Musical Instruments in Karachi

Around four years ago when I first got the fever for playing music myself, I looked out for places where I can get my first guitar and finally impress the ladies…well the latter never actually quite happened but nevertheless I found some nice shops where musical instruments were available in all shapes and sizes. Well Karachi is a big city and musical instrument shops were not easy to find. So where can you find musical instruments in Karachi? Some of the shops that I have discovered over the years are listed below with their reviews.

Sohail Music Palace – Bought my first Pakistani made guitar from there for around Rs. 2000. Was a pathetic piece of junk but I loved it. This shop is located in Saddar near Chullu Subhani Kabab House. Exact location is hard to define but its near Lucky Star. The shop is a little dingy from the outside but they keep lots of instruments there. I also purchased a Flute from there and a Harmonica. The good thing about this place is that they’ll give you the best prices in all of Karachi. The rest are all “Al Haaj Lootu Khan” as I like to call them.

V-Sel Music – Probably one of the most fashionable locations for musical instruments located in Khaada Market Defence. I have been to this shop many times to get the strings changed for my guitar and on most occasions I have seen some local rock stars. The owner (or manager) himself plays for some band. The popular guitarist from Karavan (Asad) is there most of the times. Anyways the good thing about this shop is that they keep alot  genuine instruments however the prices are really high. If you can pay for it, then rest assured that you’ll get a good quality instrument.

Pakistan Electronics Saddar – Located right in the heart of mobile market at abduallah haroon road, this shop has been there for quite a while. They are located on the first floor which you have to reach via a paan-ke-peekh laden miniscule stairway. The shop is actually divided into two portions, one where they display and the other where they store. The display looks quite old and when I went there to buy my second guitar (a Tansen Semi-Acoustic for Rs.8000), the place was decked with dust. Nevertheless the prices of instruments here are satisactory and well worth a visit for market research.

Pakistan Electronics Defence – The defence version of Pakistan Electronics is located opposite Jimmy Studios at Khadda Market again on the first floor of the building. This place has been there for ever as I can recall and its pretty decent place. They are fully stocked with various instruments and its a nice place to look around although the prices at this branch are higher than the Saddar’s branch. The good thing about this shop is that the manager there teaches musical instruments as well (Guitar and Keyboard as i recall).

A shop at Tariq Road near Lavish Mall – A few months ago I discovered this place whose name I cannot recall. According to the manager, their shop is one of the oldest in Karachi. The manager seemed to have quite a bit of knowledge about the instruments (or maybe he was just a good salesman) and liked to talk alot. Anyways he almost convinced me to purchase an old American Guitar, a popular brand which I forgot. Incidently he also told me that a few years ago they imported Tansen guitars (same as mine) for about Rs. 5000 meaning i got ripped off when Ibouhgt my Tansen. Anyways this shop had alot of guitar….I mean alot. They were hanging from the ceiling, piled on the floor and everywhere. So this is one location you should definetly look into if you want to purchase a guitar. They also keep other instruments and accessories.

A shop in Gulshan – I have seen a shop while passing the gulshan area but never stopped to take a peak inside.

A shop at  Burns Road – I have heard alot about this mystery shop at BurnsRoad which i could never find myself. Rumor has it that this shop’s owner supplies instruments to most musical instruments in Karachi. But its only a rumor.

A shop behind Zainub Market – A shop used to be located near the Levi’s Factory Outlet but this closed down pretty soon and I know why. They were the ultimate Lootairaas.

An area in Saddar – There is an area in Saddar near Regal Market where you can get second hand musical accessories. Have heard that they keep real nifty Amps there, though never bought anything from there.

Beatles Center – Its a shop located near Jheel Park in the Bahadurabad area.

Hard Rock – This shop located in defence phase 5 gizri area is one of the oldest shops in the area and considers itself a very popular spot for aspiring muscians.

Guitar Lab – This shop is located in again in defence phase 5 but in the Tauheed Commercial zone on the 25th street.

I have collected this information from personal experience over the years. If anybody knows anyother shops, then please do let me know and I’ll review them as well. Hope this information was useful for the future musicians of Pakistan!