I just hit 2 GC's in the area and there was nothing to get excited about at all. I wasn't expecting a lot, but it was even weaker than expected. No handouts of "The List" like in the past. Very few basses on sale. Oh well, new owners I guess.
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GC Memorial Day Blowout .... Yawn...
- Thread starter MultiScaleMale
- Start date
I was thinking about hitting the two GC's in Atlanta today but now I am having second thoughts based on your experience.
GC has new owners?
This could explain the recent major decline in all things cool!
I stopped on the way in to work this morning. No LIST at all and none of the basses had special sale prices on them.
NOT worth a trip for sure.
NOT worth a trip for sure.
Nothing at ours was worth looking at. No major discounts...no blowouts. Oh well...was good to get out of the house after all the rain.
Same old GC "sale" BS IMO. I've never actually seen a sale at GC...I've heard they exist...mostly on the radio commercials.
Of course. And they are always "the lowest, most insane prices ever.....like no name distortion pedals...29 bucks! And shaker eggs! 50% off! And let's not forget them noseflutes...buy by the gross and save! AND...everyone who comes in the door...free Fall Out Boy posters!
You want pointy headstocks? WE GOT 'EM! You want shoddy yet graphic laden "pro drumsets? WE GOT'EM..."
I see you are familiar with the phenomena... Glad to know I'm not the only one irritated by their commercials and sales!
"The List" also wasn't present at the Akron GC and their didn't seem to be any major sales or promotions, but I happened to come upon a bass I've been looking for a while, and between being able to talk them down a bit, my ASCAP 5% off, and a surprising OHSC included I came out pretty well... a 4-string MusicMan SUB Sterling in "Invalid Link Removed" (link to larger, better pic of the finish - almost like a textured version of the Petrucci "Mystic Dream" finish, a very nice finish indeed) and a set of strings... for $420 after tax. 
*Excellent* condition as well, a few very minor headstock dings but bubkis on the neck or body - very clean overall. I've always said I'm not huge on the MusicMan sound but it's one that every "working" bassist should have at their disposal, and now I do at a killer price!
Pictures later to prove it, I'm playing right now.
But here's a stock photo of the finish...
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Edit: It also sounds like I got lucky on the music selection (they've moved the basses from the main Guitar room to the Keyboard/Pro Audio section - less room, but also less teenage whammy squeelies) - Pro Audio had NIN's "The Downward Spiral" and both discs of "The Fragile" at a nice volume.
...I can also confirm that Fender's really pushing the Squier basses: they had two VM Jazz Basses, two VM Jazz Bass fretless', and two Deluxe Jazz V Actives all on the sales floor getting a lot of play in the hour and 1/2 I was there. It seems that "The Kids" are drawn ironically to the "classic" look when many other companies avoid it like the plague.
*Excellent* condition as well, a few very minor headstock dings but bubkis on the neck or body - very clean overall. I've always said I'm not huge on the MusicMan sound but it's one that every "working" bassist should have at their disposal, and now I do at a killer price!Pictures later to prove it, I'm playing right now.
But here's a stock photo of the finish...[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Edit: It also sounds like I got lucky on the music selection (they've moved the basses from the main Guitar room to the Keyboard/Pro Audio section - less room, but also less teenage whammy squeelies) - Pro Audio had NIN's "The Downward Spiral" and both discs of "The Fragile" at a nice volume.
...I can also confirm that Fender's really pushing the Squier basses: they had two VM Jazz Basses, two VM Jazz Bass fretless', and two Deluxe Jazz V Actives all on the sales floor getting a lot of play in the hour and 1/2 I was there. It seems that "The Kids" are drawn ironically to the "classic" look when many other companies avoid it like the plague.
CrashClint
I Play Bass therefore I Am
Yeah, ever since new ownership has taken over GC, the ability for the sales people to really deal has gone out the door. Honestly, Sam Ash will give you a better deal in Raleigh than GC.
Seems Ian got the deal of the day!
Seems Ian got the deal of the day!
I honestly don't expect things to get any better at GC. I have a friend whose sister works for a Bain Capital affliliate and the word is that GC is going to be liquidated. When Bain bought GC they assumed about 200 million in debt so they are going to liquidate the inventory to cover the debt. Then they will sell off all of the 210 store locations, which most are in prime commercial areas. Supposedly this is all to happen over the next 12 to 18 months. If this is in fact true I don't know so take it for what its worth!
Yeah, usually when a specialized company is bought out or "resqued" as it were by an investment group with deep pockets yet no understanding of the industry, it's really the death bell...
Look what hapenned with EAW/Mackie/SLM with LOUD....same damn thing. Bottom line first.
Cool! Another "Dump on GC" thread!
It's been about 15 minutes since the last one, and I was getting worried they would stop completely.
Seriously though, I've bought a fair amount of gear over the years, and have shopped GC since there was only one of them. It's changed dramatically, but one thing that has been consistent is competitive pricing.
I can't seem to get better deals anywhere else, particularly anyplace where I can walk in (albeit past the kids hammering on Dean products and generally inexperienced sales people) and actually play the gear I'm interested in.
I'm not exactly sure why posters here are so overwhelmingly negative in matters concerning GC.
Am I the only person that thinks they are convenient, fairly well stocked and very competitively priced?
It's been about 15 minutes since the last one, and I was getting worried they would stop completely.
Seriously though, I've bought a fair amount of gear over the years, and have shopped GC since there was only one of them. It's changed dramatically, but one thing that has been consistent is competitive pricing.
I can't seem to get better deals anywhere else, particularly anyplace where I can walk in (albeit past the kids hammering on Dean products and generally inexperienced sales people) and actually play the gear I'm interested in.
I'm not exactly sure why posters here are so overwhelmingly negative in matters concerning GC.
Am I the only person that thinks they are convenient, fairly well stocked and very competitively priced?
- Apr 21, 2000
- 10,465
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- Gallien Krueger for the last 12 years!
Am I the only person that thinks they are convenient, fairly well stocked and very competitively priced?
Probably. Face it, as much as you love GC, there are those who don't. Deal.
I went this morning, there was next to nothing good for basses but they had a few used cabs for cheap. A bag end 4x10 for $130 and the mesa cab with a 15/10/2x8 for $250. I had no need for either so i didnt want to spend the money. my buddy was looking to get this 5 string pedulla thats been in the store for like two years now but the guy said at $1700 it was already at cost and they couldnt bring it down anymore than that. probably why it hasn't sold in two years.
ive noticed that their bass selection in all three stores i regularly shop has been dwindling down since the takeover. they've even started moving guitar amps into the bass area in the one i went to today.
ive noticed that their bass selection in all three stores i regularly shop has been dwindling down since the takeover. they've even started moving guitar amps into the bass area in the one i went to today.
GC always (and I mean always) has a sale when I don't need anything. Plus, they never have anything interesting.
"The List" also wasn't present at the Akron GC and their didn't seem to be any major sales or promotions, but I happened to come upon a bass I've been looking for a while, and between being able to talk them down a bit, my ASCAP 5% off, and a surprising OHSC included I came out pretty well... a 4-string MusicMan SUB Sterling in "Invalid Link Removed" (link to larger, better pic of the finish - almost like a textured version of the Petrucci "Mystic Dream" finish, a very nice finish indeed) and a set of strings... for $420 after tax.
Pictures later to prove it, I'm playing right now.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
...I can also confirm that Fender's really pushing the Squier basses: they had two VM Jazz Basses, two VM Jazz Bass fretless', and two Deluxe Jazz V Actives all on the sales floor getting a lot of play in the hour and 1/2 I was there. It seems that "The Kids" are drawn ironically to the "classic" look when many other companies avoid it like the plague.
Looks like a Sterling S.U.B
