I have found in my many years of buying gear that dealing with a Mom and Pop operation is a far better option than dealing with a Mega chain. The Mom and Pops store fully depends on return business whereas most chains couldn't care less if they never saw you again.So it is important to Mom and Pop stores to give you the best possible deal and service. Also a big thing with me is that my money is staying in the area keeping a local enterprise in business and not going in the pockets of some shareholders hundreds of miles away.

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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.

I have bought 2 of my guitars online and have not been disappointed.I have bought from Musicians Friend and Music 123 without any issues.Also ,If you are travelling thru Indiana, Woodwind and Brasswind has a HUGE showroom off of I90.Been there it they have alot of gear.Had a chance to try out several custom shop strats along with a 57 Deluxe amp.

If your buying an American Strat, you have to ask yourself if you are comfortable paying that much for a guitar you haven't even touched or checked the workmanship. Remember if your not happy with it you'll most likely have to ship it back and deal with all that drama. I'll buy pedals, picks,cords, strings Maybe an amp, online, But a Guitar has to be an in person affair not a blind date

Well put Marvin,that's just what it's like-a blind date and we all know how bad they can turn out.

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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.

For as big a store the Sam Ash in Bklyn is they have the worst assortment of guitars imaginable, and the staff is mentally challenged. I only stop in there if I need strings in a pinch or to check out new models of guitars which they usually dont even have.

Hey there are a lot of crooked stores no matter what they are selling. I have to say that I have been blessed dealing with and having two friends who own smaller stores though I am down to one because Sam Ash opened 10 blocks from my friend Timmy's store and put him out of buisness.But my friend Mikes store has been here for over 80 years and no one else touches my guitars.

budglo did you know that Woodwind and Brasswind is owned by Guitar center.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

CV, I heard that it was in the works some time ago.They are quickly buying out their competition.

I have a tendency To use their best price match .The 2 guitars that I have bought online have both been great.It is a risk,but if they dont have the model you want in stock,they are gonna have to order it from the same factory that you will get yours from and you are gonna have to pay tax.The 45 day return policy is no big drama.You dont like it , you ship it back and get another one.Not a huge deal.When I bought my SRV a few years ago only one store had one in stock within the Cleveland /Akron/Canton area.It was 3 years old and had been well played and nicked up.Couldnt get a reasonable price for it so I ordered one from Music 123 .It was great out of the box.Had a set up done on it and it is a great guitar.Ditto with my 08 American Standard.

I've bought from both Sam Ash and GC stores and never had a problem in fact when I bought a guitar from A local Sam Ash the sales person sent me a card with a 10% discount card in i ta week later to see if I still liked it .
I have also been to Brasswind Woodwind in South Bend Indiana their are part of music 123 and have a great showroom so does Sweetwater music they have free video games to keep your kids occupied

I just bought an American Deluxe at my local store but trust these stores being in business for 20+ years. I will tell you that eBay has lots of nice ones Deluxes, especially the 2004 models with pricing right in line with new guitars at SamAsh, GC or the local shops. THe advice of trying out the guitar in person cannot but overstated. I bought a guitar on eBay with a great results as the seller made a guarentee that allowed me to play the guitar over the weekend and if not 100% satisfied, could return for a full refund. Good luck!

Look at the business that places like Wildwood and Daves Guitar Shop do over the internet, and i am not talking low and medium end guitars, I mean Custom Shop as well.

GC, MF and Music 123 are a collective group held by investment firm Bain Capital. Bain owns Burger King and Toys r Us, and sticks to a model of low overhead, high profit. To say they maybe screwed up buying into the music industry is kind of an understatement. Along with those companies, Bain also inherited GC's IOU from Gibson for the purchase of Baldwin to the tune of lots of millions. Is it any wonder this conglomerate is embracing and absorbing any small business they can? Gibson is under pressure to pay up, the big 3 are under pressure to perform and I will keep buying fenders at my local. It's going to be interesting to see who owns what in 5 years.

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60th Anniversary AD Strat, Deluxe Nashville Tele, Player's P Bass. Mesa/Boogie Mk IV combo, Marshall JCM800, 1960A cab, Genz Benz El Diablo 60, Genz 2x12" cab, too many neat little practice amps and kit projects!

I recently bought a new axe from Sam Ash online and was nervous as crap until I got it in my hands. It turned out ok but I won't be doing it again. I've just got to run my hands and eyes all over it before I buy.