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Guitar Center online or Reverb.com?

Which is the better route?

  • Total voters
    228
#81
Both my drummer and lead guitar player swear by Reverb. My drummer buys most of his replacement kit pieces from Reverb and has never had an issue. Personally, I am more of an "instant gratification" person and want to walk out of the store with my purchase.

That said, my wife recently bought me an Eden WT800 from Guitar Center (used). When it showed up it was damaged and didn't work. They took it back and gave me a newer used one in better condition that was $800 more, but didn't charge us for it. I was very impressed with this customer service even though it wasn't their fault and they didn't owe me anything for free. So I am a GC fan from here on out.
 
#82
jd56hawk said:
Right now, I have nine basses, only bought one in a store...bought one from eBay, one from Guitar Center online, and the rest from Reverb because they have basses you just won't find anywhere else.
As for you, go to GC and try one of these...yes, even if they have to order it. You can take it home and try it out for 45 days, good return policy at GC.
Still one of the best Squiers made.
View attachment 4198452As for amps, do yourself a favor and check this one out. I was very surprised how good it sounded and it's only a few dollars more than the Rumble.View attachment 4198453
Click to expand...
And if it’s an ordered item, it means it doesn’t suffer time and exposure on the showroom floor.
 
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#84
The made in USA Peavey Fury from the 80s and 90s is a great Pbass which has a Jazz width neck. They typically sell $300-$500 depending on condition and availability. Some have paid more, some less. They are available on Ebay, Reverb etc. and depending on condition you might find something worth a try. I got one, cleaned it up and did a setup (if not familiar worth spending $60 or so to have done professionally), but having a well made USA bass to start on would be a big plus IMO. They never really caught on which is why they're so cheap, but if you look here on Talkbass there's lots of info and much love. That's how I found mine and sold my MIA Fender Pbass after getting mine. They are great basses and a well kept secret. Here's a pick of one for sale on ebay. Good luck!
fury.jpg
 
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#85
In your situation I would go to your GC and play what's there, see if there is anything that really gets you going. You might find that the CV offers you more value than a MIM starting out First bass, that's the route I would recommend. I would suggest the Rumble 100 over the 40. It will carry you a bit further and keep you more inspired before you need to upgrade.
My .02.
 
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#92
#95
chemical360 said:
Both my drummer and lead guitar player swear by Reverb. My drummer buys most of his replacement kit pieces from Reverb and has never had an issue. Personally, I am more of an "instant gratification" person and want to walk out of the store with my purchase.

That said, my wife recently bought me an Eden WT800 from Guitar Center (used). When it showed up it was damaged and didn't work. They took it back and gave me a newer used one in better condition that was $800 more, but didn't charge us for it. I was very impressed with this customer service even though it wasn't their fault and they didn't owe me anything for free. So I am a GC fan from here on out.
Click to expand...
They just gave you another bass worth $800 dollars more? Over a mistake? Holy hell were you lucky! I hope my local GC is that generous.
 
#96
Jason151 said:
They just gave you another bass worth $800 dollars more? Over a mistake? Holy hell were you lucky! I hope my local GC is that generous.
Click to expand...

Not a bass. The WT800 is an amp. But yes, they did. My wife and I went to my local store, showed them all the damage and how it wouldn't even power on. They gave us the model they had which was in so much better condition... They earned a customer for life as again, they didn't owe me a darn thing but I certainly appreciated their customer service going way above and beyond.
 
#97
chemical360 said:
They took it back and gave me a newer used one in better condition that was $800 more, but didn't charge us for it. I was very impressed with this customer service even though it wasn't their fault and they didn't owe me anything for free. So I am a GC fan from here on out.
Click to expand...

GC sold me a 4ohm amp, an 8ohm cab, and a 4ohm cab. A few years later something went wrong (it's been a loooong time and I was a beginner). They replaced my cab (and amp? can't remember) with the new model free of charge, even though it was essentially a user error, because they were on the same receipt and I should have been warned.
 
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#99
Buy used from Reverb through PayPal. Their buyer protections aren't scam-tier in favor of the buyer anymore (thankfully), but if you got an item in much worse condition than described, they will go to bat for you.
 
#100
I bought a MIM P on Reverb and it's a great bass from a great seller. That's it in my profile pic. But Reverb has a zillion sellers, so obvs YMMV. YMWV. But if I wanted a MIM P, I certainly wouldn't buy a Squier just so it's new. I actually just bought a lightly-used Fender Player Jazz bass from GC. I live in the Bay Area, the bass was in their SF store. They shipped it to me, took 2 days, the bass is awesome, and the box was unscathed (the advantage of going local even if it is shipped). If I bought new though, unless I did it in person, I would always go Sweetwater based on past experience.
 

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