About Us

Every Monday morning at Wunjo Guitars, a long queue of sales representatives from some of the biggest musical instrument companies in the world trails through the shop and up to the door of Brian's office. They will never get in, because more often than not, Brian is having a jolly chat with one of our many dear customers. A chat about guitars, golf, the plight of Glasgow Rangers Football Club, or anything else that that particular dear customer may wish to muse upon. Wunjo Guitars exists because of this man, and it has become his labour of love. Years of graft have given way to an enduring passion for the things we spend all our days talking about, lusting over, dreaming of, and maybe, just maybe, actually getting to have a play on. And Brian's philosophy has never wavered: if you see it in our shop, then have a play on it! Guitars are there to be played, and it will always be our way here at Wunjos. Once finished putting the world to rights with the customers, maybe offering a couple of sweet deals along the way, Brian breezes out of the shop, affording a casual nod to the winding queue of sales reps, and heads to the golf course to enjoy the spoils of being the founder of the world's coolest guitar shop.

You thought it was Barry Gibb that was keeping the long-hair-and-a-beard look in fashion, but you were wrong. Tom 'Mr Minkley' Hinkley, the man who's hair and beard somehow remain precisely the same length day in day out, is doing his bit for those men who continue to rebel against society and their wives/girlfriends by preserving the look that is befitting of a guitarist/bassist who rues the fact that it isn't the seventies any more. And Tom most certainly is an excellent musician. Having spent a small fortune on mail-order jazz chords over the years, he's got as many excellent recordings, sessions and gigs under his belt as he does days at the helm of our bass shop. With a great eye for stunning vintage bass (see Wunjo Bass's Instagram feed), Tom has also made sure that Wunjo Bass has matured into one of the finest bass guitar shops in the world since its inauguration in 2012. So he's earned the long hair, and indeed, the beard.

Having had a successful career in music, Harry Styles has taken up acting. Laurence, also hailing from the West Midlands, is doing things the other way round. Having set up a band with his actor mates for a laugh, they ended up doing a stint on a well know TV Soap (I think it's called Sevenoaks). But those are now just happy memories. Laurence now frequently tours the UK and Europe playing bass for one or two of the world's finest recording artists. And deservedly so! In those rare quiet moments back in Wunjo Bass (Laurence's 'other gig') you might get a little glimpse of Laurence's chops, all of which, much like his trousers and shirts, are the sharpest and most meticulously pressed in town. Quiet moments in Wunjo Bass are rare, of course, so the rest of the time, Laurence settles in to many a good chat about the wonderful wares we have on show, or reminisces about the time he convinced the gaffer that the singer from Dexy's Midnight Runners wanted to buy a Ro(w)land Cube amp.

Gus is a law abiding citizen. This is only made possible by the fact that ginger moustaches are not against the law. There was an attempt to make them illegal during the 90s when Mick Hucknall tried to grow one, but it never came to pass. As for Gus, the moustache coupled with wavy shoulder length locks and a fringe gives him the look of a man who knows his way round a Shoreditch pub or two, but fortunately for us, he also knows a thing or two about keyboards, synthesizers, organs and all things electro that we use to make that sweet sweet music. In fact, Gus is the captain of HMS Keys, and man who made it all happen, way back in 2013 when Wunjo Keys was just an empty room with bare orange walls. In recent months Gus has levitated up to the first floor into the office, where he now manages all the behind the scenes magic that helps Wunjo tick.  

It's one thing to have a stylish, seventies-influenced dress sense (complete with matching mop of luxurious hair), it's another thing to back that up with a healthy dose of good old-fashioned politeness. Working in the middle of London in the midst of glassy offices and achingly cool coffee shops, one can often get the feeling that manners went out of fashion with flared trousers. But when you meet this young man, it will restore your faith in the old way. Meeting George is like going back in time to a point in history that our grandparents have always told us about, when people had time to say thank you to bus drivers, made cups of tea for one another and took the train to the seaside on Sundays. George has time for everyone. Ask him anything and you will receive an answer that is not just well-informed, but also considered and genuine. I'm not sure there is a more polite and patient guitar salesman that exists anywhere in the world.

Marc, who, as you can see, has completed a course on 'how to pose for an effective/moody band photo', does not know how to look uncool. He has tried desperately over the years, wearing his girlfriend's cardigans (nope, that's technically still cool), refusing to shave (now they're all doing it), and even trying to throw in a bit of classic double-denim (would you believe, it's now back in), but all to no avail. In one desperate attempt to shake off this burden of coolness, Marc tried to work less hours at Wunjo and become a DJ in Ibiza, but we weren't having any of it. Now he's back to a regular gig here, just like the old days, spreading his knowledge and friendly vibes across both our electric and acoustic shops. I say the old days, Marc is one of our longest serving members of staff, putting him firmly in the frame for the tag of 'part of the furniture'. He'll probably be here when he starts going grey and wrinkly, sort of like the Keith Richards of music retail. So, is that still...? Yeah, sorry dude, probably still cool.

You may conclude from looking at Howard's portrait, that this is a man who calls a spade a spade. You'd be right. When you are a Nottingham Forest supporter, as Howard unashamedly is, one must learn to resist the temptation to sugar-coat, and this translates perfectly when it comes to talking about buying the perfect guitar: are your gear choices balanced on a knife edge? Do you urgently need an honest, pragmatic opinion on something? Howard's your man! Howard has been around on Denmark Street since Hair Metal was in fashion. Indeed, he did once have a lot more hair than what you see now, and as a teenager he was into Metal for a couple of weeks (shhh!), but, I mean, it's all about the journey. Howard has been dedicated to music - both making his own and helping people choose great gear so as to make theirs - for a good 15 years. Effects pedals are his forte, and if you have even the briefest of glances at our pedal section, you'll see how Wunjo reaps the benefits of his enthusiasm and passion for making weird sounds with guitars and little metal boxes. He's also your go-to if you ever run out of hand cream.

Witty banter to follow..

Witty banter coming very soon...