Hi Neil, my EB3 bass has arrived and it is grouse.

From when I first saw the bass on the website up until it arriving on my front doorstep packaged up like a mummy my Grouse Guitars experience has run like a dream.

I could not be happier with the bass. It is exactly as depicted on the site and plays like a gem.

You are right! The SG style bass is much underrated.

Ive always liked the EB3 in particular and this thing of beauty has now come home.

It has been a pleasure to do business with a bloke who obviously has a great eye for unique instruments, a passion for what he does and who knows how to take care of his customers.

Thanks again Neil.

Pete.

May you have a soulfully satisfying, sonorous Silly Season. Rock on!

And, once again,thanks a million! Best wishes

Hi Neil - just want to say thanks for the hours of endless pleasure looking through your site - there is always something new to look at and presented with excellent information. Thanks from all guitar lovers from around the world. And thanks for my '64 Ibanez Goldentone which I bought from you a couple of years ago...its a beauty! Good on you Neil.

Hi Neil. It was great to catch up with you and pick up my Fernandez Tele. I have just given it a good workout with my band at a very intensive rehearsal weekend. What a difference it made to several of our songs. Exactly what I was after a good solid rhythm guitar. It fits the bill perfectly. 3 out of the 4 guitars used in my band, the Tele, a Mendez acoustic and a Gibson 335 came from Grouse Guitars and every time the service and description has been spot on. Great stuff.

Hey Neil,
I'm really sorry to hear about your health and hope you recover well. I have bought a few items from you over the years all of which I have been very happy with and I also sold you my fender bassman amp (when you were on your way to an Elwood RSL gig). But most of all I use your site as a resource and as a result I have learnt a lot about vintage guitars and amps over the years. Thanks heaps and hope you get well soon, Max

Great shop mate, but would you take down the stuff you wont sell, it does not aid me as a shopper.

VERY INTERESTING PLS KEEP IT UP

Hi Neil, a while ago I bought an 82 Sigma Martin from you. At the time I was very pleased with it, great service and everything. But over time, I have been thinking about selling it. I got it valued today. It's actual value was around half of what I paid. I understand you probably didn't intend to, but I feel rather ripped off. Just thought you might be interested.

Hi Neil, Yours is the best site on the net, although I am devastated that the Guild Starfire Bass I was coveting has disapeared! Note to all you prospective buyers, be quick and buy, your hearts desire may not be there next time you look. Keep up the great work.

I have just taken delivery of my Aria Rickenbacker copy bass, and everthing Neil said about this guitar was bang on, so I'm over the moon with it . Thanks again Neil - your sevice is second to none.

Hi,

I have never bought from or sold to Neil here, but I still visit all the time. It is a great site to see what guitars are out there and being traded.

I have an uncommon 1965 Maton and this is the ONLY site I have ever seen any like it (2 of them)

Good work. Hope your health is on the mend.

Geoff

I recently bought an Aria Pro II Primary Bass (Japanese copy of a Fender Jazz) from Grouse. What a great find this was on Neil's website. I am now completely sold on these Japanese copies of Gibson & Fender guitars and have put a hold on the Shiro ES-175 that is currently on his site which I hope to get soon. I own quite a few nice Fenders and Gibsons and the Japanese copies that Neil hand picks are as good and sometimes better than the originals. Neil is a great guy to deal with and I highly recommend his website.

I recently purchased a 1966 ES330 through Grouse Guitars. For some months I had been thinking about purchasing another 1960's instrument and I checked out every Austrlian website I could find and every shop I could visit.

I previously had pass through my possession a 1968 ES335 and felt the heart twinge every time I thought about letting that girl go. So, the intrument to replace her had to be great.

Thankfully I found the Grouse website. It is by far the best vintage guitar website I have found for the reason that Neil knows his equipment and that the photographs and descriptions are accurate and truthful. The guitar was exactly as described. And the transaction went very smoothly.

I know I will be in the market for some more vintage goodies in the future and my first port of call will always be Grouse Guitars.

Cheers

It's great to see so many positive feedback notes on Neil's site and he deserves them. Three of my guitars have now come from grouse, a Ricky 340, Les Paul standard and a Fender Strat. They are all brilliant. Service has always been tops. Thanks Neil and I hope your recuperation is in track.

randomly searching for Ibanez Ragtime Special, I came across your site. I have Ibanez R400 800947 and Maton Messiah 72-977 and I was pleased to see both models on your site. Lovely guitars, both of them!

I come here to drool over the guitars and wish fervently that I had the cash to own one (especially the sunburst 335), but I had no idea you were unwell. I find myself in the strange position of caring a great deal about the welfare of a stranger I never have, and probably never will, meet, based entirely on our shared love of guitar porn! I hope you get well and carry on making us all jealous for a lot, lot longer....

great site ,enjoyed looking at the guitars,etc.

What a great, easy transaction. The Rick bass copy plays great. Shipping was fast and "handled like eggs". Thanks again.

Recently got a black 335 from Grouse, Let me say that the description was absolutely spot on the money! Took the guitar for a set up to my slightly weird requirements and now it is just unbelievable! The Tone!!!! through my orange ad30, this thing just kills me. The rock tone is unbelievable, but the clean sound too just cuts through the mix, and it's so interesting. Get one if you can... Now!

Thanks heaps Neil, I may now have to sell my other guitars, they'll never get played!

who knew the Sonola had so many bells and whistles. Glad you're enjoying it!!

Man, for such a compact amp, this Electravox by Goldentone 'baby' amplifier kicks like a mule. Turned down low, I can coax some reasonably clean and very warm tunes from it, but that's not what it or my Maton MS500 do best: with all dials cranked to their various maximums, you get an object lesson in what all those valve-heads have been going on about for the past forty years or so: uncompromising, almost creamy distortion that manages to retain the sweeter highs while holding onto the vintage-toned rolling thunder (and, boy, does it roll, all the way in from '65): in short, it has some serious bite. Son of a gun, I'm going to have some fun with this one. Oh, sure it doesn't have the many and various knobs we've all come to know and love, but who needs 'em? This is utilitarian amplification at its best, and in stunning condition for its age. Thanks again, Neil!

...I always knew I'd come back for more!

Neil's sold me my very second bass at a great price. Now I have another black Precision sitting in my bedroom. Brilliant.

Neil came up with a great way to ship to me: low-cost and safe! Packaging was perfect, and - as an extra - Mum digs the 'Handle Like Eggs'. LOL

Now if I can only figure out how to solder I'll be able to whack these Fralins in, throw some flats over the top and stumble over some Jamerson grooves!

Thanks a ton Neil

The Yamaha TA30 photos are awesome!When I was a teen,I played one in my school jazz band,my guitar was a 61' es225.I never see these amps anywhere.Thanks for the memories

Great dealing with you Neil. If anyone out there is thinking about picking up one of these beauties, don't hold back. You wont be disappointed.

Hi,

stumbled over your site just recently by coincidence and wanted to let you know that it's the most accomplished, informative - and nicest!- vintage instrument site I've seen yet. Although I'll hardly ever will become your customer (I'm very interested in that stuff, but not a collector - jus' got a 78 Tele and 77/88 Stingrays in 4 and 5 resp.- and I'm living on the other side, in Germany that is) I've bookmarked you immediately. Wishing you all the best for the future!

Juergen

Thanks Neil for a great transaction and an even greater guitar. Look forward to more purchases in the future. Keep on rockin'!!

After purchasing the Ibanez and Fernandez 'lawsuit' P basses I'm absolutely blown away by the quality and beauty of each instrument. Seriously, I can't stop playing them and getting off on their totally individual feel and sound. Even the bands that I work in have noticed the difference that I bring to the gigs and my preference in playing them instead of my 'high' end makes/models. Thanks Neil for your keen eye and ear for a great sounding bass.

Neil's description was spot on! The American Fretless Precision looks beautiful and plays even better. I felt comfortable during the entire transaction - this being my very first internet purchase in this type of price range. Neil threw on some new flatwounds and I'm having a ball wearing them in. I won't hesitate to buy from Neil in the future and I'll most definitely be keeping a close eye on the offerings. They come and go so fast, so you gotta watch these pages like a hawk!

Love your website and all of the very cool "collectibles" especially in the basses. Makes me salivate.

Thanks Neil - great bass , A1 communications and very very speedy interstate freight .
will certainly do business again

Hi Neil, thank you very much for the super-fast delivery of the Aussie 1940s amp head. What a great find!! Only Grouse Guitars would have something this rare up for sale! If you're thinking of getting any vintage gear, GO WITH GROUSE!!

G'day, Neil. Just checking in to say that I received the acoustic Shadow clip-on humbucker pickup today (what with your uber-fast response time and postage and all), and boy, it's a beauty. Fitted to my lowly Yamaha dreadnought, it gives the guitar a much bigger range and some fine, fine tone. Deeper bass, certainly, but the real surprise is the screaming treble (very bluesy, in fact, which is exactly what I wanted). In fact, the Yamaha + Shadow combo now makes a fine companion for my Maton MS500 electric, which is no small feat for a knockabout dreadnought!

Absolutely grouse all around, in other words. Cheers, Martin K

Neil Rote's Grouse Guitar website is first class. service excellent, guitars top-notch! Guitars arrived in excellent condition within days of payment despite living on the other side of the world.

Thanks for a wonderful journey of vintage gear! I am a keyboard player (my Swedish cover band is called 'Yesterday'). I have a lot of organs - Leslies, Moog, Arp, Welson, Elka, Vox, Farfisa, Diamond Black Elephant 701, Hohner Symphonic 30 and more! I am a collector, musician and composer. PELLE LARSSON, SWEDEN

The Cort Yorktown I bought from you definitely changed my view on buying second hand guitars. This is a beautiful instrument and I can't wait to see what guitars you stock next! Thanks Neil!

Cheers, Neil

I keep coming back to your site again and again to browse your excellent collection of guitars(and bikes). One of these days I know I'll be tempted to slap my money down! Great work.

Good to read any info on moody amps.i bought a g.a.40 head and it has the best overdrive tone iv ever owned,that includes 800super lead combo,orange head,fender hotrods,i love it...

Neil, I told you I'd be back after buying the Gretsch 7660. The Ricky 4001 has just arrived. It's in great condition and like the G completely as advertised and a whole lot more. Massive power from the pickups and so easy to play. Sweet. As always a pleasure to deal with you. All the best, have a great Christmas. Nigel

Neil. All I can say is thanks for everything. You completely alleviated all my doubts about buying a guitar on the internet. You bent over backwards to help out with any requests and answered any questions quickly. I now have the guitar I was looking for. It feels grouse, sounds grouse, looks grouse. Again Thanks

G'day Neil

Here's two big thumbs up for your wonderful service and prompt delivery of my new little screamer of a vintage amp.

My anxieties and reservations about purchasing online have been exploded by the sweet juicy tones coming out of the wee Moody. It delivers exactly what I had expected and more.

It's a pleasure dealing with someone as genuinely passionate, knowledgable and efficient as yourself. Kudos to the guru of grouse.

Cheers

Duy.

Great service from a great bloke. Very fast response to questions - are you hard-wired to your pc Neil? - and very friendly. Very accommodating for lay-by, and of course he sells cool stuff. Great website business with excellent clear photos. Thanks again Neil, it really was great buying from you.

Greco Guitar,

My quest for a great high quality “Les Paul”:

I am a left handed player and was in the market for a Les Paul, I searched high and low for over two years using numerous avenues to find exactly what I wanted to no avail. Yes I did find some Gibson Les Paul’s out there, but being a lefty and not being able to walk into the local “guitar center” and not having the means to try out twenty different LP’s and pick the one that really sings to me, I wasn’t about to spend $ 3,500 to $ 5,300 for a guitar that I could not put through my tests. I did a lot of research and made an educated decision to go with a “Greco Les Paul” at a fraction of the cost of a Gibson LP. These guitars are very well made, with superior craftsmanship, old growth woods, electronics and dead on specs of the Gibson LP’s of years gone by. Now the only thing left to accomplish in my quest was to find a seller that was honest and reputable. After four to six months looking, I came across a web site called “japguitars-grouse guitars” owned and operated by the one man show Neil. I emailed Neil, put in my request for what I was looking for, this was a very tall order to fill and personally felt I had no chance to find what I was looking for. The next day Neil emailed me back, informing me that he will forward my request to his suppliers in Japan. Three to four weeks later, Neil emailed me back with pictures, information and specs on the guitar; it was just what I was looking for (i.e. Mint Collection series, long neck tenon joint, slim 60’s neck, heritage cherry sunburst flamed maple top, 8 to 9 pounds and in great condition) the only thing that was missing was the flamed maple top, hey lefties can’t be picky, right!! Neil walked me through the complete process of conversion rates, shipping and U.S. Customs and due to his hard work; I had my Greco LP in my hands in five days.

Thank You So…….Much Neil,

Thomas
Sixkiller

Well Hello!!
I stumbled upon this page and WOW I found my guitar... I also am the proud owner of a Framus Texan 12 string. In perfect condition. My Grandfather left it to me when he passed,(I was 11 years old at the time)and it inspired me. I still own it and plan to leave it to one of my kids.

Good luck to you in all future endeavors,

L. Starrider

Hey Neil,

This is by far one of the best Selmer's I've played. As always it's been a pleasure to deal with you, your customer service and excellent knowledge of vintage guitars and amps ensures that this is pretty well the only store I shop at for all my gear.

Look forward to dealing with you again

All the best

Luke

Neil
Thanks for the '75 Gretsch 7660.
An amazing guitar, exactly as described and more besides.
It's been great doing business with you. Every aspect was absolutely perfect making it a real pleasure.
Look forward to buying from Grouse again.
All the best, Nige.

Thanks for the MATON Mastersound stack! This thing is an animal and makes my marshall jcm900 sound so thin. Im always on the lookout for MATON Amp heads which are very rare....so im glad i found one on grouseguitars.com.au.
Delivered right on time too!!
Good onya Neil...im sure we'll do business again!
All the best!
Dave Nolan

The maton amp is exactly how you described it! Great condition for a fifty year old thing! Thanks again!

Derrick

Hi Neil - thanks for an excellent trade! I had high expectations (good memories of a Maton Bass from way back), and this one exceeded my expectations. Exactly as described, sounds and plays every bit as good as you said in your emails!
Cheers
Martin

The bass arrived in super condition, and it is very cool, I love it!! Thank you Neil

what a wonderful experience to deal with Neil @ grouse guitars, cheers and all the best....................scot

Thanks for the 76 twin neck Ibanez. Grouse Guitars are great to deal with!

Hi Neil,

Just wanted to thank you for your prompt delivery of two most excellent guitars, a Framus Texan 12 string, and 67 Hofner Bass. Great sounding guitars, in great condition as described. Many thanks

From Chris

Thanks Grouse Guitars, to date I have purchased 3 Aussie Amps and one beaut.guitar, all have met or exceeded my expectations and have arrived in Queensland promptly in excellent condition within several days of making the purchases, thanks Neil. [and I,m not finished yet]
Regards, Tony

Hi Neil,
Just a quick note to confirm that the Kinman Blueprint Strat arrived as promised. The guitar is superb, and as represented on your page. As you know, I have wanted one of these strats for years. You have my e-mail address, if anyone requires a testimonial as to straight dealing and good service, feel free to refer them.
Thanks again for a great guitar,
Ian

Thankyou Neil. Delighted with my 67 Fender Bassman, it rings like a bell. Truly great service from a man who clearly knows his stuff.

Cheers
Andrew

Hi Neil,
The T'bird arrived and is quite simply awesome!

I cannot thank you enough for the good and friendly service you have provided, or for the bass of my dreams that was even better than described!

Cheers,
Nigel

Thanks Neil for a very straightforward no hassle deal. My Lap Slide arrived packed safely the day after I paid for it. It looks exactly the same as the pics Neil had on the website. It sounds great. Need a vintage guitar? You dont have to go far, just call Neil for a really grouse deal - oooh sorry about that!

Neil sold me a Gilet acoustic in a cool real easy going straight deal..the guitar is spectular as was the whole process of dealing with this cat from Grouse guitars.Thanks Neil.

Neil, this is one sexy bass. Grouse as you would say. Thanks for your quality work and help throughout the buying process.

I just want to say what a pleasure it is dealing with Neil. It is great to find someone who loves their guitars as much as he does.
I am very pleased with the Tele II bass and the service.

I'm just overjoyed with my gorgeous Hofner Senator - she looks and sounds even better than I imagined, and such character!
It was a pleasure dealing with you Neil, and best of luck with your business! Thanks again.

Thanks for the Fender Bassman. It sounds and looks great. cheers daktari9 you Tube

Hi Neil, what a great site! I luv all your guitars!!
cheers from Italy

Hi Neil;
I bought the Maton 9 string just to let you know I am very happy and love this AXE.
A fair and square deal, and guitar was better than i expected given its age.
After looking closely at it I am not sure if it was once set up as left hander or the tune heads have been upgraded.
Regardless thanks again, and pass on my email to anyone that wants a reference.
Marty
Gisborne Vic Australia

Grouse Guitars Rocks, A steady stream of

quality & Quirky offerings,This is the real heaven !!!! Rock On !!!!

Hi just wanted to say thanks for every thing neil this amp is unreal man i never knew that there was such grouse ozzy amps i love that old vintage tone you get from these fair dinkum australian valve beauties . any way thanks Neil what a great shop BILL in Cairns

Great guitar, great customer service. You run a very good business Neil.

Great amp. Great service. Thanks Neil

received my fantastic 1970s luthier-built semi-hollow Gibson-inspired special today from Grouse Guitars. I've literally had to drag myself away from this superb instrument to thank Neil and acknowledge his great service! It has been an absolute pleasure doing business with Neil and I am overjoyed with my purchase. Keep up the great work Neil!!
Thanks and cheers :)

Thanks Neil for helping me get a great bass for my son, by remote control! He is absolutely rapt with the thing, and you were very generous with your time and travel. All the best for the future.

Fantastic person to deal with. Arrived in less than 24 hours after shipping. One of the nicest blackface Fender's I've seen. Will definitely do business with again. Highly recommended.

I am happy to recomend Grouse Guitars. Neil is a great communicator,the deal was done and guitar arrived in 48 hours. Neil knows his stock, he's an enthusiast! Goodluck Neil, Grouse!

I recently bought a Maton PM2 from Neil. I have wanted one since the mid 70's. (Couldn't afford one when they were available, couldn't get one when I could finally afford one). It is a fantastic guitar, I own a a lot of nice guitars and this is a ripper! It has replaced a 2004 Les Paul Standard in my line up. (It is in it's case in the back room). The Les Paul is a great guitar but this one is better. Does all the Les Paul stuff and more with the coil taps and phase switch. (I think it might have a better action too).
Thanks Neil, great guitar, great price, I'm stoked.
Regards
Damian

Just received my 1974 fender musicmaster bass. Very happy with this 'grouse' guitar. Absolute beauty! Just as described.

Thanks Neil!

Andris

just received from neil a '59 epiphone broadway at a great price ,in emaculate condition,great natural finish !!!boy did i luck out !!!thanks neil ! i can't wait to do more buying !!!!craig wicks rhode island,u s a

I just bought a Maton Messiah from Neil and I must say it is stunning.
I would highly recommend doing business with Grouse, Neil was, as always a gentleman and made the transaction smooth.....I will be doing business with Grouse again.

Happened upon this website from your ebay auction. As a former bassist, local soundco owner and a bit of a bass collector I've gotta tell you I spent an hour or more just appreciating the great collection of unique gear you have, or have sold, at your store. I always knew you Aussie's had your own craftsmen and manufacturers but had never actually laid eyes on most of that indigenous gear. Extremely grouse and a very cool treat. Thanks and Gday, Rod Shaffer
Erie PA. USA

Man, what can I say.
I recently bought a guitar from Grouse Guitars and have to tell you it was an absolute pleasure dealing with Neil.
The photos were a spot on depiction of the guitar but when it arrived safely 2 days later ( melbourne-canberra) the real thing was much better.
I could harp on all day about how grouse everything was but I've got guitar to play.
Thanks again Neil!
Cheers,
Matthew ( Canberra).

I'd been looking for ages for that elusive small-amp tone. My Fender Champ didn't give it to me, and various other amps I'd tried didn't do it either. Then a friend put me on to Neil and his selection of vintage Aussie amps. Being a fellow Melburnian he agreed to bring a selection for me to try out. The Fi-Sonic I bought is EXACTLY what I wanted! Great service, great website, and great items for sale - thanks Neil!

I recently had a business transaction completed with Neil, and can recommend him with confidence.
Best of luck for the future.

Kindest Regards
Paul

Hi everyone. If you've gone through all the amp knobs and you're reading the guestbook then it's pretty clear that you're as impressed with Neil's Grouse site as I have been. Neil obviously sleeps next to his computer because he answers your emails within 30 seconds of you hitting "send". Yet he still finds the time to locate and list some terrific vintage and quality contemporary guitars and amps. Thanks Neil; the Maton Federation is perfect, your price was extremely fair and your communication second-to-none. Keep up the good work!

It’s taken me a while to put pen to paper but midway through last year I stumbled across Grouse Guitars after searching for some time for a Maton Fyrbyrd. The first impression I got was what a good-looking site with such fantastic detail, man you could almost reach out & touch the guitars! Then I saw what I’d been searching for! ….a ’62 Fyrbyrd …. Sure it was refinished in black but as Neil pointed out, it was done decades ago and really had the vibe! Well, was he right or what! Wrapped up like a baby, it arrived at my local PO and has been a treasured addition to my small collection for many months now. Look at his site - Neil always comes up with the goods ….& now there’s ANOTHER Fyrbyrd he’s discovered to tempt some lucky person. So go on, you’ll be buying ( dare I say it ) a grouse guitar from an equally grouse bloke ….& that can’t be a bad thing!
Cheers mate & thanks again,
Dan

Hello Neil (and Leo)- thankyou for my Grouse Strap 013A. It is great and just what I wanted. I recommend Neil at Grouse Guitars for all his help and his great service!

Good luck in the future!

Cheers, Tom.

Hi Neil,

Thanks for the great deal and prompt delivery on the Ibanez Artcore.

Terrific axe and case in top condition - great set-up - no adjustments required at all - flawless tremolo, comes back to pitch every time! I'm really stoked. I'm taking it to its first studio date tomorrow and I can't wait to get some singing feedback out of it.

This whole experience has gone beyond my expectations and has been WAY more enjoyable than schleping around music stores and dealing with retailers. They can't hope to compete with fair and honest internet traders.

Well done. See ya next time!

Nick

Have to say a HUGE thanks to Neil for all of his excellent customer service and expert advice. Just received my Ibanez Destroyer as promised and its FANTASTIC.
It’s a big call when you are buying a guitar you have not seen, and it takes a lot of trust and Neil has surpassed all of my expectations. A great bloke with great guitars….that pretty much sums it up. I recommend Neil/Grouse Guitars without reservation and will keep my eye out on the website for another guitar I can’t resist.

Fascinated to see the Grimshaw Revelation again. Mine has sat in the attic for 20 years - purchased more than 40 years ago. Has suffered a bit but been restored - machine heads and tailpiece corroded and replaced. Body professionally resprayed. Mine is number 146 - next in the series!

Thanks for the ES175D. I am enjoying playing it very much. It has an excellent tone and is in great condition (as described). Thanks for such a great website.

VERY flash site . . . well set up and easy to get around and some nice guitars on the side!

I feel there may well be room for a Telecaster in my life and I reckon I've found the right place to buy one. A very interesting site.

Thanks for the personal service in delivering the Maton Phil Manning Stereo (PM1). The guitar is excellent and supplied at a great price. Keep up the good work!

Hi Neil,

Thanks for the Framus. It arrived quickly and in excellent condition.

It has a truly unique sound and is getting on well with its new brothers and sisters.

Great site, great service. (we don't say 'grouse' in qld)

Hi Neil got that beautiful Thineline safely at home. Thankyou for your honesty on an unsighted guitar - it's always a risky thing to do, to buy without sight, but you were true to your word, very rare in today's guitar world. You have won me for life , I will be staying in touch. Highly recommend you to anyone that's looking for an honest guitar dealer with a true word!
Cheers Benny