ABSOLUTE MUSIC SUPERSTORE: PROGRESS REPORT #4

It's been a while since we last brought you an update of our brand new pro music superstore in-the-making, but that doesn't mean that nothing has been happening... far from it in fact! Although it still resembles a building site, the shape of our new shop is really starting to take place! Check out the photos and descriptions below to see how we are getting on:

[caption id="attachment_3739" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Store View From Entrance"]]({static}/uploads/2012/04/Store-1.png)[/caption]

So, this picture shows the view from what will be the main entrance into the store from the reception area. In the last two weeks, ceiling tiles, wall frames and heavy-duty plasterboard has been installed on the ground floor, so we're starting to get an idea of the rooms.

The empty space in the foreground is what will be the main shop area with display cabinets, counters and demo space. To the right is the dedicated synth and piano room and to the left of that is the acoustic guitar room. Above all of that is the huge mezzanine for the guitars, but more of that in a mo!

What you can't see (to the right) is the great big hole that's been knocked through the wall into the unit next door, linking the new superstore with our existing studio and rehearsal room complex, that's already open for business.

[caption id="attachment_3740" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Store View From Main Demo Area"]]({static}/uploads/2012/04/Store-2.png)[/caption]

Right, so moving to the left a bit, we're now looking front on into the acoustic room, and to the left of that is the corridor through to the drum department, now all boarded out, and the huge space behind that for storage. On the left-hand side of the corridor is a doorway into what will be the monitor auditioning studio, which we believe will be the UK's only custom-designed space for auditioning speakers in an optimum listening environment. Exciting stuff!

[caption id="attachment_3741" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Store Steps to Guitar Showroom"]]({static}/uploads/2012/04/Store-3.png)[/caption]

For this picture, we turned around with our back to the synth room. New this week is the staircase up to the mezzanine level and the window knocked through into the guitar workshop, where Robin, Lee and Joe will be busy working on guitars and basses.

The wall above the forklift is just part of one of the three huge guitar display walls, and the brightly lit space below the guitar workshop will eventually be enclosed to become our sales and admin offices. Behind the forklift are four pallets of insulation, thanks for asking...

[caption id="attachment_3742" align="aligncenter" width="601" caption="On The Mezzanine"]]({static}/uploads/2012/04/Store-4.png)[/caption]

Popping up the stairs, this picture was taken with our back to the door into the guitar workshop. The mezzanine floor is now all boarded and more new additions this week are the fancy balustrades on the balcony that will be infilled with even fancier safety glass. For the moment, we find a red and white striped bit of plastic looks the part(!).

The space with the ladders and scaffold will turn into the guitar department, with areas for amps and effects on display and on demo. The metal strips on the right-hand wall will become another guitar display wall.

The space towards the back (where you see the open brickwork) will be enclosed to create a large live sound, lighting and DJ room that will double as a seminar space, plus some soundproofed guitar demo booths. It's much bigger than it looks, believe me!

So, there you have it! As you can see, our new store is really starting to take shape and we will bring you more updates in the future as and when they happen!