I've been catching some flak amongst my six-stringing peers for having purchased a case at Guitar Center. Bear with me, I'm a jobless deadbeat (read: sixteen-year-old) who could use a nice discount. But still, I've felt just a bit guilty for not "going local", such as it were. What's your opinion?

I try to avoid any and all Guitar Center stores if at all possible....and usually it is. Don't forget to ask if they give a performer's discount.

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

Don't leave home without it!

the walmart of music, but they have unbeatable low prices, just like walmart, ahhhhhhhhhh, evil empire

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If you get want you want for a price you want and are happy, you have no reason to feel guilty.
My 2c.

I agree with ray_tard. however, I did get a 2010 ltd. ed. clapton in daphne blue for 2100.00. they are 37-3800.00, if you can find one. so, i was happy with them (GC).
they are the wal-mart of guitars, but i would definately consider craigslist first of all.
good luck.

I have bought guitars from GC before. Only because my local stores do not carry Fender or Gibson instruments. I like GC just fine Just be sure to play the specific guitar you are going to buy Only down side of GC.......please do not let their so-called "techs" work on your guitars.

G.C. is as good as any I got two new guitars from them this year, because no one else local could get what I wonted. I got 4 others for grandkids at smaller local stors. help the smaller guy when you can, but dont feal bad about going to the big guy ocationaly .

'Shopped the same one in metro Chicago western suburbs for 15 years, bought some new guitars and amps, one used, did a couple trade ins (daughters growing up...).

NEVER had a negative experience with Guitar Center. A bunch of positive ones which stick in memory. Human beings trying to make a living, a corporation doing what it can and must to stay in business. Gambling it has the right and enough inventory and can turn it fast enough.

And having been a part-owner of a business (hobby shop), knowing the next customer through the door may be:
* a potential serial killer
* someone with an attitde and it's your turn
* Mother Teresa
* some kid on a dare to shoplift something
* an earnest beginner
* a gear snob who belongs in a boutique
* someone re-entering the hobby after decades away
* an experienced player shopping hard
*and so on.

w/o guilt i shop with whomever has the best bang for the buck.
if my local store will match the price then i'll go with them.
i have a shop 1 mile from my house. i go there for my odds and in's
type stuff. nothing wrong with local loyalty at all, at the same time im very loyal
to my own pocket too though. ya gotta play it smart when your spending,saving,investing your money. there is a big difference in being smart and just being cheap too though.
if you got a better deal elsewhere then go for it. screw your friends opinions. when your new gear comes in and they want to play it tell them its probably not good enough for them since you didnt buy it locally.

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

GC has definitely put some hurt on the little guys here in town, but I gotta go where the deals are. I've bought a couple guitars from the little locals, but I spend most of my time (and my money) either at GC or online with their partners at MF. Sorry.

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Dennis in CR
Rockin' since 1963

I never have an issue going in. It is really the only guitar shop in my area that I know of. I would go to the local little guy because I dont have anyone to talk to about guitar in my area ether and they wont talk to you in GC unless they want to sell you something which is fine but still.

No problems with Guitar Center in general. Just one Guitar Center I cannot stand and most likely will not go back. I have already beat that horse to death on another thread. Don't want to open another can of worms.

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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

not so. go in and meet a few of the better salesmen. thats the whole problem in most GC hard luck stories. find yourself a goto man/woman in the stores you go to.
it makes a huge difference in the experience as well as how much you end up shelling out on your purchases. the folks at my local GC's know me by name. i go in and talk to everybody. going to buy a single pack of strings takes me about 1.5 hrs.
when i walk in im greeted with smiles, high 5's, hand shakes, winks, you name it.
not because im special. not because i spend a fortune. not because im anything, but because i take the time to get to know my sales staff and greet them the way i want to be greeted. it makes a huge difference to anybody that cares enough to change their situation
at GC. you will run into the occasional jackazz, but you will be warned about him by the other friends you make in the store. if you go in expecting a shiot experience then its more than likely what you will get.

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

Ha I will give it a chance. I'll just try talking to some of the guys

do it. you will notice a big difference when you meet the right guys.
you wont even need to hunt for stuff, they will tell you the latest/greatest
in the store the moment you walk in.

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."