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When I was starting out in the 80's, my friends and I would sacrifice every last cent we had and go into debt to get the best gear possible. I don't see that level of sacrifice from people starting out today. They don't want to part with more than $300 or so on a new guitar investment. I don't think the Guitar Center is totally to blame for what's happened to the market.
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"Artists should be free to spend their days mastering their craft so that working people can toil away in a more beautiful world."
- Ken M -
I wish more stores would carry more high-end instruments, but the simple truth is that most customers are looking for their first instrument and don't want to spend more than $300 for a complete rig. What if they decide they don't like guitar after a few months? I know I wouldn't want to invest my life savings into getting high-end tube amps and a custom-shop Jackson if I wasn't 100% positive that #1 I liked playing guitar and #2 that the gear was good.
Don't blame GC for selling crap; it's what their main customers demand!ScottComment
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Why must you use extremes to make that point?Originally posted by Spivonious View Post
GC has a rusted-over (the screws and such) KV1 locally. I feel bad for it..-AdamComment
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...and maybe thats why less people play now. Start with crap and it never inspires them.Originally posted by Axewielder View PostComment
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Because it has a better effectOriginally posted by anuske9 View Post
Situation 1:
Person has never played guitar before but likes the Top 40 rock stuff and decides to get a guitar.
Choice A:
Goes to Guitar Center, sees Fender starter pack - $120. buys it because he can afford it.
Choice B:
Goes to Guitar Center, sees $500 Epiphone, $200 Spider amp, $15 cord, $1 pack of picks, $20 strap - $736. doesn't want to play guitar that badly, buys nothing.
Situation 2:
Guy who's been playing for two years has decided he needs to upgrade to some nicer equipment.
Choice A:
Goes to Guitar Center, sees $700 Jackson, $1500 Peavey tube amp - $2200
Choice B:
Goes to eBay after trying out gear at Guitar Center, sees $400 Jackson, $1000 Peavey tube amp - $1400
Neither situation makes it profitable for Guitar Center to stock mid to high end gear.ScottComment
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well, the "crap" is LIGHT years better than what was available in the mid 80's as "starter" guitars. shit, my girlfriend just bought a pink squire strat for $99 that is VERY impressive, great set-up, awesome fretwork, VERY playable. i was impressed. she has learned a lot so far because it has been so easy for her to play....
blast back to 1984 when i was learning to play...hahahahaha, it was all plywood garbage and the guitars were HORRIBLE to learn on!!!GEAR:
some guitars...WITH STRINGS!!!! most of them have those sticks like on guitar hero....AWESOME!!!!
some amps...they have some glowing bottle like things in them...i think my amps do that modelling thing....COOL, huh?!?!?!
and finally....
i have those little plastic "chips" used to hit the strings...WHOA!!!!Comment
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Who said they aren't moving much product? As near as I can tell they're moving a ton. Those fucked up Fenders all came in recently to replace the wall of Fenders they sold last month.Originally posted by shreddermon View PostI want REAL change. I want dead bodies littering the capitol.
- NewcComment
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I think it's funny that people "bash" GC over and over again, but STILL shop there.........
"When a naked man is chasing a woman through an ally with a butcher's knife and a hard-on, I figure he isn't out collecting for the Red Cross"............ Dirty HarryComment
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That's one thing I've never quite understood...Originally posted by 777 View PostI think it's funny that people "bash" GC over and over again, but STILL shop there.........
Bitching up a storm about it but still spend your money there. Yep, that makes all kinds of sense...I'm angry because you're stupidComment
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So....by that logic, I guess we're not allowed to bitch about the price of gas, either? When something sucks and there aren't enough alternatives but it's something we need, well, we get to complain! So there.Originally posted by 777 View PostI think it's funny that people "bash" GC over and over again, but STILL shop there.........
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"Artists should be free to spend their days mastering their craft so that working people can toil away in a more beautiful world."
- Ken MComment
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Not even in the same league. You don't "need" to spend money at Guitar Center. Maybe pre-internet some did but now? Nope...Originally posted by Axewielder View PostSo....by that logic, I guess we're not allowed to bitch about the price of gas, either? When something sucks and there aren't enough alternatives but it's something we need, well, we get to complain! So there.
Most do "need" gas to drive to work, the kids to school, ect...
Not at all the same thing...I'm angry because you're stupidComment
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For those of you following along at home, I'd like to summarize the relevant contribution that Bengal has made here:Originally posted by Bengal View Post
...yep, a whole lot of nothin'
I want REAL change. I want dead bodies littering the capitol.
- NewcComment
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I'm amazed and astonished Tim...not about GC but that you actually had a friend and a buddy that may not be the same person.....lol j/k you walked into that
shawnlutz.comComment
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tim,
I guess the truth hurts. Bitch about something but spend your money there anyway. Well, I guess YOU wouldn't do that, would you? But you'd send your "friends" there...
With friends like you...I'm angry because you're stupidComment
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Both gc and samash are terrible. I only shop there for strings/picks (best way of avoiding the idiot employees). Never any big purchases there from me. Most of their employees aren't very knowledgeable or competent and the guitars are in worse than "players" condition. I just recently fiddled on an Ibanez Jem7v there and it was barely playable. The tremolo was at uneven height and the action was too high, the body had HUGE chips, the pups were caved in. Tried a SL1 and it was in similar condition. What a shame. Do they really expect anyone to buy that crap?Comment
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