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Where do you get your gear?
- Thread starter Derek Balonek
- Start date
I think most go to guitar center to try out gear and then come home and log on to TB to complain about the store and then eventually buy what they played at sweetwater.
Also there's the TB classifieds.
Also there's the TB classifieds.
I have bought gear from Guitar Center, local music stores, online retailers such as Musician's Friend and American Musical Supply. I have also made purchases from sellers on Craigslist, Ebay, Amazon. It really depends on what I am looking for and who has the best deal.
Maybe I'm a bit different than most because I worked in retail for a few years, but to me it's all about service. That's why I shop in my favorite brick-and-mortar where the employees are more like friends to me. Find great people and buy from them. If they don't have what you want, see if they'll order it - they probably will.
That being said some of the websites certainly have great service too, but I love to go into a store and take something home that day, and shake the person's hand too.
Keep independent music stores alive.
That being said some of the websites certainly have great service too, but I love to go into a store and take something home that day, and shake the person's hand too.
Keep independent music stores alive.
I find particularly with indie shops, their service is unbelievable. They don't have something in stock, they'll get it in for you. If you want information or want to chat about something, the staff are usually more than willing to do so.
There's a shop I use here and I can't find a bad thing to say about the place. Small stock range but that's not too much of an issue given I don't tend to buy much big gear at present.
All of the above (not so much DIY)... also Kijiji - online classifieds in Canada
Most rewarding - directly from builder
Best place to shop - Brick & Mortar (if you have a good relationship with a good shop or two)
Best deals - Craigslist/Kijiji/Ebay/TB classifieds
Easiest shopping - On-line retail - click & buy
Most rewarding - directly from builder
Best place to shop - Brick & Mortar (if you have a good relationship with a good shop or two)
Best deals - Craigslist/Kijiji/Ebay/TB classifieds
Easiest shopping - On-line retail - click & buy
I always buy at my favorite local shop when I can. (Grandma's Music and Sound in Albuquerque, NM.) The folks there are very good to me, and match prices against the big name online shops. I pay tax, but no shipping. Best of all, I get to audition the gear before I buy. Ten minutes later I'm home, plugged in, and enjoying it. Doesn't get much better than that!
When they don't have what I'm looking for, I shop Musician's Friend.
When they don't have what I'm looking for, I shop Musician's Friend.
6jase5
Mammogram is down but I'm working manually
Talkbass, Craigslist, ProGuitarShop, Amazon.
I like used amps, effects and basses, so most of my bigger ticket items have come from TB and CL. Cables, cords and miscellaneous Amazon. I don't have time to hit brick and mortar.
I like used amps, effects and basses, so most of my bigger ticket items have come from TB and CL. Cables, cords and miscellaneous Amazon. I don't have time to hit brick and mortar.
Unrepresented
Something Borderline Offensive
My gear interests have shifted from the standard manufacturers to more boutique offerings as I've spent more time on this board. Typically the only place to find most boutique items is through internet purchases, either here or through a retailer. If the item I'm looking for is a more standard need, I'll purchase locally.
I have never been to GC scary right online MF, zzounds,123Music,AmericanMusical. store brick and mortar Sweetest Sounds Lyndhurst, NJ , Valley Road Guitars Montclair, NJ
Bassically all of the above. Basses I will only buy if I've got the it in my hands. Less risky than ordering one on line IMO.
I buy new gear, but I don't have any trouble buying new or used parts from TBers as I find a lot of great deals from some really nice people.
I've had two indie stores try to rob and another one actually did steal from me along with rotten service. I won't ever use a mom-n-pop again and I won't give any of them a fourth chance.
If I don't build it, I buy it new at GC - and NOTHING online at all.
I've had two indie stores try to rob and another one actually did steal from me along with rotten service. I won't ever use a mom-n-pop again and I won't give any of them a fourth chance.
If I don't build it, I buy it new at GC - and NOTHING online at all.
