Foote's

Founded in 1920 by Charles Ernest Foote, this central London store houses a great selection of instruments: maple ply snare drums, Schlagwerk cajons handmade in Germany, a host of World and Latin percussive instruments (ganzas, tambourines, berimbaus, pandeiros, bells, whistles and more), as well as woodwind, brass and string instruments. Staff are knowledgeable and passionate about the instruments they play and sell. A decent stock of books, DVDs and CDs covers a wide range of instruments; the online site is useful but a store visit is recommended. There’s a rent-to-buy scheme as well as hands-on tuition offered (on request) in an in-store demo room.