Good ole GC Staff

[triodecr]

I just called on a used guitar and asked about fret wear. I was told that 'with the stainless frets you only have to worry about that on old Gibsons with the nickel frets'. No sooner than he got that out, he said, oh uhm yeah this does have quite a bit of wear.... I didn't even bother trying to explain that there are few companies that use stainless on their standard models.

Good ole GC!

[HSB0531]

Guitar Center: Never buy anything more complicated than a set of strings from them.

[Caddie]

Oh come on now. Don't be so hard on those GC folks. Give 'em a little bit of credit. They have a great selection of picks.

Guitar Center: Never buy anything more complicated than a set of strings from them.

[crunchee]

Oh come on now. Don't be so hard on those GC folks. Give 'em a little bit of credit. They have a great selection of picks.

Guitar Center: Never buy anything more complicated than a set of strings from them.

Ask 'em if their flat picks are right handed or left handed.

[killerteddybear]

GC is like most other big box stores.

Do your research before you go in. The staff are only interested in making their numbers.

[Armitage]

It never ceases to amaze me that people would ever think most minimum wage workers would ever be knowledgeable... If they knew what they were doing, they wouldn't be there.

Reading the back of the box or talking to biased sales reps is about the worst way to start learning about things, and commission never breeds good advice.

[triodecr]

I'll admit I am overly critical of them because of their business model. Come into town, drop prices low and willingly negotiate lower prices for the first year; wait 'till the established businesses die off. Bring prices back up, do not negotiate at all, and screw the customer with horribly trained staff. They put the Hamer dealer, G&L dealer, & small Gibson and Fender dealer all out of business. I did my part - 2 new Hamers and 2 new G&Ls in one year but it 'twas not enough. I realize it's the customers who put these shops out of business but it just sucks that when the newness wore off we were left with one independent guitar specialty shop. It will take a while but I hope Sweetwater forces the Ft. Wayne store out of business.

[django49]

I have had mixed results with GC........When I lived in LA, the Hollywood store was almost painful to spend time in. On the plus side, they had an incredible selection that I cannot replicate in this area. Not to mention the rare and vintage section with the "Burst Brothers".

However, I must say that my hesitation at calling the store in Rockford earlier was unwarranted. The person I talked to was intelligent and helpful. And there were no screaming out of tune guitar riffs in the background.

[crunchee]

I have had mixed results with GC........When I lived in LA, the Hollywood store was almost painful to spend time in. On the plus side, they had an incredible selection that I cannot replicate in this area. Not to mention the rare and vintage section with the "Burst Brothers".

I'm kinda leery of any dealer (or dealers) who puts themselves on the same level of shameless promotion with the 'collection' they've managed to get. E. R. in Sin City comes to mind...actually, he may be the poster child for that kind of thing.

[django49]

That is a good point.....Never bought a thing from either the BBs or ER. Certainly did not SELL them anything. Both were more than a little obnoxious. However, it was a sensual experience to be able to see, even touch and play, some really nice things in Hollywood that might never see the light of day in most areas of the country.

[Morris Davis]

It never ceases to amaze me that people would ever think most minimum wage workers would ever be knowledgeable... If they knew what they were doing, they wouldn't be there.

Reading the back of the box or talking to biased sales reps is about the worst way to start learning about things, and commission never breeds good advice.

I like the guitar center in Madison. I know some of the staff there, and a few of the guys have been there a while, are knowledgeable, and are skilled players.

Two small mom and pop stores that were Madison "institutions", Ward Brodt and Good n Loud, did recently go out of business. I can't figure out why people are upset by this. As far as I can tell, they just charged more for the same guitars.

The one place in town that sells used/vintage but also does guitar and amp repair, Greg's, is still around and doing fine (I think).

My two cents.