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Guitars at Best Buy


Charles Obscure

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I was in Madison on Sunday and stopped in to Best Buy, as I heard they were now selling Gibson guitars.

Sure enough, they had a few Gibbys, lots of Epiphones, Fenders and Squires. Electric and acoustic guitars and basses, amps, accessories, the whole nine yards. I tried out an Epi Thunderbird bass, which I've had a bit of GAS for, and found I didn't like it so much. Played around with a couple Martin acoustics that sounded decent.

The prices were on par with what you'd find at GC or MF online. I didn't try and haggle a price because I wasn't buying, but the sales guy I was talking with didn't seem to know much about guitars.

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Yup, i was also at the Best Buy in my neck of the woods... i purchased some straplocks

and the saleskid new exactly what i was looking for...

Interestingly enough, they also offer set-ups, stringing, etc... at some pretty amazingly low prices

compared to all the big guns (GC, SamAsh, local music stores)...

Very interesting...

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No thanks. I have a locally-owned music store here that's great to deal with: the owner likes to trade, and will order anything for me, and will go out looking when I want something he doesn't have. All my electric gear except my basses and a couple of amps I've had forever came through his store: he sold a friend the Les Paul Deluxe back in '84, then I bought it from my friend; more recently, he ordered a Fender Jazzmaster Ultralight and took a bunch of stuff in trade in so I paid $250 for an $1100 amp; I also traded for a Hartke bass rig AND he found the natural blond Epi Sheraton II I'd been after for years, also for a friendly price. When I go in there the manager wants to chat, the salesman (another bass player) wants to talk about gear, and I always get a discount at least as good as I'd get on the internet.

 

Trade that for Best Buy? You've gotta be nuts.

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I have a Best Buy within walking distance of my house. They don't have the full-quality selection yet. Really wish they did as I could fool around with the instruments seeing as now I'm looking for a third guitar/looking to upgrade my old Squier if I really don't want anything else. Not going to buy from there obviously.

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It's just another retailer. If they get a decent staff.. and have a good stock they look after, good deal for everyone.

It's a product. Guitars will be treated like any other product and that means a progression from the first Telecaster being sold out of

the back of a pickup to megaeverywhere if the market will support it.

I think it will.

they've done a lot of thinking about this before they went ahead. and they invested a lot of money in it.

 

mom and pop stores can rock or suck.. just like any stores at all.

So, I'll be stopping in. and I'd buy a guitar there as easily as anywhere else I think.

 

TWANG

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My fear with Bestbuy selling guitars, amps and the like is the potential for lack of knowledge. If the person selling the guitar is not a player and knows nothing about guitars then this can harm new buyers. I feel that if a parent wants to buy their child his/her first guitar they in most cases will be safer at an actual music store and not at a big box like Bestbuy. I just hope that the people working there will be properly educated on the products that they are selling, but i fear this will not be the case. However, I would shop there if the prices are lower. I know what im looking for and what I like so the lack of knowledge from the sales person will not affect me. But this possible increase in sales might work to drive down some prices and that will be good for my wallet.

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How cheap are these guitars? Cheap enough to warrant having a second guitar (right handed) around the house so visitors can just show up and jam? (I have extra h/w to set up the guitar with...)

 

I'd keep an SG or flying V if I was to have a lefty guit(i'm a righty) in the house. That way you can conceivably play it upside-down. (No, not actually restringing and new nut, changing bridge intonation, just winging it) Plus they look cooler and sound different than les pauls. Never been a fan of two of the same guitars at a jam. Jam with two teles=more boring than anything.

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Went into our local Best Buy this past weekend looking for an inexpensive

mic. Asked if they were getting guitars in any time soon.

Salesguy had no idea what I was talking about, had to ask someone else.

Salesperson #2 stated that only bigger stores would carry guitars(just my luck).

 

Went next door to Target of all places, and found (really cheap) mics, amps,guitars,etc.

 

Maybe "Best Buy" should change their name?

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My fear with Bestbuy selling guitars' date=' amps and the like is the potential for lack of knowledge. If the person selling the guitar is not a player and knows nothing about guitars then this can harm new buyers. I feel that if a parent wants to buy their child his/her first guitar they in most cases will be safer at an actual music store and not at a big box like Bestbuy. I just hope that the people working there will be properly educated on the products that they are selling, but i fear this will not be the case. However, I would shop there if the prices are lower. I know what im looking for and what I like so the lack of knowledge from the sales person will not affect me. But this possible increase in sales might work to drive down some prices and that will be good for my wallet. [/quote']

 

A legitimate concern, but in the day of the Google search, you can get advice for just about anything. People who care can surf the net for 30 minutes and find out how to buy their kid a first guitar.

 

But then, there's no substitute for hands-on guidance. You can buy a new car over the internet, too, but a dealer is still the best way.

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They had a couple nice Casinos in natural finish, which I'm currently GASsing for (among other things). If I had the money I would have asked to try them out, and bought the better of the two. I wouldn't have any problem purchasing a guitar from Best Buy, or frickin' Wal-Mart if it was something that appealed to me.

I wouldn't give them a guitar for set-up, as I can do it myself. If I bought one from them, I'd ask them to do it before taking it out the door. If a guitar needs some luthier work, I take it to Ward-Brodt Music. They no longer sell major brand guitars, but their repair guys are top-notch. They've done great work on my vintage electric guitars. While they're somewhat pricey, I feel that I'm getting the service I pay for.

BTW, the UPS truck is bringing me a Danelectro 63 guitar today from MF! More GAS pain relief.

I love NGD!:-({|=/

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I wouldn't give them a guitar for set-up' date=' as I can do it myself. If I bought one from them, I'd ask them to do it before taking it out the door. [/quote']

 

I doubt if they would even set one up after purchase...might send it somewhere, doubt it though. I don't think Best Buys cares about such things, other than the selling of such.

 

They're not a music store. To them it's just another TV, Washer, or whatever. ...unless they get Geek Squad to start working on them.

 

The ones around here don't have anything in them, still maill order. As far as I'm concerned to me they are no different than MF's or any other mail order place, so if the price is right they be just as good as any of them.

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Whats the difference?? Most of the sales people at guitar center are players' date=' yet don't know crap.[/quote'] I totally agree with you 100%. Some think they are all that when they're shredding, but when you ask them about a guitar... all they do is :-k and :^o or [-X or :- and :-#. end up like this 8-[

It pisses me off that I know more than them and they are working there. Especially my case where guitar center is the only music store in town... or at least the only known music store in town

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I totally agree with you 100%. Some think they are all that when they're shredding' date=' but when you ask them about a guitar... all they do is :^o and [-X or :-# or 8-[ and :-. end up like this ](*,)

It pisses me off that I know more than them and they are working there. Especially my case where guitar center is the only music store in town... or at least the only known music store in town

 

I can testify to this. Seriously though.....if it's an Epi or a Gibson, and Guitar Center isn't going to set 'em up prior to putting them on the floor, then why not try out Best Buy if they're going to sell the same thing?

 

I can't see how they would carry as much inventory, but at the same time...hey, if the model's in stock, it's in stock. (Eh, such is life. I get to play merry go round with pickups today. Off to a shower and another GC....)

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Why not? If they have a guitar you want and the price is good enough what's the problem?

I'd rather support the small store unless the big box has a much better price/the small store doesn't have it. Plus the big store's instrument will have been played by those just-trying types and show it. If the price is really good I'll possibly jump at it.

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I'd rather support the small store unless the big box has a much better price/the small store doesn't have it. Plus the big store's instrument will have been played by those just-trying types and show it. If the price is really good I'll possibly jump at it.

 

Mmm. Well, to be fair.....I'm under the impression that we're talking about one big store vs. another big store. So if it's one chain vs. another, and you're getting about the same level of service, then what difference does it make?

 

Also....

 

Most mom and pop shops can't afford to carry certain brands and products...(that's if they want to stay in business.)8-[

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I don't even bother asking the zit-faced teenage shredder punks at Guitar Center for help anymore. Last time I was there I went in looking for one of the '57 junior reissues and the whole time i was asking him about it he was trying to push this $800 gibson LP studio on me.

 

My local shop is cool though. They don't officially carry Epis or Gibsons, but they can still order them for me (from whom I have no idea, but whatever). Plus they don't care if I show up five minutes before closing time to try out an amp or something.

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