I know purchasing a guitar sight unseen is NOT the best way to go.... However, in this day and age of online commerce... If you were to purchase a Gibson LP online, who do you feel would provider you a better instrument and better service if there is an issue? Sweetwater, or....??? Thanks
Purchasing LP sight unseen?
- Thread starter BloodRose
- Start date
Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
Re: Purchasing LP sight unseen?
I bought my Traditional online from Guitar Center. I did a pick up in store deal with all intentions of leaving it there if it was not up to snuff. I desperately wanted the Iced Tea finish and could not find it in any stores. I plugged it in and it was perfect. My new Custom Lite my girlfriend bought online for me an I have not seen a single issue with it. If you find a good deal online go for it. If it does not meet your needs you can always return it.
I bought my Traditional online from Guitar Center. I did a pick up in store deal with all intentions of leaving it there if it was not up to snuff. I desperately wanted the Iced Tea finish and could not find it in any stores. I plugged it in and it was perfect. My new Custom Lite my girlfriend bought online for me an I have not seen a single issue with it. If you find a good deal online go for it. If it does not meet your needs you can always return it.
allbutromeo
Well-known member
Re: Purchasing LP sight unseen?
If i were to buy one online i would feel comfortable with Sweetwater. Their customer service is top notch, and I've heard many people say they returned multiple guitars of the same model until they found the one that was just right.
If i were to buy one online i would feel comfortable with Sweetwater. Their customer service is top notch, and I've heard many people say they returned multiple guitars of the same model until they found the one that was just right.
Esteban's Hat
New member
Re: Purchasing LP sight unseen?
Chuck could use some more helicopters so definitely buy from Sweetwater
A nice thing I noticed about Sweetwater is the way they show you the guitar you want to buy nott just one like it but the actual guitar, technology is something huh?
Chuck could use some more helicopters so definitely buy from Sweetwater
A nice thing I noticed about Sweetwater is the way they show you the guitar you want to buy nott just one like it but the actual guitar, technology is something huh?
ehdwuld
A Ficus
Re: Purchasing LP sight unseen?
I was faced with the same problem when I was shopping for my Les Paul
The one I wanted was an online exclusive at a retailer
A local shop ordered it in and I tried it
Same with my Florentine
Different local shop but same process
Most local shops will set it up and such
Work out any minor kinks
Some don't
The Studio Custom had some burrs on the fret ends
Seller was ambivalent
The shop I got my Florentine from dressed them up without issue
It just depends
Local shops will try to keep your business
Mostly anyways
I was faced with the same problem when I was shopping for my Les Paul
The one I wanted was an online exclusive at a retailer
A local shop ordered it in and I tried it
Same with my Florentine
Different local shop but same process
Most local shops will set it up and such
Work out any minor kinks
Some don't
The Studio Custom had some burrs on the fret ends
Seller was ambivalent
The shop I got my Florentine from dressed them up without issue
It just depends
Local shops will try to keep your business
Mostly anyways
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: Purchasing LP sight unseen?
I've bought "un-pre-played" from The Music Zoo and Elderly. It's not sight unseen because both will show you pics of the guitar you are buying, and they go over it and set it up, then properly pack it (e.g. loosen strings, etc.) before shipping it to you.
I've bought "un-pre-played" from The Music Zoo and Elderly. It's not sight unseen because both will show you pics of the guitar you are buying, and they go over it and set it up, then properly pack it (e.g. loosen strings, etc.) before shipping it to you.
Lewguitar
New member
Re: Purchasing LP sight unseen?
I'd look locally and on Craigslist for a great used one that you can get cheaper and be able to try before buying.
There are guitars that I'll buy online, like PRS, but Gibsons are too inconsistent in quality to buy sight unseen.
Get a used one you can try first. And be patient. There's zillions of them. Try a bunch.
I'd look locally and on Craigslist for a great used one that you can get cheaper and be able to try before buying.
There are guitars that I'll buy online, like PRS, but Gibsons are too inconsistent in quality to buy sight unseen.
Get a used one you can try first. And be patient. There's zillions of them. Try a bunch.
treyhaislip
Well-known member
Re: Purchasing LP sight unseen?
As long as they had a money back guarantee then I don't think it would matter where you ordered it from.
As long as they had a money back guarantee then I don't think it would matter where you ordered it from.
YeRedHouseOverYonder
New member
Re: Purchasing LP sight unseen?
I would definitely do Sweetwater. I've had good experiences with them. They took back two Supro amps that died on me. I guess it depends on your "sales engineer" too. That said, I don't think I'd buy a LP new.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I would definitely do Sweetwater. I've had good experiences with them. They took back two Supro amps that died on me. I guess it depends on your "sales engineer" too. That said, I don't think I'd buy a LP new.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
jc74868
New member
Re: Purchasing LP sight unseen?
AMS, ZZOUNDS, and MF habe a 45 day, free return policy. I think Sweetwater does too. Hard to go wrong with that. Even eBay is not bad (on eBay it's not so much your satisfaction, but whether the item is defective, or not as described). I've had a couple of such eBay problems and got all $ back and even return shipping covered (that took some insistence and raising hell on my part to get return shipping covered, but got it done ).
Sent from my SM-J327P using Tapatalk
AMS, ZZOUNDS, and MF habe a 45 day, free return policy. I think Sweetwater does too. Hard to go wrong with that. Even eBay is not bad (on eBay it's not so much your satisfaction, but whether the item is defective, or not as described). I've had a couple of such eBay problems and got all $ back and even return shipping covered (that took some insistence and raising hell on my part to get return shipping covered, but got it done ).
Sent from my SM-J327P using Tapatalk
stratguy23
New member
Re: Purchasing LP sight unseen?
Sweetwater definitely does treat you well.
The other retailer I'd recommend is Wildwood. Not only do you get weight measurements, like Sweetwater, you also get neck thickness measurements, which most retailers don't offer.
AMS/ZZounds seem to have stopped offering weight measurements with guitars.
Weight measurements are pretty important, I feel, when buying LP and SG-style guitars.
Sweetwater definitely does treat you well.
The other retailer I'd recommend is Wildwood. Not only do you get weight measurements, like Sweetwater, you also get neck thickness measurements, which most retailers don't offer.
AMS/ZZounds seem to have stopped offering weight measurements with guitars.
Weight measurements are pretty important, I feel, when buying LP and SG-style guitars.
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Purchasing LP sight unseen?
Wildwood has a very good rep on the Les Paul Forum, as do several of the other dealers who advertise there.
Bill
Wildwood has a very good rep on the Les Paul Forum, as do several of the other dealers who advertise there.
Bill
Re: Purchasing LP sight unseen?
You know.... I have been buying a few used things on guitar centers "used page" They inspect it before they take it in and I always have it sent to a store where I try it out first before I buy it. That way I try it out with either their whole guitar selection so I can hear it with different guitars to get some ideas, or I play a used guitar thru several different amps to hear its potential and if it sounds amazing good with a paticuler amp I may find one of those used too. I found an Eric Johnson strat sounds really good thru Fender Twins and Hot Rod Deville 4x10's. I know its weird but certain guitars and amps just make for an awsome tone combo and I take full of advantage of guitar centers big selection to find that kind of thing out. Local guys can have good stuff too but if I have a problem with a used guitar I have ordered in at guitar center I tell just tell them its a piece of sh!t and I dont want it. I have only done it once on some Fender Strat. The rest of the stuff I got was inspected pretty well when they took it in and I get the used price for something in decent shape.
You know.... I have been buying a few used things on guitar centers "used page" They inspect it before they take it in and I always have it sent to a store where I try it out first before I buy it. That way I try it out with either their whole guitar selection so I can hear it with different guitars to get some ideas, or I play a used guitar thru several different amps to hear its potential and if it sounds amazing good with a paticuler amp I may find one of those used too. I found an Eric Johnson strat sounds really good thru Fender Twins and Hot Rod Deville 4x10's. I know its weird but certain guitars and amps just make for an awsome tone combo and I take full of advantage of guitar centers big selection to find that kind of thing out. Local guys can have good stuff too but if I have a problem with a used guitar I have ordered in at guitar center I tell just tell them its a piece of sh!t and I dont want it. I have only done it once on some Fender Strat. The rest of the stuff I got was inspected pretty well when they took it in and I get the used price for something in decent shape.
Brian Krashpad
New member
Re: Purchasing LP sight unseen?
I've had surprisingly good luck with Musician's Friend. They did once send me the wrong version of a Les Paul Special (humbuckers instead of P90s), but I sent it back w/no problems and got the correct one. Both guitars were in good condition, and playable out of the box.
A long time previous, I bought a different LP Special, it had sticky neck and I should've sent it back but didn't because I knew that eventually the nitro would cure. I also bought a cheapo SG (SGJ model) with no problems at all.
If the company has a good return policy, you're in like Flynn.
I've had surprisingly good luck with Musician's Friend. They did once send me the wrong version of a Les Paul Special (humbuckers instead of P90s), but I sent it back w/no problems and got the correct one. Both guitars were in good condition, and playable out of the box.
A long time previous, I bought a different LP Special, it had sticky neck and I should've sent it back but didn't because I knew that eventually the nitro would cure. I also bought a cheapo SG (SGJ model) with no problems at all.
If the company has a good return policy, you're in like Flynn.
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: Purchasing LP sight unseen?
Regardless of our yapping and flapping about Gibson quality, any Les Paul is a solid guitar. It just may not speak to you.
That said - if you are willing to deal with returning it, go for it. As said - can't do big volume or online without being able to handle returns these days.
Regardless of our yapping and flapping about Gibson quality, any Les Paul is a solid guitar. It just may not speak to you.
That said - if you are willing to deal with returning it, go for it. As said - can't do big volume or online without being able to handle returns these days.
