My name is Neil. I've been a musician and avid vintage guitar enthusiast (collector, player, buyer, devotee etc) for the past 35 years now. My other main lifelong interests are photography, and classic cars and motorcycles.

The point came where my guitar passion (obsession?) had taken on a life of its own. For many years in a 'normal' occupation (yes, like most musicians I had a day job), I had the ability to experiment with the different sounds that various vintage instruments and amplifiers could give. Of course, like any other muso, I also had to also sell other instruments and amps to pay for them.

After some time selling on eBay (since 1999 - eBay name is "aussieneil"), I decided to set up an internet-only vintage guitar shop. A shop that's exciting, enticing, interesting and fun. A shop where you can really get to know the classic, vintage and collectable guitars, basses and amplifiers on offer. A shop where you can browse without interruption. Where you don't even have to feel pressured to buy!

That's Grouse Guitars. These are all guitars, amps, basses and accessories that I am passionate about. Nothing here is 'ordinary'. It's all GROUSE. All the instruments here are my own. Because I love them for what they are - different, individual, interesting, awesome, quirky, rare, anything but ordinary. Some are quite expensive, while others are bargain-basement. The common thread is that they are all GROUSE, and that I own and PLAY them.

Every instrument I own is listed. Parting with them can be painful, but also a joy in that I know they are going to another passionate and appreciative owner. Many lucky customers have already bought some of my most-prized instruments. You might well be the next.

Grouse Guitars will never sell a so-called 'modelling amp', nor any solid-state amp (or other device) that tries (and always fails!) to replicate true vintage valve amplifier tone. That's simply because I have 35 years of experience (and a pair of golden ears!) and know what real tone is all about. Likewise, you will never see a Mexican Fender® for sale here - I simply don't find them GROUSE, even if others do. Japanese examples? Certainly! I use them and find them truly GROUSE. I'll admit the distinction is a personal one, but I will be totally single-minded in maintaining the character of the items I purchase and therefore offer for sale here. (It's my party and I'll buy what I want to...)!

Grouse Guitars is a one-man operation, based in a small rural town 250km from Melbourne in Victoria's north west. I do the web page myself. I do the photography myself. I answer the e-mails myself. I do the buying myself. I research and describe them myself. I check the guitars (by gigging them live before shipment) myself. So please be understanding if there is a delay of a day or so (very rare) in my responses to your queries. I'll take the blame myself!

Payment options I can accept include direct deposit into a CBA account, cash and cheque (within Australia) and credit card via PayPal for overseas and credit card buyers. And yes, you can make a deposit to hold or 'lay-by' an item - click here to see the details!

All products are priced in Australian dollars. For overseas buyers this link will provide accurate and current conversion rates.

Unlike many sellers, shipping rates are charged at ACTUAL rates by the most economical (and reliable) carrier. Accurate and binding quotes will be given to any serious enquiry.

Grouse Guitars strives to describe all instruments as accurately as possible. In the rare event that a customer is not satisfied with an instrument purchased from Grouse Guitars, we will accept a return of the instrument and offer a full refund within 48 hours of delivery conditional only on the item being in the same condition in which it was delivered, minus the costs of shipping (including return shipping). We can not offer this guarantee with amplifiers for obvious reasons, but will consider any such case on its merits. Bottom line is, we want you to be happy, but we're not here to be taken for a mug or provide a vintage amp for a free hire during a recording session, and amplifiers can never be said to be 100% reliable, not even brand new ones!

We understand your concerns about buying a guitar over the Internet. You can't put your hands on it. You don't know what it'll look like, what it'll sound like, how it will feel. Then there are the issues surrounding shipping anxiety: "Will it arrive undamaged?" "When will it arrive?" "WILL it arrive?" The concerns go on and on: "What's the tracking number?" "Will you ship it today?" "When will you ship it?" "Can I get it tomorrow?"

Here are five key points to put your mind at ease:

• Your purchase will arrive well packed and in a timely manner.
• If what you've ordered does not match the description on our website, you can return your guitar or bass within 48 hours of delivery. You have the option of a full refund (minus shipping charges - see below) or a trade-in for something else you like. This applies to guitars and basses only - not amplifiers for obvious reasons.
• All you pay is the shipping and any related insurance and registration charges. Please note that even if I absorb shipping costs when you purchase the item (which happens in some instances), the actual cost to me of shipping the item to you will be deducted from the refund amount.
• You just can't lose.