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22 April, 2008 - A survey of over 500 guitarists in the South East of England, commissioned by BBZGuitars of High Wycombe, has found that the county of Buckinghamshire produces more professional guitarists than any other region in the South East, including central and greater London. BBZGuitars’ research shows that 47% of guitarists in Buckinghamshire have played the guitar professionally, compared with just 22% in neighbouring Berkshire and 27% in Hertfordshire. Buckinghamshire’s closest rival was Surrey, where 38% of guitarists have played professionally.

The research, which examined more than 30 characteristics and preferences of guitarists across all age groups, also found that 87% of players in Buckinghamshire have another guitarist in their immediate family, slightly ahead of the average for the South East of 82%.

Steve Busby, chief executive for BBZGuitars, believes that the county’s active live music scene is a contributory factor in these results, he commented: “There are, literally, hundreds of great live music venues right on your doorstep if you live in Buckinghamshire, High Wycombe alone has at least 20 of them. Compare that with somewhere like Woking or Chertsey and there’s little wonder that Bucks has become an incubator for professional musicians.”

A former professional guitarist himself, Busby played at several venues in the Bucks area in the past before setting up BBZGuitars showroom and online shop in October 2007.