Buying a used amp from Guitar Center?

[dean owens]

Any of you ever bought a used amp from Guitar Center that had to be shipped to you? How'd it turn out? Did you just see it on the site and buy it? They give one small picture and no description. It's hard to see what you're actually getting Do you just take your chances? Does the used gear have any sort of warranty/return?

 

[pcake]

there's contact email for each listing so you can contact the manager of the store the amp is in and ask them for more info or to send you bigger pics. i've had better luck calling than emailing.

no warranty, but there's a return period and if you wish you can buy GC's "pro coverage" for the item. i never have, but i have a buddy who ran over his guitar and they replaced it.

btw, i prefer to start off in the bass amp section rather than the used section, then click USED on the left side of the page. not sure if you already do this, but thought i'd mention it as it allows for more sorting options.

 

[pravus]

I've purchased a few used amps from GC over the internet so I can tell you my experience.

For one, you can sometimes get more pictures of the amp by going to the alternate used gear page. If you start from their website and just go to used gear it gives you the search. Click on the 'Used Bass' link near the top and that goes to another search that looks more like their storefront. I've found it easier to get details on equipment there although it depends on the specific store when they post the ad.

For my GK 800RB and my Aguilar DB 751 I just bought them based on the pictures. They were shipped out quickly with tracking numbers. They arrived fairly well boxed with plenty of bubble wrap. Both work great and I feel like I got exactly what I paid for based on what I saw. The 800RB has some cosmetic damage but nothing major. The DB 751 is nearly flawless. I had to order some rack ears for it and the case is slightly bent enough that it makes taking the top cover off difficult. That could be from factory or just from the previous owner. It doesn't look like it was ever opened before I got it. It was basically brand new for something like $700 off list.

For my DB 359 it was a little different. Same process for ordering but the price was low enough that I had some questions so I called the store. The guy I talked to stated that Guitar Center will not accept used gear that is not functional or that has extensive cosmetic damage. With that in mind I ordered it. When it arrived I found that while the condition was reasonable, it wasn't perfect. The left rack ear was bent quite a bit requiring some new screws. Some of the case screws are missing which is annoying. This amp has a section in the rear for the power tubes which is slightly bent due to the size of the tubes and overall just makes me feel like the amp wasn't cared for. It also has a pretty loud hum which means I'm going to have to probably change tubes or do some more work on it. All in all the price was ok, but I was disappointed with the quality. I feel like the guy should have pointed these things out because I think I even asked on the phone about any flaws and he mentioned none of these things. It wasn't completely trashed and it does work so I can't say he lied, though.

So would I do it again? Yes. For larger purchases I'm going to have a lot more questions before ordering. Caveat emptor. I don't imagine GC specializes in diagnosing used equipment so I would just be wary of that. Treat it like Craigslist with known locations.

 

[Pentatonic]

Got a Ampeg B-50R online for $99. Turned out to be in like new condition. Here it is next to my B-100R.

 

[CRich0205]

I bought a GK goldline 500 that had issues with the knobs not working right and a loud buzz but the amp still had plastic on the front emblem. I picked mine up in store and should have tested it there but they took the return no questions asked

 

[jamzcl]

I bought a used Ampeg BA500 combo from GC that ended up being a workhorse for me for 4-5yrs before I downsized my combo. I also bought an SVT-450H head from them that ran great while I had it.

 

[dean owens]

First, thanks everyone. You've put my mind at ease. I've been looking to get a 700RB-II for a while and none are showing up in the classifieds here so I thought I'd look at GC. It's crazy, but I'm more leery of ordering for GC than getting something from the classifieds here.

btw, i prefer to start off in the bass amp section rather than the used section, then click USED on the left side of the page. not sure if you already do this, but thought i'd mention it as it allows for more sorting options.

Nice tip. They actually have things organized into excellent, good, etc. I've just been going through the "used store" section. I like this option better. Thanks.

 

[Low Class]

I've bought a ton of used gear from the GC website. If it shows up defective you'll get a full refund. If you just don't like it you'll get a refund less shipping(which they are very reasonable on their shipping costs). And you don't have to ship it back, just return to your local GC.

 

[Goad]

I've had a guitar shipped to my local GC so I could check it out before I buy it. It was from Dallas to Houston, not across state lines. I wasn't charged either and I ended up not buying it. Not sure if I just got lucky that day.

 

[chaosMK]

I've bought a few. It is nice to have it shipped to your local store and test it in-store. They have a good return policy though.

 

[pravus]

which they are very reasonable on their shipping costs

Shipping on the DB 359 (50 lbs) as well as the DB 751 (42 lbs) were no more than $15 each. That's way more than reasonable in my book.

 

[Low Class]

Shipping on the DB 359 (50 lbs) as well as the DB 751 (42 lbs) were no more than $15 each. That's way more than reasonable in my book.

Yep, I've never paid more than $15 on anything shipped to me from GC.

 

[beaglesandbass]

I bought a Crate BT220 used from GC. I forget where it was shipped from, but shipping to my local GC was only about $14 which was great because it's a HEAVY amp. I remember calling the store before I bought and had the sales guy check out the amp while I was on the phone with him so he could tell me any cosmetic issues. This amp as well as the used Spector I just bought, were very well packaged and protected. Great return policy too.

 

[PeaveyPlayer]

I have bought a few bass guitars and
A peavey tvx 410 and 412 bass cab

Just ask if there's anything blown and after you make the purchase there is like a warranty you can get

 

[basscooker]

Yep ^^^ everything posted here. I do it all the time. I just picked up a pair of Rumble 150 heads, A Promethean 300 head, and an MB200 head. Under $800 total to my door. Everything works fine, only (minor) complaint is one of the Rumbles showed up without IEC power cable. I have spares, but kinda bummed about that. Would have preferred to know it wasn't coming with one, I would have tried to knock some more off the price. I've never had to return anything, and all I've ordered from them has arrived in good+ to great condition.

 

[Kmonk]

They rarely if ever answer the emails. I have called stores in other states and had amps and basses shipped to my local store free of charge. Once it arrives I check it out. If I don't like it, I return on the spot at the store that received the shipment. I have only refused one item, an Eden 410 cab which I discovered had a blown speaker when it arrived at the store.

 

[Burwabit]

I've bought a few. It is nice to have it shipped to your local store and test it in-store. They have a good return policy though.

This is what I do. That way there's no doubt. Of course, I have a local store as an option.

 

[waltdogg]

I bought my second V-4B used through GC. No problems there. Bought a used MusicMan 212 Sixty-Five, it was minty but wasn't biased properly. It was redplating the original 6CA7s, they swapped the 6CA7s for some GT EL34s (blech!) at no charge. That fixed the redplating issue and I got to keep the original tubes which still tested good. Both were from local stores, but I did have a pair of Yamaha powered studio monitors that I ordered used from GC. Arrived well packed and in clean fully working condition. However if I had a serious issue with any of them, I had 30 days to return the amps or monitors no questions asked.

When you do get a used piece of gear that wasn't as described or not fully functioning you can chalk it up to someone's incompetence. Either the Salesperson involved in the trade in wasn't familiar with that piece of gear or was just buying the piece to make another deal work (dat 10-15% trade-in discount).

 

[Justbleazy]

I bought my mark bass mini cmd and it was like new to me. I've had it for about 2 years and haven't had a problem at all.

 

[Milo Spleen]

I guess that buying any type of electronics is best to have shipped to the store to try out. I have done that although I wouldn't have needed to (Yamaha mixer was like new).