Q for someone familiar with GC string prices..

mmbongo · #1 10-20-2009, 08:30 PM

Okay, stupid question...but how much do strings cost at Guitar Center?

I need a 4 string set, Nickel, .40 - .100, Dunlop, D'Addarrio, SIT...probably whatever is cheapest. I just want to try a lighter gauge.

Here's the deal...I haven't bought strings from a store in 15 years. I always order online. The local store here sells basic strings for about $40 (strings that are $15 online).

GC is about an hour and a half drive, but we're going up there this weekend anyway. I figure a set of strings will run me $22-ish after shipping and may or may not be here Saturday, and if GC has them for $20 then I might as well get them there and have them in hand.

So do they have stupidly high prices, or do they have some for around $20? Sorry for the doofus question, please forgive me

98dvl · #2 10-20-2009, 08:33 PM

How about calling your store to find out? Seems like the easiest way to get the best answer...

MooseLumps · #3 10-20-2009, 08:34 PM

Just keep odering online, GC probably won't compete.

Try webstrings

mmbongo · #4 10-20-2009, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98dvl

How about calling your store to find out? Seems like the easiest way to get the best answer...

Well I just assumed that somebody here may have bought strings at GC recently and might share their experience. Plus I don't feel like dealing with some kid over the phone who has no idea what I'm talking about.

mmbongo · #5 10-20-2009, 09:01 PM

..okay...so their website shows nothing in stock at my 'local' store (1.5 hours away). What brands DO they have in the stores?? They list no Dunlop, D'Addario, Ernie Ball, Fender, Dean Markely, GHS, or Rotosounds as being in stock.

I'm starting to remember why I buy strings online now....

Scanman13 · #6 10-20-2009, 09:14 PM

Wow, where is this store? my local GC stocks many of the major brands. In addition, they have a PC in the store that you can use to look up prices from most of the competitive online stores. They will price match and give you back an additional 10%. Granted half of them are affiliated with GC- but as an example; I needed a set of acoustic guitar strings -I wanted D'Addario strings 12-53 guage. They had them in stock for $7 - Musician's Friend (an affiliate-go figure)- had them for $5.01. They priced matched and took off an additional .50- can't go wrong with that.

mmbongo · #7 10-20-2009, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scanman13

Wow, where is this store? my local GC stocks many of the major brands. In addition, they have a PC in the store that you can use to look up prices from most of the competitive online stores. They will price match and give you back an additional 10%.

This is the Greenville, SC store. Again, I'm just going by what the website says which I'm assuming is wrong and the site has no idea what the store has.

So we have one post that says GC can't compete, and one post that says GC will beat anybodys price. Gotta love it!

beyondat · #8 10-20-2009, 09:29 PM

I'm an ex sam ash employee who used to compete with GC for the lowest price. GC will match any price from an authorized dealer.

jumbosilverette · #9 10-20-2009, 09:31 PM

Just call the store, don't be a weenie.

mmbongo · #10 10-20-2009, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jumbosilverette

Just call the store, don't be a weenie.

...but the kids with the piercings and mascara scare me.....

dave2 · #11 10-21-2009, 03:21 AM

The GC near my house doesn't have many bass string brands. I'm usually disappointed. Today I saw DR, D'Addario, GHS, and probably Rotosounds. I like DR strings anyway and this GC has the Low Riders Steels for $22 or so for the 4 string and $32 or so for the 5 string package. The D'Addario Pro Steels were cheaper at maybe $18 or so.

I just stocked up at the Arlington Guitar show in the Dallas area this weekend. I got 5 sets of DRs and 2 sets of D'Addarios.

Yes call your GC or other stores in the area. Online might still be best. Perhaps a from a seller on eBay? Does anyone have a favorite website for buying strings? Are they cheaper than a store?

Have a great day!

Dave

mmbongo · #12 10-21-2009, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave2

Yes call your GC or other stores in the area. Online might still be best. Perhaps a from a seller on eBay? Does anyone have a favorite website for buying strings? Are they cheaper than a store?

Have a great day!

Dave

I've been ordering from www.juststrings.com for years, they are awesome.

But as an update to my situation, I ordered some Dunlop strings from a seller on Amazon because shipping was $3 instead of $7 and I've ordered from them before. I didn't get a fuzzy feeling about GC from the answers in this thread...plus the Dunlops are really what I wanted and doubt that GC has them anyway.

jasper383 · #13 10-21-2009, 08:01 AM

Give them a call to find out what they carry in stock. If they carry anything you want, you are in luck:

Guitar Centers now price match, so print out the lowest price you can find online, and take it into the store with you.

My GC carries Ernie Ball flats for $41.99. I found them online for about $25, and my store matched it. No need to ever pay more.

p-bass · #14 10-21-2009, 09:30 AM

I don't understand what the big deal is ? Call the store and find out what they have in stock. If I were you I would just bite the bullet and get a set flatwounds,they last longer.

mmbongo · #15 10-21-2009, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by p-bass

If I were you I would just bite the bullet and get a set flatwounds,they last longer.

Dude, I'm only in my late 30's! I'm not a geezer

98dvl · #16 10-21-2009, 12:02 PM

Time it takes to call and know exactly what they have in stock and what the prices are ~ 2 minutes

Time it takes to search all over the internet (guitarcenter.com and talkbass.com) wondering what they might possibly have in stock and what the price might be ~ 1 hour

p-bass · #17 10-21-2009, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

Dude, I'm only in my late 30's! I'm not a geezer

Hey,none of us are getting any younger ! To me late 30's is "geezer". Are you ready for your Flatwounds and Gerital ?

mmbongo · #18 10-21-2009, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by p-bass

Hey,none of us are getting any younger ! To me late 30's is "geezer". Are you ready for your Flatwounds and Gerital ?

Well I called Guitar Center...they said they don't sell flatwounds because nobody ever bought them! Guess I'll be sticking with my tone generating rounds. Oh well.

mmbongo · #19 10-21-2009, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98dvl

Time it takes to call and know exactly what they have in stock and what the prices are ~ 2 minutes

Time it takes to search all over the internet (guitarcenter.com and talkbass.com) wondering what they might possibly have in stock and what the price might be ~ 1 hour

Again..I assumed that somebody here had bought strings from Guitar Center. Guess I assumed wrong.

And it took me less than 2 minutes to order the exact strings I wanted online

Eric Scholz · #20 10-21-2009, 01:35 PM

Look on GuitarCenter.com
The in store price will be the same as the price posted online. If not they'll match it.