JefferySmith Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 I just set foot in our local Guitar Center (in the 'burbs). I was expecting something 1/4 its size. I'm glad that I was sober and didn't have my credit card with me. I would have walked out with a worn cherry Epiphone Dot. The one I was looking at was MUCH better looking than the MF photo here. It was about 10 shades darker red than this. If I had $1,000 burning a hole in my pocket, I'd have walked out the door with that Dot, an SG 400, and a Les Paul. Scary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron G Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 Jeffery, you need Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 LOL! I stay AWAY from Guitar Stores, unless I have money, and KNOW what I'm going there for. Otherwise....it's the "Hungry Kid in a Candy Store" syndrome! It's a "disease," what can I say?! CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JefferySmith Posted June 20, 2008 Author Share Posted June 20, 2008 Jeffery' date=' you need [img']http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk54/ronnjee/gasx.jpg[/img] I seriously do. God forbid I should ever win the lottery! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloyDZeD Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 I went in one earlier, and played a nice honeyburst Les Paul Standard Plus. That had to be one of the best Epi Les Pauls I've ever played. If I had some money, I probably would've bought it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidg3333 Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 The only Guitar Center I walked into had weekend guitar heroes trying to crank up amps and impress with their hot playing. The staff kept telling them to turn it down. I wasn't impressed with the playing and didn't stick around very long. I enjoy the local Portland Music Company store though, as they only sell acoustic guitars and it is a sane environment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 Yeah, can you imagine WORKING, in a "Guitar Center?!" I'd be "Starker's" (as in raving mad) in one day! ;>p CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billybob Dylan Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 Yeah' date=' can you imagine WORKING, in a "Guitar Center?!" I'd be "Starker's" (as in raving mad) in one day! ;>p CB[/quote'] Actually "starkers" means naked. Try "Radio Rental" instead! It's rhyming slang for mental, as in crazy (musn't say "mad" coz that means angry to you). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PP_CS336 Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 I went in one earlier' date=' and played a nice honeyburst Les Paul Standard Plus. That had to be one of the best Epi Les Pauls I've ever played. If I had some money, I probably would've bought it.[/quote'] FloyDZed, Yeh, I did that a couple of times over the past year and it drove me nuts. It's like making out with a fine babe only to go home with a case of blueballs. Painful](*,) . I also call it the same idea that Charlie Brown mentioned, except I just say, "Like a kid going into a candy store." If you're not going to buy, it's almost best to stay away. At least if you're buying something else and have a reason to be there, it may be easy to fall into temptation . "I'll just look or maybe play one a little and..." Oh nooooo!!!!!!!!!!!! I stopped by one of our local guitar centers a couple of months ago and started looking at some Epiphone Les Pauls. I walked out with one (Epiphone Les Paul Standard VS) only because I convinced myself it was okay because I would be getting my Economic Stimulus check from Uncle Sam in May. So I put it on my credit card. Well I found out I wasn't getting that until June. . Luckily my Federal income tax return was sitting in my Savings Account (I was going to use that for vacationing with my daughter this Summer). So I had to borrow some of that and then pay myself back once I finally received my ES check last week.:- Now I don't feel so bad anymore and I have that second Epi I've been lusting (GASing) for such a long time... 2 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pohatu771 Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 I get to go tomorrow, helping my friend/partner buy her first guitar. I actually have enough money to buy myself something decent, but shouldn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recycled Rocker Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 Guy's know what your saying, when I go into a shop to get strings or even just to look I keep my hands folded and DO not accept one of the salseman (whom I all know well) saying "Ken just give it a go!!, it's a great guitar, you'll like it " cause I know what I'm like The guitat shop I frequent here in OZ is great, but don't they get some wacko's especially some young kids who are out to impress the salesman or even some older folk (like me) on their "Slashing" of a guitar, cranking the amps up and picking the most expensive guitar on display. On the other hand I've seen some young one who I've just stood and watched with envoy, good guitar players. Big kids in big candy stores................. If I evey won lotto BOY what a studio I'd have......... Oh well back to reality Catchya'slayta ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pohatu771 Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 Tomorrow I'll probably hand my wallet, with cash and cards, over to my friend, with strict instructions. Though I did play a Hummingbird today that I really liked... though I may suggest it to her, rather than buy it for myself. She's new to the guitar game. She wants a Gibson, because one of her friends inherited one and she's seen mine. We'll wait until tomorrow when she sees the pricetag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron G Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 GC and alcohol would be especially bad - I don't know about you but I play much better when I've had a few. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JefferySmith Posted June 20, 2008 Author Share Posted June 20, 2008 FloyDZed' date=' Yeh, I did that a couple of times over the past year and it drove me nuts. It's like making out with a fine babe only to go home with a case of blueballs. Painful'](*,) . I also call it the same idea that Charlie Brown mentioned, except I just say, "Like a kid going into a candy store." If you're not going to buy, it's almost best to stay away. At least if you're buying something else and have a reason to be there, it may be easy to fall into temptation . "I'll just look or maybe play one a little and..." Oh nooooo!!!!!!!!!!!! I stopped by one of our local guitar centers a couple of months ago and started looking at some Epiphone Les Pauls. I walked out with one (Epiphone Les Paul Standard VS) only because I convinced myself it was okay because I would be getting my Economic Stimulus check from Uncle Sam in May. So I put it on my credit card. Well I found out I wasn't getting that until June. . Luckily my Federal income tax return was sitting in my Savings Account (I was going to use that for vacationing with my daughter this Summer). So I had to borrow some of that and then pay myself back once I finally received my ES check last week. Now I don't feel so bad anymore and I have that second Epi I've been lusting (GASing) for such a long time... 2 years. Well, that's two of Uncle Sam's stimulus checks that went to buying Epiphones. When will the rest of the United States catch on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayGLongBeach Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 I think any Guitar Retailer on the internet is just as lethal... Paypal, point, click, wait for the UPS or Fedex truck... Yikes!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesstringer Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 Luckily, I don't drink, at least not in the last 30 years. Even so i have to know what I need, go right for it and not hang out, which generally isn't too hard due to the endless multiple teenage wannabe shredders at ridiculous volumes. I usually have to hide in the isolated acoustic room ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Lister Posted June 21, 2008 Share Posted June 21, 2008 - I don't know about you but I play much better when I've had a few. Happens to the best of us' date=' eh? I think it's what's commonly known as The Smokier You Drink The Player You Get syndrome (thanks to Joe W.). BTW Ron -- missing your prior avatar here - that street vendor looks like a genuine blues player to me. --- and Jeffrey: wasn't that you with a "newborn" elitist post and a collection of 35 already? GREAT SCOTT man! Hit every BLUE NOTE baaaby..., I'm going to play on:-" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lerxst1281733995 Posted June 21, 2008 Share Posted June 21, 2008 I don't drink anymore either, but if I spend more than 20 minutes in a GC, it makes me want to... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Sentry Posted June 21, 2008 Share Posted June 21, 2008 You know....I like the fact that every Guitar Center has a Southpaw's Corner...but at the same time? It's rare any of the guitars have been set up. Unless I'm mistaken, they just pull 'em out of the crates and hang 'em on the wall. And, I'm beginning to realize that with some rare exceptions....Guitar Centers are quickly becoming the ONLY chain (or just flat-out music store) where you can test out either a Gibson...or an Epiphone in the USA. (Still remembers Mom and Pop store losing their distribution deal where I live...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluezOldy Posted June 21, 2008 Share Posted June 21, 2008 If I evey won lotto BOY what a studio I'd have......... ken I put myself to sleep some nights with that dream, Ken. Great big sound-proofed studios and all my friends coming round and jamming day and night, and cutting CDs. All free 'cause I won Lotto. Music heaven ... (well, could be hell too: guess careful selection would have to go into who were my friends and who were not!). Ron ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted June 21, 2008 Share Posted June 21, 2008 Actually "starkers" means naked. Try "Radio Rental" instead! It's rhyming slang for mental' date=' as in crazy (musn't say "mad" coz that means angry to you). [/quote'] Yeah, Billybob...I knew that ;>)...that's why I clarified it...but we used to say "Starkers" here, as short for "Stark Raving Mad!" I think what you're referring to, came from England?! Not sure... Maybe I should have said "Bonkers?!" Ha! At any rate...every time (or almost) I go into GC...I come out swearing I will never go there, again...just for that "noise level" reason. LOL! CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
layboomo Posted June 21, 2008 Share Posted June 21, 2008 Luckily' date=' I don't drink, at least not in the last 30 years. Even so i have to know what I need, go right for it and not hang out, which generally isn't too hard due to the endless multiple teenage wannabe shredders at ridiculous volumes. I usually have to hide in the isolated acoustic room ![/quote'] Yup I head for the acoustic room too if there are wankers on marshall's in the main room.......to be fair wankers come in all age groups....it ain't just the teenagers. I don't drink anymore either, but if I spend more than 20 minutes in a GC, it makes me want to... Yeah I can relate to that too! GC is the McDonalds of music stores anyway......the employee's have about the same qualifications in both places. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted June 21, 2008 Share Posted June 21, 2008 You know....I like the fact that every Guitar Center has a Southpaw's Corner...but at the same time? It's rare any of the guitars have been set up. Unless I'm mistaken' date=' they just pull 'em out of the crates and hang 'em on the wall. And, I'm beginning to realize that with some rare exceptions....Guitar Centers are quickly becoming the ONLY chain (or just flat-out music store) where you can test out either a Gibson...or an Epiphone in the USA. (Still remembers Mom and Pop store losing their distribution deal where I live...)[/quote'] One dealer told me that he never sets up a guitar until someone buys it. They all want something different and he just has to do it twice. I would at least do a bridge adjustment out of the box and tweak the truss rod if needed. After all, there are lull periods where somebody has time to play. It would be a good excuse to sit down and try out a few guitars and play with them in the name of adjustment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Svet Posted June 21, 2008 Share Posted June 21, 2008 LOL, I know what you mean! That's what makes Musicians Friend, Sweetwater et.al. all the more dangerous! You can order from the comfort of your own armchair! The saving grace for me is that the prices at the aforementioned online vendors is ridiculous. My local guys prices are far better for example my Elitist Sheraton was $1199 compared to MF's 1600. My Gibson R6 was 2400 while MF lists it for 3499... Not only that but the guitars are in much better shape than the ones I've come across at the Guitar Centers. If the floor model has some marks they almost always have a spare boxed up in storage too! Thank you Alto! Svet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JefferySmith Posted June 21, 2008 Author Share Posted June 21, 2008 Happens to the best of us' date=' eh? I think it's what's commonly known as The Smokier You Drink The Player You Get syndrome (thanks to Joe W.). BTW Ron -- missing your prior avatar here - that street vendor looks like a genuine blues player to me. --- and Jeffrey: wasn't that you with a "newborn" elitist post and a collection of 35 already? GREAT SCOTT man! Hit every BLUE NOTE baaaby..., I'm going to play on:-" That's the awful part. I just had a HNGD the day before. I think holidays are supposed to happen once a year, not every day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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