
2 minute read
NOTE FROM OUR FOUNDERS
from AOG PORTFOLIO
by Osama Bakeer
Art of Guitar started with a 30-year guitar collection and one-to-one personal clients, through a single shop in Dubai more than 3 years ago and has grown into one of the leading global guitar destinations, carrying a curated edit of 1000+ guitars, from a myriad of the worlds finest brandsl. Over 300 additional amplifier, pedal and accessories brands like VOX and Marshall as well as bespoke builders including Cornell amps, JHS pedals, vintage and signed amps from the ‘50s ‘60s and ‘70s.
In an era of retail and entertainment, we offer a signature and differentiated customer experience that has disrupted the space. On the one hand, there is an increased customer demand for fine, rare and vintage guitars, and on the other hand we are getting better and better at serving the customer and meeting thier needs. Dubai is perhaps one of the best places to create mega experiences for customers who expect the best and most, and we love that challenge. My co-founder and I both met in Buenos Aires 20 years ago while finshing our MBA from Columbia University. We both wanted to create a unique guitar concept in a more personalised way where our customers’ interests and preferences are understood and catered to. And to celebrate the Art of Guitar.
We are fortunate to be in Dubai and the Middle East, where we have a very discerning customer who is interested in high-end items and exclusive products and services. Our customers value limited, exclusive, and personalised products. So we offer a breadth of brands that resonate well. We have VIP events, we have personal shoppers and we have brand exhibitions. It’s a great way to connect with our best customers. The customer is also well aware of quality and sustainability; Sources, materials and the story behind each brand. All of this creates a unique knowledge for the customer on the piece they buy and adds the emotional attachment that goes beyond the price.
Dubai, and the wider Middle East market, is the fastest growing and most vibrant market in the world right now. We have countries of over 200M people literally opening thier doors to the beauty of guitar playing and a fully integrated practicing, playing and purchasing concept. A customer that is hungry for knowledge and opportunities to learn and develop whilst having asccess for the first time to the worlds finest guitar brands. Year on year double digit growht is the norm, when the customer needs are met with distinction.
To put the customer first and best serve their needs, our collection by defintiion is a mix of all established and emerging brands. This is unique as other stores only stock the brands they represent as agents, limiting the customer choice. And we have always been a pioneer and fast in showcasing new entrants like Abasi Concept and PJD.
We continue to push the envelope on the selection – fine rare and vintage – across guitars, amps, memorabilia and accessories. Our growth stems from our 5 Star Service, experience and personalization, free lessons postpurchase, inclusive ongoing set ups and repairs, trade-in opportunities, a client relationship manager assigned to a customer, membership clubs, community jams, music recording and more.