Guitars the Museum, Umeå: Hours, Address, Guitars the Museum Reviews: 5/5
Guitars the Museum
Guitars the Museum
5
Monday
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Friday
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
About
This space holds a guitar similar to the one Keith Richards used to play the Honky Tonk Women riff. And here's one like the one Eric Clapton used for his solo in Layla. And the kind that Jimi Hendrix set on fire in Monterrey. But how in the world did these and hundreds more rare and priceless guitars from the 1950s and 1960s end up in Umea and become Guitars - The Museum? Why aren't they hanging in the MoMA in New York, or in the Tate Modern in London?
This is the story of how the Ahden twins from Vannasby managed to put together the world's finest collection of vintage guitars surreptitiously, almost in secret.
Guided tours 12.00, 15.00 & 17.00.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
160 within 3 miles
Koksbaren Umea
529
0.2 mi$$$$ • European • Gastropub • Swedish
Hunger Och Torst
202
0.2 mi$$$$ • International • European • Contemporary
Lotta's Krog
563
425 ft$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Bar • European
Gotthards Krog
494
0.2 mi$$$$ • International • European • Scandinavian
Tva Fiskare
101
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Swedish • Scandinavian
Rost Mat och Kaffe
153
260 ft$$ - $$$ • Cafe • Soups • Swedish
Juliette
209
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • European • Swedish
Tonka Bistro Café
68
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Vegetarian Friendly • Gluten Free Options
Angelini
160
527 ft$$ - $$$ • Italian • Steakhouse • Vegetarian Friendly
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25
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Pakistani
Attractions
27 within 6 miles
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17
99 ftCivic Centres
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28
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Norrlandsoperan
8
0.1 miTheaters
Umea stads kyrka
27
0.2 miArchitectural Buildings • Religious Sites
Väven
42
0.2 miCivic Centres
RÃ¥dhusparken
1
0.2 miParks
Kvinnohistoriskt Museum
21
0.2 miSpeciality Museums • History Museums
Utopia Shopping
443 ftShopping Malls
Bildmuseet
154
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Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
302 reviews
Excellent
250
Very good
41
Average
9
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Michael J
Stockholm, Sweden1 contribution
Couples
Pleasant and personal treatment by the owner of the museeum. Intetesting interior connected to the history of the museeum and the founders, with a lot of attention to detail. A large number of different guitarrs and related artifacts, a lot of history and stories related to the content told with a personal perspective from the guide.
Written July 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Michael! Thank you for your feedback, it means a lot to us. You are most welcome back anytime. Best / GTM - guide team. x.
Written August 6, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Michael G
1 contribution
Amazing and unique collection. It's well worth the 7 hour trip from Stockholm to see if you're not already in the area! The day I went, I was lucky enough to be able to get a tour by one of the brothers whose love for their collection is infectious. They evidently hold music events there on occasion and I hope to catch one of them the next time I am in Umea.
Check out the clever T-shirts and merch they have designed for the museum. I usually avoid museum stores like the plague, but these were special. I picked up a T-shirt which spells "Peace" with guitar chords.
Check out the clever T-shirts and merch they have designed for the museum. I usually avoid museum stores like the plague, but these were special. I picked up a T-shirt which spells "Peace" with guitar chords.
Written August 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hello Michael
Thank you for your feedback, it means a lot to us at the museum. It´s very cool that you even enjoyed our merchandise store, the PEACE - tee is really awesome, one of our own favorites. Thanks again for the five star review and welcome back anytime! Best / The GTM - guide team. x.
Written August 30, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Karolina B
1 contribution
Family
No need to go to NYC or LDN; the guitars museum in Umeå has it all! What a hidden gem it is! Impressive collection of guitars that are not just locked behind the glass. Some of them are played on; because guitars are meant to be played! Beautiful and inspiring story of how this all came together and how the museum was established. Informative and educational guided tour by super nice and passionate owners. Family friendly.
Written August 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hello Karolina B - thank you for your great feedback. It makes ut very glad and inspires us to keep developing Guitars - The Museum. Welcome back anytime! Best / GTM - guide team. x.
Written August 25, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sari L
1 contribution
My 2nd visit to the Guitars Museum was a huge success. Was glad to take part in a guided tour again. There is so much to see and explore that could easily spend weeks there. The tour was especially wonderful, having Linn guiding us. She brought new insight & personal approach to the story. Being a rollator-user, the access was very easy all around and there was an elevator. Will visit every time when in Umeå. Worth taking the trip, even from a far. Can strongly recommend.
Written September 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hello Sari - thank you for your wonderful feedback. It means a lot to us in the museum team. It´s also very satisfying to hear that the accessibility feels good for someone in a wheelie. Welcome back anytime Sari and until next time - play it cool! Best / GTM - guide team. x.
Written September 17, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Boernii
Rheinfelden(Baden)7 contributions
Friends
We had a tour given by the founders. Since we're not speaking any Swedish we got an almost exclusive tour in English instead. Thank you so much for your time and the great stories! Amasing collection of 50s to 70s guitars from Sweden and the rest of the world, mostly the US though. Some really old and rare ones included!
10/10 visit
10/10 visit
Written July 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hello Boernii - we are very pleased to read your rating and feedback, you are welcome back anytime! Best / GTM - guide team. x.
Written August 6, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
StevieBoy
Bishops Stortford, UK4 contributions
Solo
Unbelievable collection of special guitars. Pop in 12 to 4 , prebook 4 to 6. I arrived after 4 and it was closed. I made a point of coming back next day after emailing Fredrik. So glad I did. If you like guitars , this collection and display is amazing. Lyn gave a great tour explaining everything. Loads of time to peruse too.
Written May 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you Steve for the wonderful feedback. Welcome back to the museum anytime! Best / Fred & The GTM-team. x.
Written May 29, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Blink76
United Kingdom55 contributions
Couples
I had the great privilege of enjoying a bespoke tour of Guitars, charmingly embellished by informative and witty anecdotes from ‘the brothers’, Sam and Michael – who own this fabulous collection. So I’m not able to comment on the ‘typical’ visitor experience, other than to say the collection – which also includes countless vintage amplifiers, is beautifully presented: the guitars being behind glass - so you can’t touch or hear them, sadly. The collection itself is very personal to the brothers: it doesn't seek to represent all types of guitars so much as to display the collection of the brothers' favourite models. There are 32 b-benders - all set-up with identical player customisations!
The friendly restaurant and bars serve top quality food and drink, making this a lovely attraction for a leisurely morning or afternoon straddling lunch. The ‘Guitar’s beer, micro-brewed locally in the English ale style, is a must!
The museum is not long opened and there are a number of ways the experience could be enhanced (e.g. by putting sound clips of narrative including guitar tones etc onto the web for visitors to play as they view the collection).
Umea town, where 1 in 4 of the 100k population is a student, has a beautiful riverside setting and enough going on to make this a nice overnight excursion from Stockholm or a weekend break. If you were to go in late June, I’m told you can also take in a huge vintage car show – so get booking!
The friendly restaurant and bars serve top quality food and drink, making this a lovely attraction for a leisurely morning or afternoon straddling lunch. The ‘Guitar’s beer, micro-brewed locally in the English ale style, is a must!
The museum is not long opened and there are a number of ways the experience could be enhanced (e.g. by putting sound clips of narrative including guitar tones etc onto the web for visitors to play as they view the collection).
Umea town, where 1 in 4 of the 100k population is a student, has a beautiful riverside setting and enough going on to make this a nice overnight excursion from Stockholm or a weekend break. If you were to go in late June, I’m told you can also take in a huge vintage car show – so get booking!
Written March 21, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Paul B
Corby, UK2 contributions
Business
I have to admit to being overwhelmed by this collection. I have never seen so many rare and unique guitars in one location ever.
Only one quibble - please record them all in HD video and have a video kiosk and headphones nearby so they can be heard! Musical instruments are beautiful visually - but they must be heard - form and function in 100% harmony
Paul Balmer; Author The Haynes Guitar manuals
Only one quibble - please record them all in HD video and have a video kiosk and headphones nearby so they can be heard! Musical instruments are beautiful visually - but they must be heard - form and function in 100% harmony
Paul Balmer; Author The Haynes Guitar manuals
Written March 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sharon P
Edmonton, Canada18 contributions
I loved the Guitars Museum - it is an amazing collection! The displays were very well done. I would recommend this to anyone who has an interest in guitars. You can talk to the collectors too - they are very friendly!
Written June 14, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nadia B
Umeå, Sweden88 contributions
I have no experience with guitars, but the tour guide was very interesting. The display of the guitars is very nice.
Written March 18, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mymakao
Aveizieux, France13 contributions
Bonjour.
Je vais à Umea en avril, je suis en train de pré-réserver mes billets de train, et j'hésite à repartir par celui de 15h15, ce qui nous laisserait 2h30/3h pour visiter, pensez-vous que c'est suffisant (en sachant que mon conjoint est guitariste...) ? Merci d'avance. Bonne journée !
Karen B
26 contributions
You’ll be rushed, but it’s possible if you see just Guitars, The Museum.
Frequently Asked Questions about Guitars the Museum
- Guitars the Museum is open:
- Mon - Sat 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
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- (0.02 mi) Allstar
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- (0.08 mi) Lotta's Krog