I've bought some things there, and got a great deal on a Les Paul, amp and case when I branched into guitar because I bought them as a set (not a package, I picked everything out myself). That said, I went in recently and was appalled at the customer service and selection. Also, no patch cables at all in the Bass section and the only amps with power were cheapo or modeling amps, which are basically useless for testing out a bass to see how it actually sounds. I would rather spend my money at a local company anyway, and if that's not possible I can save a lot of money with amazon, but I usually go to GC to check out stuff I want to buy online.
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Is Anyone Here Generally OK With Guitar Center?
- Thread starter nocontrols
- Start date
You know, I have been in GCs (pretty much) all over the country. For the most part, they are *blah*....
I have done business in the past with a GC in the Midwest (when I lived there) and the Manager was one helluva good guy. He is a guitar player and knew that store like the back of his hand.
Now, his 19 year old "salesmen" left a lot to be desired, but at least the "leadership" was good. Being an old man, whenever I went in to the store I asked for the Manager (by name) and he and I did our business. I ordered Basses directly from Fender at his store and he made sure to keep me in touch with the Fender Rep. Never dissatisfied.
In short, GC is whatever you make of it. It has been my experience that if you go straight to the top (Manager) you will get things done....
And, of course, as in all things TB - YMMV
I have done business in the past with a GC in the Midwest (when I lived there) and the Manager was one helluva good guy. He is a guitar player and knew that store like the back of his hand.
Now, his 19 year old "salesmen" left a lot to be desired, but at least the "leadership" was good. Being an old man, whenever I went in to the store I asked for the Manager (by name) and he and I did our business. I ordered Basses directly from Fender at his store and he made sure to keep me in touch with the Fender Rep. Never dissatisfied.
In short, GC is whatever you make of it. It has been my experience that if you go straight to the top (Manager) you will get things done....
And, of course, as in all things TB - YMMV
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
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- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
GC is a fun place to go ... The untrained help with body oder, bad hair styles, and black fingernails are always entertaining.
When it comes to actually spending money I usually go somewhere else.
When it comes to actually spending money I usually go somewhere else.
I think it depends on location, management, and staff. Some locations are better managed than others and hire more experienced people. Others, not so much. I've had good and bad experiences and each at different locations.
The one by my house has a good group of guys here lately but a few years back, they had some real knuckleheads working there. Those few made the entire store look bad in my eyes. I gave it a few years but finally went back in there. I saw that the knuckleheads didn't work there anymore and were replaced by nicer, more knowledgeable guys who wanted to help.
The one by my house has a good group of guys here lately but a few years back, they had some real knuckleheads working there. Those few made the entire store look bad in my eyes. I gave it a few years but finally went back in there. I saw that the knuckleheads didn't work there anymore and were replaced by nicer, more knowledgeable guys who wanted to help.
I have low expectations of them, but I don't hate the place. For a while they were the only place locally where I could find the strings I like.
GC=My Toy R Us.
I do A LOT of research before I buy anything so there are times I know more than the employee about a particular product. Like everyone has mentioned, the used store online is where it's at. I bought a mint Fender P-Bass Special Deluxe w/ a warranty and case for less than $500. Thats almost stealing!!
I do A LOT of research before I buy anything so there are times I know more than the employee about a particular product. Like everyone has mentioned, the used store online is where it's at. I bought a mint Fender P-Bass Special Deluxe w/ a warranty and case for less than $500. Thats almost stealing!!
I'm generally OK with Guitar Center. I don't have any expectations of them being anything more than they are. I know most of their sales staff isn't knowlegable. I know their selection is very limited. But I shop there, more for pro Audio and Percussion than bass stuff, there bass gear is quite limited. I miss what GC used to be, but for what it is it's OK. The manager of my local store knows me, and has really gone thie distance for me on occasion, so I'll still give it a thumbs up.
The only problem I had was when I bought a used SVT-4 at the local GC that had a broken cooling system (fan snapped on immediately after powering up, and stayed on for 10 minutes or more at a time). They replaced it for me with no questions, though I was surprised they just happened to have another used SVT-4 in stock.
The staff at our local store is decent. One assistant manager took 20 minutes to show me how to make some minor adjustments to my bass's setup when I thought I was having intonation issues, and he didn't charge me anything for the lesson. You usually have to hunt for someone to get help, but once they get to you, they staff is very attentive.
I like to patronize our local stores, but sometimes GC has just what I need. Other times the local guys win. To me, GC is just another option to consider.
The staff at our local store is decent. One assistant manager took 20 minutes to show me how to make some minor adjustments to my bass's setup when I thought I was having intonation issues, and he didn't charge me anything for the lesson. You usually have to hunt for someone to get help, but once they get to you, they staff is very attentive.
I like to patronize our local stores, but sometimes GC has just what I need. Other times the local guys win. To me, GC is just another option to consider.
GC is awesome. Especially the used section. Never bought a bass from them yet but if I can find a deal on something I want, there won't be much in the way 
I have actually never had a bad guitar center experience, and I have spent thousands there. I have bought a used Modulus q 5, a Mesa Boogie powerhouse 4x10 and lots of other stuff, and never had a problem. I find their pricing to be pretty good. As long as you have properly low expectations about the customer service you won't be too let down. It is a lot like shopping at Costco-huge, self-service atmosphere, with some surprising used finds from time to time (the Nashville GC has a used Lakland fretless I am lusing after) Does GC provide the same experience as Corner music, where there is a bass dude who is super super knowledgable, remember you when you come it, and has many high end and custom basses? No of course not. Just be sure if you go to GC to take your instrument somewhere else for a setup.
I have concluded that despite the best efforts of GC corporate, every store is a bit different; Some are awful, some are okay. As it stands, I don't think that there really *great* GCs anymore.
I am generally OK.
If I find what I want, I make them an offer. They take it, or counter. I accept or don't.
No hard feelings either way.
I've been ignored there a couple times. I left. My choice. I could've pitched a fit. I chose not to.
But I've been ignored far more often at Home Depot and Best Buy.
It is what it is.
I do not go there with hopes of being enlightened. I've never been surprised or let down.
So.....I am generally OK with Guitar Center.
If I find what I want, I make them an offer. They take it, or counter. I accept or don't.
No hard feelings either way.
I've been ignored there a couple times. I left. My choice. I could've pitched a fit. I chose not to.
But I've been ignored far more often at Home Depot and Best Buy.
It is what it is.
I do not go there with hopes of being enlightened. I've never been surprised or let down.
So.....I am generally OK with Guitar Center.
It's a business- no real feelings about it. I go to my local mom & pop music store for gear first, but if they don't have what I want, I'll go by GC before going online. I've only bought strings and a few pedals from them for the most part, but I bought an acoustic junior guitar for my son there and bought a very nice Taylor acoustic for myself recently. No problems. The guys working at the GC by me are morons for the most part, but since I know what I want before I walk in it's not a problem.
I will say as a side note, though, that the GC near me has had what used to be a very nice stingray on the wall since the day they opened 6 years ago. It's still there today- scuffed up, missing the bass pot knob, action and tuning so bad it may be irreparable, but they are still asking the "list" price for it (and have "Sterling" on the tag). I've offered to buy it for a discount a few times, as it is now worse then most used items they carry. They always refuse.
I will say as a side note, though, that the GC near me has had what used to be a very nice stingray on the wall since the day they opened 6 years ago. It's still there today- scuffed up, missing the bass pot knob, action and tuning so bad it may be irreparable, but they are still asking the "list" price for it (and have "Sterling" on the tag). I've offered to buy it for a discount a few times, as it is now worse then most used items they carry. They always refuse.
The local GC's are great. I have had no issues. The couple items I have purchased there that ended up having issue, they bent over backwards to make it right. I cannot say the same for the two nearby ma and pa shops.
I've gotten some great deals at GC too, like a new Bongo for $900 and just last week scored an early 70's V4-B in awesome shape for $500.
I've gotten some great deals at GC too, like a new Bongo for $900 and just last week scored an early 70's V4-B in awesome shape for $500.
