The other night for curiosities sake I looke up the price of the Epiphone Les Paul model with coil tapping-only one model has that.Some chains didn't have it but G.C. had it for around $680 while at Reid Music in Mt. Pearl NL.-my local Mom and Pop store I got mine for $509 + tax for a total of $575 .It surprises me that a small independant dealer can undersell a national chain for so much cheaper,what gives I wonder,is G.C's. mark up that great?

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

Depends how good the local shop is. I bought my 52 Hot Rod tele (1700 at GC) new for $1450 at my local shop (Hollowood Music).

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I traded my car in for a microphone.

We have a Long&McQuade here and even though L&M is the importer of Gibson and other U.S. brands Reid music regularly undersells them,that's why I always go to my tried and true Mom and Pop.But I must admit that the guys at L&M really know their gear and are all professional musicians and their tech is one of the best East of Toronto-absolutely brilliant.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

GS I'm sure there are some differences in in Canada and the US. but it's not unusual for a customer to get a better price at the smaller store for simple economic reasons. Fender and some other manufacturers have an agreement with their distributors that calls for a minimum advertised price or MAP. This policy helps the big chains but doesn't help the smaller stores. Basically it says that the distributor cannot advertise the product less than the agreed upon MAP. It does not prevent them from putting a lower price on their stock they just can't advertise it outside of the store.


I have always found better prices at smaller stores although you do sacrifice some choices because they tend to buy what's selling for them. They won't tie their money up in expensive products that take a long time to turn over because they can't go out and advertise that their selling the Fender sooper dooper deluxe ambidextrous guitar $200.00 less than the other guys.

You have G.C in NL. Interesting....

In T.O I had a mixed feeling about L&M, I guess depends on location. Mom and Pop stores here carry only used stuff that is not always in top condition.

My local guy told me he could match the Guitar Center price of any guitar or amp I want. It's the smaller stuff he can't compete on.

The trade off is you get a higher level of service (and a complete setup).

In the years I've been dealing with this particular store they've always set up the guitars before they go on the floor and set up the guitars to my specs if the action is too high or the strings are the wrong gauge for me free of charge.I guess faithful customers get some perks.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.