So this guy tried to get me to buy a Variax today...

[Razor1911]

Ya, I went into the local music store today to play around on this Joe Satriani Ibanez I've been GASing about for quite a while...and this conversation ensuing my profuse drooling goes as such:

Some guy I've never seen before: "Pfft, don't buy that! You'll be interested in a guitar that's pretty much 36 different kinds in one!"

Me: "Nah man, I've played one before. All the models sound pretty sterile. I'd rather spend my money on something that'll give me one great tone than a couple OK tones and numerous useless ones."

"Hey man, it'll cost you Thousands to get the sounds this thing makes!"

"I don't play more than three styles of music and I have guitars to cover those already. I just like the JS so I want to buy it"

"This guitar'll produce all the sounds that one you're looking at will and many more! it also has an acoustic simulator"

"I have an acoustic that works fine thanks. But let me ask you some questions. One, would you be proud to hold that thing in public? Also, would you rather spend $1,000 on a guitar that gives you a bunch of OK tones or $1,000 on a beautiful guitar that feels nice to you and produces the exact tone you want?"

"Of course not everyone is going to find the guitar ideal"

"right, and I'm not one of them. Now if you'd be so kind as to take down the JS and let me play on it through your 5150, I'll be happy. And by the way, in about a month I'm going to buy this."

...So pretty much it's just me oogling for that JS Ibanez I've been saving my money up for. I've got $800, which is enough for it but I've got some other bills to pay--such as my AP testing and whatnot. I have my Peavey 5150 on the way from Guitar Center (YEEEES) and an Ibanez JS soon to come. Already ordered the pickups I want for it: 59/JB combo. Oh yes

by the way guys, I like how the forum looks. The pickup icons are awesome and the smilies rock. Especially like this one: :fing25:
haha

yea, I haven't been here in a while. Anyone miss me? lol

 

[HolyDirt]

Re: So this guy tried to get me to buy a Variax today...

i hate it when guitar sales people think they know what you want more that you do

 

[JOLLY]

Re: So this guy tried to get me to buy a Variax today...

I saw those Variax's goin for $799 the other day

 

[Jonny R]

Re: So this guy tried to get me to buy a Variax today...

Man, that guy sounds like a twit

In my personal experience I've found HiFi salesmen to be the worst.

Most of them happen to think the gear in their shop is 'much better' than the other brands in other shops, no matter what international reviews etc might say.

For some reason they like to scoff at other brands. My friend went to one shop to buy a CD player, and the guy asked what amp he would be running it through. In an attempt to sell him an amp too (we suspect anyway - seems like a dum way to try) he told him his amp (multi award winner etc) was crap, and he should buy one of the great ones they had in his store, which of course were much better.

Oops, sorry to get carried away on your thread here, just had too much of crap salespeople recently.

 

[Closed Eye]

Re: So this guy tried to get me to buy a Variax today...

"I have an acoustic that works fine thanks. But let me ask you some questions. One, would you be proud to hold that thing in public? Also, would you rather spend $1,000 on a guitar that gives you a bunch of OK tones or $1,000 on a beautiful guitar that feels nice to you and produces the exact tone you want?"

I wouldn't mind being seen with one of those Line 6 Variax 700's in public, to be honest, those things look pretty sharp. I dunno about the tone, but they look nice, and I certainly wouldn't be embarressed having one hanging on my shoulders.



On the subject though; I've actually been pretty impressed with some guitar sales-people lately. There've been two or three great, smart guys who know they stuff and respect me enough as a customer to try not to sell me whatever crap it is they have to pitch to any Joe-Idiot Impulse Buyer that walks in the door. I also stray away from the bigger stores now, it's the smaller places that don't give you crap is what I've found.

 

[B2D]

Re: So this guy tried to get me to buy a Variax today...

Man, what an ******* that other salesman was! Talk about not qualifying for a pitch... jeez.

BTW... Guitar Center isn't a Peavey dealer, so how did you get a 5150 from them?

 

[Thee]

Re: So this guy tried to get me to buy a Variax today...

Man, what an ******* that other salesman was! Talk about not qualifying for a pitch... jeez.

BTW... Guitar Center isn't a Peavey dealer, so how did you get a 5150 from them?

Really? Musicians' Enema carries Peavey now.

 

[StrangeDay]

Re: So this guy tried to get me to buy a Variax today...

I think the Variax is one of the ugliest guitars I've ever seen! :laugh2:

 

[B2D]

Re: So this guy tried to get me to buy a Variax today...

Really? Musicians' Enema carries Peavey now.

GC does own MF but they're still separate companies.

 

[xerxes]

Re: So this guy tried to get me to buy a Variax today...

that sucks about the sales guy.

on a seperate note, how is the js model?

 

[McLaughysSN]

Re: So this guy tried to get me to buy a Variax today...

That guy sounds like a bad telemarketer in the flesh. they should be more fixated on trying to get you EVEN MORE addicted to the JS that you've told him you have money for and less time trying to sell you something you know for sure you dont want and have a arguement against.

i find this situation to be the WORST when testing effects.

 

[Hoss]

Re: So this guy tried to get me to buy a Variax today...

same thing happened to me a few months back in a music store.....they almost shoved a variax down my throat!!!

i wouldn't mind having one to plink around on...but for maybe about $300 bucks...?!?!

 

[TheMist]

Re: So this guy tried to get me to buy a Variax today...

why not keep the JS stock? They sound great the way they are.

 

[frigginalex]

Re: So this guy tried to get me to buy a Variax today...

They must not be selling too well on the Variax, which wouldn't be surprising. It's a sound idea, but they screwed up the execution. Line 6 needs to concentrate on making more Vetta upgrades rather than plugging the Variax!

 

[dalastcaffeine]

Re: So this guy tried to get me to buy a Variax today...

i like the variax.....the classical nylon guitar one rocks...

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: So this guy tried to get me to buy a Variax today...

Line 6 makes a good product, but make no mistake about why they're popular.
They succeed at Guitar Center because Line 6 has a great marketing team.
They stand behind those walls of classic tube amps lending credibility to
their digital product, then send skilled salesmen to the stores for on-hands
training about their products. This salesman, who likely knows nothing about
Duncans, not to mention tone, is only armed with the information the Line 6
rep left him with. The same thing happened with PRS Guitars. Paul Reed
Smith used to have phone conference meetings with guitar floor staff at
Guitar Center, when I worked there in 88-90. Observing how certain products get pushed, when salesmen are informed, shows you what needs
to be done to launch a product. :duh: :fing25:

 

[Closed Eye]

Re: So this guy tried to get me to buy a Variax today...

This salesman, who likely knows nothing about
Duncans, not to mention tone, is only armed with the information the Line 6
rep left him with.

Most of the salesmen I've encountered more often than not either a.) do what you're talking about in that they're trying to sell you the Newest shineiest piece of crap that just came off the truck or b.) they recommmend equipment based on what they like, rather than what you need or what your playing style/request requires.

However, I find the second one to be more detrimental to a guitarist making a bad purchase. I've run into that "buy this because it's got this and this and this" and more features than you'll ever need, use, or want. But the fact that a salesperson, who is usually a guitarist themselves (I assume), either doesn't really know anything about tailoring a sale to a person.
I'm sure there's a market for the Variax, in fact I'm almost certain because there's scores of cover bands and studio/experimental musicians who don't give a flying sh*t how aesthetics or perfect dead on smack dab in the center famous guitar or amp sound that could and would make ideal use of such a product.
But for the guitarist who is looking for one tone out of one guitar and one amp those kinds of sale-pitches aren't really an appropriate or wise thing to do. Make a sale based on what the customer wants, not what some company is marketing.
I'm just really adding my 2 Cents to what you're saying, and I agree with you.

 

[Razor1911]

Re: So this guy tried to get me to buy a Variax today...

Man, what an ******* that other salesman was! Talk about not qualifying for a pitch... jeez.

BTW... Guitar Center isn't a Peavey dealer, so how did you get a 5150 from them?

it was a used one that some other GC in california had or something

I dunno, but when I went in there trying out mesas the salesman said "yea we got a 5150 in some store in california we can order if you want it"

so i did...
When i got the 5150 it had no tubes so I'm waiting for the GC to get tubes for it and then i'm going to try it and eventually buy it.

yea...that salesman at the store just kept pushing me to buy it...oh well i'm still getting the JS w00t

and btw, I like how the JS i'm getting sounds but I just feel like putting some duncans in them...

and this thing is really nice. it isn't too heavy and isn't too off-balanced... The neck is a good size and much more comfortable than the wizard II on my RG (yea i'm passed the "smaller=better" stage mwahaha)...

the JS i'm looking at is a nice see-through crimson... it has a decent tremolo on it that doesn't go out of tune. I was dive bombing like crazy on it and stayed in tune fine.
This guitar caught my eye as soon as i saw it and it just feels good in my hands...by the end of spring break i'm going to have it! woohoo


btw, i love having a job it lets me buy things

 

[stratvox]

Re: So this guy tried to get me to buy a Variax today...

Ok. i really did nt want to complain but here is my guitar sales man story. First, i like line 6 stuff and have a pod. Second, i happen to be a sales person and make a damn fine living doing it but im not sleazy. Ok here goes. I go into a Sam Ash, a place i swore i d never buy anything greater than a pack of picks and began trying out Les Pauls. Been hankering for one for a while. So , i end up with this really sweet 57 historic goldtop. i fall in love, negotiate a fair deal and split. I then find out that it is a three year old guitar that has been sitting there. Now , normally this would not bother me but there have been many changes to the historic line in terms of upgraded pickups more accurate inlays etc. I go back and tell them i m unhappy due to this. The manager says he wants me to be happybut offers no solutions. I ask for a couple hunj back he tells me no money back but he will hook me up on my next purchase!! I tell him, dude, after dropping 2k theres not going to be any more purchases for awhile. The sob doesnt even offer me a new set of strings! I got 3 year old strings and all I wanted was a break on the price. Anyway, some jackoff sales kid says to me, "why would you want a new guitar, this one is closer to being vintage!" CLOSER TO BEING VINTAGE!!! I almost strangled him. I said, KID i have effect pedals older than you how dare you insult my intelleigence. You want to talk about this being vintage, call me in 20 years. He says, "See what i mean. Now you only have to wait 17 more years" Needless to say, i returned the guitar and got what i wanted elsewhere. SAM ASH :fing25: :dance: I love the little dancing guy