Re: Something Acoustic This Way Comes
Yeah, I've had that happen to me. I chalk it up to the gun/guitar-slinger attitude rather than a GC thing, per se. I've had this happen at small stores too. And I've noticed that quite often in these situations, a Taylor guitar is involved, lol!
The Taylors have a big following, mostly among younger players; I think it's because they play so well and you can really shred on them. I have a 2002 Taylor 710-CE myself. It is a transitional model: Englemann spruce top, NT neck, re-voiced top bracing, and a Fishman preamp--they only did this combo for about three months. I've used it quite a bit when playing out, and it does the job. It is a well-made guitar, though the cosmetics of the rosewood to my eye are sub-standard. It is a little bit stiff sounding, very clean and clear, and it mics up well with a SM-57 and the various condensers I've used. But it does NOT have the mid-range warmth of a Martin, or the bass response, or the volume. I've mitigated some of that by using a bone nut and saddle, Tusq bridge pins and D'Addario EXP Phoshor Bronze strings; all of which help--but a Taylor is not a Martin. They have a distinct tonality. Beautifully done, and they always play so perfectly, but I miss that warmth and power. And I've noticed that Taylors don't seem to hold their value as well as a comparable Martin. I've come to view my 710 as a tool, rather than a fine musical instrument.
I'd have to say that most of the guys at my local GC's (I have four within 40 miles of my house) are pretty cool, and they treat me well. It actually was the manager of the GC that called me about the Collings; he knows I have expensive tastes, LOL! He knew that I was looking for something special, and I was actually thankful he called--these guitars are rare in my area. It was kinda funny too, because the Collings has a such a great rep. It was beautifully made and it did sound good. A little stiff, like many new Adi-topped guitars, but you could tell that somewhere down the road, the Collings was going to a formidable instrument. And it did pretty much blow away every other guitar they had in the store...Martin, Taylor, Breedlove, Gibson, Tak, Yamaha...everything but the HD-28V. And that guitar just blew away the Collings, not even close. The whole experience was an eye-opener, not just for me, but for the guys in the store, too.
One of my favorite acoustic guitar shop horror stories, and there are many, lol...(not a GC, BTW)...
I was in my mid-twenties, clean cut and presentable, already making a decent living as a musician, cash money in my pocket, looking to buy a D-28. I already had a D-18, and was looking for a second guitar. Go into this small shop, meet the owner, he has a D-28. Great! I ask to see it.
"No. You have to buy it before I let you touch it."
I get out my wallet. I count out the money. Then I take the money, put it back into my wallet and walked out the door.
Never went back. Got my brand new 1975 D-28 a couple months later for the same price as his.
The really bad part of the story though, is that the guitar he had was a NOS Brazilian RW model, probably hanging in his shop 6-8 years. If I knew then what I know now--I probably would have bought it anyway. SHOULD have...the BRW D-28s are worth about three times what my '75 is worth. Ah well...
But, I paid the rent with that D-28 (and the D-18) for many years. I still have the D-28. It's battle-scarred--been to a lot of bars and festivals; married off several couples, and helped me sing sweet love songs to fair young maidens who showed great appreciation for my attention. But...those stories are for another time...
I really hope you get a lot of pleasure from this new guitar. Be sure to post some pics when it comes in.
Bill