Big Box Store (local) Amp Selection

[Scott_F]

I went into one of the big chain stores here. Granted it's a smaller sized store from the bigger cities, but dang there wasn't much in the way of selection unless you are into modeling amps and a few Blues Deluxes and Junior type stuff. The biggest Vox they had was a AC10. They had one Marshall cab and no heads.

I, trying not to be a smart alec, sincerely asked the guy if they were closing this location. He said, no why would you say that? It made me quite sad. On the positive side, they did have a lot of fine acoustics and many decent mid range electrics.

They wonder why folks buy so much on-line.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Big Box Store (local) Amp Selection

To be fair . . . they're probably playing the numbers. Most people play at home and pretty quiet volumes, maybe occasionally jamming with some friends now and again. Modelling stuff and small amps work great for this. Very few people really need a head and extension cab, and for a big purchase like that a lot of folks will be scouring the internet for the best deal anyway.

 

[Shooter.556]

Re: Big Box Store (local) Amp Selection

I sadly buy everything online. It's just easier, we have two nice high end shops near me but it's easier to shop on Reverb and the internet sellers..

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Big Box Store (local) Amp Selection

G_base and Reverb give me access to a lot of small shops that sell over the net. I've made some good friends over the years that way and we've only talked on the phone and never met live! Dave's Guitars, Wildwood (I have visited there), Wolfe (I have visited there), Chicago Music, etc.

And yes in a college town, low end is it. But when they first opened, their selection was pretty good.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Big Box Store (local) Amp Selection

My local GC is a "mini" store. Very limited selection, and yes ,mostly low end. They do have some high end Gibson USA and the occasional Custom (model), but the stock hardly moves from what I can tell. I think they are still loaded up with 2015 Gibsons (who isn't?)

My son has taken interest in playing and the strat I gave him is not "cool enough" (he won't say it, he's too good natured, but I can tell), so for Xmas, we will be heading there to take a look at some Epiphone SGs or similar $300-$400 guitars. Otherwise I rarely spend money there except for string emergencies.

Surprisingly, they often have some great higher end items in the used section.

99% of my buying is online. Amazon, Sweetwater, Reverb sellers (Big plug for The Guitar Store, in Seattle), Pedal Geek, or individual/small business (custom wound pickups, speakers, tubes, etc.).

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Big Box Store (local) Amp Selection

And this time of year, it's hit-and-miss with Guitar Center, as they specifically aim their inventory to budget packs and beginner/intermediate gear, rather than more expensive pro gear and upscale guitars.

Bill

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Big Box Store (local) Amp Selection

Retailers are interested in whatever they can sell in the greatest quantities. Period.

 

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: Big Box Store (local) Amp Selection

^^ Correct, and that's how they survive.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Big Box Store (local) Amp Selection

When I try guitars at the local GC I go to the used section . For the tube amps

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Big Box Store (local) Amp Selection

Maybe because it's the end of the year?

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Big Box Store (local) Amp Selection

The GC in Jax I used to go to, was never hugely blessed with high end stuff like you see in the CA GC adds, but lately they are very bare walls.. Most of the stuff stocked is used or very low grade. But, Im pretty sure that is the kind of market Jax is. There are some big money areas, but I imagine most of the kind of stuff that sells is budget gear.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Big Box Store (local) Amp Selection

There's always a "premier" GC in a metro market, they have a bigger inventory. (Now, you can search to see the entire new and used inventory of every GC online)

Also, GC and MF are the same parent company.

 

[DankStar]

Re: Big Box Store (local) Amp Selection

I like when GC had a whole wall of MGs and once I asked to play one and he said I shouldn't even bother. Not that he wasn't somewhat correct but obviously there's a disconnect if they don't even want to try and sell what they have. I just wanted to see what it sounded like.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Big Box Store (local) Amp Selection

I noticed GC is thinning out their stock of high end stuff at smaller locations, and putting the premium stock only in major city locations.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Big Box Store (local) Amp Selection

What's the point of filling a store with fancy highend gear if nobody is going to buy it?

 

[chadd]

Re: Big Box Store (local) Amp Selection

I noticed GC is thinning out their stock of high end stuff at smaller locations, and putting the premium stock only in major city locations.

That's my experience as well. The local store has one 335 and one LP standard, nothing else over $2k, and both of them are 20 feet off the ground.

 

[Securb]

Re: Big Box Store (local) Amp Selection

The Mom and Pop stores and smaller market Big Box stores are simply accessory stores at this point with a bit of beginner gear for teenagers. There are not too many places left where you will find an array of Fender and Marshall amps. Most of those stores a filled with Line 6 crap, a smattering of Blackstar stuff and Korean guitars with 81/85 knockoffs. As others have said if you want a store with variety you have to head into the big cities.

 

[johnthomas]

Re: Big Box Store (local) Amp Selection

Nothing in G.C. here either...and here is San Diego...I am under the strong impression that Guitar Center is cost cutting on all actual storefronts as more and more sales are online. Not a big loss except G.C. pretty much killed all the local music retailers so now it is really hard to try before you buy. Now it is hope the FedEx, UPS, driver doesn't break the headstock or drop your new tube amp, and be prepared to send back the stuff that disappoints tonally, or aesthetically. Thank God for youtube demos no matter how poorly produced.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[Stickymongoose]

Re: Big Box Store (local) Amp Selection

My area has gone from 6 to 3 dedicated musical instrument stores in just the past few years. What I miss most is the variety. All of these stores have basically stopped ordering anything that isn't immediately recognizable to someone shopping for their first guitar. So if it isn't a Les Paul, SG, Strat or Tele, or maybe a cheaper Ibanez, you won't find it locally. I do most of my shopping at pawn shops and Craigslist. No shortage of pawn shops, but they are always loaded with worthless junk. I'm not talking about entry level gear, it's 95% or more Esteban and unbranded starter pack stuff. A couple of weeks ago, I saw a dinged up G400 in one of the better pawn shops. Only real electric they had in stock.

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: Big Box Store (local) Amp Selection

My local Guitar Center and Sam Ash aren't too bad in comparison to everyone else here. There are actually decent guitars, and usually something like an AC15 or Orange Tiny Terror to use to test gear. They also usually have a 6505+, but I'm not going to use that - too much for simply testing gear, especially if I'm not making any big purchases that day. If/when those stores start carrying less, the Hollywood stores are about an hour away.