By Genevieve Meegan
The sign out of the front of Twangcentral Guitars on Gilbert Street is peeling slightly, and unless you are looking for it, this tucked away treasure is easy to miss.
But this unassuming, compact store is bursting with collectible, rare guitars and its owner Terry O’Riley has earned a global reputation for his vintage guitar know how.
His specialty dates as far back as guitars from the late 20s, with a particular focus on iconic American brands such as Martin, Fender and Gibson.
The 62-year-old’s incredible guitar knowledge has been honed over the past 40 years, the last nine years running Twang. He is a self-taught craftsman who has made a living out of tracking down vintage gems, restoring them and selling them on to customers all over the world.
Terry O’Riley at Twangcentral Guitars on Gilbert Street
A 1954 Telecaster bought for $25,000 was recently restored and sold for $40,000.
“It all sounds good on paper but a lot of people would bauk at buying a guitar for $25,000,” he says. “It’s always a risk that you have to be prepared to take.”
In Terry’s case, calculated risks based on years being immersed in guitar culture.
He estimates that 80 per cent of his business is return customers. Many of these have become mates who often just come in for a visit, like a drop in centre, where they are welcome to pick up and play some of the treasured stock hanging on the walls.
“Sometimes it’s like a party in here and I love it,” says Terry. “I want people to enjoy being here.”
“You have got to show people your passion and you have got to be honest.
“If I think it’s not a good buy for someone, I’ll say forget about it for a while. I’m like your dad, I will give you the good oil, like an advisor.”
Two April 1954 Fender “Blackguard” Telecasters that are only 3 Serial Numbers apart! Numbers 2920 and 2923.
Terry is hesitant to name drop about the world-class musicians who have come through his doors or found Twang on the net.
The Doobie Brothers dropped in when they were in town, blues/rock guitarist Jo Bonamassa, who has played with BB King and Eric Clapton, is a regular when here, as is Diesel and Troy Cassar-Daley. And REM’s guitarist Steve Buck made an email order recently.
“James Bay also came recently, I didn’t know who he was but he was nominated for a Grammy this year,” Terry explains.
Soon after leaving the Navy in the early 70’s, Terry got a job at a store called Regent Music in Adelaide.
Vintage 1926 Martin 00-45 – one of only 19 made
Bands like Cold Chisel and Mondo Rock had just formed and the young musos would come into the store regularly.
“It was back in the day when people would hang around and chat, there was real bonhomie, I think is the term. I remember Jimmy Barnes and Ian Moss and Ross Wilson would come in as youngsters and we’d take turns buying the coffee.” Terry says.
“It never seemed as if they were much different than the guys working in the shop.
“The industry was a lot of fun in those days, but then shops became three storeys and everything was about stacking stock low to sell at high cost. I was never interested in that.”
Capturing that genuine, personalised service and shared passion is what drives Terry today.
“I just love dealing in old guitars,” he says. “You feel 10 feet tall when you are playing an old guitar, the history behind it, that mustiness, sometimes when you play that comes out in the music.”