Holy Guitar Center.....

[RacerX]

I only bought one guitar brand new from GC, and that was when I worked there (KVX10). I intercepted it when it was received (by me - I worked in the warehouse), and nobody at that store but me played or even touched it.

[lkgwarrior]

You guys are being rather childish.

I NEVER said people shouldn't be able to play a guitar before you buy, because that would be nonsense. I am talking about how they let people who obviously have no intention of buying the guitars just grab them and don't do anything about it. The kid who grabbed that traditional looked 14 and just grabbed it. He obviously had no intention of buying. They shouldnt let people play the guitars unless they ask first, and look like they are serious. I don't think I am being ridiculous in this thinking guys...

i agree. but how are you meant to tell if someone is truely wishing to test the guitar and intending to buy it? your example of the 14 year old kid, is when a sales person should come up and say f#@- off. i spose big companies like guitar centre dont really care to much anyway though, they'd be making to much money to care if some kid is jamming on a high priced guitar. internet sales are the best way to go. cheaper and better condition

[lkgwarrior]

bit off topic. but i often imagine the staff at the guitar shop shredding the shit out of new CS jacksons that arrive, before they ring the customers to say its arrived. who wouldnt haha.

[TKEblue]

I don't really like buying guitars online, I will do it, but I don't like to. Every guitar is different. You can play one at the store, love it, order one and it wont be the same. It may be close but never the exact same.

And guitar center isn't that bad. Yes, the guitars are used by people who don't care as much about them because they don't own them, but they're usually in pretty good shape. When I bought my epiphone LP at guitar center, 6 months after it was made, it didn't have so much as a scratch on it. The same day the other guitar player in my band bought an ec1000 there that was new but had a huge chip on the bottom back edge and he got it for 550, almost a used price.

I will say that guitar centers used department kicks ass tho, that's usually the first place I walk to when I get there. But the prices are usually good (because they wont give you shit if you're selling), and a lot of times they'll take lower then the asking price if its been there a while, then sometimes they'll work some stuff out with you if the guitar needs work.

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

I don't care for ordering guitars/buying online myself. I ordered an HM Strat from the Musician's Friend catalog back years ago and it showed up with a nice ding right on the front, looked like some bozo dropped the tremolo bar on it, and my luck has been pretty similar with other guitars, delaminating finish on the headstock, little neck pocket stress cracks, and other cosmetic issues that would have made me say "nah, this isn't the one" - or at least, sure as hell not "the one" I would pay full price for.

[Nightbat]

Ofcourse if you compare GC to a cardealership, where an entire family including punks, runts, toddlers crawled and drooled over every seat and just had their paws on every knob in your -multiple thousand dollars- brandspanking new car that just got in, they're not that bad

[wilkinsi]

There's no guitar worth spoiling here. Every single one has already been scratched, dinged or chipped

[javert]

When I go to LA, I usually go to GC on Sunset. Once I was there with my former boss (a full prof. approaching 50). He and I were trying out some strats for his nephew. It didn't take long for one of the senior salesmen to spot us, two not-so-young guys. We were quickly invited out back to try the good stuff....

Once I also found a used ESP KH2 marked as an LTD at the same GC. It was in such a horrible shape that I didn't want it anyway, so I sarcastially pointed out the error to a salesman... he had to check out back to confirm it was an error.

As for buying online, how do you know it's not been sitting in a store somewhere? I bought a guitar (the brand name shall remain unspoken) online and it showed up and it was quite clear that it had been played. The price was really good and it was just minor stuff that any guitar has after a week anyway so it wasn't a problem for me.

[JACKSONFREAK]

Maybe that kid won't buy something today. But maybe he will next week, or next month. I have a customer I just restrung his les Paul std last week. He's like 11 its hiss first guitar and its a 2000 dollar les Paul. Yes some kids need to be corrected on thier actions or lack of respect for the gear. But the kids that get to play a 2000 dollar les Paul will remembers that and come back to. It one later. It's how u win customers and influence people.
Just sayin
Gil

[Nightbat]

Maybe that kid won't buy something today. But maybe he will next week, or next month.


<>

It's how u win customers and influence people.
Just sayin
Gil

Eddie van Halen was a little punk sitting on Charvel's workfloor

[Twitch]

It's how u win customers and influence people.

Dale Carnegie reader huh.

[Newc]

That 14 year old might have a recording contract, or maybe has generous parents with lots of money. No one can judge who "looks serious" about buying. Irresponsible, yes, but good luck finding a responsible adult.

[Sephiroth]

When I buy a new guitar I expect it to be NEW. I want to be the first person who peels off the protective cellophane plastic and sets it up. Personally I don't consider a guitar that's been tried out and played by God knows how many people to be new.


I don't have any problem at all buying used when I am actually seeking and expecting to buy used, but for a new guitar it better be untouched by everyone short of the factory that made it.

[Hellbat]

I think the point that some of you guys are missing is I'm sure guitar center will likely order a factory new model of any guitar they carry for you, just don't expect them to be as flexible on price. If they aren't willing to do that for you, find a store that will. When you build a relationship with your music store over many years of purchases most stores will be up front with you about their costs and profit margins and because of the relationship will give you the best prices as well as a heads up on any sweet deals that come in their door.

That's how it always worked for me anyways.

[3reach]

Holy SHIT.


Is MAtt's Music legit guys? I noticed they were sponsor here and read good things about them. I have been looking for a new RR1 and they didnt have it in stock. GUitar Center offered me 15% off list on a New RR1 that they would order from JAckson for me. I asked MAtts Music if they would match that offer, and they told me that they would order me an RR1T from JAckson and give me 30% off list!

What an awesome company if this is legit!