Bought a Gretsch Streamliner from Pro Audio Star on discount, came with sharp frets but I was able to fix that (also needed a general set up). Just ordered a discounted bass amp from them yesterday, I really hope it has no issues.
I normally don’t recommend eBay as a place to get guitars from but there is a store there, Barry Clark Music, that I highly recommend. They are in Wisconsin and are an authorized Ibanez dealer. He only sells “open box” items but he thoroughly goes over all guitars and personally sets them up. I have purchased three guitars from there with no noticeable flaws whatsoever. Well packaged, significant mark down from “new”, and personally I feel very safe with buying from there.
I've had nothing but good experiences with Pitbull Audio as well. In fact, I was so happy with my Pacer classic that you were gracious enough to do the black Friday alert on, that I went back and bought one in another color from them. I'll try to do a video on it soon. Not quite as low as Alto, but still not bad at $203 after tax.
I look for used gear, lots of deals on those, from many places. I buy mainly as fixer uppers, and really don't worry about needing to return things unless is not as described. eBay, goodwill online, guitarcenter online, are all good places to look for used gear. I don't mind working on the guitar, its kind of interesting as well. Guitar center online has price drops on used gear too. EBay can have 20% percent off during holiday sales. A lot stuff aren't moving so they have to discount them in some way. The thing with used gear, is some of the older stuff and be better quality. Usually gear will last a long time, especially guitars. Older gear may even go up in value, if they are more sought after.
I really like Amazon and Walmart. Their return policy is simple. Amazon can have some exceptional deals since they can buy large quantities and warehouse them. That can provide some excellent clearance deals when they have a particular color or model that isn't seling. Poor selling guitars gettheir price reduced and usually a guitar is a poor seller because it has a wild finish that no one wants Guitarists aren't usually rebels....They buy sensible shoes, and brown guitars. Guitars that are a bit different color than the norm can be great deals.
I like building a guitar from parts. I've had great deals on AliExpress. I've also been scammed. and waiting for a package that never arrives, or was delivered....to my neighbor.
Good job. One other one, though not specifically budget. Zzounds has an easy payment plan with free shipping and it's a very low fee. Usually, $15-25 for up to 12 months.
New subscriber, enjoying the content so far. For a very first guitar, I would strongly recommend supporting your local music store. They can be super helpful if you give them your budget. I've had good response from Pro Audio Star and their sale prices tend to be really good. FM has been a super mixed bag for me, so I tend to stay away from there.
Obviously, CL, FM and OfferUp have the advantage of being able to physically assess product before purchase. Also eliminates the huge risk of amateur packing/shipping that's famous on Reverb. Unfortunately the Cleveland CL has devolved to what I call "cork sniffers" - everything is overpriced and assumed "collectible". I have friends who love pawn shops. I second Adorama, they used to have an occasional Fender for a excellent price, now more Gretch. Haven't tried their open box/used offerings.
I agree with most of this. Be careful though when ordering from MF (Pay attention to the item you ordered)They sometimes will send the item from GC. And when this is done, it's not new. A Demo (in my case). That happened to me. MF did work with me and it was taken care of. ( I would recommend buying from MF ). I definitely will not buy from GC. PERIOD. Don't trust nothing from GC. My dealings in the past, over and over with GC have been terrible and ugly from them. I would stay completely away from GUITAR CENTER. This is my opinion and advice.
I had it happen 3 times. I agree if it comes from GC it’s used, and incidentally, consumer fraud, classic bait and switch. I’m surprised there hasn’t been a class action against them.
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Bought a Gretsch Streamliner from Pro Audio Star on discount, came with sharp frets but I was able to fix that (also needed a general set up). Just ordered a discounted bass amp from them yesterday, I really hope it has no issues.
I normally don’t recommend eBay as a place to get guitars from but there is a store there, Barry Clark Music, that I highly recommend. They are in Wisconsin and are an authorized Ibanez dealer. He only sells “open box” items but he thoroughly goes over all guitars and personally sets them up. I have purchased three guitars from there with no noticeable flaws whatsoever. Well packaged, significant mark down from “new”, and personally I feel very safe with buying from there.
Great video. Thanks
I've had nothing but good experiences with Pitbull Audio as well. In fact, I was so happy with my Pacer classic that you were gracious enough to do the black Friday alert on, that I went back and bought one in another color from them. I'll try to do a video on it soon. Not quite as low as Alto, but still not bad at $203 after tax.
I too have made a couple purchases on Reverb from Pitbull Audio and both were great experiences.
I look for used gear, lots of deals on those, from many places. I buy mainly as fixer uppers, and really don't worry about needing to return things unless is not as described. eBay, goodwill online, guitarcenter online, are all good places to look for used gear. I don't mind working on the guitar, its kind of interesting as well. Guitar center online has price drops on used gear too. EBay can have 20% percent off during holiday sales. A lot stuff aren't moving so they have to discount them in some way.
The thing with used gear, is some of the older stuff and be better quality. Usually gear will last a long time, especially guitars. Older gear may even go up in value, if they are more sought after.
I really like Amazon and Walmart.
Their return policy is simple.
Amazon can have some exceptional deals since they can buy large quantities and warehouse them.
That can provide some excellent clearance deals when they have a particular color or model that isn't seling.
Poor selling guitars gettheir price reduced and usually a guitar is a poor seller because it has a wild finish that no one wants
Guitarists aren't usually rebels....They buy sensible shoes, and brown guitars.
Guitars that are a bit different color than the norm can be great deals.
I like building a guitar from parts.
I've had great deals on AliExpress.
I've also been scammed. and waiting for a package that never arrives, or was delivered....to my neighbor.
Good job. One other one, though not specifically budget. Zzounds has an easy payment plan with free shipping and it's a very low fee. Usually, $15-25 for up to 12 months.
I agree, if you can get their 12 month plan on a good guitar it makes getting something you want much easier
New subscriber, enjoying the content so far. For a very first guitar, I would strongly recommend supporting your local music store. They can be super helpful if you give them your budget. I've had good response from Pro Audio Star and their sale prices tend to be really good. FM has been a super mixed bag for me, so I tend to stay away from there.
Thank you for the new sub!
Very Cool, Thanks for the awesome info Joe. All the Best. Cheers
Obviously, CL, FM and OfferUp have the advantage of being able to physically assess product before purchase. Also eliminates the huge risk of amateur packing/shipping that's famous on Reverb. Unfortunately the Cleveland CL has devolved to what I call "cork sniffers" - everything is overpriced and assumed "collectible". I have friends who love pawn shops. I second Adorama, they used to have an occasional Fender for a excellent price, now more Gretch. Haven't tried their open box/used offerings.
I agree with most of this. Be careful though when ordering from MF (Pay attention to the item you ordered)They sometimes will send the item from GC. And when this is done, it's not new. A Demo (in my case). That happened to me. MF did work with me and it was taken care of. ( I would recommend buying from MF ). I definitely will not buy from GC. PERIOD. Don't trust nothing from GC. My dealings in the past, over and over with GC have been terrible and ugly from them. I would stay completely away from GUITAR CENTER. This is my opinion and advice.
I've found this to be the case on clearance and older stock items. MF sometimes sells "off-the-floor" gear from GC.
I had it happen 3 times. I agree if it comes from GC it’s used, and incidentally, consumer fraud, classic bait and switch. I’m surprised there hasn’t been a class action against them.
You'll get less quality for less money for sure.