for any style.

Visit Blackstone Music to experience the BN4-1 'Big Baritone' for yourself. Feel the craftsmanship, hear the tone, and fall in love with your next ukulele.

📍 Blackstone Music, Heskin Hall Shopping Village, Chorley

🎶 Updated Dates 🎸

Beginner Ukulele and Guitar Lessons at Blackstone Music

Are you ready to embark on your musical journey? Starting 16th October, we’re excited to offer beginner ukulele and guitar lessons at our cosy location at 📍 The Barns, Heskin Hall Shopping Village, Chorley.

🎸 Ukulele Lessons: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
🎸 Guitar Lessons: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Our friendly and experienced team will guide you through the basics, ensuring you feel comfortable and confident as you start to play. Whether you’re picking up an instrument for the first time or looking to brush up on your skills, we’ve got you covered.

Spaces are limited, so don’t miss out! DM us your details to be added to a group and secure your spot today.

The D'Angelico Premier Bedford's Duncan Designed P90 pickups are known for their bright, punchy sound and dynamic range. Here’s how to make the most of them:

👉 Utilise Pickup Switching for Versatility 👈
Experiment with the pickup selector to explore the full tonal palette of the Premier Bedford. The bridge P90 is great for cutting through the mix with sharp, bright tones, ideal for lead parts and solos. The neck P90, on the other hand, offers warmer, fuller sounds perfect for rhythm playing and jazz tones. Combining both pickups can provide a balanced, rich sound that works well for blues and rock.

👉 Adjust Your Playing Dynamics 👈
P90 pickups are highly responsive to your playing dynamics. Play with varying attack and volume to discover a wide range of tonal possibilities. Lighter picking will yield a clean, articulate sound, while digging in harder will produce a more aggressive, gritty tone.

Discover the D'Angelico Premier Bedford at Blackstone Music. Feel the sleek design, hear the articulate tones, and experience why this guitar is a standout in the Premier Series.

📍 Visit Us: Blackstone Music, Heskin Hall Shopping Village,

We’re thrilled to reintroduce a true gem to the Premier Series: the D'Angelico Premier Bedford. This sleek offset beauty now comes with two Duncan Designed P90s, offering sparkling and elastic articulation in a classic configuration.

🫶 Body: Choose between mahogany or basswood, depending on your colour preference, ensuring a well-balanced sonic and physical experience.

🫶 Neck: Slim C-shape neck and fast fingerboard radius for ultimate player comfort.

🫶 Pickups: Two Duncan Designed P90s for that bright, punchy sound.

🫶 Design: Generous body contours and overall size make the Premier Bedford easy to handle, whether you're on stage or in the studio.

The Premier Bedford combines style and performance, making it a perfect choice for guitarists seeking versatility and comfort. Its offset body not only looks stunning but also provides a balanced, ergonomic playing experience.

The Ibanez Pat Metheny PM120BK, with its full hollow body and distinctive tone, is an ideal guitar for refining your fingerpicking skills. Here’s a tip to get the most out of this beautiful instrument:

👉 Start Slow and Focus on Accuracy
When practicing fingerpicking, start at a slow tempo. Focus on clean, accurate plucking of each string. The ebony fingerboard of the PM120BK provides a smooth surface, allowing your fingers to move effortlessly. As you build muscle memory, gradually increase your speed while maintaining precision.

You can practice this technique with all acoustic guitars to fully explore their tonal possibilities. The warm, resonant sound of the PM120BK will beautifully complement your fingerpicking style, whether you're playing jazz, blues, or folk.

This week, we're proud to feature the stunning Ibanez Pat Metheny PM120BK. This 2002 model is in fantastic condition and showcases the exceptional craftsmanship and design that Ibanez is known for, combined with the unique touches of jazz legend Pat Metheny.

Key Features:

👉 Body: Full hollow body, slightly thinner than typical jazz boxes, with distinctive offset double cutaways and pointed horns.
👉 Top: Maple with ƒ holes and multi-layer binding.
👉 Back and Sides: Maple, mated to a set-in mahogany neck.
👉 Fingerboard: 22-fret ebony with binding and pearl/acrylic and abalone split block position markers.
👉 Pickups: Ibanez Silent 58 humbucking pickups with gold covers, individual volume controls, and a master tone.
👉 Bridge and Tailpiece: Gotoh Tune-o-matic style bridge on a wood base with a custom tailpiece.
👉 Additional Features: Bone nut, Sure Grip k***s, stereo output jack, and Gotoh tuning machines.
👉 Included: Comes with a hard case.

The PM120BK is not just a guitar; it's a piece of art designed for those who appreciate the finer details. Its full hollow body delivers a rich, resonant tone, while the unique design and high-quality components ensure a playing experience that is both comfortable and inspiring.

Visit us to experience the Ibanez Pat Metheny PM120BK for yourself. Feel the superior craftsmanship, hear the incredible sound, and find out why this guitar is a favourite among jazz enthusiasts and guitarists alike.

📍 Where: Blackstone Music, Heskin Hall Shopping Village, Chorley

The Martin Taylor Virtuoso offers a beautifully balanced tone, enhanced by its premium materials and meticulous construction. The laminated antique sunburst spruce top and flame maple back and sides not only look stunning but also provide a rich, resonant sound. The gold effect floating mini-humbucker pickup adds a touch of class and delivers a smooth, warm tone that’s perfect for jazz and blues.

Complete with a hard case, this guitar is ready to be your lifelong musical companion.

Visit us to experience the Martin Taylor Virtuoso for yourself. Feel the craftsmanship, hear the tone, and fall in love with your next guitar.

📍 Where: Blackstone Music, Heskin Hall Shopping Village, Chorley

This week, we're thrilled to feature a truly exquisite instrument: the Peerless Martin Taylor Virtuoso. This pre-owned guitar is in exceptional condition and is a masterpiece of craftsmanship and design, perfect for players who appreciate elegance and superior sound.

Key Features:

👉 Body: 381mm wide, 70mm deep body
👉 Neck: 59mm neck
👉 Top: Laminated antique sunburst spruce
👉 Back and Sides: Laminated flame maple
👉 Hardware: Indian Rosewood fretboard, bridge, tailpiece, and pickguard
👉 Pickup: Gold effect floating mini-humbucker with discreet volume control under the pickguard

The Martin Taylor Virtuoso offers a beautifully balanced tone, enhanced by its premium materials and meticulous construction. The laminated antique sunburst spruce top and flame maple back and sides not only look stunning but also provide a rich, resonant sound. The gold effect floating mini-humbucker pickup adds a touch of class and delivers a smooth, warm tone that's perfect for jazz and blues.

Complete with a hard case, this guitar is ready to be your lifelong musical companion.

Visit us to experience the Martin Taylor Virtuoso for yourself. Feel the craftsmanship, hear the tone, and fall in love with your next guitar.

📍 Where: Blackstone Music, Heskin Hall Shopping Village, Chorley

Next month we're looking forward to having an 'up close and personal' concert in the shop with the incredible Ken Nicol.

Only 20 tickets available from 1pm today from https://www.trybooking.com/uk/DVNF

Did you know that some of the greatest guitarists, like Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton, were largely self-taught? Their wisdom lies in the belief that the guitar is not just an instrument but a lifelong companion.

They spent countless hours exploring its possibilities, not just through formal lessons but by letting their curiosity lead the way. Their journey is a testament to the idea that perseverance, passion, and a love for learning can take you anywhere.

🗣️ We’d love to hear from you! What piece of wisdom has stuck with you throughout your guitar journey? Share it with us in the comments below and let’s inspire each other to keep growing and learning. 🎸

Whether it's a quote from your favourite guitarist or a lesson learned from your own experience, your wisdom could be just what another player needs to hear today.

If you’re looking to deepen your knowledge or need a little guidance, stop by Blackstone Music at Heskin Hall Shopping Village, Chorley. From guitar lessons to finding the perfect instrument, we're here to support you every step of the way.

Unlock the full potential of your Peerless Martin Taylor Virtuoso with this essential technique tip for mastering chord melodies:

Tip: Focus on Smooth Voice Leading

What is Voice Leading?
It’s the practice of moving smoothly from one chord to another by maintaining common tones and minimizing the movement of individual notes.

Why It Matters:
Smooth voice leading creates a more cohesive and pleasing sound, which is especially important in jazz and solo guitar performances.

How to Practice:
Identify Common Tones: When moving between chords, identify notes that are common to both chords and keep them in the same position.

Minimize Finger Movement:
Try to move your fingers as little as possible when transitioning between chords. This will help create a smoother sound.

Practice Slowly:
Start slow and gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable with the transitions.

The Peerless Martin Taylor Virtuoso is designed for elegance and smooth playability, making it the perfect instrument to practice this technique. Its rich, resonant tones will bring your chord melodies to life, adding depth and emotion to your music.

Visit us to experience the Peerless Martin Taylor Virtuoso and get more tips to elevate your playing.

📍 Where: Blackstone Music, HHeskin Hall Shopping Village Chorley

This week, we're thrilled to feature a truly exquisite instrument: the Peerless Martin Taylor Virtuoso. This pre-owned guitar is in exceptional condition and is a masterpiece of craftsmanship and design, perfect for players who appreciate elegance and superior sound.

Key Features:

👉 Body: 381mm wide, 70mm deep body
👉 Neck: 59mm neck
👉 Top: Laminated antique sunburst spruce
👉 Back and Sides: Laminated flame maple
👉 Hardware: Indian Rosewood fretboard, bridge, tailpiece, and pickguard
👉 Pickup: Gold effect floating mini-humbucker with discreet volume control under the pickguard

The Martin Taylor Virtuoso offers a beautifully balanced tone, enhanced by its premium materials and meticulous construction. The laminated antique sunburst spruce top and flame maple back and sides not only look stunning but also provide a rich, resonant sound. The gold effect floating mini-humbucker pickup adds a touch of class and delivers a smooth, warm tone that's perfect for jazz and blues.

Complete with a hard case, this guitar is ready to be your lifelong musical companion.

Visit us to experience the Martin Taylor Virtuoso for yourself. Feel the craftsmanship, hear the tone, and fall in love with your next guitar.

📍 Where: Blackstone Music, Heskin Hall Shopping Village, Chorley

Calling all guitar enthusiasts! We’re having a Fender Stratocaster showdown at Blackstone Music, and we want YOU to join the conversation!

🎸 What's Your Favourite Strat Era? 🎸

Tell us in the comments: Which era of the Fender Stratocaster is your favourite and why? Share your stories, memories, and any photos of your own Strat! Let’s see which era reigns supreme!

And if you’re in the market for a Strat, we’ve got an amazing selection waiting for you at our shop. Visit us at Heskin Hall Shopping Village in Chorley and find your dream guitar.

📍 Where: Blackstone Music, Heskin Hall Shopping Village,

Don’t miss out – join the discussion and stop by to see these legendary guitars in person!

Fender standard Stratocaster, 1988.
Scott Buehl era Strat in amazing condition with only a few superficial marks to give away the fact that it's a 36 year old guitar.
Beautifully aged plastic parts and a rare 'gun metal' finish make this one of the best looking Strats we've ever had in the shop.
Includes flight case.

£1899

SOLD

Just in!

Gibson ES 335 Studio, Gingerburst, 2015

Near mint example of this Memphis built 335.
With branded hard case and all paperwork.

£1599

Timing is everything in music! When you’re starting out on the guitar, it’s a great idea to practice with a metronome. This handy tool helps you keep a steady beat and improves your rhythm over time.

Start by setting the metronome at a slow pace and practice strumming or picking in time with the clicks. As you get more comfortable, gradually increase the speed. Developing good timing early on will make learning songs and playing with others so much easier.

Keep practicing, and you’ll be rocking in no time!

Why You'll Love by

🫶 Affordable Excellence: With prices ranging from just £129 to £229, these guitars are a fantastic choice for those just beginning their musical journey.

🫶 Beginner-Friendly: Easy to play with comfortable neck profiles and smooth action, making learning a breeze.

🫶 Stylish and Versatile: Available in a variety of finishes and configurations to suit your style.

At Blackstone Music, we believe everyone deserves a great start in music, and the Northstar series is here to guide you every step of the way. Whether you’re picking up your first guitar or looking for an affordable option to add to your collection, Northstar has got you covered.

Sorry for the short notice but we will be closed from tomorrow and reopen on Friday 23rd August at 10am

For any enquiries please contact us via messenger or text 07973 802637

Thanks, Chris and Sarah

Did you know that come in four different sizes, each with its own unique sound? The most common sizes are , , , and . The soprano is the smallest and gives that classic, bright ukulele sound, while the baritone is the largest, offering a deeper, richer tone.

So whether you prefer something small and portable or a ukulele with a bit more bass, there's a size that’s just right for you!

Come and see us at Blackstone, you'll be glad you did, regardless of your musical ability. After all:

"It's what ya do with what ya got"

📍 Blackstone Music, Heskin Hall Shopping Village, near Chorley, Lancashire.

If you’re new to playing the , a great way to get started is by mastering the basic chords. Start with the most common ones like C, G, F, and Am – these will allow you to play a wide variety of songs right off the bat.

Practice transitioning smoothly between these chords. Once you’ve got these down, you’ll find it much easier to tackle more complex songs and techniques.

Remember, the ukulele is all about having fun – take your time, enjoy the process, and let the music flow!