Why PMT's Closure Signals a New Era for Musicians

GREAT YARMOUTH, U.K. - June 18, 2025 - PRLog -- The closure of Professional Music Technology (PMT), one of the UK's most prominent national guitar retailers, has sent shockwaves through the music community. For decades, musicians relied on in-store experiences to try, compare, and connect with instruments before making a purchase.

Now, with high street music stores vanishing and online shopping becoming the default, the age of "try-before-you-buy" guitar shopping is effectively over.

But for players unwilling to gamble on mass-produced instruments bought online, a growing number are turning to custom guitar builds as a more personal, reliable, and rewarding alternative.

Munson Guitars, a bespoke guitar maker based in Great Yarmouth UK, is leading this movement with its highly collaborative Custom Shop Experience, a unique process that allows musicians to participate in the design and build of their own guitar or bass, from tonewoods and neck profiles to pickups and finish.

"PMT's closure is a tipping point," said Carl Munson, founder of Munson Guitars. "Musicians are losing the ability to physically engage with instruments before buying. But a custom build puts them back in control, of the specs, the sound, and the entire experience."

The Munson Custom Shop Experience includes one-to-one consultations (online or in-person), detailed material selection, CAD-based design previews, and milestone-based progress updates. Musicians walk away not just with a guitar, but a one-of-a-kind instrument shaped by their preferences and performance needs.

Recent clients praise the approach:
"Carl helped me create something I couldn't find anywhere else. It's exactly what I needed." – Mike, a Munson client
"It's not just a guitar, it's part of my story." – Angus, a left-handed guitarist who worked remotely with Munson Guitars

The shift from retail to remote has made "buying guitars online vs in-store" a critical conversation for musicians today. Luthiers, such as Munson Guitars, offer a compelling answer: if you're already buying blind, why not go custom and build something that fits your hands, your sound, and your soul?

Media Contact:

Carl Munson
Founder & Luthier, Munson Guitars

Email: info@munsonguitars.com

Website: https://www.munsonguitars.com

About Munson Guitars

Munson Guitars is a UK-based custom guitar workshop dedicated to creating handcrafted electric guitars and basses tailored to the needs of each musician. Known for its transparent, client-led Custom Shop Experience, Munson blends craftsmanship, innovation, and collaboration to deliver truly bespoke instruments that inspire performance.