About Rockbottom Music Store

Opening our doors to the public more than 40 years ago, we provide high-quality musical equipment and advice at our music store. Our founder, Carl Nielsen, showed his passion for music at a young age. At the age of eight, he started playing the electric guitar. At 13, he bought amplifier kits that only contained a circuit board and a diagram. He tenaciously worked hard and built them from scratch in order to practice.

After graduating Croydon Tech and gaining work experience at Triumph Electronics in Purley, Carl eagerly joined the legendary Macari’s™ Music Store in Charing Cross, which was previously known as the Vox Shop. Hired in 1967, one of his first repairs was the 7120 Vox owned by The Beatles. Carl packed the first Tone Benders and demonstrated them in store, selling countless amounts. His selling prowess started a promising retail career, and he managed Macari’s™ Music Store for three years. Carl then decided to branch out, and created Rockbottom, a music store that is proud of its heritage. A second store in Hollywood followed suit in 1994.

About Rockbottom Music Store

Opening our doors to the public more than 40 years ago, we provide high-quality musical equipment and advice at our music store. Our founder, Carl Nielsen, showed his passion for music at a young age. At the age of eight, he started playing the electric guitar. At 13, he bought amplifier kits that only contained a circuit board and a diagram. He tenaciously worked hard and built them from scratch in order to practice.

After graduating Croydon Tech and gaining work experience at Triumph Electronics in Purley, Carl eagerly joined the legendary Macari’s™ Music Store in Charing Cross, which was previously known as the Vox Shop. Hired in 1967, one of his first repairs was the 7120 Vox owned by The Beatles. Carl packed the first Tone Benders and demonstrated them in store, selling countless amounts. His selling prowess started a promising retail career, and he managed Macari’s™ Music Store for three years. Carl then decided to branch out, and created Rockbottom, a music store that is proud of its heritage. A second store in Hollywood followed suit in 1994.

Musical History

With his boundless knowledge and expertise gained over the years, Carl enthusiastically looks after Rockbottom, helping guitarists hone their passion. Both stores boast an incredible list of music luminaries, such as those listed below:

Paul McCartney - Eric Clapton - Jimmy Page - Jeff Beck - Keith Richards - Paul Weller - Pink Floyd – Axl Rose - Van Halen - Bryan Adams - Lenny Kravitz – Oasis Carl also repaired amplifiers for the great Jimi Hendrix, Keith Moon, and Frank Zappa. He also toured with Steve Marriott and Amen Corner.

Contact us, in Croydon, Surrey, for further information on our well-stocked music store.