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Post subject: Re: buying without trying
Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 6:53 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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Location: Newfoundland
I buy online all the time. Guitars, amps, pedals ect... Know the guitar manufacturer and any possible known issues and pay for the best shipping.


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Post subject: Re: buying without trying
Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 11:12 pm
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I almost always try before buying.

I did buy a used LP without plugging it in--I did try it unplugged though.
The previous owner had out in different pickups and I had other pickups I was going to put in it--so plugging it in didn't matter.

The day I bought my Mustang I didn't plug it in or even play it--but that day--I had played them before.

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


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Post subject: Re: buying without trying
Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 12:15 am
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Aspiring Musician
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Location: Perth, Australia
If you have the oppertunity to "try before buy" then do it, otherwise take the risk if you feel it's worth it, when buying "sight unseen".

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Post subject: Re: buying without trying
Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 1:45 am
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Roadie
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ive bought without trying for the most part. but then i do my own setup and know how to fix pretty much any problem ive come across. so i would have to say if yu know what to do then have no fear. if you dont ..well then you may be returning your purchase. even the ones ive tried in gc or other stores... well ive never found a guitar that was set the way i like it yet.

i bought a ric 325 from guitar center. honestly the store steup was so bad i think either they took it out of the box and didnt set it up or they need new techs. but now it plays sweet. so it alldepends on your srtup skills. another time i wanted an epi wildkat in trans black. bought one at gc got home one pickup was dead. so i took that one back because gc was close by .

guitar center is far from the perfect guitar shop. ive seen some real junk in there that i wouldnt take for free. example . an epi ej withthe bottom of the back cracked wide open for sale at a discount price. yeah i could have fixed it but come on man. another example was an old hagstrom with the paint literally lifting off the body. there was no negotiating with them . where as your local mom and pop would have done so.

then i can tell you of some major bargains i got off ebay over the years like my 5120 that someone bought for there kid who didnt like it and never played it. got that one cheap with a hard case and free shipping.

didnt have to do a thing. in perfect shape. so if you have the skills to deal with a defect then you dont need to try first.


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Post subject: Re: buying without trying
Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 11:52 pm
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Professional Musician
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I mostly like to try before I buy because the way a guitar feels when I hold it--even before I play it, is very important to me.
While there are things you can do to improve a guitar's playability (Truss rod tweaking, raising action, replacing parts, etc.) if the feel isn't there for me, it never will be.

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


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Post subject: Re: buying without trying
Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 4:46 am
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I bought a new LPR0 online, but I'd played a similar one, very happy with it. Last year I bought a 58 AV Tele at Nicholson Music in Folsom (great family store); I loved being able to compare the 58 with the 52, but it took forever because I loved them both. I prefer the small specialty shops because they have great help, but GC has a great selection and return policy. I'll keep buying online too, there's just so much to chose from!


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Post subject: Re: buying without trying
Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 6:47 pm
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Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2009 10:03 am
Posts: 9449
Location: NL Canada
I wouldn't have a problem buying without trying even a used or vintage guitar as well as new if I were dealing with a reputable music store such as Norman's Rare Guitars,George Gruhn, Chicago Music Exchange, Pick of The Ricks,Mandolin Bros etc. There are so many music stores out on the world wide web now unless you are really familiar with a dealer you are literally taking a gamble.As long as the guitar had been set up and intonated with the string gauges I specified,I'd be happy.It's a pain buying a new guitar and having to do a complete string change and set up before you could try it out,I would even pay a little extra to save me the hassle.

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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.


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Post subject: Re: buying without trying
Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 8:40 pm
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Location: Illinois, USA
I've only bought 1 guitar without trying first. I talked with the store owner several times about the instrument before sending payment. He reasured me that it was new and not a factory second. I believed him and it was indeed new and sounded perfect out of the box. I would purchase from that store again for sure.

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.


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Post subject: Re: buying without trying
Posted: Sat Sep 28, 2013 12:49 pm
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Rock Star
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Joined: Thu Jul 05, 2007 3:04 pm
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Location: South Florida
I have gone to the store and played all of the guitars I bought new, however, I bought four used guitars on eBay that ended up being great. Just lucky, I guess.

The same can't be said for one of the stomp boxes I bid on and won . . .


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Post subject: Re: buying without trying
Posted: Sun Sep 29, 2013 5:13 am
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Aspiring Musician
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I am very fortunate in the fact that I am within 45 minutes to an hour's drive of at LEAST three music stores close to Bluffton,IN. I have Sweetwater Sound and Guitar Center in Ft. Wayne,IN,...and Marion Music & Sound down in Marion,IN. All three carry Fender instruments. So,having said all that,I am able to try before buying. Of those three stores,I chose Sweetwater because of their fantastic customer service,great prices,and the fact that guitars go through a 55 point inspection before being offered for sale. I was able to try my Strat and HRD III amp before buying,...and I am happy with the purchase. I am also taking lessons at Sweetwater and their guitar instructors are awesome,...I won't shop anywhere else for my gear but there.

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If it aint' broke,...don't fix it! I like to keep my amps and guitars factory original,...no mods necessary,...don't want them,...don't need them!

My gear as of now;
Standard Strat
Hot Rod Deluxe III amp
Champion 20 amp
'59 Bassman LTD Reissue


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Post subject: Re: buying without trying
Posted: Sun Sep 29, 2013 8:22 am
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Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 7:05 pm
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I don't gamble with money, so the same applies for buying guitars.

I like a sure thing, no surprises.


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Post subject: Re: buying without trying
Posted: Sun Sep 29, 2013 8:28 am
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Rock Star
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Joined: Fri Nov 09, 2007 5:59 pm
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Location: ohio
KC9SYJ wrote:
I am very fortunate in the fact that I am within 45 minutes to an hour's drive of at LEAST three music stores close to Bluffton,IN. I have Sweetwater Sound and Guitar Center in Ft. Wayne,IN,...and Marion Music & Sound down in Marion,IN. All three carry Fender instruments. So,having said all that,I am able to try before buying. Of those three stores,I chose Sweetwater because of their fantastic customer service,great prices,and the fact that guitars go through a 55 point inspection before being offered for sale. I was able to try my Strat and HRD III amp before buying,...and I am happy with the purchase. I am also taking lessons at Sweetwater and their guitar instructors are awesome,...I won't shop anywhere else for my gear but there.
I wish sweetwater was closer to my home- of course I would probably be broke :lol: they do have great customer service, and their gearfest in june is awesome


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Post subject: Re: buying without trying
Posted: Tue Oct 01, 2013 3:08 pm
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Professional Musician
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Joined: Sun Jun 28, 2009 6:57 pm
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Location: Kansas City Mo
phreddybee wrote:
if you're like me, you have somewhat limited access to all the great gear around. stores are limited in what they carry, and often times you find something you want that is not stocked in store.

do any of you just take a stab at it because it looks like what you want, and just return it?
do you travel a distance to find one?

I like my local small dealer, but don't fancy the idea of returning something that was special order- if they would even take it back. at least guitar center gives you a chance.

I have seen many guitars at a good price on the g.c. website, but without trying them, I am not sure I want to go thru with it.



With all the internet sales giving you test periods its pretty safe anymore to just order it.
I ordered both my Gibson Les Pauls and they were perfect and keepers.
I have had stuff come that was not right or not what I thought and they took it right back sent shipping labels and all.
Strats are always my number 1s so I have to hand pick them. But I have dealers close.

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Post subject: Re: buying without trying
Posted: Tue Oct 01, 2013 3:41 pm
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donnycraven wrote:
phreddybee wrote:
if you're like me, you have somewhat limited access to all the great gear around. stores are limited in what they carry, and often times you find something you want that is not stocked in store.

do any of you just take a stab at it because it looks like what you want, and just return it?
do you travel a distance to find one?

I like my local small dealer, but don't fancy the idea of returning something that was special order- if they would even take it back. at least guitar center gives you a chance.

I have seen many guitars at a good price on the g.c. website, but without trying them, I am not sure I want to go thru with it.



With all the internet sales giving you test periods its pretty safe anymore to just order it.
I ordered both my Gibson Les Pauls and they were perfect and keepers.
I have had stuff come that was not right or not what I thought and they took it right back sent shipping labels and all.
Strats are always my number 1s so I have to hand pick them. But I have dealers close.


It still takes time and hassle.
I find it no hassle to go to a store and will take any excuse (Or none at all) to pop in, and I enjoy the time.
But with online & delivery it's a drag.
And I am picky about necks, so if a store has similar guitars that have different necks I can see which I prefer then & there, and not over time.

If online shopping works for someone--hey cool. I'm okay with that.
But for some things it doesn't work for me.
So I would hate to see in person shopping at a brick & mortar store to disappear as an option.

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Post subject: Re: buying without trying
Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2013 8:13 am
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Professional Musician
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Blinkers wrote:
I buy online all the time. Guitars, amps, pedals ect... Know the guitar manufacturer and any possible known issues and pay for the best shipping.
+1

I know a lot of guys just HAVE to play a guitar before they buy it, but like Blinkers, I have bought lots of guitars online and the only one I ever sent back was because it was the wrong guitar in the first place, not even the right brand!

I've bought from Sweetwater, Musician's Friend and of course, the dreaded eBay - never had a bad guitar experience and still have almost all of the 76 guitars I have ever bought. And differences in necks have never bothered me either.

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