Where do you get your gear?

**VincentSalizeri** · #1 08-28-2011, 01:28 PM

Just wondering where most TBers get their gear.

Nev375 · #2 08-28-2011, 01:34 PM

I think most go to guitar center to try out gear and then come home and log on to TB to complain about the store and then eventually buy what they played at sweetwater.

Also there's the TB classifieds.

pica · #3 08-28-2011, 01:41 PM

I buy all my gear at Motor City Guitar in Waterford, Michigan. Wouldn't go anyplace else.

Mirios · #4 08-28-2011, 01:49 PM

I do some of most of those things up above. I will hit other for it to mean all of the above.

bolophonic · #5 08-28-2011, 01:52 PM

All of the above. I build my own basses.

Rockmusician · #6 08-28-2011, 01:57 PM

I have bought gear from Guitar Center, local music stores, online retailers such as Musician's Friend and American Musical Supply. I have also made purchases from sellers on Craigslist, Ebay, Amazon. It really depends on what I am looking for and who has the best deal.

Fassa Albrecht · #7 08-28-2011, 02:15 PM

A combination of local stores, the internet and a few trades with friends and local musicians.

socknroll1 · #8 08-28-2011, 02:18 PM

Maybe I'm a bit different than most because I worked in retail for a few years, but to me it's all about service. That's why I shop in my favorite brick-and-mortar where the employees are more like friends to me. Find great people and buy from them. If they don't have what you want, see if they'll order it - they probably will.

That being said some of the websites certainly have great service too, but I love to go into a store and take something home that day, and shake the person's hand too.

Keep independent music stores alive.

Fassa Albrecht · #9 08-29-2011, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by socknroll1

Maybe I'm a bit different than most because I worked in retail for a few years, but to me it's all about service. That's why I shop in my favorite brick-and-mortar where the employees are more like friends to me. Find great people and buy from them. If they don't have what you want, see if they'll order it - they probably will.

That being said some of the websites certainly have great service too, but I love to go into a store and take something home that day, and shake the person's hand too.

Keep independent music stores alive.

I find particularly with indie shops, their service is unbelievable. They don't have something in stock, they'll get it in for you. If you want information or want to chat about something, the staff are usually more than willing to do so.

There's a shop I use here and I can't find a bad thing to say about the place. Small stock range but that's not too much of an issue given I don't tend to buy much big gear at present.

Nomadskills · #10 08-29-2011, 02:28 PM

I voted for everything but DIY and Other.

PazzoBasso · #11 08-29-2011, 02:32 PM

All of the above (not so much DIY)... also Kijiji - online classifieds in Canada

Most rewarding - directly from builder
Best place to shop - Brick & Mortar (if you have a good relationship with a good shop or two)
Best deals - Craigslist/Kijiji/Ebay/TB classifieds
Easiest shopping - On-line retail - click & buy

dalahorse · #12 08-29-2011, 02:38 PM

I always buy at my favorite local shop when I can. (Grandma's Music and Sound in Albuquerque, NM.) The folks there are very good to me, and match prices against the big name online shops. I pay tax, but no shipping. Best of all, I get to audition the gear before I buy. Ten minutes later I'm home, plugged in, and enjoying it. Doesn't get much better than that!

When they don't have what I'm looking for, I shop Musician's Friend.

6jase5 · #13 08-29-2011, 02:50 PM

Talkbass, Craigslist, ProGuitarShop, Amazon.

I like used amps, effects and basses, so most of my bigger ticket items have come from TB and CL. Cables, cords and miscellaneous Amazon. I don't have time to hit brick and mortar.

Unrepresented · #14 08-29-2011, 02:58 PM

My gear interests have shifted from the standard manufacturers to more boutique offerings as I've spent more time on this board. Typically the only place to find most boutique items is through internet purchases, either here or through a retailer. If the item I'm looking for is a more standard need, I'll purchase locally.

Dirk Diggler · #15 08-29-2011, 04:05 PM

EBay under other, as well as others.

rtslinger · #16 08-30-2011, 08:35 AM

I have never been to GC scary right online MF, zzounds,123Music,AmericanMusical. store brick and mortar Sweetest Sounds Lyndhurst, NJ , Valley Road Guitars Montclair, NJ

brianrost · #17 08-30-2011, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unrepresented

Typically the only place to find most boutique items is through internet purchases, either here or through a retailer. If the item I'm looking for is a more standard need, I'll purchase locally.

+1

Nickthebass · #18 08-30-2011, 09:13 AM

Bassically all of the above. Basses I will only buy if I've got the it in my hands. Less risky than ordering one on line IMO.

Buxtehude · #19 09-16-2011, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VincentSalizeri

Just wondering where most TBers get their gear.

From shops and online. D'ur

SurferJoe46 · #20 09-17-2011, 01:04 AM

I buy new gear, but I don't have any trouble buying new or used parts from TBers as I find a lot of great deals from some really nice people.

I've had two indie stores try to rob and another one actually did steal from me along with rotten service. I won't ever use a mom-n-pop again and I won't give any of them a fourth chance.

If I don't build it, I buy it new at GC - and NOTHING online at all.