Had it with GC. When will I ever learn.

[collin]

I have had really good experiences at Guitar Center and Sam Ash. I have also had bad experiences at the "Mom and Pop" stores. The one closest to me refuses to be competitive in the guitar market (they make all their money selling/renting band and orchestra instruments) by using a middle man dealer and prey on the unsuspecting parent. [I heard a sales clerk try to convince a kid's parents that they shouldn't buy him a left handed guitar because a lot of left handed people play right handed guitars...] I don't think it is fair to bash the chain stores when there are plenty of small stores doing similar things. If you find a good store with good people, stick with them, whether it is a chain or a small store.

True, and many independant music shops shoot themselves in the foot with pricing.

I understand all the mechanics of bulk purchasing and how large chains can get their prices as low as they do, but sometimes small chains will price their stuff so incredibly high, it's nearly at list price and sits there for YEARS before being cleared out. Then they sit back behind the counter complaining about how these "big box stores" are driving them out of business. Responsibility is on them to clear their own inventory.

Smaller "music" stores seem to be the more difficult type of stores, as they cater to a far broader clientele, and don't focus on being competetive in the guitar market. Independant "Vintage" guitar stores are my favorite---the kind of place that always has some choice old gear, knows the market, and knows how to play ball.

[marc61]

. [I heard a sales clerk try to convince a kid's parents that they shouldn't buy him a left handed guitar because a lot of left handed people play right handed guitars...]

Just for the record I am left handed, and play right handed. If my children were left handed, I would encourage them to do the same. My philosophy is a bit different as I believe instruments should be played the same way, and I'm not convinced if one is left handed, it makes a difference if they learn the "conventional" way. Though, I'm a ****** player so, maybe that's the reason why.

[collin]

. [I heard a sales clerk try to convince a kid's parents that they shouldn't buy him a left handed guitar because a lot of left handed people play right handed guitars...]

Just for the record I am left handed, and play right handed. If my children were left handed, I would encourage them to do the same. My philosophy is a bit different as I believe instruments should be played the same way, and I'm not convinced if one is left handed, it makes a difference if they learn the "conventional" way. Though, I'm a ****** player so, maybe that's the reason why.

Plus, unless they're into Rickenbackers----you're setting them up for a lifetime of paying through the nose and hunting for rare LH gear. No bueno....

[paologregorio]

. [I heard a sales clerk try to convince a kid's parents that they shouldn't buy him a left handed guitar because a lot of left handed people play right handed guitars...]

Just for the record I am left handed, and play right handed. If my children were left handed, I would encourage them to do the same. My philosophy is a bit different as I believe instruments should be played the same way, and I'm not convinced if one is left handed, it makes a difference if they learn the "conventional" way. Though, I'm a ****** player so, maybe that's the reason why.

Exactly! Further, there aren't any left-handed pianos, a fact that I explained to my left handed nephew when he wanted to start playing guitar, along with the realities of less selection and higher price if he chose to go with a left handed model. He learned on a right-handed guitar without issue.

As a bassist, I broke two strings in a single set once.

I've had both good and bad experiences at GC, but I don't go into one, or any music store for that matter, unless I have to. I'm pretty fussy about the gear I like, and I have most of what I like, the the things I like that I don't have usually aren't on the wall at GC anyway.

[teb]

I've never quite understood the whole left-handed guitar thing. Since the process of playing guitar involves both hands learning completely new skills that don't seem to have much to do with the rest of life, why should it make a difference whether the headstock starts out on your left or your right on day one? If there is some sort of difference, shouldn't they also make left-handed pianos? Can't recall seeing any left-handed violinists either off the top of my head, but maybe I just wasn't paying attention.

[BuddyDog]

I sometimes like going into GC, except when these guys are in there shredding...

[ajish4]

The old saying "any port in a storm" aptly applies to me in regard to GC.

Basically, there are just no other music stores in the area....one or two small GUITAR ONLY stores, places that don't even carry bass strings, so if I don't find what I need online, GC is the only store in a 1.5 hr drive.

I've been pretty lucky though, I've known what I've wanted when I go in there and the guy who helped me out, knew his stuff.

Yeah, same here in West Palm, same distorted shread noise going on. It chased the Mrs. out of the store in less than 5 minures.
I wonder if they have it pumped into all thier stores or what?

[collin]

I wonder if they have it pumped into all thier stores or what?

Yeah, a conspiracy, I tell ya! I think they hire these 12 year old noise shredders to annoy and drive off the real customers with money.


The most ironic part about GC is that the one place where you find guys who know what they're talking about and are standing there ready to help you, you're likely standing in the Vintage room at Hollywood GC......in which case nothing is affordable at any price.

[ajish4]

I wonder if they have it pumped into all thier stores or what?

Yeah, a conspiracy, I tell ya! I think they hire these 12 year old noise shredders to annoy and drive off the real customers with money.

[whojamfan]

It's so funny how the #1 complaint every person you talk to about GC is the shredder noise that makes the experience unbearable for most to endure. Most of those amps these kids plug in to have headphone jacks, and why that isn't enforced, I'll never know. It's one thing if the customer is looking to get the amp today and wishes to open it up for a little bit, as it should be. But, the kids in their who are being watched by their "higain babysitters" while their parents are happily elsewhere, would probably actually be happier to have their eardrums bleedin when they leave the store, than to have to hash it out with the other 5 kids whose parents also found the cheapest babysitter on saturday afternoon.

Mom and pop stores that don't want to be competetive will go under unless they have a niche cornered. This used to be the band instrument deal, but with so many imported models online and used chepos available, parents are really discovering that renting an instrument for 1 schoolyear to a student that loses interest is a money lost proposition. Buying a supercheap used will at least give the parent something to sell if the kid doesn't stick with it, and now the prices are comparable with what the rent would have cost. While it's always best to start out with something of quality, parents look at this as the next phase,(like the sports uniforms or scouting equipment for ex), and don't want to throw good money after bad. This used to be the deal closer for band instrument rentals, but being actually able to own something is putting a real wrench in their machine.

The trick for these stores now is to carry lines other than what the big boxes sell. There are many brands that are the same or better quality, and are often made by the same factory as the big brands who contract to them. I've seen many fine Les Paul/Strat copies in the 500 and under range that smoke their brand name contemporaries. I've been to a few stores with these instruments, and for the money-especially with an A/B comparison-are a good value. Unfortunately, most mom and pops can't carry the high end boutique stuff, as their markets don't support such items. Hopefully, these stores will find their place and not go the way of the Dodo.

Gonna be real interesting to see what the future holds for instrument retail sales.

[drumbob]

Purchased an American Standard P-bass last Saturday. Changed strings to a lighter gauge, so of course there was a problem with the action. I can adjust a truss rod, but I figured since I had 30 days to return it, I'd rather they make the first adjustment, as what if the rod breaks, or is already broken. So I take it back, and they can't find the right tool to adjust it with.

Salesman's suggestion: put back on the old strings then, bring it back when their tech is there, and he'll fix it. I told him I'd rather not put the old strings back on, as they could be weak and break. He starts joking around with a guy near him how it is impossible to break a bass string. Then I explained to him that I've broken bass strings, and I've seen excellent bass players who've broken strings. He continues to joke and says stuff like "What did you do? Use the bass as bow and arrow?".

I decided I had enough, and just asked for my money back, got it and walked out. No more GC for me.

I'm glad you came to your senses. GC is the Great Satan of the music business. The worst. The pits. The dreck. Patronize independent music stores.