Re: Guitar Center
Guitar Center's just the brick-and-mortar branch of Musician's Friend, really. So, why would you go to a "physical" store when you can access a larger, more diverse inventory from what's basically the same company, on-line? And at the same -- or lower -- prices, though we do have to consider sales tax and shipping costs.
A few reasons:
1. You want hands-on experience before you make a significant purchase. This is only an advantage, if the store you go to, stocks a broad enough inventory of instruments (let's concentrate on instruments, rather than amps, PA's, accessories etc. in this discussion), and if they're properly set up so you can try them, compare them to alternatives, and make a more informed decision. In the realm of "specialty" instruments such as mandolins (also banjos, resonator instruments, ukes etc.), GC usually doesn't provide a selection of properly set up instruments to try. Our Rochester GC has generally a pretty good selection of acoustic guitars in a decent range of prices, but of course usually only one of each make and model; you can try a Martin D-28, but not compare two of them.
B. You want informed, helpful staff to assist you in making your selection and purchase. I've only bought accessories, and a couple of pieces of PA equipment, at our local GC, so I don't know whether the staff could knowledgeably help me in selecting a mandolin -- but I doubt it. My experience was that they had experience with amplified electric instruments, guitars, keyboards and basses, and not a lot of information about acoustic instruments. They did know PA equipment quite well, which was helpful on a couple occasions.
III. You want to establish a relationship, for repairs, possible trade-ins, adjustments, maybe in-house instruction, advice -- hey, let's even say friendship. Maybe find a place where like-minded musicians hang out, stage clinics and jams, form groups, exchange info, sit in the back room and try out a variety of instruments, swap licks, and so on. Won't find that at GC, and it's the demand for this type of store that keeps local dealers afloat when chains like GC struggle. I patronize several local dealers -- Bernunzio, Stutzman, Bernie Lehmann, Sound Source for PA gear -- where they know my name when I walk in the door, and I can talk to the dealer(s) about their personal lives as well as their inventory.
So I'll go to Musician's Friend on-line when I need a mic stand, or they're having a sale on cases, or I want to see a selection of 25 different instrument stands in stock. I'll stop in to GC to see if they have one of the new-model-bracing Taylor guitars, check out whether it's as revolutionary as Wood & Steel claims. I'll do my serious business with the dealers I've known for decades, where John or Dave or Bernie might give me an extra 10% "good customer" discount, and where we have histories together. I hope Guitar Center stays afloat through Chapter 11, and those who work there don't lose their jobs -- though the pandemic makes in-person shopping more of a risk than a pleasure. Bankruptcy can be just another phase of commercial business, not the trauma it is for individuals, but it's serious enough to make us wonder about the chain's future.
Stormy weather for everyone, this year. We're gonna lose some old friends, I'm afraid; I already have.
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
Natl Triolian Dobro mando
Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
H-O mandolinetto
Stradolin Vega banjolin
Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
Flatiron 3K OM
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