Our legendary friends and neighbours, Matt & Claire at Rocket Music own what is, in our completely unbiased and emotionally charged opinion, the greatest music shop in Ipswich. We’re prepared to wrestle over it.
The love runs deep between us, as they are genuinely some of the kindest, hardest-working people you could hope to meet. They pour themselves into everything they do, keeping the spirit of independent music shops alive through sheer passion, graft, and spirit.
Found on St Nicholas Street, Rocket Music has become a lifeline for local musicians, collectors, beginners, old punks, gear obsessives and wandering guitar romantics alike. Matt has been immersed in music retail since the 1980s, beginning his career at Axe Music during Ipswich’s glorious era of hairspray, leather jackets and loud amplifiers.
And somewhere – hidden deep within the archives of British rock history and faded in the corners of Ipswich’s musical folklore, rumours persist of Matt once embracing the full Britpop Cat suit.
To date, the photographic evidence remains either carefully hidden… or mercifully destroyed.
Honestly though, beyond the guitars, repairs, amps and wisdom, this place matters because of the people inside it.
We’ve lost count of the conversations, advice, encouragement and random moments shared in that shop that’ve left us smiling for the rest of our day.
Whether you need your instrument rescued, honest guidance, or just a proper chat about music and life, Rocket has become one of those places that’s stitched into the fabric of Ipswich.
Places like this don’t just sell instruments. They keep the music alive.
What They Do:
- New & vintage guitars
- Bass guitars & amps
- Guitar repairs & setups
- Restringing & maintenance
- Instrument advice & sourcing
- Music gear & accessories
- General musical wizardry
With over 30 years in the music industry, Rocket Music has become one of Ipswich’s true independent institutions, serving everyone from complete beginners to lifelong musicians and touring players.
Address: 6–8 St Nicholas Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 1TJ
Phone: 01473 216911
Website: guitarssuffolk.co.uk
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Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday: 9:30am – 5:00pm
Sunday: Closed