Who You Gonna Call? The Ghostbusters Drop In at Music Bits Company

Well, word must have got out.

You invite a few musical spirits into your music shop for a Halloween gathering, let an impromptu band strike up, and before you know it, the Ghostbusters are sitting on your sofa asking whether you’ve noticed anything unusual.

Unusual? In a music shop? You’ll have to be more specific.

Don’t panic. We kept our unexpected visitors talking while the band quietly spirited themselves away. There was some enthusiastic discussion about equipment, a little distraction involving the sofa, and absolutely no reason for anybody to inspect the suspiciously self-playing instruments.

We can now confirm that Elvis has definitely left the building.

Michael Jackson was last seen moonwalking down Alford High Street.

As for Buddy Holly, Amy Winehouse, Frank Sinatra and the others? Who knows.

We can neither confirm nor deny that they all snuck back in after the Ghostbusters left. Any music you heard afterwards was probably the wind. Particularly the guitar solo.

Naturally, this is all a bit of Halloween make-believe. But it did get us thinking: if our favourite musical legends popped into Music Bits Company for a browse, which instruments would catch their eye?

And, more importantly, which might tempt you?

George Harrison found the ukuleles

In our imaginary after-hours gathering, George Harrison made a beeline for the ukuleles. Frankly, we’d have been surprised if he hadn’t.

There’s something wonderfully welcoming about a ukulele. A few chords, a little rhythm, and suddenly the room feels brighter. Handy when several of your guests are slightly transparent.

If you’re tempted to join in, explore our soprano ukuleles for that compact, traditional feel, or browse the concert ukuleles and tenor ukuleles if you’d prefer a little more room under your fingers.

A set of ukulele strings, a comfortable ukulele strap and a gig bag make useful companions. Even spectral superstars need somewhere to put their uke between appearances.

Jimi Hendrix and Buddy Holly headed for the Strats

No surprises here. Jimi and Buddy gravitated towards the Strat-style guitars, and we quickly realised that “just having a little go” might become a rather lengthy jam session.

Two very different musical personalities, one enduring attraction: an electric guitar that makes you want to plug in and play.

Whether your own ambitions lean towards crisp chords, bluesy phrases or something a little more adventurous, our electric guitar collection is a good place to begin your search.

Of course, a guitar is only part of the fun. Browse our guitar amplifiers, connect things up with a guitar cable, and choose a few plectrums to find what feels right.

We’d also suggest a dependable guitar strap. Playing behind your head is entirely optional. Keeping your guitar off the floor is rather more important.

And if your current instrument is sounding a little lifeless, a fresh set of electric guitar strings might be just the resurrection it needs.

Frank Sinatra fancied the strings

Frank, meanwhile, was drawn towards the violins.

We’re not claiming he’d abandoned the microphone for a new career in the orchestra. In our Halloween house band, he simply seemed to appreciate the prospect of a suitably elegant string section. A little sweeping accompaniment, a little atmosphere, and preferably everybody following his timing.

If you’re drawn to that expressive bowed-string sound, explore our violins and wider violin family instruments and accessories.

Existing players can also browse bows, violin strings, shoulder rests and rosin and care products.

Frank had strong opinions about the arrangements. We decided not to argue. Nobody wants a haunting with artistic differences.

Amy Winehouse settled in with the acoustics

Amy found her way to the acoustic guitars, and that corner of our imaginary gathering suddenly became a rather intimate little gig.

There’s a lot to love about an acoustic guitar. It’s ready for a quiet practice, a songwriting idea, a familiar favourite or one of those evenings when “one more song” turns into several.

If that sounds like your sort of music-making, have a browse through our acoustic collection. The right guitar should make you want to pick it up again tomorrow, whether you’re learning your first chords or returning after a long break.

Useful additions include acoustic guitar strings, a capo for exploring different song keys and chord shapes, and an acoustic guitar gig bag for getting out and about.

We can’t promise Amy’s voice will come with the guitar. We can help you find something to accompany your own.

Michael Jackson was everywhere

Michael simply couldn’t stand still.

One minute he was near the keyboards, the next he was investigating the drums and percussion, and shortly afterwards somebody spotted him moving backwards past the sofa.

Whether you’re working out a melody, building a rhythm or just enjoying making a bit of noise, there’s more than one way to get involved in music.

Our hand percussion instruments are worth a look for anyone who likes to join in with the beat. And if your timing occasionally disappears into another dimension, our tuners and metronomes can help bring things back into line.

The moonwalk, unfortunately, remains your responsibility.

A real music shop, with plenty of life in it

Our celebrity ghost gathering may be imaginary, but Music Bits Company is very real.

We’re an independent music shop at 17 High Street, Alford, Lincolnshire, with instruments, accessories and friendly help for musicians at all sorts of stages. First instrument, fresh strings, a useful spare or a new musical direction, there’s a good reason to have a browse.

We also provide in-house repairs and setups for most string instruments, so if your guitar has developed an unexplained rattle, don’t immediately blame paranormal activity. It may simply be time to let us have a look.

Not local? You can explore our collections online at www.musicbits.co.uk and shop from elsewhere in the UK.

Drop into the shop, browse online, or call us on 01507 838 448.

And if you hear a familiar voice coming from the back of the shop this Halloween, please don’t make a fuss.

We’ve only just persuaded the Ghostbusters to leave.