Thats Just Poor Merchandising...

TylerDurdenPSSC · #1 01-22-2012, 03:45 PM

I took a trip out to Ft. Wayne, Indiana Guitar Center last night to noodle around a bit and was elated to see that they stocked the Ampeg PF series of amps.

After reading all the chatter here, I was ready to try one. I cabled'd and cord'd up the 500, yanked down a Squire Vintage Jazz (for convenience sake, and so as to not disturb their chatting employees for the U.S. P thay I REALLY wanted to play.) And started to jam.

The amp fell short nowhere, and not only lived up to, but surpassed all its praise here at TB.

UNFORTUNATELY, this particular Guitar Center didn't stock any PortaFlex cabs to play through, so I had to settle with the SVT-410HLF that the amp was sitting atop.

Now, is it just me, (I live on a planet of seven billion people, so it can't be) or is GC *severely* missing out on sales and somewhat the point altogether?

I MUCH rather would have played the amp through a pair of chained 15's, or even just one.

Just seems like poor merchandising to me. Being a salesman myself, I know its important to have [on hand] every piece of the puzzle. Forget gambling on return sales, I'm about add-ons and packaged deals.

Oh well, the amp kicks butt and shakes booty. I'm impressed. (The Squire was pretty nice too. =D)

Whatchyallthank?!

jad · #2 01-22-2012, 04:29 PM

I made a rare drop in at the closest GC hoping to have a listen to one, or better yet two, PF 115s. None in the store. Not even a 210. The guy working the floor said they don't stock the 15, but he could call me when they have a 210.

guy n. cognito · #3 01-22-2012, 04:33 PM

Is is possible that the product has been so successful that they sold out their inventory of cabinets, and didn't have some at the exact moment you entered the store?? It happens.

TylerDurdenPSSC · #4 01-22-2012, 06:53 PM

I was told the same thing that Jad was... They're not stocked... =/

**fuzzy beard** · #5 01-22-2012, 07:00 PM

All the GC around here carry the 2x10. There is not even a number in there system for the 1X15.

seedokebass · #6 01-22-2012, 07:12 PM

I would chalk it up to bass related sales for that store/region. It would make sense to stock more items and have a range to choose from, but if they aren't moving it, they aren't making money.

TylerDurdenPSSC · #7 01-22-2012, 08:52 PM

Bass inventory was far from dwindling... Easily around 50 guitars hanging on the walls, and plenty of MarkBass, GK, Acoustic, and Amep amps to choose from.

Granted its nowhere near the largest selection, Ft. Wayne has got to be the smallest GC in the world.

88persuader · #8 01-22-2012, 09:09 PM

Not to stick up for any music store chain but let's face it, there are so many products on the market and so many manufacturers it's impossible for any one store to stock everything. If it's advertised on their website however they should be able to get you one quickly to try out. If it's on their website and they can't get one then that's a problem.

JimmyM · #9 01-22-2012, 09:17 PM

I don't know why GC doesn't carry the PF115's. Maybe they think most folks will want the PF210. But it wouldn't be the first time GC got accused of not carrying the right stuff. It's true they can't carry everything, but still...

On the bright side, it's a poppin' rig no matter which cab you go with

BIG97BEN · #10 01-22-2012, 09:24 PM

I would think that if MF carries it that GC would since last time I was I was in there the sales guy kept reminding me that they owned MF and he could beat any deal I got( except the Skaught special which he balked at). That being said I got the 210.

will33 · #11 01-22-2012, 10:29 PM

Pf = portaflex, the amp goes with the cabinet, it flips inside for transport and flips over to play....ya know.....fliptop?

You'd have to be an absolute moron to carry one and not the other. Especially the 15 seeing as that's what the original portaflex had that this thing is sort of mimicking, or is a modern take on. Hence the name, portaflex.

I don't like GC, I think it's the Walmart of music stores, but that sets a new low right there. Absolutely stupid.

JimmyM · #12 01-22-2012, 10:35 PM

Well they could have been out, too. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. Or did they say they didn't carry it?

MOTORHEADBANGER · #13 01-22-2012, 10:41 PM

Since the FW store is the closest Guitar Center (still over an hour drive) I've visited it quite a few times in the last couple of years and I can say while it is a somewhat small store (the south bend store is ridiculously tiny) they do tend to have a very good selection on hand, especially in the amp department. At all times they are loaded with Ampeg, Fender, Markbass, GK, and of course Acoustic, but even Eden, mesa, and even a Marshall once in a while turn up. Where they lack is the basses. They have a ton of Squier/Fender's, Ibby's, MM, Epiphone, Schecter, and a few other brands, but it is always the same models. Rarely do they change what models are on the walls.

If you are in FW though, you should skip Guitar Center and stop at Sweetwater's HQ instead. The complex is huge and has fantastic testing rooms for gear in the store area.

TylerDurdenPSSC · #14 01-24-2012, 09:01 AM

Jimmy, I was told that they do not stock any PF cabs by one sales associate.

As per their bass selection, agreed. Absolute crap. A few Squiers, then BAM!! Right to the US models. Nothing in between!

Can't stand Schecter, and 95% of Ibabez's basses as well... Love MM, never paying that much for a bass ever again though.

Tell me more about Sweetwater... Where is it located in FW?

JimiLL · #15 01-24-2012, 09:38 AM

At least they didnt look at you funny for wanting a 15