Tim Coleman is the owner of Colemans Music, a lifelong guitar enthusiast and one of the people who has been part of the Colemans story from day one.
Since the business began in 1989, Tim has watched Colemans Music grow from a humble organ shop in Cranbourne into an independent Melbourne guitar store trusted by musicians across Victoria and Australia.
Today, Tim combines decades of music retail experience with a genuine love of guitars, vintage pedals and the stories behind the instruments that pass through the store.
You can find him most days at Colemans Music South Melbourne, helping customers, talking guitars and keeping a close eye on the store’s constantly changing inventory.
Part of Colemans Music from Day One
Tim has been part of Colemans Music since the very beginning. The business started in 1989 as a small organ shop in Cranbourne, built around family, personal service and a genuine interest in helping people make music.
Over the years, the store changed alongside the musicians it served. Keyboards and organs gradually made room for guitars, amplifiers, effects pedals and recording gear, while Colemans developed a reputation for friendly advice and an inventory that was never quite the same from one visit to the next.
That journey eventually brought Colemans Music to South Melbourne, where the store now focuses on guitars, amplifiers, effects and the equipment guitarists genuinely want to play.
The Cranbourne Beginning
Colemans Music began as a family-owned organ shop in Cranbourne, serving local musicians and families.
Growing with Melbourne Musicians
The business expanded and evolved as guitars, amplifiers, effects and modern music equipment became an increasingly important part of the store.
A Guitar Store in South Melbourne
Colemans Music now welcomes everyone from first-time players to experienced musicians and serious collectors.
Decades of Guitar Knowledge
Tim’s knowledge has been built through decades of buying, selling, playing and collecting guitars. He has seen major brands change through different eras and understands that two guitars carrying the same name can still have very different personalities.
His main areas of expertise include Fender and Gibson guitars, together with the fascinating and sometimes unpredictable world of vintage Japanese instruments.
Fender Guitars
Tim has a strong understanding of Fender models, specifications, production periods and the details that can make one instrument feel completely different from another.
Gibson Guitars
From classic Les Pauls and SGs to hollowbody and acoustic models, Tim understands the appeal, character and history behind Gibson instruments.
Vintage Japanese Guitars
Tim has developed a particular interest in vintage Japanese guitars, including the brands, factories and periods that produced some genuinely exceptional instruments.
Guitar and Vintage Pedal Collector
Tim does not simply work around guitars; he collects them. He has a particular appreciation for vintage instruments and effects pedals, especially pieces with an interesting history, unusual design or a sound that cannot quite be recreated by something new.
Some discoveries make it onto the walls at Colemans Music, where customers can see, try and potentially take them home. Others never make it that far and head directly into Tim’s private collection.
Some guitars are bought for the shop. Some are bought for the collection. Occasionally, the difficult part is deciding which is which.
Looking After an Ever-Changing Guitar Inventory
One of the things that makes Colemans Music different is that the inventory is always changing. Alongside new guitars from major brands, the store regularly receives preloved, vintage, discontinued and unusual instruments.
Tim helps oversee that constantly rotating range, assessing what belongs in the store and identifying guitars that offer something worthwhile to players and collectors.
- New electric and acoustic guitars
- Preloved and vintage instruments
- Fender and Gibson guitars
- Vintage Japanese guitars
- Boutique and unusual instruments
- Vintage and modern effects pedals
- Trade-ins and collection purchases
- Gear for beginners through to professionals
Helping Players Find the Right Guitar
Tim understands that the right guitar is different for every player. A beginner buying their first instrument needs a different kind of advice from an experienced musician searching for a particular vintage model or a high-end guitar for their collection.
His approach is based on listening first, understanding what the player wants and helping them compare the options without making the process more complicated than it needs to be.
Whether someone is looking for their first guitar, replacing an instrument they regret selling years ago or adding something special to an established collection, the goal remains the same: help them leave with a guitar they will genuinely enjoy owning and playing.
A Family-Owned Melbourne Music Store
Colemans Music remains a family-owned independent business. That history matters to Tim because it has shaped the way the store treats customers, chooses products and builds long-term relationships with musicians.
The shop has changed considerably since the original Cranbourne organ store opened in 1989, but the core idea remains familiar: provide useful advice, stock quality equipment and create a store where musicians feel comfortable taking their time.
Today, Colemans Music serves beginners, working musicians, enthusiasts and collectors from its South Melbourne location, as well as customers across Australia through the Colemans Music website.
Meet Tim at Colemans Music South Melbourne
You can find Tim most days at the South Melbourne store, looking after customers, checking incoming guitars and keeping an eye on the ever-changing mix of new, preloved and vintage gear.
Drop in for a look, bring a guitar to trade or spend some time comparing instruments. There is always something different on the wall, and there is a fair chance Tim will have a story about it.
