Question about Music123

Abel1337 · #1 10-20-2008, 09:15 AM

Does anyone think that Music123 is a good company?

Is there a better site for getting a bass guitar online. When I say better, mostly I mean a combination of quality and good pricing. What about InstrumentPro, are they any good? All help is greatly appreciated. Thanks

stflbn · #2 10-20-2008, 09:21 AM

How is this an alert? You're asking for help, not alerting someone about something.

Music123 is owned by Guitar Center. Little difference between the two. Guitar Center also owns other online retailers.

I'd suggest you try to find whatever you want used first. You'll save at least 1/3 the money usually.

bassteban · #3 10-20-2008, 09:21 AM

I've bought a thing or two from them- can't recall but if it was an AWFUL experience I would have remembered.

Sweetwater is pretty good, so is Zzounds. Mind you I have NOT bought a bass from any of these places, just effects, etc. The only basses I've bought sight unseen have been from BassNorthWest(great place), Gguitars(also good)& Chris Stambaugh(IMO/IME THE BEST, but we're talking brand-new custom builder here).

Edit: Yeah- alert? I guess I expected a horror story/warning about some bad deal gone worse.

I think the term 'question' would be more accurate. No biggie; I once started a thread w/the word EMERGENCY in the title- I had brought home some pot stickers & forgot the hot oil. I was flamed mercilessly.

SuperDuck · #4 10-20-2008, 09:21 AM

Depending on how you want to do your dealings, there are plenty of places online to buy from. I have not dealt with Music123.com very much, but there are several other options:

www.musiciansfriend.com
www.americanmusical.com

I've dealt with both quite a bit, and I think they're just fine as far as purchasing gear. I've heard a lot of horror stories about MF, but perhaps I'm just lucky. No problems so far.

If you want to go to smaller, more bass oriented stores, you can call up

www.bassnw.com
www.basscentral.com

and talk to a real person. They will ship basses.

I bought my nicest bass from Jong at Jive Sound, and had a great transaction.

www.jivesound.com

Oren Hudson · #5 10-20-2008, 09:22 AM

Have not had experience lately, but a few years ago they had competitive pricing enough that I bought a bass from them. There was something wrong with the electronics and I had no problems returning it for a complete refund and they paid the shipping.

**baba** · #6 10-20-2008, 09:23 AM

First post?

SPAM!

mynan · #7 10-20-2008, 09:23 AM

Thanks for alerting us to your question...

bassteban · #8 10-20-2008, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baba

First post?

SPAM!

Dang, I'm sleepy- missed that completely. Lemme get some more coffee. Ignore anything I've said in the past 20 minutes, & for another 10 or so...

CraigG · #9 10-20-2008, 09:28 AM

I have sometimes wondered about the similarities between Music123 and MusiciansFriend. I don't know if they're connected, but there seem to be some uncanny resemblences.

I like AmericanMusical.com, even though there are some product lines they don't carry. While I have not purchased any basses from them (I simply wouldn't buy a bass that cost more than a couple hundred dollars without first trying the actual bass that I was intending on purchasing) I have been very impressed with everything about them - pricing, return policy, customer service, etc.

Way Off Bass · #10 10-20-2008, 09:29 AM

so, guys, did you hear they sell music stuff on the internet now?

bassmodder · #11 10-20-2008, 09:33 AM

They are ok. I really like the perfect bass store and you get a TB discount. And you get to talk to a REAL human. AND you see REAL photos of the bass before you purchase!

Just giving them a shout out! They get my business from now on.

DaLaklandGroove · #12 10-20-2008, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CraigG

I have sometimes wondered about the similarities between Music123 and MusiciansFriend. I don't know if they're connected, but there seem to be some uncanny resemblences.

I like AmericanMusical.com, even though there are some product lines they don't carry. While I have not purchased any basses from them (I simply wouldn't buy a bass that cost more than a couple hundred dollars without first trying the actual bass that I was intending on purchasing) I have been very impressed with everything about them - pricing, return policy, customer service, etc.

I believe Musicians Friend and Music 123 are owned by the same people. One of the packages I ordered from Music 123 came with a Musicians Friend label on it. I've ordered 3 or 4 items from Music 123 in the last 6 months and have had quick shipping and good service all around. That being said, I think there are several online retailers that provide good service and price. Just do some research into whatever you're gonna purchase to find the absolute best deal.

mrjim123 · #13 10-20-2008, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Way Off Bass

so, guys, did you hear they sell music stuff on the internet now?

A M A Z I N G ! !

Doctor J · #14 10-20-2008, 09:44 AM

I bought a bass from them a few years ago. After I paid the bill, over €1000, the ship to address of my order changed to some place in Alabama, which wasn't good. I changed the address back and alerted them to what had happened and they said they'd look into it and assured me the bass would be sent to the right address.

Which was fine until they sent my bass to Alabama.

I called them to alert them that they had sent it to the wrong address and they assured me that they'd stop it being delivered and have it sent back to them and then send it on to me, the fella who paid for it.

So that was great until it was delivered.

Again, I had to shell out on the international calls wondering what the hell they were doing. They assured me they'd send the couriers back to pick it up and, again I had to repeatedly call them to get updates, they never called me back once. I was informed that the courier was told the guy wouldn't be giving it back.

In the end I had to demand to speak to someone higher up and hint at legal action, it was one of those calls where you're speaking to someone at the bottom of the chain but you know management are listening. In the end they agreed to send me out a new bass.

What was annoying (apart from the "clerical error" where my address changed) was that it was always me checking the details and having to alert them that something was wrong... again. No-one there lifted a finger to help me. It took two months of stress and me continually having to hassle them into doing something. If one of them had bothered their hole to look after it, to make sure it didn't get shipped to the wrong address, to make sure it was delivered when I called them while it was in transit, none of it should have happened. However it did happen, it was the worst service I've ever experienced in my life and they'll never have my custom again.

Xcalith · #15 10-20-2008, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaLaklandGroove

I believe Musicians Friend and Music 123 are owned by the same people. One of the packages I ordered from Music 123 came with a Musicians Friend label on it. I've ordered 3 or 4 items from Music 123 in the last 6 months and have had quick shipping and good service all around. That being said, I think there are several online retailers that provide good service and price. Just do some research into whatever you're gonna purchase to find the absolute best deal.

This is true. Musician's Friend bought Music123 back then. They're like the same company. If I'm not mistaken, they also have the same prices and catalog,

Oren Hudson · #16 10-20-2008, 09:46 AM

I knew that Guitar Center owned Musicians Friend, but did not know that Music 123 is the same family. Maybe music stores will be like drug stores, only 3 or 4 survive closings, mergers and buyouts, not particularly a good thing.

stflbn · #17 10-20-2008, 09:51 AM

Music 123, MusiciansFriend and GuitarCenter are all the same ownership now.