BEWARE: The Ken Smith from Guitar Center

[Stranger Danger]

I’ve gotten some really great deals on some really nice stuff on GC Used. When it hasn’t worked out, they have an amazingly easy solution. Return it.

 

[J-Bass RMR]

GC used gear is a "box of chocolates" — you never know what you're gonna get.

^^^ (and if you don't like the chocolates - you get your $ back)

The biggest mistake you can make with GC used is getting your hopes up. That's just the way it is.
At the end of the day, you're only out some time and inconvenience - and of course - the disappointment.
(and in my experience, the "rewards" have out-weighed any inconvenience. The "rewards" being really good deals on some great basses.)

My approach to GC used is "don't count your chickens before they're hatched"
Almost everything on GC used is "Great" - which is meaningless. What "allows" them to do this is their 45 day / no questions return policy.
Basically, instead of driving to the store to check it out – you're having it shipped to you on approval.

The trick is to manage expectations (basically I have none) and try not to get my hopes up before I receive the item.
I use their Gear Card / 6 months- no interest, so I'm out absolutely nothing.

My local GC has always had a good staff and treated me well - especially over the past 8 years or so. (the "mom & pop stores are mostly gone in my area).
Here's a Tip:
If I'm looking at used online - I call "my guy" and have him order the item into their store for me;
That way, they're sort of "vested" in the deal; they make a commission on the sale, and they do their best at screening the item, (otherwise it ends up back at their store.)
They unbox it - check for any damage, etc, and make an honest assessment before I arrive.
(and the shipping fee usually disappears)

 

[newfuture]

FWIW, if you need to contact anyone in GC land, phone calls to the toll free num are fastest, ime.

 

[James_E]

FYI: The GC picture of the back of the bass clearly shows the Pokey engraving when you zoom in a bit.

 

[ghiggin1079]

I have a very similar story from GC now I'd never buy anything from them used  unless its my iintention to strip it totally and use it as a husk project.

 

[scottm]

Wow, this is wild. I would have returned that sucker as well.

On another note, I bought two used Gibson basses over the last 6 months online and they came exactly like they described them in really good condition.
I was actually shocked that they didn’t come like this Smith.

I guess not all stores are the same.

-ScottM

 

[JTNuney]

Then the other day I went to the store in Des Moines and brand new guitars on the wall were covered in dust.

You're lucky you made it out of there without losing blood. Last time I was in the DSM GC, everything I picked up (regardless of brand or price point) had so much fret sprout, I left with what looked like tiny papercuts all over my hands.

Next time you're in town, hit up Professional Music Center instead. A couple minutes from GC by car, light years away in quality. (I'm not a paid shill - it's just where I choose to spend my limited bass dollars.)

 

[Dan1985]

You're lucky you made it out of there without losing blood. Last time I was in the DSM GC, everything I picked up (regardless of brand or price point) had so much fret sprout, I left with what looked like tiny papercuts all over my hands.

Next time you're in town, hit up Professional Music Center instead. A couple minutes from GC by car, light years away in quality. (I'm not a paid shill - it's just where I choose to spend my limited bass dollars.)

My daughter has an acquaintance that works at Professional Music Center and she took me there Saturday! You’re right, it’s very nice and they have bass amps upstairs to plug into next to the basses on the wall.

 

[DWBass]

Guitar Center <> Ken Smith Bass???? Nerp! I never would have done it. I can't even think about what they gave the person who sold it to them!! Glad you were able to return it. For that kind of money, you could have bought something new. Maybe not a Ken Smith but definitely something decent.

 

[ragetoca]

A couple of weeks I went to the local GC, I had not been there in over a year. It was pretty awful, bad service, place looks old and in dire condition, super cheap basses, placed looked so dead. I bought some bass strings, the debit card reader was not working. It took me 10 minutes to try to pay for them. The whole store only had 2 or 3 employees, everything took forever.
I remember going in there and it was full of people, full of gear. Everything in there now is catered to the beginner high school musician

 

[Scarysharkface]

I recently purchased a Ken Smith BSR6 from Guitar Center. While I initially liked the bass, it came with multiple issues that made the whole experience incredibly frustrating and disappointing. I paid $4.6k after taxes, and for that kind of money—even if it's a used instrument—I expected something in far better condition.

First off, it arrived without a case, wrapped in only a single layer of bubble wrap, and shipped in a Squier box. That alone should have been a red flag. When I opened it, I found the action absurdly high, like skyscraper-level high. There was also a huge ding between the pickups, almost like someone had dug into the wood with their fingernail. The bass arrived filthy with gunk everywhere, and on top of that, someone had engraved their name on the side of the bass. It says: Pokey Mason Jay

Now here's the wild part. Guitar Center listed the condition as Great. But let me be clear—this was far from great. Some people might say, "Well, it's used, what do you expect?" But at $4.6k, I don't think it's unreasonable to expect that a high-end bass would be thoroughly inspected and disclosed properly. This isn't a cheap entry-level instrument. Any bass over $1k—let alone a boutique Ken Smith—should arrive in better condition, with full transparency about its issues.

To make matters worse, the bass did not work in passive mode when it arrived. I tried contacting Guitar Center live chat, and there was no response. Then I emailed them, and nothing. Two weeks later, there was no response despite their promise of a 24-hour response window. Funny how they respond quickly when you're ready to buy, but completely ghost you when there's a problem.

Eventually, I went into a local Guitar Center to return the bass. One of the reps was apologetic and said they'd have their tech take a look. Long story short: the preamp was damaged, likely during shipping, according to them. They told me they'd have to order the part from Ken Smith directly, so there was nothing they could do for me.

I was devastated. In the short time I had it, I had grown attached to that bass—it had the perfect weight, and despite everything, it had some sentimental value.

I ended up returning it. But here's the kicker, they reposted the bass for sale with none of the issues disclosed. No mention of the preamp damage. No warning about the engraving. No info about the condition. Just the same price and description, like nothing ever happened.

This is dishonest and irresponsible. Guitar Center should not be shipping boutique basses like they're Squires, and they definitely shouldn't be reselling damaged instruments without full disclosure.

I just want to warn others, if you see a swamp ash Ken Smith BSR6 at Guitar Center, beware. You might be buying a bass that's already been returned for major issues. I'll include the link below so you can see for yourself.

Guitar Center has lost my trust. I'm heartbroken over this whole thing, and I just hope no one else gets burned like I did.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I generally have them ship to a closer store, then I open and inspect the package and instrument right there in front of their counter. Any problems and it's an instant return.

There are some incredibly well-informed people at Guitar Center, but they are the minority and stuff like this gets through too many checkpoints far too often.

John

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I recently purchased a Ken Smith BSR6 from Guitar Center. While I initially liked the bass, it came with multiple issues that made the whole experience incredibly frustrating and disappointing. I paid $4.6k after taxes, and for that kind of money—even if it's a used instrument—I expected something in far better condition.

First off, it arrived without a case, wrapped in only a single layer of bubble wrap, and shipped in a Squier box. That alone should have been a red flag. When I opened it, I found the action absurdly high, like skyscraper-level high. There was also a huge ding between the pickups, almost like someone had dug into the wood with their fingernail. The bass arrived filthy with gunk everywhere, and on top of that, someone had engraved their name on the side of the bass. It says: Pokey Mason Jay

Now here's the wild part. Guitar Center listed the condition as Great. But let me be clear—this was far from great. Some people might say, "Well, it's used, what do you expect?" But at $4.6k, I don't think it's unreasonable to expect that a high-end bass would be thoroughly inspected and disclosed properly. This isn't a cheap entry-level instrument. Any bass over $1k—let alone a boutique Ken Smith—should arrive in better condition, with full transparency about its issues.

To make matters worse, the bass did not work in passive mode when it arrived. I tried contacting Guitar Center live chat, and there was no response. Then I emailed them, and nothing. Two weeks later, there was no response despite their promise of a 24-hour response window. Funny how they respond quickly when you're ready to buy, but completely ghost you when there's a problem.

Eventually, I went into a local Guitar Center to return the bass. One of the reps was apologetic and said they'd have their tech take a look. Long story short: the preamp was damaged, likely during shipping, according to them. They told me they'd have to order the part from Ken Smith directly, so there was nothing they could do for me.

I was devastated. In the short time I had it, I had grown attached to that bass—it had the perfect weight, and despite everything, it had some sentimental value.

I ended up returning it. But here's the kicker, they reposted the bass for sale with none of the issues disclosed. No mention of the preamp damage. No warning about the engraving. No info about the condition. Just the same price and description, like nothing ever happened.

This is dishonest and irresponsible. Guitar Center should not be shipping boutique basses like they're Squires, and they definitely shouldn't be reselling damaged instruments without full disclosure.

I just want to warn others, if you see a swamp ash Ken Smith BSR6 at Guitar Center, beware. You might be buying a bass that's already been returned for major issues. I'll include the link below so you can see for yourself.

Guitar Center has lost my trust. I'm heartbroken over this whole thing, and I just hope no one else gets burned like I did.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I think returning the bass was a reasonable response, but given how expensive new Ken Smiths are, this bass was probably worth a few hundred dollars for a refinish and as someone else said, contacting Ken Smith about the electronics. For another $500, this could have looked and performed close to new for much less than a new Smith.

 

[logdrum]

If you really have to have a Ken smith amd as you say you already had some sentimental attachment to it, I would have kept it but negotiated hard with GC to refund you some or put pressure that you will complain to the credit card company or paypal. KS will fix the preamp, the gouge is normal and you probably cam also remove the name.

Bur as PDX said, for that kind of money you can get another boutique bass not just a KS.

 

[Wesley R]

I am fortunate in that I live near more than one Guitar Center. When purchasing used gear, I always have it shipped to the store so I can check it out. If it is a dud then they issue a refund with no hassles. This method has always worked well for me.

Binho

 

[Bob_Ross]

I am totally using "Pokey Mason Jay" as my new band name!

 

[KevInDaBassment]

Bad situation and unreasonable, especially at that price. Not surprised at all about the "Great" condition listing though, even though they probably rated it "Fair" when they bought it. I brought in an immaculate SR500e to sell, and they tried to knock it down to "Great" because I didn't have the original box...then he spotted a 1mm shallow and string-thin scratch on the back of the headstock and then it "had to be knocked down to Good". I looked him in the face and said "REALLY? The rest of the bass is unscathed and this and no original box knocks it down to 'Good'?" He was like "Hey, damage is damage man...people are gonna notice when they pick up the bass ya know?"

I only go the GC route when I'm incredibly desperate...

 

[MultiScaleMale]

At least there is a good return policy, so you'll at least get your money back. And we know that the description and condition rating is going to be a gamble.

 

[JimmyO]

I’ll buy small ticket items like strings or picks at GC in a pinch because I live very close to one. But for any real purchases I happily drive 3x the distance to House of Guitars or Andy Babiuk’s Fab Gear. About all I like GC for is a public meetup for used instrument transactions to be able to plug it in and try it out.

 

[sunnycal]

I am into boutique basses but one time I got the itch to buy something new so I went to guitar center and bought a Fender American Pro and when I got it was filthy, greasy fingerprints, set up was terrible and they didn't even try to make it look nice. I returned it and decided I would never buy anything other than supplies from them. I only buy boutique basses now. It may take longer but every time, they are beautiful, well set up and ready to go. GC sucks and that's why they are going bankrupt.

 

[Queue]

Zooming in on the photos on the site, it seems like they photoshopped out the scratches and blemishes.
GC is the last place on earth I'd buy something.

I see them on the link in the first post... (but only because I knew where they were per the OP's description, and zooming into the pics...)

GC Used is definitely a crapshoot. I don't play in the $1K+ tables...

I'm about 50-60% success rate with GC Used.