What do you guys think of Guitar Center and their website www.musiciansfriend.com ? Do you shop there? What do you like about it or not like about it? Do you think the company has a good future?
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Guitar Center - your opinion?
- Thread starter smegolas
- Start date
Bludave
New member
Re: Guitar Center - your opinion?
I do and will continue to buy items from Musicians Friend. But I should point out I will only buy items that I can try in the shops first, like an OD pedal or power supplies for pedals or a case for a guitar. I WOULD NEVER BUY A GUITAR OR AMP WITHOUT HAVING THE ABILITY TO PLAY IT FIRST!
That being said I have purchased 3 one spots to power my pedal boards, George L cables and connectors to wire my board and a few stomp boxes. Most recently I ordered a Volume pedal and a Line 6 Verbzilla. Everything I have received in perfect working condition.
As far as guitar Center is concerned......... I think they need to devote more time to training the staff. Its pretty sad when you walk in to a Guitar Center and the sales people don't even know what item you are looking to try.
I do and will continue to buy items from Musicians Friend. But I should point out I will only buy items that I can try in the shops first, like an OD pedal or power supplies for pedals or a case for a guitar. I WOULD NEVER BUY A GUITAR OR AMP WITHOUT HAVING THE ABILITY TO PLAY IT FIRST!
That being said I have purchased 3 one spots to power my pedal boards, George L cables and connectors to wire my board and a few stomp boxes. Most recently I ordered a Volume pedal and a Line 6 Verbzilla. Everything I have received in perfect working condition.
As far as guitar Center is concerned......... I think they need to devote more time to training the staff. Its pretty sad when you walk in to a Guitar Center and the sales people don't even know what item you are looking to try.
ksmith63
New member
Re: Guitar Center - your opinion?
they are the wal-mart of music gear. opinions about them?
Guitar Center: The guitar center near me blows. that simple but all the music stores here do so there arent many better places to shop if i need something quick. Going there to try out gear isnt really my thing. i've played guitar long enough to know what i like + what i dont like. also i've had enough experience with gear to get a good idea how it will sound based on what it is + internet opinions.
Musicians Friend: I used to buy lots of stuff from them online as its all new/no idiot has damaged it. their website isnt laid out the best but stuff is generally easy to find + pretty informative. I do not purchase from them anymore because i live in tennessee and i'd have to pay sales tax (9.25%)
Musician.com: this website is where i usually buy stuff from. it is pretty much Musician's Friend. i actually think its the same company cause the pics , descriptions and reviews ARE ALL THE SAME. some of the stuff on musiciansfriend site isnt on here (for some unknown reason) and some stuff seems to be behind. bought my superdrive 80 from these guys for $500 less than i should have paid because they didnt update their website.
they are the wal-mart of music gear. opinions about them?
Guitar Center: The guitar center near me blows. that simple but all the music stores here do so there arent many better places to shop if i need something quick. Going there to try out gear isnt really my thing. i've played guitar long enough to know what i like + what i dont like. also i've had enough experience with gear to get a good idea how it will sound based on what it is + internet opinions.
Musicians Friend: I used to buy lots of stuff from them online as its all new/no idiot has damaged it. their website isnt laid out the best but stuff is generally easy to find + pretty informative. I do not purchase from them anymore because i live in tennessee and i'd have to pay sales tax (9.25%)
Musician.com: this website is where i usually buy stuff from. it is pretty much Musician's Friend. i actually think its the same company cause the pics , descriptions and reviews ARE ALL THE SAME. some of the stuff on musiciansfriend site isnt on here (for some unknown reason) and some stuff seems to be behind. bought my superdrive 80 from these guys for $500 less than i should have paid because they didnt update their website.
sgman
New member
Re: Guitar Center - your opinion?
The don't think that the Guitar Center has any relationship with musicianfriend.com. their website is http://guitarcenter.com
There are many guitars stores on the net. When I want to buy a new axe I usally compare a few before buying or driving to the Guitar Center store.
The people at guitar center told me to print out any lower price from another store and they will give me the gear at that price....
The don't think that the Guitar Center has any relationship with musicianfriend.com. their website is http://guitarcenter.com
There are many guitars stores on the net. When I want to buy a new axe I usally compare a few before buying or driving to the Guitar Center store.
The people at guitar center told me to print out any lower price from another store and they will give me the gear at that price....
Zhangliqun
Questionologist
Re: Guitar Center - your opinion?
Guitar Center is a place to go only if you are very knowledgeable about gear in general and know exactly what you want when you walk in the door. With rare exceptions, it is NOT the place to go if you want advice from the sales people, especially about guitars. If you've been playing more than 3 years, chances are you know more about their product line than they do.
And as if that's not enough, they will pretend they are experts and say a bunch of things they either just heard at Harmony Central or just make up a bunch of crap right there on the spot that you know isn't true to try to impress you, and they do it over and over even after you call them on it. One guy told me that Parker guitars are shaped the way they are because extensive scientific testing shows it's the best shape to enhance the way the sound comes off the wood.
You also have to be very wary about the condition of the guitars, particularly neck, frets and set-up. I think they've improved some in this area, at least locally for me (Sherman Oaks, CA), but you still see too many guitars with rusted strings, missing strings, banana-bowed necks, etc. -- and I don't care what brand it is.
I got my '03 LP Standard there and it is a stone-cold winner -- but I got it only because I had enough knowledge/experience to know it was a winner when I picked it up and played it.
As for how the company is doing financially, they seem to keep expanding so I guess all this stuff isn't hurting them, at least not yet.
Guitar Center is a place to go only if you are very knowledgeable about gear in general and know exactly what you want when you walk in the door. With rare exceptions, it is NOT the place to go if you want advice from the sales people, especially about guitars. If you've been playing more than 3 years, chances are you know more about their product line than they do.
And as if that's not enough, they will pretend they are experts and say a bunch of things they either just heard at Harmony Central or just make up a bunch of crap right there on the spot that you know isn't true to try to impress you, and they do it over and over even after you call them on it. One guy told me that Parker guitars are shaped the way they are because extensive scientific testing shows it's the best shape to enhance the way the sound comes off the wood.
You also have to be very wary about the condition of the guitars, particularly neck, frets and set-up. I think they've improved some in this area, at least locally for me (Sherman Oaks, CA), but you still see too many guitars with rusted strings, missing strings, banana-bowed necks, etc. -- and I don't care what brand it is.
I got my '03 LP Standard there and it is a stone-cold winner -- but I got it only because I had enough knowledge/experience to know it was a winner when I picked it up and played it.
As for how the company is doing financially, they seem to keep expanding so I guess all this stuff isn't hurting them, at least not yet.
RW James
New member
Re: Guitar Center - your opinion?
Guitar Center owns Musicians Friend... but you are right in that they have their own website - but other than cosmetic ways they are identical.
GC and MF are out to destroy local music stores - and through their volume buying, they get the major manufactures to play along. I don't like this practice because I want and need the small local stores to stay in business.
However, I do buy from them if I can not find what I want at the local shop, or if the local shop price is just way too high. I own six guitars - 1 purchased from MF, 4 from a local shop, and 1 here from a forum bro.
Guitar Center owns Musicians Friend... but you are right in that they have their own website - but other than cosmetic ways they are identical.
GC and MF are out to destroy local music stores - and through their volume buying, they get the major manufactures to play along. I don't like this practice because I want and need the small local stores to stay in business.
However, I do buy from them if I can not find what I want at the local shop, or if the local shop price is just way too high. I own six guitars - 1 purchased from MF, 4 from a local shop, and 1 here from a forum bro.
lex666
New member
Re: Guitar Center - your opinion?
There's a guitar center near me and I hate shopping there. Its small and cramped - you can hardly turn around without bumping into something. The staff is ok, but the gear is always funky. Its hard to gauge wether or not I like a guitar when its all funky and out of tune. Trying out a guitar and amp is almost impossible. Due to the close proximity of others, we all end up competing in some kind of loudness/riff/shred fest. After a while it all becomes noise and I forget my purpose for being there... I only buy stuff there that I need in a hurry like strings, straplocks, etc... Sometimes, I do buy gear from there I feel that I might have to exchange or return like trying out a pedal or effect.
I mostly buy my stuff online now. Especially if its expensive. Buying from musicians friend saves me tax and shippig is usually free anyways... Here in CA tax is 8.25%. If you buy a $1,000+ guitar, I save close to $100+ in tax. I've been really lucky and alot of the gear I bought online has been really good. There has been occasions when gear has arrived unsatisfactory and required a return, but to me its worth it for the money I save. Plus, I like to try out gear on my rig/at home where I can take my time to decide if I really like something. Alot of times, a particular item/color/configuration is not in stock anyways, and I feel like I'm cutting out the 'middleman'.
Lately, I've been shopping at Music 123, instead of MF. Music 123 has a rewards program that gives you special discounts and gift certficates depending on how much $$$ you spend.
There's a guitar center near me and I hate shopping there. Its small and cramped - you can hardly turn around without bumping into something. The staff is ok, but the gear is always funky. Its hard to gauge wether or not I like a guitar when its all funky and out of tune. Trying out a guitar and amp is almost impossible. Due to the close proximity of others, we all end up competing in some kind of loudness/riff/shred fest. After a while it all becomes noise and I forget my purpose for being there... I only buy stuff there that I need in a hurry like strings, straplocks, etc... Sometimes, I do buy gear from there I feel that I might have to exchange or return like trying out a pedal or effect.
I mostly buy my stuff online now. Especially if its expensive. Buying from musicians friend saves me tax and shippig is usually free anyways... Here in CA tax is 8.25%. If you buy a $1,000+ guitar, I save close to $100+ in tax. I've been really lucky and alot of the gear I bought online has been really good. There has been occasions when gear has arrived unsatisfactory and required a return, but to me its worth it for the money I save. Plus, I like to try out gear on my rig/at home where I can take my time to decide if I really like something. Alot of times, a particular item/color/configuration is not in stock anyways, and I feel like I'm cutting out the 'middleman'.
Lately, I've been shopping at Music 123, instead of MF. Music 123 has a rewards program that gives you special discounts and gift certficates depending on how much $$$ you spend.
Closed Eye
New member
Re: Guitar Center - your opinion?
I go to Guitar Center to try stuff out and that's about it. I don't even buy picks or strings from them. I buy new from Musician's Friend, moreso with effects pedals than guitars, and I go to the local guys to get guitars, usually used or older models GC/MF doesn't have.
I go to Guitar Center to try stuff out and that's about it. I don't even buy picks or strings from them. I buy new from Musician's Friend, moreso with effects pedals than guitars, and I go to the local guys to get guitars, usually used or older models GC/MF doesn't have.
S
Skarekrough
Guest
Re: Guitar Center - your opinion?
I get the same entertainment out of Guitar Center as I do watching the Special Olympics.
Unfortunately the Special Olympics usually showcases a better spectrum of usable skills than most Guitar Center employees.
I get the same entertainment out of Guitar Center as I do watching the Special Olympics.
Unfortunately the Special Olympics usually showcases a better spectrum of usable skills than most Guitar Center employees.
dystrust
Well-known member
Re: Guitar Center - your opinion?
I try to avoid Musician's Fiend and Guitar Satan whenever I can. I'm usually looking for used guitars rather than new and I can almost always get a better deal at a local store. If I'm shopping online, I prefer to order from Sweetwater because their shipping is always free and they actually have great service instead of merely bragging about it. I admit that I've been buying strings from Guitar Satan lately, but only until I can find another source with a reasonable price.
I try to avoid Musician's Fiend and Guitar Satan whenever I can. I'm usually looking for used guitars rather than new and I can almost always get a better deal at a local store. If I'm shopping online, I prefer to order from Sweetwater because their shipping is always free and they actually have great service instead of merely bragging about it. I admit that I've been buying strings from Guitar Satan lately, but only until I can find another source with a reasonable price.
Re: Guitar Center - your opinion?
they hire poorly trained monkeys, dont believe a word they say with out doing some research yourself. i was top salesguy/dept manager for three years at a gc and almost everyone else there to a man didnt know crap except what they were told or read in magazines.
everything i spout off is from my personal experiences, most that work there have no idea and probably use a mg30dfx and bronze warlock
they hire poorly trained monkeys, dont believe a word they say with out doing some research yourself. i was top salesguy/dept manager for three years at a gc and almost everyone else there to a man didnt know crap except what they were told or read in magazines.
everything i spout off is from my personal experiences, most that work there have no idea and probably use a mg30dfx and bronze warlock
MikeS
Bengalsologist
Re: Guitar Center - your opinion?
It's love/hate for me. The consumer in me appreciates the bottom-dollar pricing a can get (or at least deal for). They deal in a large volume as well so if there is a particular model I want to play I can typically try at least two of them. You can also get some good used deals from them because they undercut those who sell gear to Guitar Center so much that GC will place the piece at market value and you can deal for a price below market value pretty easily.
With the exception of one or two guys who I have experience with, their sales staff is worthless, and I find no use for them aside from ringing up a transaction. I never go into a Guitar Center with the intent to buy without first having researched what I was interested in. The worst are the guys behind the accessories counter.
I wouldn't go so far as to call them the Wal-Mart of the guitar world (Guitarget is far more appropriate). While I do feel for the small mom and pop shops, I also understand that that is the nature of our economic system, and I cannot fault a company for taking advantage of that. The small store has got to find ways to survive, whether that be by offering services unavailable from big box stores or dealing with brands that Guitar Center does not carry. Some of them have been wise enough to embrace the internet, too. Look at Willcutt... they embraced the web some time ago and were the #1 PRS dealer in the world from 2003-2005. Not bad for a company that operates two stores.
It's love/hate for me. The consumer in me appreciates the bottom-dollar pricing a can get (or at least deal for). They deal in a large volume as well so if there is a particular model I want to play I can typically try at least two of them. You can also get some good used deals from them because they undercut those who sell gear to Guitar Center so much that GC will place the piece at market value and you can deal for a price below market value pretty easily.
With the exception of one or two guys who I have experience with, their sales staff is worthless, and I find no use for them aside from ringing up a transaction. I never go into a Guitar Center with the intent to buy without first having researched what I was interested in. The worst are the guys behind the accessories counter.
I wouldn't go so far as to call them the Wal-Mart of the guitar world (Guitarget is far more appropriate). While I do feel for the small mom and pop shops, I also understand that that is the nature of our economic system, and I cannot fault a company for taking advantage of that. The small store has got to find ways to survive, whether that be by offering services unavailable from big box stores or dealing with brands that Guitar Center does not carry. Some of them have been wise enough to embrace the internet, too. Look at Willcutt... they embraced the web some time ago and were the #1 PRS dealer in the world from 2003-2005. Not bad for a company that operates two stores.
Re: Guitar Center - your opinion?
The good thing about Guitar Center is a good selection of products you can try and you can always return stuff if you don't like it. You can also get a better deal then online. I just bought a Fender Amer Deluxe that listed at $1299 on Musicians Friend for $1100 out the door and I can return if I don't like it.
I have bought guitars online without actually trying and it is hit or miss. I have 2 guitars out of 5 I bought online that I have kept. Luckily I buy them from ebay and can usually sell them for equal or even more then what I paid.
The only thing I buy from Musicians Friend are stuff that I cannot find anywhere else.
90% of the time I like to buy used on ebay.
The good thing about Guitar Center is a good selection of products you can try and you can always return stuff if you don't like it. You can also get a better deal then online. I just bought a Fender Amer Deluxe that listed at $1299 on Musicians Friend for $1100 out the door and I can return if I don't like it.
I have bought guitars online without actually trying and it is hit or miss. I have 2 guitars out of 5 I bought online that I have kept. Luckily I buy them from ebay and can usually sell them for equal or even more then what I paid.
The only thing I buy from Musicians Friend are stuff that I cannot find anywhere else.
90% of the time I like to buy used on ebay.
TattooedCarrot
New member
Re: Guitar Center - your opinion?
GC is a good if you're going to buy and you're not looking for advice. I know gear and I know pricing, so I start in right away on $$ and cut the BS. Usually I get a good price on what I want and if I don't, I leave. I don't ask for any advice and find when the GC staff offers information about whatever item I'm looking at, they are incorrect 90% of the time anyway.
GC is a good if you're going to buy and you're not looking for advice. I know gear and I know pricing, so I start in right away on $$ and cut the BS. Usually I get a good price on what I want and if I don't, I leave. I don't ask for any advice and find when the GC staff offers information about whatever item I'm looking at, they are incorrect 90% of the time anyway.
liono9
New member
Re: Guitar Center - your opinion?
well I go to GC usually to try stuff out,secondly i buy pedals from them and try them at home with my guitar and amp to get the feel.i like it i keep it i dont return and try another one ,and no hassle of shipping back and fourth.
Also have a friend who works there and give me a darn good price on everything,latest a jackson DKMG dinky Cobalt swirl blue marked at $839.00 at all the websites, $600.00 plus tax out the door,not bad.
well I go to GC usually to try stuff out,secondly i buy pedals from them and try them at home with my guitar and amp to get the feel.i like it i keep it i dont return and try another one ,and no hassle of shipping back and fourth.
Also have a friend who works there and give me a darn good price on everything,latest a jackson DKMG dinky Cobalt swirl blue marked at $839.00 at all the websites, $600.00 plus tax out the door,not bad.
Re: Guitar Center - your opinion?
MikeS,
Have you ever made the trip from Cincy to Wilcutt's? I have to admit I didn't care for some of the employee's attitudes when I shopped there (went to college in Lexington), but they have some awesome guitars in the shop. You should check it out if you haven't; it's def worth the drive from Cincy if you're looking to buy.
MikeS,
Have you ever made the trip from Cincy to Wilcutt's? I have to admit I didn't care for some of the employee's attitudes when I shopped there (went to college in Lexington), but they have some awesome guitars in the shop. You should check it out if you haven't; it's def worth the drive from Cincy if you're looking to buy.
Re: Guitar Center - your opinion?
On a different note, can you haggle much on the used gear in the store at GC? In my local shop they have a '94 57 reissue Strat that's calling my name...but the string tree, nut and saddles have all been changed to graphite and it's kinna beat up...but I loved the feel. The other issue is that they want $1000 for it, even with the shape it's in. Would I be wasting my time to try to bargain with them?
On a different note, can you haggle much on the used gear in the store at GC? In my local shop they have a '94 57 reissue Strat that's calling my name...but the string tree, nut and saddles have all been changed to graphite and it's kinna beat up...but I loved the feel. The other issue is that they want $1000 for it, even with the shape it's in. Would I be wasting my time to try to bargain with them?
