I'm about to buy a LP Studio online and get it shipped here to Bahrain. GC have a lovely looking LP Studio Vintage that is $1399 + only $20.00 shipping. I haven't heard much that is good relating to GC so I was hoping that someone could suggest a few alternatives or let me know of their experience good or bad. I'm especially worried about how they will pack the guitar for shipping and general customer service.
Thanks

You can always try hppt://www.musiciansfriend.com Usally no tax, or shipping. Not famillar with the studio vintage so do a little checking around. Also Bahrain(overseas) are you a citizin or buissness, military etc. ??? This sometimes comes into play.

_________________

Musician's Friend IS Guitar Center (GC bought them years ago).

I ordered my guitar online with the ship to store option and it arrived fine... then again, you're talking about a pretty long journey, but you're going to have the same issues regardless.

Musicians Friend is OWNED by guitar center. However if you go on musicians friend you'll notice that there are a LOT of products that are lower priced than guitar center. I always check them both before I order anything.

But back to the op...yes Guitar Center is a reputable company and they will help you if there's any problem with you order. I've had nothing but good service from both GC and MF.

_________________
Check out my new FB music page!

https://www.facebook.com/TheDevilandMe.Music

Yeah, the pricing may be slightly different, but at the end of the day it's not like your experience will differ.

A lot of people complain about Guitar Center, but my experiences there have been better than with the independent shops I've dealt with.

You make a good point...The question was about service.
I have never had an issue with guitar center either. I think people's main problem is that the sales people don't seem to be incredibly knowledgable. But if you know what you're looking for then I think it's a great place.

_________________
Check out my new FB music page!

https://www.facebook.com/TheDevilandMe.Music

I have had things shipped from Guitar Center and Sweetwater Music with no problems during or after the sales. Inquire if there is an upcharge for international shipping or optional (better) packaging.

Cheers,
John.E

well musicians friend is good to and guitar center is good but its better to order online from musicians friend

_________________

Liandra "guitargurl"Smith

Lol. I meant the LP Studio Vintage Sunburst here http://platinum.guitarcenter.com/search ... 1&brand=14
TBH, I'm not too bothered about that particular colour (it is the only LP Studio that GCD offers). I actually like the ebony colour better.

I will definitely gop and check out Musician's Friend and the other suggestions right now.
Thanks!

They take returns for 45 days after purchase. Any reason. Musiciansfriend. I think Guitar Center is 30 days.

GC wouldn't be in business for long if their customer service was bad.

I'm partial to Musicians Friend but that's just me.

_________________
-T

"You can't spend what you ain't got, you can't lose what you ain't never had" ~ McKinley Morganfield

Not 100% true, because they do have really good pricing.

Generally speaking, I've found them to be friendly at the stores I've visited as helpful as people can be when working in a store that size.

Now they just need to put a location in that doesn't require me to drive so far to get to them, or at least let me choose "Ship to Corporate Headquarters" as their office is close by.

Sweetwater has some of the best customer service I've ever experienced. If you buy a guitar from them, it has a proper setup and inspection and they take photographs of the guitar you're purchasing. I don't generally buy guitars online, but because of the customer service and follow up calls I get from small things like cord, footswitches and stomp boxes I've purchased, I would seriously consider them.

_________________
Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal

Nah. MF has better advertised pricing and their Service is very good.
GC has good pricing if you know how to haggle with them.
I've bought 2 guitars from them but I bought them for a lot less than they were asking. And I bought from them knowing if I did need Service, they were large enough to take care of it. And the store is 14 miles away! Plus I didn't want to wait for shipping from MF even though they were very good in shipping an amp in less than 4 days.

I think regardless of who you deal with, if you are a good customer they will bend over backwards to keep you as a customer, in this economy.

ymmv

_________________
-T

"You can't spend what you ain't got, you can't lose what you ain't never had" ~ McKinley Morganfield

Check where they will ship to...

THis store is probably the largest -
ROOM 2 ROCK
Shop No. 2257, Mojama
Al Dhila Compound
Road No. 90, Wali Alahd Highway
Al Hamala, 1014
Kingdom of Bahrain

http://www.room2rock.info/products/products.htm

Same Bahrain?

_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!