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Buying a used amp from Guitar Center?

#21
OP- No to the amp thing but I have had (2) used basses shipped to me. The sales person on the phone said they looked it over and that there was no visible damage. Both times I was told this and both times the basses that arrived were in horrible condition. I baby the crap out of my gear, have had some of my gigging basses out at gigs 4-5 times a week for the last year that still look pristine. The ones that arrived looked like someone took a dump on them, set them on fire, and then hucked them off of a cliff. At least you can return the item within 30 days, though you will lose what you pay for shipping, FYI.
 
#23
I've got a Peavey Vypyr VIP, a Sanpera footswitch (for the Peavey), a BC Rich Warbeast, & a Fender Blacktop bass all from GC & they were all used but turned up looking like brand new.

My G&L bass I bought at GC, tried it out before I bought it & took it home with me, but all the other stuff I had shipped.

Oh, I almost forgot about my Tubemeister amp, which also turned up in the nice travel case & is like brand new.

IMG_20150707_151331847-PL.jpg
 
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#24
I have done several used amp purchases - some are great and some do not work well. It's a roll of the dice, but you can save some money and try out new (to you) gear. Paying a shipping fee to try out a $2000 bass head is not that bad in the long run....

If the unit does not work, let GC (in person) demand ALL of your money back. Shipping too. If it does work, but does not "rock your world", you will have to pay for shipping.

Personally, I have gotten better quality gear from dealing with bass players on talkbass or through local Craigslist sellers.
 
#26
I ordered an Ampeg head online and it was shipped to my home. When I opened the box and tried it out it did not work properly. I called the store where it came from in Ohio and they told me to take it to my local GC in NJ for a refund. I took it there and got my money back with no problem. I also purchased a GK head from a local store and it works great.
 
#27
pravus said:
Being able to inspect at a local store isn't something I had considered. I'm definitely going to think about that, especially if I decide to purchase a used cab.
Click to expand...

The shipping charge on amps is very reasonable at around 12 dollars, but cab shipping runs about 44 dollars so I haven't been able to find any cabs priced well enough to make it worthwhile with the shipping. Amps are a yes though and the used one that I had shipped to me worked fine....
 
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#28
dean owens said:
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?
Click to expand...

You can return it to your local guitar center. No worries. You can save money by having them ship to your local guitar center instead of your house.
 
#30
The one amp I purchased from them was a used peavey windsor, basically a marshall tube amp copy. I called the store and talked to them about it.

I had it shipped to my house, and when I picked it up by the top handle to remove it from the box, the wooden case around the head split it half, dumping the amp and all the tubes on to the floor. Luckily everything survived, but that wasn't confidence inspiring. Next time I'll definitely have it shipped to the nearest store.
 
#31
I LOVE Guitar Center. Talkbass has a lot of GC haters, and I am not one of them. It's my favorite music store. I don't care what people say about them or that they take away from mom and pop local music stores. They have the best prices on used gear and the best return policy.

I go there knowing what I am going to buy. I am self educated on all gear and experienced. I would NOT go to GC for a pro's advice. They don't know what they're talking about, in general. That's where the mom and pop stores come in ; They ARE educated and know their stuff.

Strings are a different story - I use seller name Bass Strings, Accessories items in Bass Specialties store on eBay! eBay exclusively. He has the BEST prices on bass strings.
 
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#32
Had an Aguilar DB 410 in white, used, delivered to my house. It shipped somewhere from the east coast somewhere, maybe Florida if I recall. Plugged in and first impressions were..***...
Speakers were blown. Sound was shot. Bad. No clue how it shipped to me as it did but the story ends well. I took it back to my local GC and they ordered me a new cab. I paid 1/3 the price used for a new cab.
Maybe it was just my lucky day. Maybe it was because I had spent thousands of dollars there and had become known on a first name basis with a good portion of the staff. Whatever the case, buy with confidence. Just return it if you are not 100% satisfied.
 
#33
I have purchased several basses from GC based on the small pic that you see in the used section. All positive experiences to date. I usually have it shipped to the closest store and swing in after work to get it. I was interested in an old Ampeg tube head with a cab (they wouldn't separate) that was listed at one of the local stores. I called and spoke with a sales guy that told me it was obviously used and old, ripped tolex, etc. Almost didn't make the drive to check it out. It was in good condition with minor blems in the tolex and nothing like how he described it so I bought it. Good thing I didn't trust his description or I would have missed out on a great amp! The return policy is what makes me less skeptical about dealing with GC. I don't love them or hate them but have spent a pretty good chunk of $$ with them over the years.
 
#34
Did not read everyone elses posts in here.. but GC's 30 day return policy covers used gear. Pretty much all of my used gear except for one shure sm57 was purchased from Guitar Center for that very reason.. one pedal I simply didn't like the sound of.. the other was missing knobs. Took it straight to the store so I didn't have to fuss with shipping.
 
#36
I bought an Epiphone small tube guitar amp used from GC, experience was fine, although they shipped it to the wrong store the first time, so they gave me a couple sets guitar strings for my trouble. Nice people at the Braintree Mass GC. I only saw one photo, but the amp was in mint condition, looked brand new and unplayed.
 
#39
I too have bought a ton of used stuff from GC, including a 700RBII. Had it now for four years, love it, no problems at all. THey give you the 30 days, as noted above, if you just don't like something, you just pay the shipping.
 

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