Mamelok - 29-35 Oxford Road - then moved to Deansgate

Great shop with a very wide range of gear - although perhaps more interested in supplying schools, etc, rather than groups.

The original Oxford Road shop had a small window on the left of the doorway for brass instruments, which was of great interest to me, not understanding those wooden things with strings.

Paul Mlynarz

My dad bought me an acoustic guitar from Mamelocks in 1961. Having mastered the simple C, F and G chords of most of the groups I soon moved on to the wonderfully varied chords used by the Beatles.

A school friend of mine built a bass guitar in the woodwork shop, but forgot to strengthen the neck. So on tightening the strings the neck stared to bend into a curve! 

Dave Jackson

I have fond memories of the Manchester music shops back in the sixties.  I have a rare Radiotne guitar it is similar to Pete Townshend's first guitar, but a non cutaway version dating from 1934. My late father Wilf Bayley bought it new from Mameloks on Oxford Road when he was 15.  He was a semi-pro until about 1951 when I was born.

I also have the guitar he bought me from Barratts in 1966, an Eko Ranger6 it is still in good condition unlike the Radiotone. Since I was 10 or 11 we had built many acoustic guitars, not very good but we would buy many parts from the shops in Manchester at very reasonable prices.

Dave Bayley - 9/1/09

I recently inherited a beautiful old Gibson L30 (made as from 1937, I believe) from a relative living in Greece. It took me ages to work out where it originally came from, but there were a few clues from the faded label inside the battered guitar case. At last: 'Mamelok in Oxford Road, Manchester'.

Despite its 'dainty' proportions, it plays like a dream with a good strong tone.

Rupert Sutton - 27/9/10 

Just got round to reading comments about the Manchester music shops which I found really interesting.

I bought my first drum kit from Mameloks on Oxford Road. It sparkled more than any other in the shop so at 15 I thought it was the best. It was an Edgeware glitter kit and my parents were guarantors for the HP on it. I can remember my dad being chuffed so he could have a go on it as he was an ex drummer with the LNER brass band and later with The Ivy Benson womens band (only male). He taught me some of the basics but said I`d be better having proper lessons.

I went back to Mameloks and booked lessons with Ken Leyland I think he was the drummer with the BBC NDO orchestra. After playng with a couple of groups I upgraded my kit to a mahogony Premier also bought at Mameloks. 

Jeff Hyde - 22/8/11

Hi Jeff, I also had drum lessons at Mamelok's on Oxford Rd between 66 & 67. Can't remember the teacher's name but he had a beard and his wife was a TV actress. He sometimes had "mass" sessions with all the drummers he was teaching in a large 1st floor hall near by. I bought the Premier mahogany kit as well. I thought I was real cool when playing in my group (The Tridents) but probably not!!!! 

Brian Nuttall - 6/9/11

I´m a Swedish musician who happened to buy an instrument, which, judging by this label, once was sold by Mamelok Brothers in Manchester. The instrument, a banjo, was most likely sold around 1935, so I reckon the label, with it´s jazz instruments, is from the same time.

Per Falt - 17/12/11

I certainly do remember Mameloks on Oxford St /Rd.

My dad bought me my first guitar there - a Hofner Colorama in 1960. Great place at the time and I think they moved to Deansgate afterwards of which I was kindly reminded last week by Kevin Parrott who spotted me playing it on a old photo in Germany 1966.  Nice one Kevin.

Roy Mozley - 9/4/12

I spent 8 very happy years working for Bob or Mr Mamelok as he had to be called in front of the customers. :-)  I joined them in 1985 when they were based on Deansgate Mc, up until he retired in 1993 and Mamelok Musical Instruments sadly closed.

They moved to Deansgate when the BBC acquired the site on Oxford Road. I seem to recall it was around 1973/4 Mameloks Musical Instruments moved to Deansgate. The BBC opened on Oxford Road in 1976.

I'm still in contact with some of the other lads who worked for Mameloks, so if I'm way out I'll update.

Wayne Larkman - 22/4/12

Hi, I once bought an Ibenez semi acustic guitar in 1974 & played in a band called Tramp with Eddy Maran on vacals & my brother Gary on drums & did spots on the Working Mens Clubs around Manchester. Having saved up enough money I then bought my dream guitar that was a Fender Telecaster from Maelok & this was on Deansgate in Manchester.

Antony Mason - 5/5/12

I have been handed a Ukelele Banjo which has the name "Perfect Mamelok Tone" on the headstock. It is from around 1930 to 1940. Does anyone know if this was produced for or by Mamelok Music Manchester UK?

It has lots of decorative mother of pearl inlays on the headstock and on the fretboard.

Stevie B - 20/5/12

I'm living in Dublin, and just picked up a Premier Royale with the Mamelok's retailers tag attached to the shells from Deansgate. This kit has seen better days but I'm restoring it to its former glory at the minute and I'll be leaving those tags on for a little extra history. Anyway, just to let ye know that a little bit of Manchester has made its way back to Ireland.

scottser - 26/10/13