My first experience with Guitar Center....

[TexRoadkill]

I like GC for electronics stuff when I know exactly what I want and how much it's worth. I usually just walk up to the sales guy and say I'll give you $x for that. I bought my LP there but I went during a weekday when it was pretty slow so I could actually hear it.

 

[JR#97]

Re: i frequent that same GC, jr.....

the one off redwood road, right?

it's a bit of a zoo....

but, i've never had (knock 3 times) a bad experience there....

i go in, know what i want, i've already called ahead to scope out the prices, i've got my printout of the best deal on the net, i ask em to match, they always match it, i walk out, with only a little bit of a buzz in my ear from all the noise.

That be the one.

It was weird today. When I was walking into the acoustic room, some guy calls my name. Turns out to be a relative of my ex-wife. So I'm thinking I'll exchange pleasentries and be on my way. But no... dude is getting into the guitar now and wants me to try out the amp he's thinking about throwin down on. So for about 2 min. I cranked a Mesa Boogie Duel Rectifer combo and played a few 80's hair metal riffs and drowned out the nu metal n00b. Ex-relative thanked me, then plunked down the money and bought it. I should have asked the salesman for my cut.

 

[GONZO-X]

 

[BillyFurnett]

I laugh when I think of the typical Saturday afternoon free for all at GC.. It's like the last six issues of any guitar tab magazine just exploded!!
I'm surprised they don't try to charge kids like $5 ( Refundable upon immediate purchase of course) for checking out guitars.

It's always nice to see 4 kids that just came from Greasy Hut with their fillty mitt's all over nice Martin's and Taylor's that someone is gonna pay big cash for an hour later.

 

[Treeline]

...It's always nice to see 4 kids that just came from Greasy Hut with their fillty mitt's all over nice Martin's and Taylor's that someone is gonna pay big cash for an hour later.

Oh, man, have mercy. I just had supper. Ooof!

 

[coolasvanillaic]

GC

Personally Ive never had a big problem with Guitar Center. I usually go there and try stuff out and then end up buying it online because prices are so much better online anyway.

One thing I do like about guitar center specifically is that they do drum and guitar competitions every year. i signed up for it this year and actually won! Let me tell you, these guys were amazing...very tight and specific about what they played. But I think the reason I won was because I put some spunk into my performance. The first time I playes I wore a cheesburger costume and I was going nuts all over the stage...doing some Rick Neilson stuff.(Cheap Trick rocks!) The second time I played I wore a suit completely made out of duct tape and I got on the news for it. Really cool experience for me. It was nice being a young guy(Im 18) and actually keeping up wit the guys who were much older and who had many more years of experience. But they all played the same pentatonic blues riffs that everyone plays...bleh...

One more thing...I Dont think anyone should rip on the young guys playing Nu Metal or whatever in music stores...its all they know. I remember playing Enter Sandman and Smells like Teen Spirit at music stores because its all I knew. Noone here was born knowing everything about guitars, so give these kids a break. How many of you older guys have played some Zeppelin, AC/DC or some Blue Oyster Cult when you were kids? Come on know...

Peace,

Matt

 

[JR#97]

Re: GC

One more thing...I Dont think anyone should rip on the young guys playing Nu Metal or whatever in music stores...its all they know. I remember playing Enter Sandman and Smells like Teen Spirit at music stores because its all I knew. Noone here was born knowing everything about guitars, so give these kids a break. How many of you older guys have played some Zeppelin, AC/DC or some Blue Oyster Cult when you were kids? Come on know...

Peace,

Matt

I don't have a problem with playing what you know. But does someone need to do it at max volume for more than 10 min.? It's about courtesy. If you've been trying out an amp for 10 min. and some guy keeps hovering waiting to try something out, take a break. That's all I'm asking.

 

[A Reel Person]

What do you mean, 'when we were kids'???

How'bout,... yesterday and today!

 

[BillyFurnett]

On the plus side...

GC's drum department has always been good for me.
(I'd like to see them carry some of the nice high end Sonar kits, but no biggie.)

 

[willovercome]

Re: Re: GC

I don't have a problem with playing what you know. But does someone need to do it at max volume for more than 10 min.? It's about courtesy. If you've been trying out an amp for 10 min. and some guy keeps hovering waiting to try something out, take a break. That's all I'm asking.

yeah, and they're probably not going to buy the amp or guitar anyway, so why not stop for the sake of those of us who are making a purchase.

 

[coolasvanillaic]

Re: Re: Re: GC

yeah, and they're probably not going to buy the amp or guitar anyway, so why not stop for the sake of those of us who are making a purchase.

True, but I always loved playing guitars I couldnt afford. When youre 12 you can afford a $1100 Les Paul but it was awesome to try one out. Yea, I do see no point inf playing super loud for very long, that does get annoying.

Peace,

Matt

 

[Phyl]

Re: i frequent that same GC, jr.....

the one off redwood road, right?

it's a bit of a zoo....

but, i've never had (knock 3 times) a bad experience there....

i go in, know what i want, i've already called ahead to scope out the prices, i've got my printout of the best deal on the net, i ask em to match, they always match it, i walk out, with only a little bit of a buzz in my ear from all the noise.

Last time I was in that particular store I made the mistake of looking at the new "Blue" microphone for about 5 seconds. The guy behind the counter immediately began to tell me how much I needed that mike. Oh well, he's just trying to make a living.

Like many have said, have all your research done before you walk in, know what a reasonable price is, and be prepared to walk out.

I've never had them refuse to match a price I've found on the web.