The Spanish Guitar Centre - Classical Guitars, Music, Tuition and Guitar Accessories

The Spanish Guitar Centre was founded by Len Williams, father of the virtuoso guitarist John Williams. The original conception of the Centre was as a teaching institution, and it later developed into a successful retail shop, as the need for classical guitars quickly increased during the 1950s and 60s.
It is the oldest classical guitar centre in the world, and has been a major influence on the guitar movement in Britain. Harald Petersen, the guitar maker was closely involved with the Centre, and was encouraged by Len Williams to create and experiment with building guitars. In many ways he was a founding father of what was later to become the English school of guitar making.
Len, and later his pupil, Alan Gubbay arranged much of the teaching material used at the Centre during the 60s and 70s - some of this repertoire is still available in a publication by Schott and Co. In 1998 the Centre was taken over by the well-known guitarist and teacher Barry Mason, who has created a centre of excellence for guitarists, with high standards of tuition and a vast array of quality instruments and accessories. Today the Centre continues to develop under his guidance, he summed it up in an article in Classical Guitar Magazine when asked the question: "In this, the 50th year of the Spanish Guitar Centre, how do you see the future of the guitar in the UK developing?"

"I've been in the guitar business for 35 years, and it's been a great experience, and a privilege to run a major enterprise. I am often reminded of the words of Terry Usher who said "with the opening of the Spanish Guitar Centre in 1952, Len Williams established not only a legitimate school for classic guitar tuition, but a Mecca for all London and visiting guitarists as well". And so it proves to be - there is always something going on at the Centre - pupils coming and going - people making purchases - anything from a single sheet of music to a guitar worth thousands of pounds - and guitar enthusiasts from around the world dropping in on their way through London. Players like David Russell, Hucky Eichelmann, Ben Verdery and John Mills are often to be seen looking at new guitars, stocking up on strings or just mulling over the latest events in the guitar world. It is a great tribute to Len Williams whose foresight in creating the Centre fifty years ago has been thoroughly justified; and we who are at the Centre now are look forward to the next fifty with enthusiasm!"