bluzhammer Posted April 23, 2009 Posted April 23, 2009 Guys, I was at the local G.C. yesterday, and played an ES-339 (loved it). Now I know this isn't the forum for these guitars, but I do respect the opinions of the members here. That being said, I am privy to actual cost of this guitar and I can get it for cost plus 15% which is a pretty tasty deal IMO. The GAS is killing me. What are your opinions?
NeoConMan Posted April 23, 2009 Posted April 23, 2009 Hmmmm.... I have a particular distaste for GC (see link in signature below) and would be wary of the "actual cost" from them. Two decades of dealing with their stores in several states has left me with no capacity to believe ANYTHING they say. The games they play and the sh!t they pull would embarrass a slimey used car salesman. They are NOT your friends there, they work on commission - never forget that. As far as the 339 goes, if you love it - rightfully so, killer guitar - then price is secondary. I understand nobody wants to get ripped off though, so here's my two cents. Get the serial number off the guitar. Call Gibson Customer Service at 800-4GIBSON (open 24/7) and see what info they can give you on the guitar. You may be surprised at what you can learn that GC didn't tell you. Exact build date, color, options, neck profile, materials used - things like that can sometimes hold surprises. The final issue? They can tell you the MSRP or List Price on the guitar, and this is a good thing to know. Why? Because Guitar Center has been known to inflate that number dramatically on their tag, and then give you a huge discount off that price to make you think you're getting a smoking deal while you're getting fxxked like a Filipino whore on a Navy port call. I have first hand knowledge of this, I've seen it at least a dozen times. Once the real List Price is established, you should pay no more than 2/3 of that. $3k list should allow you to get out the door for around $2,000. Pay more than that and you're simply giving away money. On the other hand, if it's the only one in town and you really love it..... If can afford it without using the GC in-store credit - buy it. Just learn all you can so you can make an informed decision. Good luck, and congrats on finding a guitar you can really bond with. Oh, one other thing. Gibson shipped that guitar out in a factory hardshell case. Do not listen to Guitar Center bullsh!t about how the case is sold separately. The case is as much a part of the guitar as the strings are - do you pay separately for them? M@ther-fxckers....
AXE® Posted April 23, 2009 Posted April 23, 2009 I'd rather wipe my @ss with a broken bottle than give GC any of my money.
mr newhaven Posted April 23, 2009 Posted April 23, 2009 before buying the ES check out a Casino Elitist...now before i get jumped...i know its Japanese...and an Epiphone but they are pretty damn sweet! and with the money you save...you can even get a nice amp! or mic...or interface...or acoustic foam...or a laptop! haha it doesnt matter...you'll have a hollowbody that is both gorgeous and great sounding...plus historically important...and money to burn! my .02
BigKahune Posted April 23, 2009 Posted April 23, 2009 Oh yeah. I love hollowbodies. But do check out the price (MSRP/Discounted-Retail), and whether they've got the correct Gibson case. Sorry, but I've got to side with some of the other guys here: be very, very wary when doing business with GC. Have everything out on the table in front of your eyes when you close the deal, so you can walk out with exactly the pieces you have examined/played. And, #1: check the other shops in your area to see if you can get what your looking for somewhere else.
chongo Posted April 23, 2009 Posted April 23, 2009 Guys' date=' I was at the local G.C. yesterday, and played an ES-339 (loved it). Now I know this isn't the forum for these guitars, but I do respect the opinions of the members here. That being said, I am privy to actual cost of this guitar and I can get it for cost plus 15% which is a pretty tasty deal IMO. The GAS is killing me. What are your opinions?[/quote'] If the boys at GC let you see their "Our Cost" book and that's all, then you're not privy to the actual cost of the guitar. The "cost" in that book is for one guitar. Then the discounts start. You pay another (lower cost) for ordering multiple units, and then there are discounts for seasonal promotions, advertising co-pays, specific model spiffs, inventory reduction compensations (Gibson wants *current* models on the floor, not last year's leftovers) and more. The actual cost of a guitar to GC might be 30-40% lower than the cost in their "book." As you can guess, I've got a bit of experience dealing with Gibson... Pretty much only GC corporate knows what they pay Gibson for a guitar. If you like the 339 and the price, get it.
deepblue Posted April 23, 2009 Posted April 23, 2009 I'd rather wipe my @ss with a broken bottle than give GC any of my money. Axe you could always cut a phrase! lol
MikeRom Posted April 23, 2009 Posted April 23, 2009 If you don't mind sharing the price you were quoted with us I'm sure someone here will know if it's a good deal or not.
bluzhammer Posted April 23, 2009 Author Posted April 23, 2009 I know alot of people have issues with G.C.,but I have an excellent relationship with the guitar side manager. I am walking out @ 1500.00 smackaroos with the custom shop case and I have the C.O.A.
bluzhammer Posted April 23, 2009 Author Posted April 23, 2009 Thanks for all your input. It became one of those gotta have now things. I will post some pics sometime over the next few days.
blueslespaultone Posted April 23, 2009 Posted April 23, 2009 Hmmmm....I have a particular distaste for GC (see link in signature below) and would be wary of the "actual cost" from them. Two decades of dealing with their stores in several states has left me with no capacity to believe ANYTHING they say. The games they play and the sh!t they pull would embarrass a slimey used car salesman. They are NOT your friends there' date=' they work on commission - never forget that. As far as the 339 goes, if you love it - rightfully so, killer guitar - then price is secondary. I understand nobody wants to get ripped off though, so here's my two cents. Get the serial number off the guitar. Call Gibson Customer Service at 800-4GIBSON (open 24/7) and see what info they can give you on the guitar. You may be surprised at what you can learn that GC didn't tell you. Exact build date, color, options, neck profile, materials used - things like that can sometimes hold surprises. The final issue? They can tell you the [b']MSRP[/b] or List Price on the guitar, and this is a good thing to know. Why? Because Guitar Center has been known to inflate that number dramatically on their tag, and then give you a huge discount off that price to make you think you're getting a smoking deal while you're getting fxxked like a Filipino whore on a Navy port call. I have first hand knowledge of this, I've seen it at least a dozen times. Once the real List Price is established, you should pay no more than 2/3 of that. $3k list should allow you to get out the door for around $2,000. Pay more than that and you're simply giving away money. On the other hand, if it's the only one in town and you really love it..... If can afford it without using the GC in-store credit - buy it. Just learn all you can so you can make an informed decision. Good luck, and congrats on finding a guitar you can really bond with. Oh, one other thing. Gibson shipped that guitar out in a factory hardshell case. Do not listen to Guitar Center bullsh!t about how the case is sold separately. The case is as much a part of the guitar as the strings are - do you pay separately for them? M@ther-fxckers.... i had a chance to view your arsenal of guitars........ nice... especially love your extremely nice cabinets...
bobv Posted April 23, 2009 Posted April 23, 2009 Uh oh. Don't encourage Neo. You've just gotten him started. The thing is, the guy knows what he's talking about. Quite frankly, if you can get any type of a deal on a 339, buy it. You seem to be one of the lucky ones who is not confronted by the fact that they only sell them through GC and affiliates, and there just aren't that many of them to go around. Oh, and don't trust what they say on the hang tag about the neck profile. There are only two choices for that guitar: 50's rounded or 30/60 (thirty-over-sixty). I've seen 339's at GC with the wrong label on them as far as the neck profile goes. (Mine's a 30/60 and it's pretty sweet).
Kolera Posted April 23, 2009 Posted April 23, 2009 Should I? Guitar Center-bullsh!t aside... Yes, you should.
NeoConMan Posted April 23, 2009 Posted April 23, 2009 I am walking out @ 1500.00 smackaroos with the custom shop case and I have the C.O.A. Good enough.... Enjoy it!!! arsenal of guitars........ ... extremely nice cabinets... Thanks! Fellow Texan' date=' eh? Yeah, the cabinet idea comes from the wife. I didn't wanna spend the money, so she shopped until she found a couple relative bargains. Good job on her part, they work great! Uh oh. Don't encourage Neo. You've just gotten him started. Heh, heh, heh....
rocketman Posted April 23, 2009 Posted April 23, 2009 Well I've been working all day and didn't see this until now. I was going to say that a 339 is going to be my next purchase. $1,500 is indeed a very good deal. Congrats and please do post some pictures (GAS me enough so that I go buy one this weekend!!!)...
Jesus Is Dead In My Basement Posted April 23, 2009 Posted April 23, 2009 Heh' date=' heh, heh.... ;) [/quote'] Neo you must be incredibly rich it takes me four months to save up for a Les Paul.
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