Step inside the clandestine Northern Beaches guitar haven of vintage, rare, high-end masterpieces of music-making art.
Meet Rennie Adams, the Beaches’ answer to Seal’s dreams, thrust into the national consciousness in 2017 via his semi-final run on The Voice, then forging a career as a singer, songwriter and performer, captivating audiences from Manly Corso’s Boatshed to New York City’s Beacon Theatre.
We featured Adam in the debut Frogmouth, when Covid was running rampant, Avalon was soon to cluster, and live music performers were having about as much luck as Qantas pilots (or anyone at Qantas) of gainful employment. It was no time to re-Joyce.
Jump ahead to 2022, the music scene is coming back to life, and Rennie’s keen for a new guitar. “I found a Gibson online that looked perfect, gave the bloke a call, John, expecting I’d have to drive out to Parramatta but no, his shop, Premier Guitars, was on the Beaches, I couldn’t believe it.” This is where, for security clearances beyond ASIO operatives’ grasp, Premier Guitars’ mystique begins. To visit the store is by appointment only, the vault of high-end vintage guitars so immaculate that every precaution for showroom visitation is in place.
Once Adam’s clearance was granted and he’d stepped past multiple bolt-locked doors to arrive inside, Wet Wet Wet’s Love is All Around was blasting full blare through his every cell. For guitar lovers and anyone that appreciates supreme craftsmanship, Premier Guitars’ showroom is glorious. “The whole experience was great,” Adam beams. “John had the guitar set up for me, wasn’t pushy, just let me have a play, try it out, check other instruments too, told me I had the whole place to myself to work it all out.” Not only did Adam buy the guitar, but he also found out through the one trusted grapevine that always delivers, mum’s friends, that John was looking to sell the business.
“I’d never run a business before, but this opportunity, I could see so many of the things I love all coming together. Dealing with people who share the love and appreciation for music and guitars, and rather than a retail business, the bookings are by appointment, so I can still pursue my own music career.” Guitar lovers from all over keep up to date via the Premier Guitars website and YouTube channel with the latest arrivals, happily flying from Brisbane, Melbourne, even Perth to secure something impeccable. Prices occasionally soar into 6 figures. And sellers trust Adam with their treasures to keep them safe and secure and find the best buyer to pass the guitar’s legacy on to.
Adam took the business over on July 1, 2022, Happy Financial New Year! And John’s wisdom is always top of mind, “The guitars are such good quality, they sell themselves to a degree. People know what they want. If they like them, they’ll buy them. If they don’t, they won’t. Let people play the guitars and let them make the decision.” With that, and Rennie’s passion, the highly niche Premier Guitars business is in superb hands.
Learn more about the vintage, rare and unique musical goods on offer at premierguitars.com.au Follow them on Instagram and YouTube, and call 0414994506 to make an appointment at Northern Beaches’ clandestine guitar haven. Tell Adam the Tawny sent you.