Guitar Center Burning
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- Опубликовано: 4 мар 2023
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I remember Sam Ash being the holy grail of music stores here in NYC. They not only had everything, but a staff of pro musicians who didn't hate working there. When GC moved in, It felt like a corporate monster. Over time I began to love it and rely on it. Sam Ash had become a musicians graveyard full of players who never "made it" . Cold, miserable and uninterested. So I started going to CG for everything. They always had what I wanted and the staff was top notch. I was looking for a Fender Stratocaster a decade ago. I must have played every single one in NY. To my Gibson oriented hands, they all felt like drainpipes. I had all but given up when a staff member asked me what I really wanted in a guitar. I told him: A single coil shimmer machine that plays like a dream. He took me to the used section and showed me an American Deluxe Telecaster in a strange teal translucent finish. I was initially put off by the color but when i plugged it in, it had to be mine. I then realized I didn't have my wallet and it was 799.00! a bargain price for such a high level instrument. I handed him a hundred bucks from my pocket and said: "I'll be right back". The manager then chimed in and said: " no layaways on used instruments" and handed me the hundred back. Total dick move but i said ok and went home to get my wallet. I got a call from work and they asked me to come in and that made me put it out of my mind.... for a week! When I had remembered, I ran down there, wallet in hand and saw it was gone. I stood there so angry at myself for forgetting. Then, the original sales guy approached me and said: " re you looking for that Tele? "I saved it in the back for you, pretending it needed a repair. He then came out from the back, handed it to me and it's been my Go-to everyday guitar that never gets put away. I have a lot of guitars and its my favorite by far. I never forgot that and have been a customer ever since. I really hope they work it out.
GC and SA had an "agreement" to not move into "their" turf... SA broke the agreement and GC moved in.
Wow, I had exactly the opposite experience. Worked near the midtown Sam Ash for a long time, and every time I went in the help were so obnoxious and the entire experience was awful. OTOH, Guitar Center staff have always been very helpful. I celebrated never having to deal with those obnoxious jerks at Sam Ash again.
48th street in NYC was great at one time.
Mannys music also...47th st in Manhattan was the music mecca..you never knew who youd bump into ..it was where you could put your hands on what your heros played.
@@afterdark6822 Ya. Manny's was always good, bought an amazing DI for my alvarez their which made it sing. Special lil box for acoustic, so cool. Smart guys, always knew what they were doing, if impatient with a hopeless amateur like me.
I worked at Guitar Center Hollywood in the early to mid 80s and I want to thank you for mentioning how we made extra effort to help our customers get the right equipment and even help them do installations. We all were professionals and knew our stuff, we were proud of our work. Again, thanks for the mention.
It is slowly changing, but the Hollywood store always has the best photos of their used equipment.
@@TooLooze In the 1980's there was no Internet and no photos. We actually got to meet anyone who wanted to find equipment. It was a great time any many great friendships and relationships were started at the store. I think many young people today have no idea what they are missing.
I used to ditch school to go to GC in Hollywood!!
@@ddrummer_ Same. And I lived further south in San Diego, which had one and there was one in San Marcos also. Best grounding and Saturday school ever, totally worth it. It was great to have multiple big stores, and you could hang for a bit, probably with a fellow player, and it was cool. It's totally gone, and won't be recreated. Good time to be alive, the '80s.
@@amandahuginkiss6868 The San Diego GC was a good store and a good buying experience. I was out there in the late’90s, and it was top notch.
The last time I was at a guitar center I literally sold a guitar for them. The kids working there didn’t know much of anything about what they were selling. I took the time to explain the different pros and cons of the guitars on the rack. It was a young family buying a guitar for their teenage son. It was sad.
I had a similar experience at a Guitar Center about 5 years ago. I sold a guitar and mandolin to a couple wanting gifts for their grandkids at Xmas. No sales person could demo the mandolin, so I played it for them. The couple took to me after the demo and asked me about guitars and music in general. The ironic thing was I applied to work at that store part-time just a year earlier and was turned down!🤣
Guitar Center said I was 'too old'. I was 63 years old at that time.
@@jaypeterson7637 "Too old"? You could sue their ass for that comment.... You should have.
Lol. I've done that too. And had other musician customers helpfully chime in when I was looking for stuff too! Not only at GC...at other music stores too. 😁 Thanks friendly musicians!! ❤️
@@mattherman6189 You're correct. Essentially they told me I was too old, without saying the actual words. GC was clever in their negative response. As I look back, GC did me a favor!👍🎶🎵🎶
I've gotten 4 sales at my Local GC in the last year alone... Last time I joked about where's my commission lol
Not too many years ago we had at least 4 small, independent guitar shops within a 15 min. drive. All staffed by musicians. Some gave lessons, others were totally used gear stores that also did outstanding repairs. All are long gone now and I really miss them.
same, I miss them
Same. GC cleaned out my hometown
Me too!!! 😭 Bring back the home grown music stores, where we can play and buy stuff and musicians have community!
Completely agree. If you ever want to kill a positive vibe, GC is the place to go. Something’s wrong with a music company’s business model where a gear/music nut like me actually avoids going there unless absolutely necessary. Too bad as it has the infrastructure in place to distinguish itself and be something much better.
Yup I never even check for instruments there. Only use is for cables/strings if I don't have time to wait for a online purchase to ship
Same. Yes, bought several guitars at our local one over the years, but the last time's been about 5 years ago. Go there for strings and cables now and only if I absolutely have to.
💯 agree, I wouldn't buy a guitar pick from GC.
The people they have working there in Monroeville know nothing about guitars. They're college kids that needed a job.
@@rrrecording3899 I avoid that place at all costs! Who cares if they go under!
Currently a GA at contact center and without getting into details this is 1000% correct! Me and fellow coworkers keep talking about how much time we have left at this job. They have decided to let long term employees walk in favor of cycling employees out every 3-6 months. And yes you need no gear knowledge at all to work this job, in fact they prefer you to not be a gear head! It’s quantity over quality and it will not last in this industry.
Last time I went to Guitar Center, it was 2 years ago and I bought a keyboard there because they had it in stock and I didn't want to wait to have one shipped. You are so right about the bad attitudes of the "employees". They seemed like people who couldn't get hired at Hot Topic and they thought Guitar Center would be the next easiest job. I hope Sweetwater will be around for a long time to come.
My cousin worked @ Hot Topic and GameStop..
When you find an entire staff with that attitude, ALWAYS assume it is the way the store is run. Crappy staff means horrible upper management every single time.
@@toofusnook I want to support the small stores anyway..
Sweetwater! But.. I still miss great local shops.
@@stratcat3216 - I'm lucky. Here in Indianapolis we still have three pretty great independent music shops.
Good analysis. I have a different take on Guitar Center. I view it as the big box store that put out of business all the mom and pop music stores in my town. Those stores were where the local experts worked. The experts were forced to go to Guitar Center, but eventually left, mainly because they didn't fit into the "superstore" culture. All in all I think GC had a negative effect on music in my community, especially now that they will probably leave a vacuum in the town.
Yeah, I remember seeing this right when I first started going to music stores in the '80s. It was disappointing in some ways, though I won't pretend that I didn't appreciate the larger selection. I found GC to be like any other chain in that the quality of the service was totally dependent on the store and the individual.
In any case, if GC does go belly up, it'd be nice to see mom-and-pop stores make a resurgence.
@@BassByTheBay I bought my last guitar from a boutique store in Greensboro, NC, called Bad Ax Boutique. I bought it from a guy I've known for 30 years. That felt good. Unfortunately the owner died suddenly about a year later and the store closed. I guess they couldn't find a buyer.
Exactly what happened here in AC NJ. All the little local music shops are gone not 1 left since guitar center moved in. Much like the hime depot & lowes/ walmart move in & all the family businesses when they cared to help you out are all gone as well
I worked at a GC as a manager for 5 years. I can say that we were the only store in our state so that allowed us to build positive relationships with our customers. I would have to deal with other GCs on a regular basis and you could always tell right away if they were a “bad” GC. Those are the stores that people think about, and I get why that’s the case.
How long ago DID you work there though? 🤔 And what State was/is this where there was only one GC? JC....
You nailed it. I loved my GC in Va Beach. The one in Richmond is a drag. Surprising, because Sam Ash is literally next door.
I was there for 5 years. I was a manager for almost all of it. The store is in Vermont, and we were kind of an island up there away from most of the other GC nonsense.
I worked at Zapfs Music in Philly in 1981-1984. I learned everything about drum parts (I was a guitar player), sax reeds, amps, sheet music. Everyone on the floor knew about music. We were paid horribly, but we had a collective of guys who knew their stuff, and we had fun doing it. Baptism by fire.
This is not a bad thing for the local stores that have held on and created a unique spot for musicians to continue to hang on
I don't think all Guitar Centers are like this. I live near the Asheville, NC location, and the employees there are some of the friendliest employees I know. They're very helpful, and knowledgeable about literally anything in the store. I personally have never had a bad experience at Guitar Center. I know some people have had different experiences, and that's cool, but Guitar Center will always be very special to me.
I feel the same way about the one in Fredericksburg, VA. Nothing but good there too.
Good to hear that they are not all like this. I wish mine was.
@@jenniferditty2904 If you're ever in Asheville, make sure you pay them a visit. Good brand variety, friendly and knowledgeable employees, and high quality amps and gear. Asheville is just a great city to visit in general.
It's really good you point that out - because obviously it's possible to run a GREAT store under the GC brand if you have passionate shop managers and team members who want to do a great job. It will be a great place - the result always depends on the people.
Sweetwater is unique in that they still (at least for the time being) put the customer first, and not just in their marketing campaigns. Especially with larger things like keyboards that require extra packaging to get something that heavy across the country in one piece. They're shipping prep is always outstanding. They routinely double box larger items so the retail box doesn't arrive completely mangled like GC/MF does. Most times GC/MF will simply stick on UPS label on the thin walled retail floor box on off it goes into the wild. This costs Sweetwater more, but in the long run, they end up with a loyal customer base that outlasts market fluctuations.
I love Sweetwater. I've bought several guitars from them, the latest being the PRS McCarty SE. I had them do a setup and install a bone nut on the guitar, and I swear the nut looks like it was factory installed. My sales rep is always on point, always willing to spend time talking to me about my options. I always ask for them to lower the price on guitars and they do. I am buying a PRS DW CE in the next few days and they helped to lower the price by over $200, which with tax, still brings the guitar under the list price. Anyone I spoke to over there is not only knowledgeable, but very nice. I hope it stays that way.
They're a shipping company so you shouldn't be surprised. Just a warehouse and just because they "opened" a store at the warehouse, doesn't make them a legitimate music store. Yet another add for online shopping. Oh, good luck returning anything to them.
@@TJ-fv6dp Ive returned several things to them and they have always been more than fair to me, YMMV
@@TJ-fv6dp ha, lies! I’ve been shopping at Sweetwater for over 12 years and have NEVER had an issue with returning ANY product.
Well said...I agree 100%. I've never had a bad experience with Sweetwater. But, just about everyone else has been a disaster.
I used to work for Guitar Center's call center, and they had absolutely stupid rules set up. For instance, keeping the call under 6 minutes or you would get reprimanded and lose privileges. And I was constantly going over time, because, hey, novel concept, I want to help people actually get what they needed (and it was fun talking about gear). Never mind that my sales were always the highest with longer calls, or that I usually was in the top 3 for sales. They didn't get it. Good knowledgeable service is what makes money.
Back in the early 1990s, I went to a Guitar Center in San Bernardino,CA for a PA system. When asked what I wanted my reply was “I don’t know”. I explained I needed vocal and acoustic instrument mics for a four piece bluegrass band and I know nothing about it. Ended up with an eight channel system with speakers, two mics, and the necessary cables. I used it for several years and sold it for almost what I paid for it. The man at Guitar Center was very knowledgeable and helpful in keeping my within a reasonable budget.
I had a good but small music store in my town in SoCal but was in reach of Mike Wallace' Music City in Torrance, Ca. Then came Guitar Center on the Strip, which was also in reach. It definitely was a whole different store in the 1970s! I'd already bought my second guitar and first acoustic from Music City. It was an Epiphone Hummingbird in red sunburst and it cost $90., then. I bought my Fuzzface and Vox Crybaby wah wah from my local store, all before Guitar Center.
I currently work at the drum shop next to Hollywood GC and we get customers all the time asking what happened over there. The knowledge base has been decimated and the only thing I can gather is that musicians aren't really their target market any longer. Which is very sad because that is their flagship store. The future of music retail will hinge on content providers and reviewers like yourself. Thanks for taking the time.
❤
I've had the same sales rep at Sweetwater for nearly 20 years!! He still gives me a phone call if I order something online, just to see how I'm doing and if I've got any questions. They've been fantastic to work with, as well as Vintage King. I'm in the LA area, and my VK rep has been amazing. I got into music around 1990 and I would get so excited when Guitar Center was having a big sale, especially pre-holidays. It's a kind of event-excitement that young people today just won't ever experience or understand.
Calls to ask you how you like the strings you bought..... SW is the worst spam caller in the bizz.
In Canada we got Long and Mcquade…..they sort of converged on many of the “mom and pop” music stores up here….the good news is my local store kept the heart of the mom
And pop staff including owner, manager, etc….the service remains fantastic and educated. The Alonzo family where I am are fantastic! 🇨🇦
Just walked back into a GC for the first time in years last month. Was looking for a starter Electric drum kit for my son. They were very busy and only one person was working the entire floor! This was at 6pm at night and the poor guy was clearly overwhelmed as the line was about 10 people deep. I told him what I wanted and luckily a second guy came out of the back and got the drum set. I just couldn’t believe that for the size of the store here in Vegas I only saw one person on the floor.
Hi Barry, It's a sad cycle. Where I'm located in Massachusetts, years ago Guitar Center came in ran a lot of small local music stores out of business. They had a bigger selection and better pricing. In time, once they became the big players in the area, that all changed. You couldn't negotiate deals with the sale staff. You get low balled on trade ins. It was crazy, I traded in an Ibanez acoustic guitar with the hard shell case for a different model. They didn't want to included the case in the deal. The case was design for the guitar I was trading. Both the case and guitar were in mint condition. I played just a few times. Unfortunately, this was before Reverb, so the only way could sell the case was on Craigslist. It wasn't worth it, so I left the case with the guitar. I had to buy a new case for the new guitar. The sale guy didn't even offer a deal. I said, that it's for me with Guitar Center. I brought small things from them like strings and cables after that. Now, the internet stores are doing same thing to them.
same here, sold them a guitar with it in the case. i still had other guitars that would fit in the case. so i basically wanted to keep it, so i asked how much he was giving me for the case. he said nothing, so i told him i was keeping the case, he said they didnt want the case. so be careful when you are selling a guitar in its case, they aren't giving you any extra for the case. so keep it and sell it elsewhere or keep it and use it for a gigging case for another guitar. they used to be a good music store, now they are just out to get what they can as cheap as they can. which goes against all business ethics i think. what happened to taking care of the customers. after all aren't the return customers a good portion of your business. at least it used to be.
Is it possibly the Peabody store ??
I bought a Digitech 2120 artist processor back in 91 there. Great service in those days. I was on the road , and knew I’d be there in a week. So I called ahead they had to order it ,because I wanted the pedal control with it. When I showed up it was ready and waiting (pre paid ) . Now our simi hadn’t shown up yet (with all our equipment ) so they let me grab a guitar and moved a 100watt and and cab into a back room so I could give it a good run through before attaching it to my live rig. Then they left it setup and locked over night so I could come back the next day and spend a few hrs presetting programs .. It was the BEST GC I’d ever been in. And I’ve been in about 25.
Mr Robert, are you a rip off?
@@theofficialdiamondlou2418 Hi Diamond Lou, it was Boston location on Mass Ave. The location was formerly Daddy's Junky Music store. They were great store when they first showed up. Unfortunately, it changed over time.
This guy is right. Employees and customer service are the key issues with Guitar Center. I've been at one where all the employees were young. One of them was practicing behind the cash register and ignoring customers. Others disappeared into the back room. Customers were also young, playing loudly with no money or plans to buy anything. Now I get all my gear from Sweetwater. I now go to GC very rarely and only when I'm in a pinch.
Same experience here on Greenwood Indiana last week!
I’ve been using sweetwater for a while. They were bought by an investment firm last year, so we’ll see what happens to them. So far so good.
And if you ever get near ft Wayne, stop in there. It’s amazing!
@@williamsporing1500 I was Sweetwater's Feb 2018 gear sweepstakes winner. You can verify it on their web site. I won about $13K in gear. I won't shop for gear anywhere else.
at mine they always tell me to turn down and I do buy stuff, last time a $600 amp. If I can't turn up I'm not buying anything. And it's not my playing cos I usually attract a bit of an audience. When I was testing out the last amp I bought I turned up and hit the intro to Texas Flood on my Pink Ibanez JEM. Had people coming to the back to check me out. I was hitting some of the licks from Crossroads too.
Most of my formative years as a musician were spent at Guitar Center on 2nd St. in downtown San Jose... this would be during the late 70's to early 80's. I was fortunate to befriend the Pro Audio Mgr., a really great fella named Rob Eddy... He always made time to talk, and I learned a ton from him. He played a large part in cementing my love of production and music. Wherever you are Rob, THANKS!
I shopped at GC on Stevens Creek Blvd, late 1980s. Smart salespeople back then. Btw, then walked across the street to JJs to watch John Wedemeyer play. Good times!
@@CinemaKev24 - John Wedemeyer is amazing.. I was at GC in SJ talking to Rob when he pulled me over to the guitar wall. He pointed out a 15 year old John Wedemeyer absolutely shredding...
Thankfully our Fairview Heights, IL GC location still has good peeps and is a really good place to take something in for a setup. I've taken in 2 mandolins, a 5 string bass, and several guitars and all came back playing so much better than when I took them in.
I've never been a fan of GC. They always struck me as a place that stocked what they wanted to sell me, not necessarily what I wanted to actually buy. I haven't been in one in a long time and the last time I was, it was exactly as you described. The writing is on the wall.
Private equity kills all it touches. Nice job on this topic and let's hope they can restructure.
I've been going to the Guitar Center here in Spartanburg SC for several years now and haven't had one bad experience there. All the people that's been working there are easy to get along with and know their stuff. And if there was something I really wanted but didn't have all the money for it I would give them a couple of hundred dollars for it and they would hold it for me till I paid for it. Hope they stay open and everything turns around for the company.
Their musical instruments should have been in every school across America keeping our young minds focused and out of trouble. Sad... I bought my share of gear from them...
I remember going to Guitar Center 10 yrs ago, the experience reminds me of when I would go to and buy cds, I never thought I would miss something so much. Yea, we have convenience, better prices and even better gear, but it costs us more than we realize sometimes I think.
I know what you mean. There was something more substantial about looking through cd's at a store. Buying music equipment is the same. You go and touch look and listen to the instruments and pick out the one that you like the most.there is something to that.
Yeah, unfortunately.... It's ALL about sittin on one's azz and pushin buttons NOWADAYS...SMDH. LONG gone are the daze of the actual PHYSICAL experiences of shopping 🛒....And on top of it? So many peoples are at epidemic obesity levels and yet? "They" just CANNOT figure it out......😔🙄
I was in guitar center last month getting a used pedal and I was talking to the sales guy who was friends with Nuno. We talked guitars for 15 mins, and he told me to try some new Epiphone guitars since their QC is so much better recently. First time I had an interesting conversation with anyone at GC in years. I still send all my students to Sweetwater for their free warranty and good service.
I have access to 4 or so GC stores near my location. There’s still good people there. We need stores like this. Seeing and trying music products before purchasing is key. Online Purchasing without holding and trying a product is risky.
I agree with you 100%. I'll be 71 in a couple weeks. I've played professional guitar for 50+ years, and built guitars plus teched for more than half of that. I own 100 guitars. Last fall I went to GC to look at a used Strat. A very nice young lady helped me find it. As I was looking at it she began to ask me questions. When she realized who I was she asked even more questions. About 20 minutes went on and I realized there were 3 more employees behind and to the side of us hanging on every word I said. When the questions slowed down I bought the John Mayer Strat for the $1100 they were asking, it was like new with the original gig bag. A nice young man carried it out to my car for me and thanked me. I wasn't sure if I just bought a guitar or finished a lecture. That was the first time in 7 years I'd been there. Hmm... --gary
"Who are you, who .. who .. who .. who?" Had to keep it musical!
@@Snarkapotamus he’s gary glitter
@@rickiedrizzle1431 - Ugh...
@@rickiedrizzle1431 lol
Who the fuck
Is Gary glitter lmfaooo
Around 2015 I moved to a new city and applied to a local GC. Absolutely loving guitars, knowledgeable about new gear on the market, starting to learn more about vintage gear, and LOVING talking about gear and helping people find what they need for what they're doing... I even UNDERSTAND STRING GAUGE (haha)! But because I didn't have enough sales experience they offered me a job in the drum department. I have very little understanding about the drum world let alone the lingo of what things are called. I had to do a pretend sale with my interview, which I felt absolutely ignorant in what I was saying, completely BS-ing my way through it, and they still offered me the job. They didn't care that their potential employee was ignorant and knew nothing about what they were going to be selling, they just needed a body which, I understand to a point, but.... Your employee does need to have at least SOME knowledge of what they're talking about.
I totally felt that vibe there last week.
You must've been one of the HOW MANY plus GC sales guys, that WERE working in the drum department (but were guitar dudes and knew literally NUTTIN about DRUMS) BACK when I used to frequent that place . As I would ask em "WTF are you doing back HERE then?" Just outta curiosity, and...? It was ALWAYS the SAME response ...🤔 Lol... Luckily? I was a drum gearhead anyways, that just needed occasional "pricing" lol. (Which could be a task in itself as well) 😵💫
They were keeping you away from the highest profit, highest commission department. Guitars makes big bucks selling fancy overpriced guitars to normies that can't play. All other departments are like minimum wage.
I applied and interviewed at GC a few years ago. I had been playing for about 20 years at the time. They were more interested in kids who looked the part, not musicians who knew their gear.
They DON'T want potential managers they want kiddos they can pay peanuts and never give them the opportunity to move up. They refuse to invest in the employees just as gamestop and they will fold unless someone decides to save them yet again. At a B3 rating not likely to happen.
Same here. I have a degree in Music Performance and another in Recording Engineering. Worked as a professional musician, Live Audio Engineer, and recording and mix engineer for over 25 years. Went in to see about part-time work on the weekends. The manager told me I was way overqualified for the position in the audio department. They seem to no longer want knowledgeable people working there.
Guitar Center La Mesa is the only one I’ve ever been to, and it’s got the nicest people there to help you get what you need. Bought my first acoustic there and they were tremendous help in getting me the right strings and things like that.
your observations about GC are spot on. i think I’ve literally said what you did to other musicians.
went through my local GC in 2008 to order a drum kit from Tama Japan. My GC rep was a working drummer, incredibly helpful and might have been more excited than I was when my kit arrived at the store.
once when I was out of town but had a gig coming up at home, a GC employee not only encouraged me to sit in the store & get some practice in, but he gave me the choice of any bass in the store. As customers, we haven’t seen that kind of employee at GC in a long time.
the only time I go into GC now is when I’m researching a product so I might be able to touch it. that said, GCs inventory is a shell of it’s former self. Recently, I asked an employee about an effects pedal, was told GC didn’t have it and found it in the display case.
I agree that the only use I have for GC now is used gear. the acquisition destroyed the chain.
I worked at the original San Francisco GC and the one in Oakland several years later. Those were the days of people knowing their shit. I'm not saying that there weren't issues but you are absolutely right about their customer service now. Many years later I helped run a great little music store up in Mendocino County that unfortunately went under due to the boom of all the Dot Com music stores. But nothing, and I mean NOTHING, beats solid customer service and knowledge!
I worked at the SF 9th and Mission store. It was a selling scheme for sure. I remember being bitched out for taking too long with customers. I was not closing fast enough. Coming from working at Austin Texas shops, it was a culture shock. Plus, every employee was considered a thief. We had security meetings where they would absolutely blame innocent, good people for stealing. Horrible work environment and management.
Legend!
I recently stopped working as a customer service manager for them, and what you said here was exactly what seemed to be happening.
I worked at GC in Roseville Minnesota in 2004 for almost a year. First in the drum shop and then the warehouse. The management has ALWAYS been a problem in my experience. I personally LOVE gear of all kinds, drums, amps, basses, PA, Studio, recording, etc… I love all of it. But to get the job I had to act like I was stupid and knew nothing. And it was frowned upon to spend hours with customers that didn’t buy anything. But almost universally. On the occasions I did that… Eventually they would come back, sometimes a week later, sometimes a month later and say I’m back because you really pointed out some things to me I hadn’t considered and I really appreciate the time you spent answering my questions and making suggestions for my personal needs.
The first time I ever went to a GC in Hollywood was before the went corporate in the early 70's. It was in the building on the south side of Hollywood and Gardener where Guitars R Us moved in later. There was a whole section of "used"guitars where you could find 60's & 50's guitars cheap. $495 for 1964 Firebird V that still had a wound 3rd from the factory...
Every time I go to my local GC they have less gear than before. They also seem to have less help than before too. The store is not only a ghost town, but it dirty, disheveled, and generally not organized like it used to be.
The BIGGEST problem is that if/when GC goes down, they will most likely take some of the instrument manufacturers, who they owe millions to, with them! If you remember back some 20 years ago to the MARS Music debacle, it took many years for some of the biggest instrument manufacturers to recover from all the money they lost. Losing GC will create a lot of peripheral damage that will cause repercussions for years to come.
This is an important comment. GC is part of the fabric of the instrument market. If they default on their suppliers, that’s the folks who make our guitars. There are plenty of us who don’t want to buy a one-off boutique, but would love to compare a D-18 with an HD-28 at a local GC, get a fair discount and leave GC with an adequate margin, and bring home a flagship Standard.
Was just at a GC recently, & they only had one person working in the store on a sunday. He was as helpful as he could be, but he was swamped, eventually another employee hit the floor & helped me finish my return. For contrast, I went across the street to the Sam Ash & they had three people at the counter & others working the floor, was actually asked if I needed help.
I agree with an enormous portion of what you're articulating! I've gotten to know Guitar Center now for the better part of 15-18 yrs and there are few locations where I enjoyed the experience of being there AND walked out with a product I was highly interested in. Towards the end you described how most experienced musicians continue to engage with guitar center and the sad truth is we only really DO go there scouting for deals on used equipment and items generally under $50. ¡Thank you for sharing and hope the channel continues to grow!
I remember that time I met E-40 at Guitar Center he was buying several guitars for his kids, and flat amps as flat as a flat screen tv. I got a picture with him and he told me that he could tell I had some music potential, as I was jamming out. One of my best memories.
Individual Guitar Centers have always been hit or miss with customer experience and knowledge of their staff, even in the 80s and 90s when they were at the top of their game. But it’s definitely sad that they’re in the death rattle stage of their demise
You are so spot on. It was retail then and it is retail work today. The biggest difference between yesterday and today is Amazon. Which isn't really mentioned here. I grew up in the 90s and clearly recall Sam Ash and GC being exactly the same. It's very difficult to hire in retail today. It doesn't pay well and rents are off the charts here in South Florida. I like what Gibson's CEOs are doing with the company. There is some truth in these investment firms not really "caring" for the GC business. But it's a combination of a lot of things. I am very concerned about the entire economy of the entire country. We are nation in enormous debt and it worries me, a lot.
@@leascaart Exactly; and the warmongering and up riding up the debt doesn’t help either.
My local GC is EXACTLY as you described in this video! The workers are not into their job and they do not seem to be very knowledgeable. I resorted to ordering everything online now because going there just was not a good experience!
Chattanooga Guitar Center is one of the good ones. A while back, inventory was way down, with lots of blank spots on the walls and only a handful of attention getters (usually something geared toward beginners and on sale) sitting out on the floor. Now its walls are crowded and there's dozens of instruments out on stands in the floor. The acoustic room is so full that many acoustic are out in the main room. I don't look in the drum section or the keyboard and mixing equipment room much but they are full.
Workers will check in with you without being ..... pesky.
Oh yeah, good bit of pedals and even some commonly replaced parts.
We also have a few really good independent stores, so its not like the GC is the only place around.
Competition helps the customer. I think it may help the stores too, as there's a wider net to bring people into the market.
The guitar center in Detroit is amazing. The staff there are older dudes that really seem to know their shit and they are so welcoming.
It’s the city of Brotherly Love😁
I've been going to GC for 20 years in Houston and have bought at least 7 or 8 drum sets and all kinds of equipment. A few years ago I started to notice a change in the staff and the inventory got smaller and smaller. The last time I went in there I needed a new mic and some cables and the sales staff did not have a clue! Turns out I knew more about their equipment than they did LOL! And yes they did seem bothered when I asked for assistance. Sad to say I won't be back. It's too bad because I used to love going to that store.
Can I claim my prize toO?😢
Lol like goin into Home Depot. maybe even worse I bet...
Yeah, about the time they really went "corporate" several years ago? THAT'S WHEN ALL my music friends/associates that USED to be GC employees/managers etc ALL got "...... You know what." And were forced to figure it out, like real QUICK and? Were GONE....(eventually IF not, RIGHT TF AWAY) 😔😒. So NOWADAYS? Ya see what WE get as a result..... SMDH 😒
I remember an amazing guitar shop called MARS GUITARS. Man look what happened to them! Best big shop that I’d go to. At that time lots of other smaller but deluxe shops! Miss those days 😢
I've heard Mars Music was owned by a drug store chain
i remember them too. there was one in towson md, just about couple miles from guitar center on same road. i would go there as opposed to going to guitar center. but , yes, they weren't in business very long.
I made a comment that was not good. i want to RETRACT that. Most of the reason is because as I investigated further, my RV-6 PEDAL CAME WITH A BATTERY already installed. The voltage is 9.68, and mAmps about 85. I'm using TS cables and further research, is probably necessary. So I really hope Guitar Center continue to exist. I rather have a place I can go and buy up front and personal. Even if I dont get the help first hand, but the RESEARCH helps. So I enjoyed doing my own personal research, and have hands on purchasing accessories.
Thank you Barry.
Guitar Center in the late 90’s was awesome: knowledgeable employees and good gear in every department. I went to one yesterday and it was nowhere close in any respect. Sad state these days.
Fortunately, Sweetwater exists and there are some fantastic, local guitar shops around.
i agree. sweetwater, i do not have to deal with dumb sales clerks. my sweetwater guy is on top of everything and plays guitar also. no more guitar center for me. there is a family owned music store in bel air maryland, have bought many guitars and gear there. they just do not deal with used gear now a days. years ago when the original owner was alive, he was a very nice man, honest and knowledgeable about every thing he sold. i knew him and he knew me very well. always greeted with a smile, back before covid, always a firm handshake. i had spent alot of monet there thru out the years, he always treated me very good. gave me very good deals on guitars, amps and pa gear. has changed since his son has taken over. still a nice store and musicians work there, but just not the same with out joe.
I worked at a GC in the 90's and in my opinion I think started going down hill by 1995 and by 2005 they have been very eh. I have continued to purchase my gear there and occasionally at SweetWater. I just notice awhile ago my local Sam Ash closed. I truly believe it is a company management, issue, but unfortunately the mostly, but not all or only younger customers are also attributers to this common retail problem.
Fantastic insight, and yes, you are right on the money (well, right on who is wrong on the money!). So, I was browsing Sweetwater, and I saw an instrument that had no price listed "call for special pricing". I called. The same rep that I'm always aligned with, who I've spoken to before, answers immediately. I ask, "hey, what's the price on this?". His immediate answer: He told me the exact price. No sales pitch, no silliness, in 2023 when you ask a question and any human anywhere just immediately answers your actual question? Golden. Yes, he said if I had any questions he'd be happy to talk to me about the instrument, but I know the instrument well... and so does he. And that's the difference. I go to a car dealer and ask about certain specs... if they don't know the answers, I walk, even if they were giving the car away free. I want to make a purchase, but I'm purchasing experience and perspective and things that I can't google. Guitar Center lost all that a long time ago. Sweetwater has it. I hope they keep it.
I agree 1000% Back in the 80's & 90's The Guitar Center was my go to store for drums and guitars! I would be there 3 times a week to check out the new gear, clinics, and just hang out with friends!!
@dirkworld What a great story! Thanks for sharing!
I'm having a different experience at GC. I started teaching there after moving students from a closing lesson studio, and after meeting the staff and watching the traffic, I was pleasantly surprised. The staff and mgmt is friendly and attentive, and the store is usually busy during the midday hours I'm there. Hope it all works out.
You’re in a lucky city then lol
Really!? Where the heck is this? The stores in my region have totally sucked for years now.
Every store has different people, and it's the people and the team dynamic that makes a difference. On the other hand, the parent company and larger organization is a factor too. I've had mixed experiences, both with GC stores and the local independent (not GC) music store in my neighborhood. It seems various online options for customers have also been an obvious and increasing challenge for the profitability of stores. I too hope it all works out for the best.
GC lessons are doing well from what I've seen, it's the entire other 85% of the store that's failing lol
the guitar center in San Marcos, California is really terrible
Sweetwater hasn’t changed at all. Do what’s right for the customer is still their motto. They’ve used the investment to expand their band and orchestra department and to build up an additional distribution center in AZ. This is to better serve that half of the country with more favorable shipping times. Sweetwater is changing, just not in the way you may think.
What is the prize?
I havehead about this. I grew up in L.A. and GC in Hollywood was my home from home. I knew right away this was going to end badly. Great video -Thank you,
It is great to be well informed. And to pass that knowledge on to others.
Barry I think you are 100% spot-on with your assessment of the current GC store experience, and your description of how bankers ultimately destroy the heart of a business. But the crazy thing for me is that for years I openly cheered for the demise of this "great store" as you put it. From my first experiences at Atlanta Discount Music to my twenty year relationship (and brief employment) at Portland Music Company, I watched with horror for decades as Guitar Center (like Wal-Mart) put these homegrown stores out of business. And these were the stores that were packed with experts like you describe; the ones who really helped the musician and weren't there to sell you something you didn't need. GC spread like a cancer and wiped them all out. So now it feels very strange to see them crumbling and _almost_ feel a slight sense of sadness. But the real question is this: Where are people going to go to actually play and see real instruments? Will there soon be no music stores at all? Or will GC's demise ultimately bring back the mom and pop stores they crushed?
It may take a little while but I think you will see Mom & Pop stores make a comeback, we shall see.
I went to a guitar center a few weeks ago and they had one person trying out guitars, someone jamming on drums, 3 people in line buying small stuff, and that was it. This was during a weekend.
i went to the one in towson maryland. the first time in a while. they always had quite a few people who worked there. there were only, i think, 5 people that worked there. i was one of maybe 6 people in the store looking at gear and buying stuff. one of them was my lady friend. it wont be long before they are out of business completely.
If we were to lose both GC and SW...where would Gibson & Fender and Paul Reed sell the bulk of their guitars? mom&pop stores? where at? can brands "band" (sorry) together and open a superstore, a real one? somebody had better come up with an idea. at least I try 😉
@@dbspecials1200 Actually a group of musicians "banding together" to create a great music store is a great idea.
And in the outdoor / camping world, this is how REI Co-op got started, and after all these years, they are still staffed by knowledgeable people, who love the outdoor world. And customer service is king.
Barry, thank you for explaining what has happened to Guitar Center. I absolutely saw their demise over the past couple decades here in the DC area. I’ve purchased about 10 guitars there over the years. Last month I bought a Gibson Les Paul through Guitar Center. I would have bought the guitar from their brick and mortar store here in Rockville, Maryland, but had such a bad experience with the sales person, I simply called their 800 number and ordered it. As you say, their brick-and-mortar stores are empty… Only one or two sales people working the entire store, and they don’t know what they’re talking about. I started helping customers who needed help with guitar questions. Your video explains what happened. Very sad! Thanks for posting.
The store in Little Rock has several good sales people that are friendly - and they know me by name…keep rockin Jacob, Chris, Joe, Tyler and Blake!
Well… I’ll be waiting for the closing of some stores, may be they will put 50% off or more of everything, then i will help them to close proudly.
That’s what I’m banking on 👍🏾
Honestly they’ll likely not have deals like that. These corporate folks are intense with preventing deals. They’d rather ship product around to other stores or figure out how to sell it all online, etc. Be ready to get flyers in the mail for “insane blowout deals” that are 20% off lol
@@HzofArt I’ll be watching.
I’ve been going to Sweetwater in store purchasing, and from me going there twice a month for 20 + yrs they haven’t changed as far as in person customer service. The service is actually is getting better
Hello Barry, I would like to mention an exception and that is Guitar Center in Raleigh,N.C. I purchased a new Martin there and the guys I dealt with were great. They did not follow me around the store but when I was ready to talk shop, they were on the money! First positive experience at GC in years. First time at this store. Thanks for the video 👍
Excellent video, I also miss the Guitar Center of yesterday, sad.
I have to agree. I was Pro Audio Department Manager at our local GC for about 3 years in the early 2000's. At the beginning of my tenure, the store was staffed by some of the most talented, knowledgeable musicians in the area. We were well-stocked, and everything was set up to be demo-able. My Live Music room was set up with the biggest, best mixer we carried, with an array of tops and subs hooked up in a wall of PA so customers could hear and compare pretty much any combination they wanted, so they could make an informed choice about what to buy.
As time went on, and the first change of ownership happened (at least the first I was aware of), most of the older, more knowledgeable employees were basically forced out and replaced by sales clerks who knew a little about music gear. And that has only continued as time has gone on. The Live Room is now just speakers on shelves and mixers in boxes, with nothing hooked up, nothing demo-able. Truly sad, and not helpful at all.
GC has become the Radio Shack of the industry. I avoid going into the store if I can. I have to know exactly what I want and why. The clerks actually seem thankful that they don't have to answer questions or do anything besides ring up my purchase. Where they all implode is that moment I tell them I don't have an email.
I feel you bro, they burned me 15 years ago and I Have not bought any major gear from them sense…guitar picks, strings and a cheap mic stand and maybe audio cables.
The same thing is happening to whole foods after Amazon bought them, I started to notice that some of my favorite brands were being replace with some other less quality brands to maximize profits, so I may only go there for s few items I can’t get at other markets.
i agree with you. go there only if i am in the area of the store or just wanting some guitar goodies, strings, straps, etc:
Places like that do start with good knowledgeable people, but eventually they all get run out of the place because of the corporate culture that takes over. they lose the talent, then other things in the world happen and they are left hiring generic grocery clerks. if they can get any..
I worked at a Guitar Center in the mid-nineties. There were maybe 30 - 40 stores nationwide at that point. The vast majority of the sales staff at our store were semi-pro musicians themselves; very knowledgeable and passionate about gear. The pro audio department had actual sound engineers working in it. Also, a lot of pro musicians shopped there. It was a cool vibe and nice place to work. I only worked there for a year, but have a lot of great memories from my time.
The stores you see now are a shell of what it once was. They expanded too quickly and valued profits well ahead of customer service. In the process they also put tons of mom and pop shops out of business. It's really sad all around.
Barry, I agree 100%. 20 years ago when I walked into GC , it was a much different store. Now, It almost hurts to walk into the one closest to where I live in Western NC. Jeff
I agree with every point you made. This is exactly how private equity works -- it's never about the brand or the customers, it's about return on investment. RIP Guitar Center.
Last time I was in Guitar Center about a month ago, I was with my 10 year old who doesn't play (yet) but they were absolutely supportive of him getting his hands on anything he wanted. He had a blast! But the experts are long gone (it was incredible how ignorant their "guitar setup" guy was.).
The Guitar Center near me, in Portage, MI has always given me excellent customer service.
Guitar center in the 80s and 90s stayed packed. It was full of musicians from everywhere.
My GC story:
I had been playing guitar for about 12 years and this was about 5 or 6 years ago. I was at Guitar Center, in the acoustic section, just playing a few guitars, relaxing... seeing what I liked. About 20 minutes later, an elderly woman came up to me and asked if I knew anything about acoustic guitars. I told her everything I knew, but was curious why she asked me, rather than the employees at GC.
She said she did ask them, but they're answer was "I'm busy, can you go ask someone else". Apparently, they were too busy as well, despite the store being pretty much empty. I felt bad for this lady who really just wanted to know which kind of acoustic guitar would be easy to play with someone who deals with arthritis.
I never looked at Guitar Center the same after that. The customer service used to be good when they first showed up in the few cities I lived in, but it's clear they employ people who don't really care enough or know enough to actually help their customers.
Also, they don't do pre-orders, so if an employee says yes, you can pre-order a guitar in store, they're lying... lol. Maybe that policy changes over the years, but please check beforehand.
In the '90s, to go to GC was a pilgrimage. Haven't stepped into one in decades, except for a quick mic or midi cable. Rocknroll Vintage and Chicago Music Exchange and Motor City Guitar are very nice places.
Couldn't agree more on this. I was a teenager in Boston the 90's and guitar center was king! The store was so well run back then. I would go there just to talk about gear. I'm lucky to have fantastic local shop near me and Sweetwater for the rest!! Guitar center honestly makes me feel depressed if I walk in because it was so great once
I know this will sound like made internet BS, but I swear on my grandson’s life this is 100% true, and I’m still baffled by it.
I was cleaning up and restringing a couple of guitars for a coworker of mine and I needed a couple of sets of strings for them, so I bit my lip and went into the Guitar Center in Chico California. Walked over to the string racks and could not for the life of me find a single pack of GHS strings of ANY variety. I’ve been using GHS for 30+ years, I’ve never had a problem finding the What the actual eff? Now, I’m convinced I must just be blind and/or stupid. It happens sometimes.
So, I find the nearest blank eyed-stare otherwise known as one of the employees of that particular store and ask *”Are you guys not carrying GHS Boomers anymore? I can’t seem to find them...”* Bland-Eyed-Stare somehow manages to give me an even MORE blank eyed stare and says, completely serious, *”I’ve never heard of GHS Boomers, what are those....”* I can feel my brain automatically beginning to initiate code 000-destruct-0, but I try in vain to get Blank-Eye back on this plane of existence. *”....ummm, you know, guitar strings? You know you work in a guitar store, right?” Blank-eye seems to be trying to subs it out, to no avail.
Without another word, I walk over to the rack and grab 2 packs of Ernie Balls, and find a different Blank-Eye to hopefully sell me those without too much more trouble.
I’m still at a loss as to what exactly went wrong in there that particular day. I’ve only been back one other time to try out the neck of a guitar I wanted to buy. From Sweetwater.
Great description! I got a nice laugh out of it. But you’re right, Guitar Center is a horror story. It would be a great case study for a college MBA class.
Growing up there was a GC about an 8 minute drive from my house. Graduated high school 10 years ago and now that I’ve moved back to the same area, I have gone to my local guitar shop, Matt’s Guitars in Manassas, VA, for literally everything and anything. Those guys legitimately care about having a successful shop and they are genuinely interested in helping you select or choose your next piece of gear.
thats what I love about a small shop, they are either owned by or staffed by people who care. Corporate giants like gc are so profit oriented that they hire anyone.
Small world.. I shop at Matt's also :) I do make the occasional trip to GC but typically I'm disappointed with selection and service.
I hear you. I go to the local music store here in town. I met the current owner when he bought the business 30 years ago. He's like family!!! The co owner is like family as well. I also go to a drum shop not to far from where I live. Very cool place!!! I try to avoid gc unless I'm in the vicinity or have nothing better to do for a while.
Brother you are right on point. I remember GC being an amazing place to be. The staff was so knowledgable and friendly. Not only that, they would rarely let you leave empty handed whatever your budget. They would work with you until you got what you needed. On top of that, the atmosphere was so cool. There were muscicans and producers and engineers just hanging out. it didnt matter if you were just there for some strings. It was a 2 hr visit. Its really sad to see how much its degraded. Its has a negative vibe now. Just get in and get out and dont ask too many questions. Sad.
I used to be a regular at Guitar Center in Columbus OH. I could tell when the change started. After a 20 year credit line with them, for no reason, they canceled my account. No, I didn't owe them. I had a 0 balance at the time. But, GC has become boring. Employees are exactly as you mentioned, and they know nothing. Sad to see this, but, they've sealed their own fate.
My guitar center has never really been "Bad" but I tended towards other guitar stores simply due to Guitar Center being "The commercial guitar store" and far preferred Sam Ash to them. Also, I feel like vintage shops are slowly making a comeback.
Thank You. Educational, interesting and ultimately sad. I'm gonna go to my local Guitar Center here in Mobile Alabama (LA= Lower Alabama) soon, just for old times sake. They may not be here much longer. I might even buy something, even though I know it won't make a hill of beans worth of difference. Best Regards
I only have ever gone to the GC downtown. The teachers and people seem super chill. Dudes always seemed knowledgeable and respectable. Never felt pressure always felt informed... but only at that location.
Sweetwater is an absolute gem in the music equipment biz and must be protected at all costs
Sweetwater ain't what it used to be. Either that, or my salesperson is an idiot.
This is so sad to hear. I absolutely loved Guitar Center. But it’s definitely true, they are not the same.
I can't speak for every Guitar Center, but the two I frequent most (in Tukwila & Tacoma WA) generally have an AMAZING staff and managers. Also, especially recently there have been a decent amount of customers in them. In all the years I've been going there, I have NEVER felt rushed or mistreated, and its always a pleasure being in there. I especially like the guitar tech in the Tacoma store (I think his name is Ron?) He did an AMAZING job on my guitars, and inspired me to become a tech myself lol
I'm sure there are bad GCs out there, but just know there definitely are good ones too, so I hope they can survive and keep being awesome
I used to find hidden gems in their used guitar section and bring it home and upgrade it myself. One of my favorite guitars to play is a used Squire I got for $39 there and spent a lot of time redoing the electronics but it started with an incredible neck and it plays so well. You can't find those deals now.
Back in the day in the New Hampshire area we had a chain of family-owned guitar stores called Daddy's junky music, not too too long after guitar centers popped up everywhere Daddy's was done, gone. Up until recently I haven't had great interactions with guitar center so this doesn't surprise me at all. Fortunately the GC in fort Collins is pretty well run.
I remember Guitar Warehouse that was walking distance from that Daddy's ! Those were great days !
I worked at Daddy`s in the Salem, NH store. Terrible job...terrible company but Guitar Center didn`t bring them down. Daddy`s imploded on itself. lots of horror stories on when it happened.
Daddy's junky music was great in the beginning.
@@toadjam12000 and the bigger they got the more they lost sight of serving the customer and they treated their employees like trash. I was happy to see them go down.
@@mitchpalmer5116 lol I worked in the Nashua store and yes it was pretty bad working there. But in the beginning (long before I worked there) I could buy a guitar and they would throw in a distortion pedal or something. But yea it was pretty bleak by the time GC finished em off
Guitar Center came in to many towns and pushed the independent stores out of business. I hope their demise will reopen the space for the independent owners, driven by passion, a love of music, and genuine love of their customers
This would be nice, but it seems a stretch. The cost of opening a single brick and mortar store and filling it with inventory is prohibitive.
amen!!!!!!
A mom and pop store selling high end gear is cost prohibitive because to get Fender or Gibson, they have to carry everything and generate sales of at least $100,000 or more for those companies. The mom and pop store I work in now only sells beginner gear and used instruments. Investment equity companies are like loan sharks. They exist to make money for their investors while saddling the businesses they buy up to cover the cost of the takeover. Many times the businesses can’t absorb the cost and go bankrupt. Remember KayBee toys? That was Bain Capital at their worst.
Guitar center, Tukwila wash. back in the day was the way you described, very helpful, Randy Rand bass player for Autograph was my salesman. It was like a big candy store!
I miss the old days when I would walk into GC on Spring Valley in Dallas as a kid with my dad, and we’d be greeted by Dave Corley, our regular sales guy. The store was packed with Marshall Silver Jubilee’s, early Custom Shop Fender’s, amazing used selections, and I’d see a whole row of vintage Fender’s and Gibson’s (back when $8k for a Fiesta Red 1961 Stratocaster was a lot of money.
When I was 12, I got to pick out a 1991 PRS Custom that Bugs Henderson had just dropped off. We put it on layaway and I brought money every chance I had. 8 months later, I finally got to take it home.
I fully agree. I also lived far from a Guitar Center and always dreamed of visiting one. I finally did in 2003 in La Mesa California. That was 20 years ago and it was a fantastic experience. I spent almost all day there. That day, I bought the first guitar pedal I ever bought. A Maxon Stereo Chorus. I still have it today. Since then, I ended buying A LOT from GC over the following 20 years. Everything from guitars, to drums, to cymbals, to amps, to basses, recording and audio gear. I've bought a few things over the last year or two, but now I don't rely on them anymore. One big reason is this... I like to try a guitar before I buy it. I don't always do, but most of the time. If I go to a GC and they happen to have the guitar I want to try, it's usually a display model and it's usually not in perfect condition. The obvious thing is to ask the salesperson, "Please bring me one from the warehouse at the back, so I can try it and if it's good, I'll buy it right now." But, we all know, they cannot do that. The one on the rack IS THE ONE. Granted, I bought an American Pro II Tele like that in 2020 at GC, off the rack, and it's great, but it doesn't always work that way. If I wanted to order a guitar, well, I wouldn't be going to a store, would I? The other problem is that all the stuff they have in stock is underwhelming. I mean, I understand there are supply issues. But if Sweetwater can stock 10 American J-Basses, you would think a major GC store could at least have two or three of them, right? But yeah, they don't have the buying power anymore.
Go to GC and try out all their left hand bass guitars. You'll be done in 3 seconds because they don't have any.
Exactly this. Doesnt matter what you are looking for, all they have is the display model. Be it a guitar, an amp, a pedal... all they have is the display model. That display is usally beat to hell with scratches and dings all over it, jacks not working right, pickups with corosion already, etc. Then they want to charge you new price for a used beat up instrument. You find one that isnt beat up too bad they dont have the case it came out of or stuff from the case is missing, amps with no manuals or warranty cards. Yeah, I stopped buying there years ago and I buy from Sweetwater. Only had a problem with Sweetwater once and they sent me out a new guitar to replace it before I even sent the other one back.
I started working there in 2009 and left in 2015.
They have been saying that guitar center is in trouble since before I started.
Can you stick to topics that are important instead of bashing a company we know you despise.
Can you keep your channel positive instead of straying to the negative like so many other RUclipsrs.
What’s nice about guitar center is that it gives kids who can’t afford or have an instrument at home a place where they can come and play. That’s the way I look at it. Let’s hope it’s around for their sake
Oh geez. I guess you don't like uncomfortable truths. If you love GC, now's the time to go and support them, buddy. But judging from your comment about GC being this blissful sanctuary for kids, you haven't set foot into one of those hell holes for many years.
This post fits the facts of my experience exactly with my local Guitar Center. GC used to be my go-to shop for all things related to guitars and live performance and recording gear; not any more. This post also matches my experience at the company I worked for over 35 years that was purchased by a capital equity firm; the company is now a dying shell of the company I worked at for decades.
I hate to see Guitar Center fail. We had three busy music shops in my town. They had bad attitudes, they needed competition from out of town to make them appreciate their customers. It did just that.
I just happened to go into GC this afternoon (El Cajon, not far from the Taylor factory in San Diego) and was taken aback how empty the acoustic guitar rooms were - maybe 30% full. GC has been in this down cycle before, many years ago, but this may be the end. The recent boom in guitar sales has recessed. On the topic of Sweetwater, btw, I noticed they are now offering an online store for peeps to sell used gear, similar to Reverb, but without the overarching shadow of dozens of dealers.
I'm very surprised they've lasted as long as they have...