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I visited a GC today….

#61
MCF said:
I get that from a private seller. And fret sprout is easily dealt with using the correct tools. But in a music store, it is a sign of them not caring and they won't get by business.
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If guitar stores and guitar factories set up and eliminated fret sprout, cut the nut correctly, etc., prices would increase dramatically, as shown by how much money custom shop instruments already are.
 
#67
SteveCS said:
I do have to ask - what is that (or any) part of your hand/fingers doing scraping along the edge in the first place, at least to the point of causing abrasion like that?
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When I'd taken it down from a high hanger, I let gravity do its thing, discovering the sharp frets as the neck glided through my hand.

My main issue is that I'd made a special trip to that GC for the instruments they advertised, only to find one Sterling having sharp frets, another with faulty electronics, and two others with banana bowed necks. Not attributing fault, but the store's tech apologized and that he'd be shipping them back. The one Ray34 with the electronics issue sounded great though otherwise.
 
#68
Once I went to a GC to check out and maybe buy a bass they had in stock on the website, I forget what it was now. I get there and the inventory was completely different. They had one of the older MIJ aerodyne basses that had been dropped so badly it was nearly in splinters, the neck was fine. I asked if they could give me a deal on that and they said they could take $200 off making it $700. Insane.
 
#69
Moe Hickey said:
Let's descend into a climate change rage debate.
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But just the climate within branches of Guitar Center.


I think the problem with GC is that, try as they might, guitars aren't white goods that can be stuck out on display then shipped out in a cardboard box. Even the most bang average production line poly-finish guitar reacts to variations in temperature and humidity in ways a washer dryer cannot.

I guess GC consider the cost of regulating in-store humidity versus the percentage of teenagers and oldies who won't question sharp fret ends because they don't know any better.
 
#72
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#75
From Shop's listing where I bought my Bass;

"With certified technicians on staff and a century + of experience between them all, you can rest assured any instrument you purchase from Melody Music Shop LLC is in the best condition possible! Our ENTIRE STORE is maintained at 50% humidity year round per manufacturer's stringent requirements
 
#76
whatever4 said:
Last time I went to Guitar Center, I only found one bass out of about 20 that didn't have fret sprout. And it wasn't one of their $1000-plus basses, it was an inexpensive Ibanez.
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That doesn't surprise me much at all. I don't know how they do it but Ibanez seems to be able to make their basses to a much higher and consistent quality level at a considerably lower price than just about any manufacturer.

At one of the few music stores I know of that actually does a quick setup on all basses before putting them on the wall, the tech told me that he generally had to spend some time on most basses but it was very rare that he had to do anything to Ibanez's other than pull them out of the box and check the tuning.
 
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#78
eastcoasteddie said:
That particular GC - in Rockville, MD, has specially conditioned rooms for the $3k+ instruments - the PRS's, USA Gibsons, EBMM BFR's, Brubakers, Fender CS, etc.
All the rest can pound sand.
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oh no kidding? I'm in nova and have been there a few times. last time I was there they had like two employees and stuff was just strewn everywhere and people were starting to ask ME for help. that one seems to get better used gear than other ones in the area for some reason. maybe just because it's a rich neighborhood.
 
#79
satantango said:
oh no kidding? I'm in nova and have been there a few times. last time I was there they had like two employees and stuff was just strewn everywhere and people were starting to ask ME for help. that one seems to get better used gear than other ones in the area for some reason. maybe just because it's a rich neighborhood.
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I try to check that store out once every 6 months or so. Last time I was there, they told me that the Rockville location is the East Coast Flagship store. Being a "Rich neighborhood"…believe it or not, a Lamborghini pulled through the parking lot when I was leaving the store. As I pulled out, I saw he just couple-parked in front and went in.

The most busted GC I've been to is the one in Silver Spring. Oh Lord!
 
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#80
eastcoasteddie said:
I try to check that store out once every 6 months or so. Last time I was there, they told me that the Rockville location is the East Coast Flagship store.
The most busted GC I've been to is the one in Silver Spring. Oh Lord!
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The GC near me - Glendora CA - is a shambles when I go in there. One "island" of bass amps couldn't be used because the power strip's (plug board) that they were all plugged in to had a cut power cable. Boxes and boxes of inventory still in boxes sitting right near the cashier area. Unfortunately, it's the closest and only guitar store around.
 

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