Is Anyone Here Generally OK With Guitar Center?

[My name is Mudd]

Do some decent setups so the people can find out exactly what the guitar or bass that they are trying out is capable of. I think that is an important thing that GC does not care to address.

I'll definitely go along with that, and is something I've mentioned to mgmt in ours before. Since they now have an in-store tech, things are a little better and I have seen the tech do a quicky on something for a customer, if asked.

Sorta veering to mention that I think it's interesting, or something, that pretty much EVERY Fender/Squier I've touched in any GC needs some semi-serious work done to make them playable, and yet the Schecters are usually good to go right out of the box (and I swear I'm not saying this just to pimp for Schecter, but it is one reason why I bought two of them from GC)

 

[bassgod76]

There was a time when "going into town" meant Rosemond!

Tell me about it! We used to go to this awesome breakfast place by the railroad tracks. After that, we'd make the great journey home... To the front gate. Sigh.

 

[dmonroe]

Yet the Schecters are usually good to go right out of the box (and I swear I'm not saying this just to pimp for Schecter, but it is one reason why I bought two of them from GC)

I'd have to agree with this because the only new bass I've picked up in a GC I thought played well was a Schecter. I've picked up a few used ones that were incredible but of course the previous owner had obviously done a good set-up on it.

Being able to set up an instrument should be part of the interview process.

 

[electracoyote]

I'd have to agree with this because the only new bass I've picked up in a GC I thought played well was a Schecter. I've picked up a few used ones that were incredible but of course the previous owner had obviously done a good set-up on it.

Being able to set up an instrument should be part of the interview process.

GC is not about setting up instruments. They are about moving them out the door. Period.

This is one reason so many good, playable brands and models get a bad rap. Someone goes into a GC, pulls a guitar off the wall that hasn't been tweaked one bit since leaving the factory, deems it unplayable and the guitar junk. WRONG. It's not junk, it just hasn't been set up.

Yet people will jump on the internet and spread the story about how a model of guitar they played at GC is junk.

If you can't tell the difference between an unplayable guitar and a guitar that needs a set up, then you shouldn't be shopping at GC.

That being said, there are certain brands that really take the time to set the guitars up as well as possible before they get unboxed and racked at your local GC. Schecter is definitely one of those. They import their guitars and basses but then spend a considerable amount of time with QC and set up. Almost every Schecter I've played out of the box was pretty close to an awesome set up and near perfect QC in aesthetics and function.

Moral of the story: Don't go into GC looking for a perfectly set-up specimen off the rack. It usually isn't going to happen, even with the upper-end stuff. Those guys just don't work that way. Know a thing or two about guitars and be able to determine a guitar's potential, or bring someone along who can.

 

[My name is Mudd]

Moral of the story: Don't go into GC looking for a perfectly set-up specimen off the rack. It usually isn't going to happen, even with the upper-end stuff. Those guys just don't work that way. Know a thing or two about guitars and be able to determine a guitar's potential, or bring someone along who can.

Sad but true. Although I do think it's also sad that Fender doesn't seem to care that their stuff goes out the door with action about three feet above the 12th fret at times, and/but depend on name-recognition alone to generate sales. But that's a topic for a different thread.

 

[Skabasskid]

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.

The GC by me requires that you take a written and oral test over your department before hiring, and only hires full time. Guess I'm just lucky?

 

[dmonroe]

GC is not about setting up instruments. They are about moving them out the door. Period.

Moral of the story: Don't go into GC looking for a perfectly set-up specimen off the rack. It usually isn't going to happen, even with the upper-end stuff. Those guys just don't work that way. Know a thing or two about guitars and be able to determine a guitar's potential, or bring someone along who can.

Agreed about them simply being a corporation that just cares about the numbers.

I still advocate the idea I proposed in my earlier post:
"As for the set-up issues, take a pocket tuner, a phillips screwdriver and a few allen wrenches with you . If you see one you really think you want, do a quick set-up on it. If they give you any grief just tell them you are doing them a favor since they either don't have the time or knowledge to set it up. If you decide to not buy it, they will still sell it faster because it will play better when you are done."

 

[capnsandwich]

I think Sam Ash is terrible compared to GC.

+1

At least the one by my house. It's always nice going into a store when the people who work there are automatically geared to think they're better than you. I can't stand the arrogance I sense from the workers there.

 

[electracoyote]

"As for the set-up issues, take a pocket tuner, a phillips screwdriver and a few allen wrenches with you . If you see one you really think you want, do a quick set-up on it. If they give you any grief just tell them you are doing them a favor since they either don't have the time or knowledge to set it up. If you decide to not buy it, they will still sell it faster because it will play better when you are done."

Indeed, I have done this (he says with a sheepish grin).

Sometimes they don't want you doing this and will ask you not to. You may trust your excellent lutherie skills, but the sales associate or store manager may not.

 

[nibs208]

Why go to any GC when BassNW is on 30 min away>?

 

[bathnapkin]

I'm sure some are fine but I've learned to stay away from the one in Nashville.
They charged me 46$ for a 23$ set of Rotosounds on my bill and I didn't notice until I made it home 75 miles away. It wasn't just an employee mistake, that was the price on the box as well. Marked down from 69.99 I believe. Luckily I knew someone going down the next day and had them return it for me. I stick to the Sam Ash in Madison now and hope that one day a decent shop will open in my town.

 

[VS]

I have had less issues with GC than with small music shops. They give me deals, cut taxes off and send me free money. Of course, I've spent many thousands of dollars there too. -Luke

 

[steveinohio]

I really like Guitar Center. When I was a kid I would dream about guitar stores like them. I have no problem with them at all. Sam Ash is great as well. The local shops in my area have always been lousy. Nothing has changed that much.

 

[P. Aaron]

With few exceptions, the Southfield, MI GC is the store I go to. There's a few local places that I get certain accessories from. If I want the best price on a new Precision Bass, GC is tough to beat.

If I am selling something like a guitar, I'll consign it to a smaller store to keep the many paws off it.

My bass gear came from LDS and GC didn't stock the LH1000.

Other than that, I like 'em.

 

[Timmah]

I like 'em. When I bought my ampeg micro vr there, the only one they had was a floor model, so they gave me close to a hundred bucks off. I have been a staunch supporter ever since.

 

[Quickie]

I don't love the place and I'm aware it's basically a giant depository for generic instruments in need of a set-up being sold by teenagers or somewhat clueless slacker-types but I'm not really anti-GC.

Guitar Center is a clearing house. That's how I feel. I bought a brand new bass from them that upon arrival at home, was obviously used. Scratch marks on the pick guard. And it was from Music Man. Brand new, in the shipping box. I don't believe that it was shipped that way from Music Man. The box had been re taped on one end. This after the sales kid said, as I was walking out the door, he "found one" in stock. So I learned to check everything from then on.

Second bad example. I was given a "floor model" bass amp combo. A very nice GK 100 watt 12 inch combo amp. When it was given to me (as a gift) I fired it up and it distorted badly after it warmed up. OK. Got the person who had the receipt and went to return it. Now mind you, there were no other "New" in the box amps at the time where he purchased it. He even bought the extended warranty.

The store near me refused to accept it for exchange as it was bought in another store. I had to call corporate and raise hell. Then when we brought it back to the store near me, the manager said I got him in trouble and to bring my business elsewhere.

So I have. And it is too bad that such d**ks work there. I once saw a Stingray on sale for 999.99 with the case. Was a great deal.

I buy strictly online now, and yes, I do buy my basses without trying them first. I have had quality control problems with a specific brand a couple of times, but all in all, I have received great basses and amps online. Including two Rickenbackers.

The basses at GC are in horrible shape. Dead strings, saw one with a warped neck and always scratched pick guards. These are "new" basses.

Now I know a couple major companies sell their basses there and maybe they don't have problems. But I will never buy a bass off the wall from any GC.

I'd rather buy online, sight unseen and un played. I know it's a bit chancy but that way I know I am getting a better product then from GC.

 

[LIONFURY]

My guitar center is really good other than their string suggestions.

 

[Gus Borden]

I haven't had any real issues with most GC's, and being in NJ and 20 minutes from NYC, I have my pick. A friend works at my local store, so I don't have any problems at that location. They have whatever "sells" and it's your basic gear selection.
I will say that I am depressed often when I leave, nice (even if you've seen them a hundred times) basses that are just not set up. And I have to say, the tech on site there is knowledgeable, helpful and good at what he does - the reality is that GC isn't paying him to set up the instruments on the racks - they pay him to set up the ones paying customers bring through the door. It's a logical thought process on a corporate level, but it's also a big mistake, IMO. If they had instruments on the racks that were set up properly they would sell more.

I try to support my local mom & pops, and I have a great one local to me who works on all my basses, but he just can't compete price-wise on bigger ticket gear. And I'm not made of money, so...

All that you could say about GC's (And there's a lot), both my current basses and my head came from my local GC.

 

[My name is Mudd]

...the tech on site...GC isn't paying him to set up the instruments on the racks...a big mistake, IMO. If they had instruments on the racks that were set up properly they would sell more.

I totally agree here...if the on-site tech doesn't have a paying customer at any given moment, he should be working on store stock. It doesn't cost the company any more and both the store and customers potentially benefit by increased sales of instruments that are worth buying, since they (hopefully) work properly.

I disagree with the "...logical thought process..." part tho (not a dig at Gus, btw)...if that's corp-think, someone not thinking too well, IMO.

 

[scottfeldstein]

I like GC. It's a retail chain. Prices are kind of inflated. They deal mostly in new gear with a hefty markup. Their staff isn't necessarily comprised of grizzled old veteran pro musicians. But I can look past all that.

When I go in there, I'm greeted. When I want to just sit there and try stuff out, they let me do that. When I need help, they help me. When I inquire about prices, I'm offered a discount off the tag price. They have almost everything I want under one roof. If they don't have it, they offer to order it for me--again at a discount--with free shipping.

That kind of service I'm often willing to pay a little extra for.

The only thing that irritates me is that they want to check my receipt when I exit the store. I understand why they do this, but it bugs me just the same. It's like being disingenuously greeted over the PA when you pump gas and intend to pay for it inside. They don't greet you when you pay at the pump with your credit card. Thus, the reason they greet you is because they're afraid you're going to steal something. Bugs me.