Guitar Center fails (duh)

WRXbase · #1 03-09-2009, 07:33 AM

Yesterday I went to GC looking for a decent strap. Somewhat shocked, all they had was Levy's and Planet Waves. I looked online at other retailers. 90% of the other retailers have the SAME GARBAGE. I love how giant corperations remove our choices, pushing us to be mindless "all singing, all dancing crap of the world" consumers. AHHH!

What ever happened to competing outlets (of any type) having DIFFERENT products?

jambassist · #2 03-09-2009, 07:45 AM

I have, on occasion, found quality Levy's and Eyeland straps at GC. You need to keep in mind GC is not a boutique store. I'm no fan of GC, but in this case I can't fault them. They carry a selection of straps that sells in their targeted market: Entry and mid level players just like the other big box retailers do. In this economy, what's the point of carrying high end straps that very few people are going to buy? People looking for those kind of straps know where to buy them and it's not a GC.

Arranger · #3 03-09-2009, 08:29 AM

I've been hunting for new bass straps consistently for years and always see the same old crud everywhere. I can comb through a rack of straps in about twelve seconds and tell you if there's anything at all that deviates from the norm. I'm ready to go to a saddle shop and have a leather tailor craft one or two for me.

You are correct that there is no longer a choice at the local music merchants.

Relic · #4 03-09-2009, 08:35 AM

Between GC, Sam Ash, two smaller shops, + even the local Target store, I have no problems with strap selection. I can buy 9.99 cheapies all the way up to the $100 work-of-art jobbers.
Maybe it's best to just shop around rather than rely solely on GC?
From my experience with GC - they are what they are..... they're there to please the greatest amount of people and spend the least amount of capital doing it.

fishtx · #5 03-09-2009, 09:46 AM

Not to defend GC (I would never do thet!...LOL), but i've picked up a couple of "Comfort Strapps" there...so I know they have other options available, however limited they might be...

jambassist · #6 03-09-2009, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arranger

I'm ready to go to a saddle shop and have a leather tailor craft one or two for me.

That works and that's exactly what I did for my X2 transmitter. I wanted a leather pouch designed to my specifications so I found a local leather maker through Tandy Leather who made me just what I wanted.

It's not going to be cheap, but if it's designed the way you want it, you'll never have to spend money on commercial straps again.

jimc · #7 03-09-2009, 11:02 AM

At one time I considered creating an online 'strap store' but then I realized that once somebody has found a strap that works for them, they really don't change them that often. My leather strap is still going strong after 10 years +.

The Moody straps are great quality, expensive but worth it imo. They have an online store.

Valerus · #8 03-09-2009, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WRXbase

pushing us to be mindless "all singing, all dancing crap of the world"

the things you own

Pilgrim · #9 03-09-2009, 12:03 PM

What's wrong with Levy's straps? They make darn good ones, and I really like the ones I have. And I've also found some nice wide suede straps at GC with their store brand name for under $20. Those are a great value!

If you want a boutique or specialty strap, go online or visit Ebay. If you want a good serviceable guitar strap at a decent price, go to GC.

There's no fail involved. Just don't go to a Kia dealership when you want to buy a Mercedes.

Snakeman1066 · #10 03-09-2009, 09:16 PM

Granted the usual selection is crap....the closest GC to me ( is2 hours away) so i don't get in there a lot,... but i did mange to pick up this:

the Neotech Mega bass strap 4 inches wide with the gel insert weight reduction system.....this thing is awesomeand i think i paid about $29.00 bucks for it

they also had a tooled boot leather padded strap by Levy's that was around $70.00

and there was even this massive padded leather strap by LM products (i think) that had a bass clef tooled into it...i think it was around $100.00

saw tons of the normal woven nylon in 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 inches wide

as well as a leather pad you can add to a strap.....

i suppose different stores stock different things.....but decent selection las time i was there

JTE · #11 03-09-2009, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WRXbase

I love how giant corperations (sic) remove our choices, pushing us to be mindless "all singing, all dancing crap of the world" consumers. {SNIP} What ever happened to competing outlets (of any type) having DIFFERENT products?

Corporations didn't remove our choices. We did. By focusing on price instead of overall cost, the consumers have said they don't want sales people who know anything about products, that they don't want a wide selection of goods, and that they don't care how long stuff lasts.

Why does everyone carry the same stuff? Because that's what sells without work. And why should a store in a highly competitive market that really doesn't offer much margin take a chance on something that might not sell? They gotta make up for that by getting enough money from the stuff that does sell. But they can't count on that because consumers just look at the price tag and walk.

You want selection? Build a relationship with a good knowledgeable store. But if you support the Wally Worlds of the music biz, you get what you got.

jte