Where do you get your info???

[Aaron Cheney]

Magazine reviews? No. They're too worried about losing advertising dollars to say anything negative.

Online reviews, like the Harmony Central database? No. Too full of "this thing totally rocks!" or "this thing totally sucks!" to be useful, or else reviewed by a youngster who is, albeit well-intentioned, too inexperienced to give a useful opinion.

Manufacturers sites? No. All they are good for are specs. Any other info is obviously biased. (Heck even the specs are exagerated sometimes.)

The local store? Please. I'm usually surprised to find a "Guitar Superstore" employee that can work the cash register, let alone explain the difference between maple and mahogany. (Though I'm sure some exist!)

I guess I find that any source that claims to give reviews or advice just kind of sucks. The best info I ever get is what I glean from conversations on sites like this, or with my musician buddies. It's kind of like the school of thought that says the only true from of free press is graffitti. Everything else is following an agenda.

What do you think?

Aaron
http://www.voodoovibe.com

 

[Track Rat]

You hit it right on its pointed little head sir. Of course this wasn't always the case in the BBBS era (before BBS). I bought tons of stuff while suffering from information depravation, getting most bad info from magazine gear reviews. As you know, not the most reliable source. And guitar mart sales boys? Give me a fuckin break. I have strings older than most of those dweebs. Places like this are the only way to get the straight scoop and even then you have to do a lot of reading between the lines to figure out who knows what they're talking about and who's spewing swill.

 

[Dunder XIII]

I get the best information here and other forums. There is a good mix of beginners to experienced musicians in almost every style coming here, so you get views from a good many angles (styles, ease of use etc.).

And what's great, discussion unlocks common knowledge so you end-up knowing a lot more then what you read on a merchant's press release. I just hate when flames start, hopefully they're rare here which is nice

 

[gbondo9]

first - find out about gear through catalogues and magazine reviews so you know whats out there
second - Go to the manufacturers website to get all the specs, see if it has what you want
third - go to harmony central(user reviews etc) to see if there is anything useful to be found (generally you can tell a tustworthy user review). Go to bbs boards and ask opinions. You will get a pretty good idea of the general consensus this way.
fourth - go to your local (or nearest) music store and play/try the gear at hand. If you dont trust the people who work there, dont talk to them. If you say things like, "You are an idiot and I do not want you anywhere near me or my potential purchases. GO AWAY", they will generall leave you alone and let you do your thing.

so now you know whats new, what features it has, what other people think and what you heard/felt. Based on this, I would say youve got a pretty good chance of purchasing succefully.
Todd

 

[VOXVENDOR]

I don't buy much gear... Im happy with what I have, and an inherent stubborn streak in me will not allow me to improve on that

I guess im the opposite of a gear slut....


BUT.... When i do buy stuff, it's usually word of mouth, recommendations from friends.... I know the guys at the local music store too.. and they DON"T work on commision, and don't care if you buy something or not, and are actually pretty damn honest....

One guy is a pro tools head, and the other guy is a cubase/logic head, so I get both sides of the story from the recording department...

And when possible, I use my ears, and A/B the gear myself...


I rarely take advice from here, unless it's from one of the regulars who knows their shit.... I don't mean that as a slight against anyone, but keep in mind that this is a "home" recording site, and the average bbs-er is just a hobbyist with little experience in equipment... (Me included).... Alot of advice and critiques that are very naive and uneducated get thown out into forum-mix here, so you have to take it all with a grain of salt......

IMO

(Now, no one will ever give me advice around here again...)


But, really, im sure you know where im coming from

 

[Aaron Cheney]

"You are an idiot and I do not want you anywhere near me or my potential purchases. GO AWAY"

LOL

I will try that approach next time and let you know how it goes.

Aaron
http://www.voodoovibe.com

 

[Newest User]

The local store? Please. I'm usually surprised to find a "Guitar Superstore" employee that can work the cash register, let alone explain the difference between maple and mahogany. (Though I'm sure some exist!)

Sounds like American Music and Guitar Center has made your day Aaron. I did get some good service at the South Center (Tukwila) Guitar Center last week, bought a Audiophile 24/96. A# Music along 180th in the valley (below Valley General) is a great place if you got the money for some of that stuff, and they definitely know what their talking about when it comes to guitars and amps. I used to go in with my pal Jim and play the Valley Arts model while he bargained over PRS models...

I've walked out of American Music more times than I can count!