Guitar Center Chapter 11 Imminent

[FunkyFlashFive]

I had such a bad experience with some used PA gear from them that I stopped buying anything at all from them even if it costs more elsewhere. Will be glad to see them go if they ever actually close.

 

[MynameisMe]

My last couple visits during Covid the employees were so worked up they made it unpleasant. I started ordering all my stuff off Amazon.

 

[Zooberwerx]

If our local GC closes, I hope it's replaced with a Chi-Chi's, Howard Johnson's, Burger Chef, or Arthur Treacher's. I do enjoy my seemingly innocent indulgences.

Riis

 

[mrcbass]

Is this "still" or "again"? I'm so confused....

 

[Big Hoss]

Not counting their Musicians Friend sub company, since I started playing again in 2003 my purchases at Guitar Center have been...

Crate BX-100
1 pack of GHS Bass Boomers
3 string winders, I keep losing the dang things.
I forget which ones, but at least 3 different "learn bass by video" DVD / Book sets...

That's it.

I am NOT keeping them in business.

Now Musicians Friend is much, much more...

 

[Kukulkan61]

What about Musicians Friend, are they not the same Co.?

 

[ElectroVibe]

I'm not even certain what what it is exactly that I disliked about the store. Maybe the fact that it's geared for guitar players only. As if music stores are such a big thing that they could ever specialize. Honestly, I'm not trying to knock it, but it's just a feeling I've had. I've bought stuff there and always been happy with their service in spite of the general vibes I get. Maybe it's just the "least great" music store I've been to. I've never spent much time in music stores, though, so I'm really not the best judge anyway.

 

[sawzalot]

Just because they're filing for Ch. 11 doesn't mean they're going to vanish overnight. This is a move so they can restructure debt, etc.

 

[48thStreetCustom]

This is kind of like Barnes & Noble forcing all the little mom and pop bookshops out of business and then going bankrupt.

 

[MNAirHead]

too big a market share to 100% close....

The current model is not sustainable.

 

[Wood and Wire]

Both Gibson, and Fender have stated that 2020 has been the best year in their respective companies histories, in terms of guitar sales.

That being the case, where are people buying their guitars, if one of the biggest box-shifters is about to go out of business?

 

[jonesn4bass]

I wish they’d just close already. I’ve been on the receiving end of a larger company filing chapter 11 (who then stayed open afterward), and the reality that translated to was that they got to keep all the product but not pay any of their bills, essentially foisting their bad business practices onto the very companies that provide them product to keep them going. It’s a tough pill to swallow.

 

[buldog5151bass]

What's the over/under on the number of GC bankruptcy threads on TB?

 

[buldog5151bass]

Chapter 11 means they intend to stay in business, like GM, Texaco, Marvel, Six Flags, Hostess, Converse, Delta, American Airlines, the Chicago Cubs...

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I'm glad I have all the gear I want right now.

Gibson, and Fender have stated that 2020 has been the best year in their respective companies histories, in terms of guitar sales.

Maybe, but what about their sale of basses?

 

[bolophonic]

I give no loyalty to any corporate monolith. Did I care when K-Mart died? No.

 

[Wood and Wire]

I'm glad I have all the gear I want right now.



Maybe, but what about their sale of basses?

Gibson seem to lump everything together - it's all guitars - the only demarcation seems to be whether they have Gibson, or Epiphone on the headstock.

Fender seems to focus on "guitars" (presumably including basses) and their guitar lessons app - which has a huge take up, due to Covid enforced free time.

 

[Eric Swaim]

Kind of a bummer in one big way.... Used gear. That sort of sticks us with ebay, reverb, CL and the like. The classifieds here are decent enough for heads, pedals, basses and easy/smaller/lighter stuff. FB marketplace requires actually being on FB; ugh.

Yes, Facebook sucks, it's one of life's biggest time sucker. I never post anything anymore, just look through marketplace for items I might want to buy.

 

[Deleted member 165050]

Both Gibson, and Fender have stated that 2020 has been the best year in their respective companies histories, in terms of guitar sales.

That being the case, where are people buying their guitars, if one of the biggest box-shifters is about to go out of business?

Direct manufacturer marketing, you can buy everything from their online stores.

 

[Ric5]

Haven’t they been on the brink for most of the 21st century already?

Yes ... I keep hearing about their bankruptcy ... year after year