my "Guitar Center" mini rant! :-)

[Bill Hullett]

Well......I just HAD to have some strat tremelo replacement springs today...so with it being Sunday afternoon I thought that I'd see if Guitar Center was open today...........
so I called......mistake #1. The guy who answered the phone was a caffined up wacko who answered my question of "are you open this afternoon" with an entire paragraph of........We've got everything dood....guitars...amps ...recording gear come on down man!!!!!!!
so I drove down.....mistake#2. I had barely stepped out of my car when a salesman outside the building 30 feet from the front door is askig me if he could take me back to pro audio and show me some gear....(I'm thinking to myself....with your hair~do you ain't taken me anywhere bud! :-)
so i said no thanks and walked in....mistake#3. before the door had closed behind me..this salemans clone brother was on me inside the store sayin with all the jive he could muster "what can I show you today dood"...so at this point I mentally yelled "Uncle" and told him of the strat springs that i needed...he looked clueless...so I told him that "allparts etc....usually had them on the racks ...well that was behint the counter and he was clever enough to know that the parts were there .....but not clever enough to know what they looked like! so after me pointing to them and then explaining "no thats not the springs thats a gibson tune~o~ matic bridge" he then handed me my parts.....
the final straw was when I tried to leave mistake #4. a girl came running up to me calling me back inside to check my bag to make sure I wasn't stealing anything......

here's my open letter to guitar center....


1. I don't expect by what you pay these folks to know more than I do.....but please make sure they can recognize strat springs from a tune~o~matic bridge....

2. I'm 53 years old.....the jive routine might work well with the 14 year old kids and the moms that bring them there but not me......

3. I don't look like a thief....please don't treat me like one.......

thank goodness I don't "need" things on Sunday that often....and all the good places are open 6 days a week :-)
Bill Hullett[/i]

[Bill Hullett]

why should buying $7.00 worth of junk be as confrontational as buying a new car!!!!!!! :-):-)
Bill Hullett

I played with a guy a couple of years ago who had written a tune entitled "Big Box Retail Experience." That pretty much sums it up. :-|

Looking on the bright side, at least you'll know where not to go next time. – CS

[Mickey]

Originally Posted by Bill Hullett

the final straw was when I tried to leave mistake #4. a girl came running up to me calling me back inside to check my bag to make sure I wasn't stealing anything......

Wait a minute, you didn't finish the story. Did you steal anything?

Just kidding!

[Bill Hullett]

No I actually didn't!!!! heee heee.....
Chris....the song sounds like it could be me!!!! :-)
Bill Hullett

[T Prior]

because I am an old guy they pretty much just say hello and leave me alone. They probably think I came in looking for my teeth...

IF they do ever start to bug me I pick up a Tele, plug it into a HR Deluxe and start playing Country bends and licks etc..Then I usually follow that up with some big fat jazz chords on the neck pickup up..and right about then the young " Hey Dude" dude..pretty much takes off and leaves me all to my little ole self..they want no part of this ole' country picker'...

Today I did buy an AB switch and only played a MIM Nashville Tele for a minute or two..it wouldn't stay in tune, the strings were moving as much as I was bending !

A few weeks ago I was in the store playing a mid 80's 52RI and although it was ok it wasn't for me..I played it for about 15 minutes trying to find a reason to buy it..but nada..but..when I gave it back to the older guy and started to leave the store he yelled over to me..

"Please come back..don't leave me alone in here with all these kids" ! truth.. I promise..

I knew today was not going to be a good day in that store.., there was this very young boy, maybe 6, fooling with a Strat plugged into the Marshall half stack !

Holy Half Stack Batman !

t

[0le FUZZY]

<li>A few years back when I wood go in with my kowgirl hat on and sunglasses none body wood pay me no never mind.
<li>I could walk roun fer an hour and never be looked at.
<li>When I finally got a holt of the rascal I done biddness with before it waz "Hi FUZZ, check this out. We jes got it in. Watt dew yew think" cause they canoe I wassa TELECASTER buyer and had sum getus.
<li>When I ever did git a rapport with one of the younger fellers er gals the next time I went in they waz fired. I reckon they hadda lotta turn over inna Bay Area back then.
<li>Be glad they paid yew sum nevermind Bill ! Its worser gittin ignored specially iffin yer inna hurry and sumbody rich and famous li que.
FI HAD JER GETUS I'D BURN MINE !! HEE! HEE!

---0.F.---

[lenny]

i was at one just after new year's, and i think after x mas the salespeople were too exhausted to bother me. in fact, they were letting anyone who wanted to just grab any old guitar. two kids i would say one was 12, other 14, were playin round with some nice strats.. here is the kicker
i was in there to buy a tele. they had an american deluxe. it was great. 3 tone sunburst, played and sounded great. except for the fact that it looked like it had been dragged around the store by the saleman's youngerbrother one night after closing. it had a huge gauge in the fretboard, several chips right thru the finish down to the wood, and a huge dent in the finish on the front. i pointed it out to the salesman, and that it was still listed for 1229( i couldnt beieve it i was laughing at it when i showed him). his answer... i wouldnt buy a guitar like that. i told him neither would i. he started to talk price, and said he wouldt pay more than 700, but he doubted that "they" would go for it. an absolutely great deluxe american tele totally messed up b4 it even left the store. holy cow
p.s. dammit fuzzy what the hell is a getus

[telemann51]

Originally Posted by Bill Hullett

why should buying $7.00 worth of junk be as confrontational as buying a new car!!!!!!! :-):-)
Bill Hullett

Ha, good story. You should have made an offer on the springs, like invoice plus a percent or two... :P

[hippietim]

Yes, there was an over enthusiastic and clueless clerk that acosted me and my friend as we were walking around. After about a minute he got the hint and took off. Other than that it was fine. Well , there was some 40 something guy trying out strats way too loud. I fooled around with a Highway 1 Tele and then a Cyber Deluxe.

Then I went to the parts/effects department because I was looking for some Antiquity's for a Tele. Special order only. Fine, wasn't expecting them to have them anyhow. Then I saw that they had a stereo Deja Vibe 2. I have been wanting one of these for a while. They said they'd give it to me for $105 off the normal price because I mentioned that I had seen it on the web for a lower price. Then the guy says he can't find the manual and asks if I'd like another 10 bucks off. Sure! Here's the funny part: he didn't ask the name of the site or for a phone number to confirm the price and I wouldn't have lied but I sure am glad I didn't have to tell that I saw it on Ebay for that price.

[SMITTY]

That's Funny stuff there Bill!.No intelligent conversations
to be had at most GC locations.Not only because of the
sales "force" but normally the noise in most stores is
at 10.5 on the volume knob!.I try to frequent my local
music store when all possible but sometimes,like on sunday,you just have to bite the bullet,go to GC and be
bomarded with all that "Verbal Vomit" LOL!!
Take Care Bill

Mark Smith

[beez]

but I had a good experience. There is one guy who I deal with there named Sam. Friendly and not pushy at all. I bought a 68 SG from him in early Jan. I acutally ended up buying a CAR MIM 60's tele today. I really don't need another guitar....but really liked the tele. It was used....not sure what year, but the serial number is MZ2....., and I think I read on here that that is a 2002. Excellent sounding guitar, and plays good....(plays better after I got it home and tweaked the truss rod about 1/4 turn. Also....the screws were threaded through the body as well as the neck, so I drilled out the holes in the body so the screws could slide through).

Question: some of the new MIM 60's teles I have seen have had three smooth steel saddles and a top hat switch. Mine has the threaded saddles and the barrell switch. Did somebody change mine, or did the earlier MIM 60's teles come the way mine did?

[el_extranjero]

My experience with the ones here in the Dallas area has been pretty good actually. Yeah, some of the kids, particularly the temps around xmas were push, but I've been doing business with them for 2 years now and most of them are ok, even the ones with pink hair and facial piercings (I'm 44 and graying btw).

Yeah, sometimes it's too loud to hear what you're doing, but they always have the audition room. And I LOVE the acoustic area.

No offense guys, but, at least in Dallas, it's the only place where you can find gear on the rack that you can check out. Brook Mays is a joke... unless you're trying to fit your kid for band. I also have been pleased with their return policy, taking advantage of it to return and exchange BOTH a guitar AND an amp within the 30 day period, no questions asked. Yes, this and their policy of letting almost anyone try anything does lead to having knocked about equipment on the wall. I played several 52 RI's before I bought mine a few weeks back; one of them was missing the selector switch knob! On a $1200 guitar!

But that also means you can make a deal on the 'scratch and dent' items and you DO get to try them out. I use a local sole proprietor as a luthier for polishing frets and such. I took a Gretsch acoustic archtop off the rack a few weeks back and bumped it gently (and unintentionally) against the guitar next to it. He came running over and gave me the 3rd degree and told me not to take anything down anymore without asking him. I don't blame him mind you, just pointing out the differences.

I LIKE having gear I can try out with a good selection and a decent return/exchange policy.

My recommendation is that you frequent them AS MUCH as possible to keep them from going the way of MARS music so you DO have a place you can browse the racks and get scratch and dent specials. As far as the pushy sales kids, remember your first job? Remember the economy ?
Lighten up guys :))

[Joel Terry]

It's been open--what? Only a month? And I've already heard stories from several friends and acquaintances here in Nashville of GC's general employee annoyance and incompetence. :?

I went in there last Tuesday looking for '52 RI switch tip, and the poor girl behind the counter had no idea what I was asking for. I even went back over to the wall of used guitars they had, and I pulled the switch tip off a '52 RI and took it up to her to show her what I wanted.

I was exasperated after a few minutes of craning my neck and straining my eyes to help her find it on the 15-foot by 20-foot accessories wall; consequently, I asked if I could simply walk behind the counter and look for it myself. The answer? "Oh, I'm sorry, sir, but that's against our policy...the inventory would get misplaced or even stolen."

So, Bill, like you, I was summarily labeled 1. A potential klutz who misplaces things (never mind the fact that the GC employee couldn't find what I was asking for, regardless if it was hanging on its appropriate rack or not); and 2. A potential thief who's apt to steal a $4.95 switch tip.

*Sigh*

Joel

[hippietim]

Originally Posted by Joel Terry

So, Bill, like you, I was summarily labeled 1. A potential klutz who misplaces things (never mind the fact that the GC employee couldn't find what I was asking for, regardless if it was hanging on its appropriate rack or not); and 2. A potential thief who's apt to steal a $4.95 switch tip.

You weren't labeled either of these things. She was just following policy and trying to explain what the policy is for - but you knew that already, didn't you?

Going into Guitar Center is like going into Walmart or Home Depot - they're hit or miss. I usually have a good experience at GC. Yes, they're loud and the staff isn't ideal but for the most part I've had decent experiences with them. The vintage/used shops are all full of themselves - so naturally that's where I'm headed right now :).

[beez]

Actually, I went to the 100 Oaks store when I was back in Nashville for Christmas with my folks. That store was a nightmare......but I wrote it off as the Christmas rush.

On the upside, there's a Krispy Kreme about a mile away, and I was all smiles after 2 glazed doughnuts and a big cup of coffee!!

[Skully]

I have problems with Guitar Center, but I remember what it was like before they existed. In a word, it sucked. There were smaller chains with higher prices and bad selections and mom & pop stores with the same.

As for Joel's complaint that they wouldn't let him go behind the counter and browse through the display case himself, what does he expect? You simply can't let customers do that, no how, no way. Same for Bill's complaint about checking his bag. They have a lot of expensive stuff there, and they not only have to make sure that customers aren't stealing it themselves, but also that friendly workers aren't sneaking friends freebies.

[Cooper]

As for Joel's complaint that they wouldn't let him go behind the counter and browse through the display case himself, what does he expect? You simply can't let customers do that, no how, no way. Same for Bill's complaint about checking his bag. They have a lot of expensive stuff there, and they not only have to make sure that customers aren't stealing it themselves, but also that friendly workers aren't sneaking friends freebies.

i work in a "mom and pop" music store, and i let people go behind the counter all the time. i have never ever once checked anyone's bag as they left. we try very very hard to make shopping in our store a fun experience as opposed to a Wally-world kind of thing where you just get in, get your stuff, get accosted, and get out.

we do make sure all areas of the floor are attended (ie: nobody's in the PA room jerking the knobs off mixing boards or anything) but other than that, we try to be very laid back about it. we'd rather lose a pack of strings every now and then than alienate customers.

ps - i can not only tell the difference between springs and a tune-o-matic bridge, i know where to find every single part on a Tele! i could build you an entire guitar in about five minutes if you brought me a body and neck!

[Paul in Colorado]

While I try to stay out of Guitar Center I may be forced to after the experiece I've had in trying to find a set of Dunlop Straploks. Normally I'd buy over the net, but shipping for a $10-$12 item is around 50% of the price. In the last week I've been to eight music stores. Two actually had the Straploks but one only had the recessed button style while the other had them priced at $17.98. That's more then the on line price + shipping! I asked if he could give me a better price and he just stared at me. Two stores said they could order them for me, but they were both out of town. The Sales dude at the store who had the wrong ones gave me attitude like I was crazy for not buying something I didn't want. Maybe I should start teaching Customer Service Seninars for music retailers.

Does anyone know where I can get a set of Straploks for a good price and actual shipping?

[lenny]

paul.. how much is your time worth? if i go to one store, see a set of straplocks for a high price, i'd buy em and be done with it. rather than search 3 stores. id be doin heavy metal style around the back guitar throws with em while you were still shopping around... anyways i guess i'm goin off topic sorry

[SweetJelly]

I wonder when the execs at guitar center will realize we are not all clueless zombies walking into a best buy or menards for our Sunday project. The salemen try too hard and make me want to walk right out the door. Just opened one here in Southeast Wisconsin. Of course it is in a fashionably upscale shopping area. Minivans SUV's and Hummers galore. Just navigating through the sea of drivers all behind way too much steel is scary enough. But then to reach the destination to be accosted by the smarmy salesmen and the typically blank girl at the front door who barely looks at you and says hello. The store has no character the selection is run of the mill but lots of run of the mill.
Just a sad situation. Much rather go to the local music store and support them.

[Skully]

i work in a "mom and pop" music store, and i let people go behind the counter all the time. i have never ever once checked anyone's bag as they left.

As a mom & pop, you can afford to be looser with your rules, but when you've got a chain or even a single large store, you can't assume that all the customers are of good character or all your employees are good judges of character. You can also get in trouble if you let certain customers do certain things other customers can't.

Once again, although I have issues with Guitar Center, I understand both the bag checking and the don't come behind the counter rule.

[hippietim]

Originally Posted by Paul in Colorado

Does anyone know where I can get a set of Straploks for a good price and actual shipping?

I stopped buying the full straplocks sets anymore. I have a drawer full of the parts for the strap. All I need is the buttons these days because I have 5 straps ready to go. I got a ton of the Dunlop buttons from fellow TDPRIer Rob DiStefano for a very fair price. He can get the whole assembly if AllParts has them.

[hippietim]

Originally Posted by SweetJelly

Just a sad situation. Much rather go to the local music store and support them.

Me too. Too bad I can't very often. I get the majority of my gear online these days. The music stores in the Seattle area suck.

I was just at the Trading Musician tonight and it was a joke. These guys haven't got a clue. They have snotty attitudes, dirty gear, and outrageous prices. It is not clear to me how they stay in business. I'd be willing to put up with the 'tude and dirt if they had decent prices but they are charging MORE than retail for some of the little new stuff they have and their used prices simply do not reflect the reality of the market. They've got stuff I'd be interested in but they won't budge on the prices - I'm talking about stuff that has been there for a year and a half.

Then there's Emerald City Guitars. They're really cool and friendly and helpful and sometimes even knowledgeable but they are completely out of control on prices. What's worse is that I've seen them take advantage of folks that didn't know better - a small shop REALLY shouldn't be doing that.

The folks at American Music in Bellevue treat me very good so I try and do business there when I can.

There are four Guitar Centers within a half hour of me. I go to two of them regularly. I've had a few less than stellar experiences with them but playing the percentages I'd say they'd get a 95% or better positive experience rating from me.

I miss Chuck Levin's in Maryland - that is my favorite music store in the world and I make it a point to go to music stores wherever I go - I've frequented stores in a dozen states or including the famous ones in LA and NY, Canada, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, and Holland. No place has ever treated me as good as Chuck's and nobody has consistently had the gear I wanted at a great price like them either. I still call Bill Brooks at Chuck's to buy stuff from him.

Wow, I need to shut up now.

[Paul in Colorado]

Lenny, I've been hiting the music stores as I've been running other errands, so it was only a couple of minutes per store. It just seems weird to me that I can't get a simple part at a decent price.
In most every town I've ever lived, there's been at least one store where I knew the people who worked there, felt comfortable visiting even if I was only tire kicking and wasn't treated like I was keeping the sales dude from doing important things like talking to his buddy about something totally unrelated.

[beez]

That was my local music store when I was a teenager, just learning to play guitar. My mom would drop me off on a Saturday morning while she went shopping, and leave me there until noon. I'd play all the new guitars....play the cool vintage piece the got in that week....sit on the rocking chair by the tv and watch college football. Trade amps every month....trade guitars every three months....etc etc. Pat Julien was there, Jim Vantrees, Jeff, Buzz(he was the crazy guy who was always hitchhiking back to Westmorland)....The Kentucky Headhunters...Paul Yandell...the crazy black guy who would come in and go make a pot of coffee, then explain how he was going to be an astronaunt, but first he was going to ride 30 miles on the stationary bike that was also in the store for some reason.


Ahhhh......I guess I like the big stores, but I sure do miss some of the mom and pops!!!

[dean]

For a chain operation like GC, people like us may be the exception rather than the rule. When I go in to the local GC, there are always kids wanking away on the flashy guitars. But there are usually a few adults cranking out blues and jazz and country stuff, too. But mostly, it's kids - and that's who their customer base is. We all say that we like to go to local shops and that we only go to GC when we're desperate (like Bill), so why should they cater to us? But those kids need a place to spend their $$ (or their parents' $$ - I've been there), and GC is the place that talks their language and listens to their music.

While many of you have horror stories about GC, I've been fairly impressed with the one in Minneapolis. I've watched young salesmen who look pretty punk carefully steer a 12-year-old and his mom away from a hip first guitar into the exact same guitar I would recommend for a beginner. And if they're not terribly busy, the older staff will always take the time to talk Teles with me. But like most of you, I'd rather spend my $$ at my favorite vintage shop.

The main GC customer still isn't old enough to vote. And I bet in 20 years, that same customer will be complaining about how GC caters only to the young head-bangers who play nothing but cranked up garbage.

Just an observation.

Dean

[Bill Hullett]

It'll be interesting to see how this G.C. plays out....because they have EXACTLY the same bussiness model that Marrs music had....they are located in the same shopping center Marrs was...and there prices and customer service are identicle to Marrs.....It'll be interesting to see if this ones flies.....
Bill Hullett

[Skully]

From Friday's L.A. Times:

Guitar Center Amplifies Earnings* Net income jumps 47% in the fourth quarter. Store, catalog and Net sales are all strong.

Guitar Center Inc. reported a 47% increase in fourth-quarter profit Thursday driven by strong holiday sales at its retail stores as well as continued sales growth from its catalog and website.

The Westlake Village-based retailer of musical instruments and recording equipment said net income rose to $19.7 million, or 78 cents a share, compared with $13.4 million, or 57 cents, in the same period last year, surpassing analysts' expectations of 72 cents a share. Sales climbed 18.2% in the quarter to $395.8 million.

For the whole article, click here:
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-f...,7599842.story

[RTod]

I have found my best deals on used equipment there. Since most of the people that work there are clueless, I have on occasion found used gear in good shape. Course I know what the going price is on the equipment, then offer a deal to them. they always take it. Got one guitar for half its street price. I didnt have the heart to take advantage of them on a Taylor 514C. They had tagged it ats a 410. Iasked the guy what I could have it for . He said $700, which at the time was he going price on a Taylor 410. I then pointed out to him it was really a 514C with a price closer to $2400. He told me , "No , is a 410!" I told him to look in the sound hole and tell me what the tag says. He turned "4 shades of white" !!! After thanking me several dozen times, he said they will take care of me on any purchases I want in the future. Needless to say, there have been a few times they did on the used equipment....

[davg]

I generally don't have a problem with GC. Although I would probably make major purchases at my local dealer, I visit from time to time. I DO believe that ANYONE working at ANY store should know about what they are selling. That, to me is the most frustrating thing, as a consumer. As a photography buff, I used to get the same kind of morons working in camera stores. Thankfully the net has saved me from walking into a camera store again. But guitars are a hands on thing and I like to go to stores. But if you're going to work in a music equipment store, LEARN ABOUT MUSIC EQUIPMENT! Read the magazines when you have down time. Watch the videos. Do something! I don't care what the job pays, if it's your job, do it right. BTW how come Home Depot has 18 checkouts and only 2 are open at any given time?

[RT83]

extranjero-

From my experience the Dallas Area Guitar Center is an exception from the rule. It is extremely organized, well stocked on used gear, and the salespeople are not pushy (but helpful, and watchful for guitar "hurting). You are correct the Dallas area (i don't know how many GCs there are in the dallas area....this one is right off one of those highways down there.....headed to Houston maybe?...i am bad with directions...) GC is SOOOOOO much better than the OKC GC. I am talking night and day, if i could afford it would drive down twice a month just to check their used stuff (of which they always have a ton) i would.

I don't know if anyone here is from the OKC area, but the GC here is one of the worst I have ever been in. Not many competitors either. If you live in OKC, visit The Guitar Stand on NE89th and May. Jason and Gary are the best in the city (and the state in my exprience). They are small, but they are the authority on used gear in the city, IMO.

Anyway OKC GC doesn't even compare to the Dallas store.

[jeffhigh]

I went into my local music store on the weekend and they had $4300 Australian ($3200 US) on a 52RI.
But they would do 10% off!!
That one reason I am building my own.
Jeff

[T Prior]

I am very glad there is a GC locally in Charlotte and I do buy from MF every now and then too..

I generally use GC and Sam Ash for price checking against MF and to take a look at stuff that I may want to purchase down the road...

The local Charlotte GC is really not a bad store..for the most part they are pretty intelligent in the store and very friendly. I find that the guys in recording/sound/keyboard area are really nice and really have there acts together.

I have made several small purchases from this store and they were always pretty good...always ask me how things are working out the next time they see me...in the sales world that is an A+++ rating. Remembering your customers, what they purchased and a quick "how is it working out"..

The guitar guys are also pretty good and I have seen them run for cover when the kids pick up the Strats thru the Marshalls..they all hide in the private amp room. close the door and pray the young guns will leave soon.

If I had a complaint at all it would be that it if I was really serious about dropping some cash for a new amp or axe..it would be near impossible to test drive it to satisfaction due to the "concerts" going on...

I suppose that if I was ever in that situation I would request that they tell everyone to shut up for 10 minutes or I would make my purchase down the street at Sam Ash..

They do have the private smaller amp room though so I guess they would invite me into that room and tell everyone else in the room to beat it...

all in all..I'm glad they are in town..it sure beats the alternative..

t

[Oskar]

Gotten some great deals there and frankly this is EXACTLY what I expect when I go there. After the thousands of stories slamming GC, do we really think that we will be getting total professional service from experienced luthiers and musicians? That's a pipe dream at best. So, I just ignore it and go about my business, poking, plucking, playing and haggling. I know GC is frustrating and it's a great punching bag on all the forums. But, it is also a very successful business and let's admit it, whether we like it or not, we all pretty much go there at some point in time. While I fully understand Bill's rant 'n rave, it just seems like the same ol' complaints thing taking up more bandwidth (my contribution included )

[DL Lawrence]

Doooood- Yeah, here in Richmond, there's a GC and a Sam Ash (formerly Mars, with the only difference being the sign out front) within about 200 feet of each other. Sounds like they pretty much operate the same way everywhere. I rarely stop in one of those places. The only thing that I would add to your open letter would be to ask them to put in place a rule requiring any pointy headstock "shredder" doods to be required to tune that friggin' guitar before plugging it in. It's the noise in those places that bothers me. Fortunately, we have a great local music store here in Richmond that has the best selection of Fenders and amps in town, and friendly, very knowledgeable service. They seem to cater to most of the local prominent musicians, and remember your name when you come in. That's where I go for stuff, even though I'm not a prominent local musician. It's nice to have an alternative, that's for sure.

[Brass Saddles]

Bill: I think we can all relate to that story. Sounds typical of my recent experiences with Guitar Center. Checking of the bags, makes you feel like your boarding an airplane, guards searching for bombs.
B-U-T, Guitar Center does have an upside. $$$$ Prices, on new equipment, I've found that their prices can't be beat. Large selection of instruments in stock. All discounted 30 to 40% off list. If only we did'nt have to deal with the salespeople.

Brass Saddles

[Shnook]

I had never been to a Guitar Center till this weekend. I was down in Charlotte NC to see Chris Whitley at the Double Door Inn, and decided I needed to see what all the fuss was about. So off to the Guitar Center I went. As soon as I walked in it was exactly like everyone has said. 15 year old boys 'shredding' and clueless sales people all over me 10 feet in the door. I was surprised that there wasn't much in the way of selection. They had a lot of the same kinds of guitars, but nothing that spoke to me and the few that did were hanging all the way up at the ceiling. I'm not interested in 20 MIM Tele Standards. I was hoping for one 52 RI, none to be found except for a used one hanging on the ceiling with a price tag of $999. My main interest in going to the GC was to see if they had an EBMM Albert Lee model. Nope, but they had 3 Pertrucci's. One with a nice stress crack at the neck heel. So the next sales person that came up to me, there were many, I asked if they had an Albert Lee model. He looked at me like I was an alien and said 'we don't have any of those' and walked off! At that point, I'd had enough. I'm thankful that my town doesn't have one of these stores. Instead we have 2 mom and pop shops that will bend over backwards to make sure your satisfied.

[T Prior]

well I hope the show at the Double Door was good..

and once again in all fairness to GC in Charlotte..

the weeks up to Christmas had a couple hundred guitars all over the place..you couldn't move in the place..
Many Tele's, 52RI's and such..

Certainly at the end of January..today....the stock is a tad depleated...

t

['ol hank pank]

I go to one on the way home from work about once a month. Tey know me and know that when I want something (usually something good every 6 months or so, I will buy it).

I just put money down on a beat epi fireird. Plays and sounds and was totally sucked in by the cool look. 300 bucks.

If you hit it right you can find some cool stuff.

Not enough used stuff anymore tho.