Where is the best place to buy a new Fender guitar?

Big Steve · May 17th, 2008, 01:43 PM

I am going to buy a new Fender Jazzmaster. I wonder where the best place to buy it is. I haven't bought a new Fender in a very long time.

When I recently bought a Gibson Les Paul, I was amazed that many of the dealers on the Les Paul forum had dramatically better prices (15-20% less) than Guitar Center/Muscians Friend. Further, in Gibson land, some dealers seem to get the better guitars, or at least that is the consensus even if it isn't true.

When checking Fender prices, it seems like everyone has the same prices. Who gets the best Fenders and who offers the best pricing? Or if they are all created equal, simply who has the best prices?

CatfishStudios · May 17th, 2008, 02:14 PM

All Fenders are not created equal. ;] I like the selection at WILDWOOD .. but thats online where I cant play them...I looked around for quite a bit locally at all the Fender Dealers..to find ones with good rep, and good selection, and NOT GC...found Showcase Music in Portland Oregon..Fender only dealer..with great selection and variety..big custom shop and vintage selection as well..always have ALL the fender amps to try them out..and have great service. I suggest you look up your local smaller dealers and just do a walk in on all of them.OR tell us where you are and we can give more specific input.

Big Steve · May 17th, 2008, 07:42 PM

I am in the Los Angeles area. Many stores have a good selection. But prices seem to be the same everywhere. I do not mind buying over the net as long as the dealer has a good rep.

Telemarkman · May 17th, 2008, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Steve

I am in the Los Angeles area. Many stores have a good selection. But prices seem to be the same everywhere. I do not mind buying over the net as long as the dealer has a good rep.

In that case Wildwood is the place.

http://www.wildwoodguitars.com/

I've bought 4 guitars from them - 2 for me and 2 for friends of mine, and all have been outstanding. You can trust these gentlemen 100% - they KNOW their guitars

!

beep.click · May 17th, 2008, 07:56 PM

Steve, when I was in Sam Ash Canoga Park about a week ago, they had 2 Jazzmasters ("Ocean Turquoise," I think they call it, and a sunburst). Same price as everywhere, but you could play them!

I bought my J. Mascis JM there last year, which implies they would get more -- but they move fast.

Another place to try: TrueTone in Santa Monica. They have more of the "fringe" guitars than most places, including Jazzmasters, Jaguars, Thinine Teles, Eastwoods, etc.

smitty54017 · May 17th, 2008, 08:03 PM

I'm not sure if some dealers get better guitars, or if it's that they take the time to inspect and set up their instruments better than others.

It's also easier to pay attention to quality if you have one location rather than hundreds of stores.

With any purchase, I like to check the local guys first. If their prices aren't too much higher than the box stores, I'll go with the locals. I think building a good relationship with a mom and pop store is worth a little extra $$$. It's like buying a meal at McDonald's and at your local cafe. If you get a bad meal or crumby service at the local joint, they have more to lose than if you get it at McDonald's.

Whenever I buy any duty gear, I like to shop the local police supply store rather than the bigger national stores. If I buy enough, they'll usually throw in a couple of freebies or offer a discount. Smaller businesses, whether online or local, sometimes go the extra mile to keep customers happy and see us as individuals.

Telenator · May 17th, 2008, 09:19 PM

My last purchase experience was a MIM Strat that gibsonjunkie and I went shopping for. We went to 3 major stores and played at least 30 Strats. Then we found "the one." This particular Strat just had the vibe like none of the others we played and it rivaled many of the more expensive guitars we'd played for comparisons sake. Personally, I could never order a guitar sight unseen. I did it once and regretted it. The guitar was a dud.

I never try to save money when buying a guitar. It's going to be around for so long and yield so much pleasure that saving a few bucks isn't even a part of the equation. Owning a sub-standard guitar isn't suddenly OK because I saved a bunch of money on it. It's still a lame guitar that doesn't deliver the goods!

Colt W. Knight · May 17th, 2008, 09:39 PM

Online, I'd like to reccomend First Quality Music Supply (FQMS.COM). Im sure you could call them and tell them to pick you out the pick of the litter and theyd send you a great guitar. Top notch customer service. Wildwood is a close second.

May 17th, 2008, 01:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
Big Steve Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 456	Where is the best place to buy a new Fender guitar? I am going to buy a new Fender Jazzmaster. I wonder where the best place to buy it is. I haven't bought a new Fender in a very long time. When I recently bought a Gibson Les Paul, I was amazed that many of the dealers on the Les Paul forum had dramatically better prices (15-20% less) than Guitar Center/Muscians Friend. Further, in Gibson land, some dealers seem to get the better guitars, or at least that is the consensus even if it isn't true. When checking Fender prices, it seems like everyone has the same prices. Who gets the best Fenders and who offers the best pricing? Or if they are all created equal, simply who has the best prices?

May 17th, 2008, 07:56 PM	#5 (permalink)
beep.click Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: California Age: 49 Posts: 1,919	Steve, when I was in Sam Ash Canoga Park about a week ago, they had 2 Jazzmasters ("Ocean Turquoise," I think they call it, and a sunburst). Same price as everywhere, but you could play them! I bought my J. Mascis JM there last year, which implies they would get more -- but they move fast. Another place to try: TrueTone in Santa Monica. They have more of the "fringe" guitars than most places, including Jazzmasters, Jaguars, Thinine Teles, Eastwoods, etc. __________________ "It looked like a giant green gum drop to me."

May 17th, 2008, 08:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
smitty54017 Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: New Richmond, WI Age: 36 Posts: 373	I'm not sure if some dealers get better guitars, or if it's that they take the time to inspect and set up their instruments better than others. It's also easier to pay attention to quality if you have one location rather than hundreds of stores. With any purchase, I like to check the local guys first. If their prices aren't too much higher than the box stores, I'll go with the locals. I think building a good relationship with a mom and pop store is worth a little extra $$$. It's like buying a meal at McDonald's and at your local cafe. If you get a bad meal or crumby service at the local joint, they have more to lose than if you get it at McDonald's. Whenever I buy any duty gear, I like to shop the local police supply store rather than the bigger national stores. If I buy enough, they'll usually throw in a couple of freebies or offer a discount. Smaller businesses, whether online or local, sometimes go the extra mile to keep customers happy and see us as individuals. __________________ ----------------------------------------------------- Happy cows (and Packer fans) come from Wisconsin!

May 17th, 2008, 09:19 PM	#7 (permalink)
Telenator Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 4,620	My last purchase experience was a MIM Strat that gibsonjunkie and I went shopping for. We went to 3 major stores and played at least 30 Strats. Then we found "the one." This particular Strat just had the vibe like none of the others we played and it rivaled many of the more expensive guitars we'd played for comparisons sake. Personally, I could never order a guitar sight unseen. I did it once and regretted it. The guitar was a dud. I never try to save money when buying a guitar. It's going to be around for so long and yield so much pleasure that saving a few bucks isn't even a part of the equation. Owning a sub-standard guitar isn't suddenly OK because I saved a bunch of money on it. It's still a lame guitar that doesn't deliver the goods! __________________ Dogs have the right idea!

May 17th, 2008, 02:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
CatfishStudios Banned Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon , United States Age: 33 Posts: 727	All Fenders are not created equal. ;] I like the selection at WILDWOOD .. but thats online where I cant play them...I looked around for quite a bit locally at all the Fender Dealers..to find ones with good rep, and good selection, and NOT GC...found Showcase Music in Portland Oregon..Fender only dealer..with great selection and variety..big custom shop and vintage selection as well..always have ALL the fender amps to try them out..and have great service. I suggest you look up your local smaller dealers and just do a walk in on all of them.OR tell us where you are and we can give more specific input.

May 17th, 2008, 07:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
Big Steve Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 456	I am in the Los Angeles area. Many stores have a good selection. But prices seem to be the same everywhere. I do not mind buying over the net as long as the dealer has a good rep.

May 17th, 2008, 09:39 PM	#8 (permalink)
Colt W. Knight Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: West Virginia Age: 24 Posts: 2,019	Online, I'd like to reccomend First Quality Music Supply (FQMS.COM). Im sure you could call them and tell them to pick you out the pick of the litter and theyd send you a great guitar. Top notch customer service. Wildwood is a close second.