Dave F Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 I'd like to give Willis Music in Florence KY a "10". I'm horrible to deal with when I'm shopping around and they always seem to match my best deals. They are an authorized Gibson, Martin, Fender and many other brands that I don't buy. That's hard to do when you realize what the factories force them to buy to stay in that status. If they don't have what I want, they get it in and still meet any other deal I come up with and take me on my word. They have an authorized repair shop on site. Earlier this year they ordered me a J200. It took about a month to get it and the day I got it was only about 6 days from when it got signed off in the factory. Almost like picking it up from the factory. Last week I bought a Fender from them. They beat everyone's deal. Their taxes put them a little over my best deal, but I think they're worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guth Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 We have a large 5-star dealer here in Portland, but I'm not sure that I would think of them as a Mom & Pop operation as they own a series of music stores. Back when I lived in Austin, I bought a couple of Gibson acoustics from Ray Hennig (Heart of Texas Music) and I once drove all the way to Fuller's VIntage down in Houston to buy yet another. Back when Ray was still actively involved, you could walk right in and there was no B.S. he'd simply give you the 40% off with no haggling. Fuller's of course is an experience unto itself and was certainly worth the trip — they pack an awful lot of guitars into their space. I don't think it's nearly as common these days to find new Gibsons for sale at smaller music stores. I'll be interested to see how many posts mentioning actual "Mom & Pop" Gibson shops there are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 I'd like to give Willis Music in Florence KY a "10". I'm horrible to deal with when I'm shopping around and they always seem to match my best deals. They are an authorized Gibson, Martin, Fender and many other brands that I don't buy. That's hard to do when you realize what the factories force them to buy to stay in that status. If they don't have what I want, they get it in and still meet any other deal I come up with and take me on my word. They have an authorized repair shop on site. Earlier this year they ordered me a J200. It took about a month to get it and the day I got it was only about 6 days from when it got signed off in the factory. Almost like picking it up from the factory. Last week I bought a Fender from them. They beat everyone's deal. Their taxes put them a little over my best deal, but I think they're worth it. Now that sounds like a great dealer! Unfortunately, I live in the hinterlands of Florida, and have to drive a long way to any Gibson dealer. The closest in any direction, ironically, are GC's either in West Palm Beach or Orlando. I haven't particularly been impressed, but I don't think most of them are geared towards relatively knowledgeable consumers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duluthdan Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 Never have been lucky enough to visit a small shop Gibson dealer, but would like to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gottabetweed Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 There is not one in the Dallas Fort Worth area. There is a supposed 5 star dealer in Grapevine that doesn't stock diddly. Would Fuller's please open a Dallas Fort Worth location! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EuroAussie Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 Umanov guitars for vintage Gibsons, Rudys SoHo for new Gibsons .... both in NYC. Derringers music must also get a strong mention, from my home town of Adelaide, Australia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rar Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 I have a 5 Star Dealer about 10 miles that I have bought a couple of instruments from. Nice enough folks. However, I pretty much avoid them as they aren't really interested in selling guitars, as far as I can tell. The nearest 5 Star Dealer that I enjoy dealing with is Tall Toad Music in Petaluma, CA, about 80 miles away. Good selection, good deals. But I make a point of driving the 2000 miles, round trip, to Bozeman every summer to shop Music Villa. They get the bulk of our business. Typically an absolutely great selection around the time of the Gibson Homecoming, absolutely super deals, fine folks, and they're the only dealer who can sell you a guitar you find at the factory later that same day. (Plus, I'm convinced the folks over at the factory channel the best of the best their way.) Personally, I think driving 1000 miles to go guitar shopping is only sensible. How else do you expect to wind up with a truly special guitar? Do you really want to settle for any random instrument that MF has laying around in their warehouse? I'm pretty sure that everyone in the 48 contiguous states is within 1000 miles of a great Gibson dealer, so go check 'em out, already! :) -- Bob R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EuroAussie Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 I have a 5 Star Dealer about 10 miles that I have bought a couple of instruments from. Nice enough folks. However, I pretty much avoid them as they aren't really interested in selling guitars, as far as I can tell. Intereesting, what are they interested in selling then, strings .. ? Personally, I think driving 1000 miles to go guitar shopping is only sensible. How else do you expect to wind up with a truly special guitar? Do you really want to settle for any random instrument that MF has laying around in their warehouse? I'm pretty sure that everyone in the 48 contiguous states is within 1000 miles of a great Gibson dealer, so go check 'em out, already! :) Yes, agree. Thats' why I love making an annual trip to Thomann, the Mecca of guitar shops in Europe. They have the entire Gibby collection in the warehouse, and having bought two Gibbys and a tonn of gear from them in the past they are happy to drag anything I want from the warehouse and give me an hour or so alone in the acoustic room. -- Bob R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParlourMan Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 Personally, I think driving 1000 miles to go guitar shopping is only sensible. How else do you expect to wind up with a truly special guitar? Do you really want to settle for any random instrument that MF has laying around in their warehouse? I'm pretty sure that everyone in the 48 contiguous states is within 1000 miles of a great Gibson dealer, so go check 'em out, already! :) -- Bob R Personally, I think that's above and beyond reasonable expectation to ask that of any customer, if that is indeed what is asked of the customer then it easily demonstrates why internet sales are so successful. I think we're buying into the idea of 'the one', for factory built guitars it's not something I subscribe to at all, so I'd be a tough sell on that one. Mysticism and romance are something we apply to recipe made guitars who's variance is due to the natural variance in raw materials. I would go so far as to say that most guitars Gibson sells are likely to be intenet based sales, while the odd QC issue is reported and like any other manufacturer they will see the odd return or warranty claim, the vast majority buy online, receive it at home, try it, like it, keep it... join forums, share their love of the instrument they have, over time those tales get refined down to how it's 'the one' ...from a logic perspective surely Gibson should be deliberately trying to avoid building 'the one', if that was their business why would anyone need the 2nd and the 3rd and so on..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 I have a 5 Star Dealer about 10 miles that I have bought a couple of instruments from. Nice enough folks. However, I pretty much avoid them as they aren't really interested in selling guitars, as far as I can tell. The nearest 5 Star Dealer that I enjoy dealing with is Tall Toad Music in Petaluma, CA, about 80 miles away. Good selection, good deals. But I make a point of driving the 2000 miles, round trip, to Bozeman every summer to shop Music Villa. They get the bulk of our business. Typically an absolutely great selection around the time of the Gibson Homecoming, absolutely super deals, fine folks, and they're the only dealer who can sell you a guitar you find at the factory later that same day. (Plus, I'm convinced the folks over at the factory channel the best of the best their way.) Personally, I think driving 1000 miles to go guitar shopping is only sensible. How else do you expect to wind up with a truly special guitar? Do you really want to settle for any random instrument that MF has laying around in their warehouse? I'm pretty sure that everyone in the 48 contiguous states is within 1000 miles of a great Gibson dealer, so go check 'em out, already! :) -- Bob R Bob, I think that's an interesting way to do it, but it doesn't necessarily fit well with most people's lifestyles. You're trained in logic. I'm trained in economics, so look at it from a different perspective. If I drive 1000 miles (each way) to a dealer, I'm burning 50 gallons of premium fuel each way at roughly $4/gallon, so I've already spent $400 on fuel. (I've got a very nice car that doesn't get very good mileage.) I'm going to break that 1000 mile drive into two days, so I've got one night in a hotel each way. In addition, after driving 1000 miles to a dealer, I'm going to spend at least two days looking at and playing guitars. That's a total of five nights in a hotel, let's say at $100/night. So add $500 for lodging. And I gotta eat, so that's six days at $50, for another $300. So far, I'm out of pocket $1200 before I've bought a guitar. But it's not just out of pocket expenses I have to worry about. I'm self-employed, so I don't get a paid vacation. I bill my time out, on average, at $1000 per day. So the opportunity cost of time for this trip is $6000. Say I wouldn't have worked on one of those days, so we can back that down to $5000. Granted, you would have to assign some value to the pleasure I would get from playing a bunch of guitars, but to some extent that's offset by the fact that I hate to drive long distances, so I've got four days of misery to factor in. Now, you can argue that I may find a guitar on this trip that will give me a lifetime of pleasure, but to place an excess value on that means that a guitar I buy over the internet would have to be a complete POS with no value over time. This is sort of a bull pucky way to say that most of us don't have the luxury of giving up a week of their lives each year to go look at guitars at a brick and mortar dealer 1000 miles away. We often have to take the chance of buying over the internet, if there's no really good dealer close at hand. Sometimes you win when you do that, sometimes you lose. On average, I've done pretty well. It must be even harder for our friends outside the US, who may have few, if any, really good dealers in their entire country. The fact is that internet buying is an increasingly important tool for most of us, particularly if, like me, you don't have a lot of spare time to spend running around doing things you might really like to do--like driving to Montana to look at guitars. Would I love to go to Music Villa or Fuller's to shop for guitars? You bet. But it ain't in the cards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EuroAussie Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 I think thats certainly a valid point Nick, but maybe taken a bit too literally. I dont think anybody would or should travel 1000 miles to buy a decent guitar. I think the point is that you can make it fun as having a bit of a road trip that also includes a visit to a few respected guitar shops along the way, like I do when I visit Germany. Its always on the back of an Australia Football carnival that is held near by, so its a fun weekend anyway that also includes a trip to a great git shop. btw: coming from advertising Im trained in pursuading folks to buy things they dont needm, even if it means driving 1000 miles ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParlourMan Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 I'm with Nick, it's a ludicrous ask.... and if Gibson takes the same stance regarding their product they ought to stop doing their product such a disservice and move into the business models of the times. I refuse to believe the lions share of sales are not the internet based sales for most big/decent/reputable retailers. While this cosy image of someone sitting down in MV or Fullers a few miles down the road from where they're made is all well and good, for the most of us it's never likely to happen, a quick business example: In under 2 calendar years I'm a 4 time Bozeman customer, as well as another Gibson Nashville purchase in the same time-frame too. So, 5 guitars, no budget models, it's a fair old chunk of change you must agree, now if their business model is not set up to serve me via the internet as well as 'Ol Pappy the twinkle-picker' who went down to MV or Fullers to wax lyrical for a few hours while trying out huge sections of the inventory that he's never likely to buy then their model is beyond useless. The frightening thing in this thead is that it seems some posters are saying that Gibson themselves actually buy-in to this "you have to try one before you buy" line we see so often in posts which are underhandedly taking a swipe at the brand. If that's the case no wonder the Dictator keeps firing his generals every few months, maybe he needs to hire some younger guys who know how to do modern business effectively in the digital realm and less 30 years proven experience in door calling or the touchy-feely stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 I'm with Nick, it's a ludicrous ask.... and if Gibson takes the same stance regarding their product they ought to stop doing their product such a disservice and move into the business models of the times. I refuse to believe the lions share of sales are not the internet based sales for most big/decent/reputable retailers. Just did a quick look around. Since I got back into guitar on a reasonably serious basis four years ago, I've bought eight guitars--all used, most either Gibson or Martin--spending a total of around $20K. Every single one was purchased directly from an internet vendor, or indirectly via internet contact and face-to-face purchase, such as craigslist. I've been in a total of three brick and mortar guitar stores in that same period. Bought one guitar case, one amp, and a few bits and pieces. And that doesn't count all the online orders of bits and pieces--bridge pins and saddles from Bob Colosi and Bryan England, strings from a variety of sources, instructional DVD's, tuners, capos, music downloads,etc, etc, etc. Others may spend more money, or less, but I would not be surprised to find that an increasing amount of even our high-end business is being conducted this way. Granted, it may make it harder for the local shop, and if I had a good one close at hand, I would patronize it. But I don't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaiser Bill Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 I'm sorry to report that the 4th largest city in the state of Pennsylvania has only one shop that carries Gibson. Its where I've bought both of my Gibson LPs and 3 Epiphones. Nice folks that will match any internet price. World of Music has been around for over 50 years I believe. They have thousands and thousands of my dollars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 I'm sorry to report that the 4th largest city in the state of Pennsylvania has only one shop that carries Gibson. Its where I've bought both of my Gibson LPs and 3 Epiphones. Nice folks that will match any internet price. World of Music has been around for over 50 years I believe. They have thousands and thousands of my dollars. Price matching is a way of life, and most stores seem to be willing to do that these days. It's why I bought an amp from my local store, five minutes from my house. Unfortunately, they aren't a Gibson dealer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tman Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 Truetone music in Santa Monica. About an hours drive. Well worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merseybeat1963 Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 If anyone is in Arizona, Acoustic Vibes seems a very good specialist Acoustics place. Everything it seems but no Gibsons though. I had already narrowed down the breed I was after and asked the owner to play & compare the guitars for me. Being the guy is honest & the place filled with the best, it was an educated guess way of doing it,this time. Originally I called about a Breedlove,a traditional 00 which is a size I like, with a Highly figured Myrtle body/adi top/Braz Fingerboard..at 40% off. I had liked a Braz Breedlove in this size a lot once. But he said the Lowdens were a definate step up from these in sound. So i had him compare a Braz/Bearclaw Lowden F, similar to one I have, to the Braz H&D..and he prefered the H&D, which cost about $2500 less. I feel satisfied that I an expert who is inundated with the best acoustics selected his favorite. Near me, near NY City is Mandolin Bros..this is a very good place to select the best in direct comparison.And if you ask for a little better price they will bring it down to what you have seen elsewhere. Matt Uminov is a good place in the Village..to me a magic location around there..but be warned there is a very small (but quality) selection. I see Rudys in Soho mentioned...incredibly laid out store (& there is the original small one on 48th Street as well) but you would be hard pressed to get a fair price at Rudy's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rar Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 So the opportunity cost of time for this trip is $6000. I've sort of tried to avoid ever doing that calculation. Sigh! Look, I know perfectly well that shopping at Music Villa doesn't make any economic sense. But buying another Gibson or two doesn't make any economic sense in the first place, so maybe that's appropriate. However, I don't think I'm going to wind up on my death bed regretting those trips to Bozeman and thinking that I should have spent that time making more money. I'm expecting something more along the lines of "I sure enjoyed those trips to Bozeman. I made some fine friends, and I found some great guitars that I got a lot of joy out of playing. I should have done more of that kind of thing!" So I'm going to stick with my recommendation of the guitar-shopping road trip as a good use of your time. As for the cost, well, like they say, it's only money. -- Bob R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jannusguy2 Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 Of the 15 guitars I have had pass through my hands in the last 4 or 5 years, I bought exactly 2 locally. I via Craig's List and 1 on consignment in a small guitar store I saw listed on Craig's List. Every other guitar was an internet purchase ; 5 from Fullers before they removed the Gibson listings; several Ebay, forums, etc. There are no mom/pop Gibson dealers where I am and GC is a mess. Lucky for me, my recent Martin purchase was it. I'm done. But, I have to believe that Fullers , and any other store like them has been done a serious disservice by Gibson in removing their ability to effectively advertise on line. To those of you who have a good store with a good selection nearby, enjoy as it's uncommon. Gibson got a lot of business from me via Fullers. I probably wouldn't have bought all those guitars otherwise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 So I'm going to stick with my recommendation of the guitar-shopping road trip as a good use of your time. As for the cost, well, like they say, it's only money. -- Bob R I can't disagree with you on that one! I would love to do it, although the thought of driving a thousand miles with a couple of new Gibsons in the back seat (you wouldn't put them in the trunk in summer, would you?)makes me nervous. I brought a couple of guitars back across Florida after major work by a luthier several years ago, and had to find a fast-food place for lunch that, 1) had a place I could park in the shade, and, 2) had a place to sit that would allow me to keep the guitars (I mean the car) in sight while I ordered and gobbled down my lunch. It felt like the car had a big neon sign on it that said "Hey! there are a couple of valuable guitars in the back seat of this car!". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jannusguy2 Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 I can't disagree with you on that one! I would love to do it, although the thought of driving a thousand miles with a couple of new Gibsons in the back seat (you wouldn't put them in the trunk in summer, would you?)makes me nervous. I brought a couple of guitars back across Florida after major work by a luthier several years ago, and had to find a fast-food place for lunch that, 1) had a place I could park in the shade, and, 2) had a place to sit that would allow me to keep the guitars (I mean the car) in sight while I ordered and gobbled down my lunch. It felt like the car had a big neon sign on it that said "Hey! there are a couple of valuable guitars in the back seat of this car!". I've been there! There's a Burger King in Withlacoochee with a nice shady lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry K Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 I go to Gryphon Strings in Palo Alto every so often. It's a long drive but they do very good work there and usually have lots of interesting guitars on the wall. By coincidence I was there today. They had an L-7 hanging there that I was trying hard not to look at and bravely resisted playing. I had brought a D-18 I bought new in 1970 which needs a neck reset, new frets, has loose braces, cracks, bridge lifting etc. It's going to end up costing as much as a new D-18 but it was my first good guitar and the thing has a lot of sentimental value to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merseybeat1963 Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 This "5 Star Dealer "thing... For the most part these shoppes are five star dealers to Gibson because they have jumped through the hoops & followed the guidelines that satisfy Gibson Corporate..not because they are best nor serviced best ..the customer..the buyer. This manufacturer is not just content setting price & profit ...now ,they are dictating to seller & buyer additional terms ,terms that are an imposition. Including guidelines of price. I know that now, it is only restricting advertised price..but they had attempted to fix the min selling price as well. Restrictions..limitations..guideliness...not the American tradition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rambler Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 Gibson doesnt do Mom and Pop, right? Stocking requirements. You know, if they lightened up on that, they might have better distribution. Me, Im lucky to see a Gibson in my neck of the woods. The MP shops in these parts are Martin and Taylor dealers, mostly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jegvt Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 I'm reduced to going to GCs or E-bay around here if I want a Gibson. But boy if you want a Taylor or a Seagull, they're coming out of your ears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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