I have 2 "Mom and Pop" stores around me 30 minutes apart. I really prefer them over the "Comercial" stores for one on one interaction. The one store carries non-Fender guitars and gear. The other one does sell Fender products and this is the store I frequent the most.

RK

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

yeah there are a few down here in the CT area, some nice ones too. I should visit them sometime

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I got this guitar and I learned how to make it talk...

We have two here in my town, ones an AH*L* the other is a really nice guy but his stock is pretty limited. There is a really cool shop not to far from us in Mountain View, AR. Every weekend there's something going on. The shop encourages you to bring your instrument and join in, and you can just go in to the shop and play what you want, with out any "help" from the salesman. Now thats a shop you want to visit!

Bill

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Hey, Boy Blue is back!

We have a number of stores that aren't part of chains-and one is a two store chain that sells online as well.

Most of the smaller ones have crazy prices--in a bad way.

I don't mind paying a little extra, as I know they don't get all the same discounts, etc, but when things are 100% more?

No thanks.

Although I did come across one that had some picks for 30 cents that the big chain store had for $2. Actually that chain store doesn't have great prices either. The medium chains have the best prices.

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It wasn't Willy-Nilly, it was at crows.

There is a fair amount around the Detroit area. Truthfully, most suck. High prices, low end gear. You'd be an idiot to buy strings there at like $12 a pack.

More for basic sales and crappy beginner lessons.

There are some non-GC stores that do carry decent equipment. Half are crap, some are very good.

A lot of people rip on GC because they expect top notch expertise from their "sales people". That's not their thing, and they want it to be. It's a big chain, usually good prices, tons of stuff, lots of sales and seminars, and a place for working musicians to work themselves and get discounts.

I love going to GC because I get my maintenance stuff cheap, and when I go to buy something, I already look it up and know what the hell I want.

I remember all kinds of small music shops when I was growing up (In San Francisco). It seemed like they were everywhere. Now there are very few (I now live across the Bay from San Francisco).

I would have to agree with what you might find at a Guitar Center. Every time I go in there, it seems like there are lots of teenagers that hang out, just to play an instrument for free. I've also seen a lot of their guitars with scratches all over the pick guard and other places.

I once went into a Guitar Center with a half way serious intention of possibly buying a particular amp. I just wanted to go into the store, play it for a while, then decide if, in fact, I wanted to buy the amp. I got to the store at opening time to make sure I'd have a chance at playing that amp, without having to compete with a crowd, later in the day. Well.........as they unlocked the door and cracked it open........two teenagers went flying through that crack and ran right to the area of the amp that I was interested in playing. The two of them went right to two particular guitars (as if it was pre-planned), and plugged them into the amp that I wanted to try. At that point they found themselves some stools and began to jam with each other. They didn't seem interested in playing the amp as if they were trying it out for a purchase. Heck......just looking at them and you knew there was no way they could pay for an amp at that price. They were just using the store's equipment for a jam session.

I wandered around the store, killing some time, in the hopes that they would get tired of that amp and move on........after a half hour I finally gave up and walked out of the store. I never did buy that amp (or even try it).

This is not a unique case. I've often seen the same thing happen, over and over when I've gone into a guitar center. One of the reasons that I'm always spooked about buying a guitar at guitar center. I want a guitar untouched by human hands (except mine). I once bought an amp at guitar center. I made sure that it came out of a sealed box from the back storage area.

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"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them."-John Wayne

I live in a small town in WV there are only 2 stores i do business at, both of which are mom and pop stores. I love the attention that i get from the small stores and I've gotten all my equipment from them, the only problem is that i have to drive an hour in either direction to get to them, but the deals the help and the selection from them make it completely worth it!!

Hey Chet, what the chances of this. I too live in Vacaville, born in Fairfield and graduated 76.

I like doing business with our local three, all a bit different to offer, but been happy with them all. Took lessons over at Live Music, buy gear at the Tweed Hut. Tweed Hut has always matched the big store prices with no problems, just gotta ask. And Matty T not only can rock, but is one hot performer.

If anyone ever gets over to Vacaville, give'm a visit. Great hometown stores.

Lie I said earlier in this thread, we have 3 local, and the're all good. But I've also had good luck with a GC about 30 miles away, and they do still deal! I just recently was looking at a used production Eric Clapton "Blackie" on the wall, I think it was priced at $1200ish. The sales guy said hang on a minute and let me look something up. He had a brand new unopened Blackie still in the box. The sell for $2K, it let me have it for 1495.00, now THAT was a deal, and untouched by every kid in the store! So, yes they still deal, especially in this economy. I bet if you get them near the end of the month you may be able to squeeze a good deal on just about anything. I also bought a 65 DRRI amp, had a sticker of $999. I traded a cheap amp, they gave me $60 for it, but also had a promo that if you buy anything new with a trade-in, you get an additional 15%, another SCORE. Don't give up so easily on the big guys if you see something you really gotta take home.

There are a lot of them in Bklyn NY But two of them, let me clear that up one of them is much more than a store. I say that because Sam Ash came and knocked my friend Timmys store out of business a few years back. My friend Mikes store Maggio Music has been here for over 80 years. Just about every player goes there to get there ax or amp fixed as he is doing one right after another every time I go and hang out. As far as inventory it is nothing that can compare in any shape or form with the chains but he does well. He has some great Dean axes as he is a dealer. But the whole thing about the small stores is the atmosphere. Guys coming in and out talking gear or there upcoming gig it is a totally different vibe. I went in yesterday at 4 and wound up leaving when he closed after 9 and the time just flies like anything else that you enjoy, In the chain stores unless you are coming in daily and dropping a ton of money on gear they dont even remember you. I might stop in once a year to check out the new axes and then buy my 3 pack of strings and thats it.

I have two mom & pop shops just a few minutes in either direction of me and they both have alot of good gear and competitve prices. The only thing with them is one you get service when you don't want it and the other no service when you do.

Here in Fayetteville, NC, we don't have a GC, or Sam Ash. I uncderstand that Best Buy is selling instruments now, but the one here isn't. We do have a Music & Arts, a place called Edwards Music which has two locations I think, and my favorite, the Guitar Shop. Over in Hope Mills, there's Sandhills Music, which is owned by a friend.

Most of the M&Ps I have seen recently don't stock new Gibson or Fender products; if they have them, and they usually do, they're frequently on consignment or used. This works well for me becuase I know for a fact that Matt at Sandhills Music stands behind all his products, new or used, and brad at the Guitar Shop does the same. Used products with no factory warranty: M&P. New products from proven companies (but at a great price): online vendor.

I live just south of Charlotte NC across the state line and I have a great mix of music stores to choose from within a 50 mile radius. We have the two mega stores Guitar Center and Sam Ash. There is also a big box music dealer off of the interstate. Hames Music. I have yet to spend a penny in any of the big stores.

I have good relations with several Mom and Pop stores in the area that know me by name when I walk in and have beat the price of the other big stores every time. The service is better, the staff more knowledgeable and usually the owner is a luthier or has one on staff. They don't mind me coming in and window shopping of picking their brain because they know I will eventually spend my money there. One of them even employs me occasionally on weekends or during the holiday season.

I have nothing against the big box stores I do enjoy browsing them; they are not unfriendly, but they seem to cater to the younger players. It's nice to have a choice no matter your preference.

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I'm not slow... and I'm not fast... just sort of halffast...

The only "Local Mom and Pop" near me recently changed owners and is now focusing more on Marching and Symphonic Band instruments. I assume to maximize sales to the area High Schools.

Most of the gear they stock now is smallish transistor amps, MIM Fenders, Squiers, Ibanez GIO's, and knock offs by a company called Stagg. All lower end stuff that I'm not interested in. Not really worth my time to go in there anymore.

At least they still have a knowledgeable Tech in 3 days a week

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"Life is like eating jalapenos. What you do today may burn your arse tomorrow"

Hey SuperSoldier71 I was in Fayetteville NC for 12 years back in the 20th century. (late 80's early 90's) Bought my first Fender from Gregg Edwards at Edwards Music on McPherson Ch. Rd. Unfortunately it was later stolen.

Thanks for your service...

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I'm not slow... and I'm not fast... just sort of halffast...