Silverbursted Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 Yesterday I stopped by a local GC to kill some time. I found myself in my usual place (inside the Gibson room), and was checking out the different amps in there. There was a Marshall JVM 410, a 205 and a Vintage Modern prominently displayed in the room. So I plucked a Traditional off the wall and plugged into each. The 410 was amazing, but I have less than zero need for a 100 watt amp, so I went to the 205 and this one seemed a bit shallow. I know you are thinking this beginning to sound like the story of the three bears, but I guess in a way it sort of is. Then I plugged into the VM, DING DING DING, thats the sound I have been looking for. I did not buy it from them, but I think I should credit GC for enabling me to know what I want next. Thanks GC. Who here has used a GC (or similar chain store) to figure out what you want, and then go buy somewhere else? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boston004681 Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 Who here has used a GC (or similar chain store) to figure out what you want' date=' and then go buy somewhere else?[/quote'] I go to GC for research and Daddy's for deals. EDIT: and yeah i LOVE those VM's too. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmeds Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 I did that about a month ago. Although, I had to travel 2500 miles to do so. No GC where I live and the music shops are sadly under-stocked. So, on my latest trip to San Fran, I stopped by the local GC to try the various LP's, decided that I wanted a Honey Burst Trad but went to Petaluma to get it. Actually, the one I ended up buying sounded better than the one at GC. That's probably the real reason for the buy. Anyway thanks GC for helping me narrow it down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cvansickle Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 Who here has used a GC (or similar chain store) to figure out what you want' date=' and then go buy somewhere else?[/quote'] Who hasn't? But truthfully, GC doesn't carry most of the stuff I want, like HBE effects pedals or Fralin pickups. The last two guitars I bought from GC didn't work out, and I've sold them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jnastynebr Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 I have nothing but good things to say about GC (disclaimer: I have only ever been to the GC in Lincoln). The store is staffed with local musicians that are friendly and knowledgeable. I have returned merchandise without incident, and ordered items "new in box" even when the store had the exact item in stock. I would go back anytime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crossroadsnyc Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 Dude, buy the Vintage Modern. I have one, and it's one of the very best amps I've ever played through. I absolutely love it. As for trying something at one place and purchasing at another, yes, I've done it more than once. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeoConMan Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 I was in the Avondale GC yesterday. I was expecting the same huge selection of import junk, a few Gibsons that were scratched and dinged all to hell, missing switchtips and knobs, dust and grimey fingerprints on everything, a few kids talking their Mom into paying way too much for junk and then getting the "Performance Guarantee" at additional cost, amps that were not plugged in or did not work, and apathetic floor sales kids. I'm happy to report I was not disappointed! :-) SB, were you in the Tempe store, Phoenix or Snottsdale? My last visit to Snottsdale was VERY disappointing, it was as bad as Avondale! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrosurfer1959 Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 So Neo which of the Arizona store is the least offensive one. I usually prefer Tempe if I want to see a Gibson Scottsdale has some amazing acoustics and some nice PRS usually but thats about all Ive ever noticed about them. Temp has gone down in quality after Nick left for the main Phx store but ??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fool on The Hill Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 To tell you the truth i am beginning to like Guitar Center. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thejay Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 I have been to 10 GCs various places in the country and my favorite was in Towson, MD.... I bought my Mesa there. Great selection and staff that actually knew what they were talking about. I hate going to my local GC here in Harrisburg; they just blow smoke if you know what I mean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubba_leon Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 I did that about a month ago. Although' date=' I had to travel 2500 miles to do so. No GC where I live and the music shops are sadly under-stocked. So, on my latest trip to San Fran, I stopped by the local GC to try the various LP's, decided that I wanted a Honey Burst Trad but went to Petaluma to get it. Actually, the one I ended up buying sounded better than the one at GC. That's probably the real reason for the buy. Anyway thanks GC for helping me narrow it down.[/quote'] Check out the El Cerrito GC store next time youre in the area. The staff is way cooler , and are all working musicians. Not like the burn outs currently working at the San Francisco store. Not to mention the El Cerrito store has its own parking lot and you don't have to drive around for 30 mins only to have to park 1/2 a mile away! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmeds Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 Check out the El Cerrito GC store next time youre in the area. The staff is way cooler , and are all working musicians. Not like the burn outs currently working at the San Francisco store. Not to mention the El Cerrito store has its own parking lot and you don't have to drive around for 30 mins only to have to park 1/2 a mile away! Hey BL, Thanks for the tip. Shucks, I drove through El Cerrito not knowing there was a GC there. I'll have to keep that in mind next time I'm in the Bay area. I get withdrawals just thinking about the music shops on the mainland. That's the price I pay for living on a rock that some consider paradise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shotgunshooter3 Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 I have my LP Special on layaway at GC right now. The local one in Lubbock TX is staffed with friendly and knowledgeable people, and most of their gear is very good (Except, for some reason, the Epiphone LP's... Most of them seem to be junk). Also have a very good used selection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silverbursted Posted May 25, 2009 Author Share Posted May 25, 2009 Hey Dmeds, I guess in your situation you have to do most of your acquisitions via Internet. How often do you come to the mainland? And where do you usually go? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmeds Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 Hey SB. I have made a few purchases on the internet with the condition that I can return it if I don't find it to my liking. Still, it can't beat gonig to a well stocked store and trying out every guitar that tickles my fancy. I usually make 2 treks a year to the west coast as regular vacations for the family. The perk for me is that "hey look, there just happens to be a music store here". Actually, I go through the local yellow pages for that area and go from there; my son loves music as well. He plays the sax for now but is taking a liking to the guitar. I'm sure that most states on the mainland have no problem with inventory as far music shops go. Over here, the greatest dilema for any shop owner is the cost of shipping; almost everything is air shipped. $$$ I've been to Scottsdale once and never really looked into a local music shop. I may have to look into that just to change things up a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silverbursted Posted May 25, 2009 Author Share Posted May 25, 2009 Yea I do know what you mean. If you ever do find yourself in the Phoenix area, make sure to check out Bizarre Guitar. Some of the best examples of new and used Gibsons around, and will always beat GC, MF, Sam Ash etc for price. Plus there are several members in the area who will be happy to show you around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeoConMan Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 I'd be glad to be a Phoenix Ambassador for any Gibson forum member! So Neo which of the Arizona store is the least offensive one. I usually prefer Tempe if I want to see a Gibson Scottsdale has some amazing acoustics and some nice PRS usually but thats about all Ive ever noticed about them. Temp has gone down in quality after Nick left for the main Phx store but ??? Yeah, seems Tempe and PHX are really the only two to bother with, and Nick is a cool guy who won't BS you. I know Brandon pretty well, but I don't really trust him. A few other guys I get along with but they are crooks. I was REALLY disappointed in the Scottsdale store as I stated above. A few nice Gibsons and that was IT. Rumor mill and my own perception is that it and the Avondale store are vulnerable now and may not last. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmeds Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 I just checked out that link to Bizarre Guitar. You're killin' me! I'd have to have at least 2 full days and a pocket full of cash for a place like that because I doubt that I'd have the will power to walk out empty handed. Now that's what I'd call paradise. (musically speaking) I'm not sure if I should thank you for the invite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeoConMan Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 The web does it no justice. They are not allowed by Gibson to show close-ups of the product because they are not an internet dealer. They already had to take down some pics last year. Yes, it IS Guitar Heaven and SB, myself, and a few others here are fortunate to know the guys by name. Hell, they even know my wife, and she's met a couple of theirs! :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silverbursted Posted May 25, 2009 Author Share Posted May 25, 2009 Hahaha, you really got to watch out for the strings they sell in there, they can be pretty expensive. But the good thing is they will throw in a free guitar when you buy a set. Ain't that right Neo? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrosurfer1959 Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 No doubt Bizarre is the best I intentionally try to stay out of the place. the no pressure and pristine guitars that haven't been abused is really hard on the checkbook. i mean damn most of the guitars are even in tune when you take one down! They also have the best selection of Rics Ive ever seen. I need to get down there though I want a LP junior next I think... or The new Epiphone Wilshire 62 custom shop damn gas anyway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmeds Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 Thanks for the eye candy guys! I suppose that living on a rock in the middle of the Pacific with no GC's, SA's or Bizarre's can be a blessing. At least for my checkbook and marriage. Back to playing with the toys that I do have... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silverbursted Posted May 25, 2009 Author Share Posted May 25, 2009 That's a bit drastic...live on a rock in the middle of the Pacific, just to cure yourself of G.A.S. Hmm...Maybe send the wife to live on a rock in the middle of the Pacific...Nah, she'd never go for it, but it was a nice thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flat6 Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 hey dmeds, I have been to island guitars in honolulu they had a good gibson selection. kirk hammet was there browsing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPguitarman Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 GC is a good place to try out guitars, buy effects pedals, guitar strings and accessories. Have never bought a high end guitar from them, but if I was in the market and they had one that spoke to me, I might pull the trigger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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