I think I've had my fill of Guitar Center

[romanianreaper]

Well it has been months since I've been to a Guitar Center. Today I had some extra time and decided to drive over and check out some stuff. Needless to say, I had a horrible time. I was just completely mentally exhausted at how disappointing the selection, etc. was.

There was a used Peter Frampton Custom that a guy pulled down for me (for the record I just couldn't connect with that guitar. Something seemed too twangy with it). Anyway, I plugged into about 4 amps and every single one either didn't work, was crackling, or had been set at ridiculous settings for a normal guitarist.

As usual, one kid was playing the same rumbling note over and over (ala' KORN) on my right, while another kid was on my left playing an out of tune solo with the treble at ear-piercing levels. Meanwhile a drummer (awesome player by the way) was playing an entire drum solo in the next showroom. All of these events separately wouldn't have been a big deal. You add my frustration with the guitar, the amps all screwed up, and the extra noise, and I had just had it.

I like the concept of Guitar Center. I like being able to walk into a store without a snobby salesman rolling his eyes when I want to try something out. I'm sure every Guitar Center is a little different but I don't know...I just hit a wall today with that place. For the first time I walked out of there and thought I may never go into one of those every again.

 

[romanianreaper]

I just checked the specs on the Frampton and can't believe it has a 500T in the bridge. Whatever I heard today didn't sound like that pickup. Either the pickup height was set too high or those few amps I played thru were jacked up (which is very possible).

 

[JakeAC5253]

Well it has been months since I've been to a Guitar Center. Today I had some extra time and decided to drive over and check out some stuff. Needless to say, I had a horrible time. I was just completely mentally exhausted at how disappointing the selection, etc. was.

There was a used Peter Frampton Custom that a guy pulled down for me (for the record I just couldn't connect with that guitar. Something seemed too twangy with it). Anyway, I plugged into about 4 amps and every single one either didn't work, was crackling, or had been set at ridiculous settings for a normal guitarist.

As usual, one kid was playing the same rumbling note over and over (ala' KORN) on my right, while another kid was on my left playing an out of tune solo with the treble at ear-piercing levels. Meanwhile a drummer (awesome player by the way) was playing an entire drum solo in the next showroom. All of these events separately wouldn't have been a big deal. You add my frustration with the guitar, the amps all screwed up, and the extra noise, and I had just had it.

I like the concept of Guitar Center. I like being able to walk into a store without a snobby salesman rolling his eyes when I want to try something out. I'm sure every Guitar Center is a little different but I don't know...I just hit a wall today with that place. For the first time I walked out of there and thought I may never go into one of those every again.

Hahahaha, so you must be the guy who is sitting playing some nice blues/rock riffs and tasteful improv and gets pissed when a kid like me walks in and starts crunching some modern metal riffs and original tracks I've written. Now don't get me wrong, I don't play KORN or any shit like that, but it happens almost every time. I don't mean anything by it, but there is always that guy sitting over by a combo amp that is giving me dirty looks just for breathing there. It's funny that I should read an experience that speaks from the opposite point of view

On topic: you and me both bro, I can't stand going there and it's usually not the gear that pisses me off the most, it's the know-it-all know-nothings that work there. I walk in with guitar in hand and head straight for the amps and right away some dude wants to ask me where I'm going so he can get his earnings if I decide to buy something that day. And it would be fine if they actually had answers for me, instead whenever I say what I want or am looking for they always get this dumbfounded look on their faces like I just spoke a different language to him. I can't stand that they don't know anything there, are constantly telling me to turn down, and always expect me to buy something every time I walk in the door. I can talk about this all night, but I'll cut it there for brevity's sake.

A few times I'll look over my shoulder and catch the employees head bobbing to an original riff that I've written, which is really cool considering how many things they hear day in and day out.

 

[OldSkoolNJ]

Just a noisy fucking place with generic shit gear...
I only go there if I need something asap or an emergency other than that..

 

[Spaceboy]

I don't mind the noise and shit, but they really don't carry gear that I care enough to buy. I occasionally wander in for some cords or something and horse around for awhile, but never really find anything would actually buy.

 

[SFW]

My last trip to GC was a little over two months ago. I walked in with money in hand to buy a new guitar. After wanting to choke a salesman to death, I walked out with my money and picked up a better guitar for not much more coin at a small local shop. I will never go into a GC again. I can't stand the whole vibe there. Broken used gear and premium prices... no thanks.

 

[Gorehog]

i go to GC a cpl times a year.soon it'll be the holiday season and the missus and i will go shopping and i stop in.only to buy a songbook,dvd or picks.i would never buy an amp or guitar there.i have played some of the floor model junk guitars they leave around for customers but its been well over a year since i've done that.

GC is just a big headache to me.you really can't go in there and play thru an amp and get an idea of how it sounds while someone is ratting off the intro riff to "master of puppets"over and over.

the last time i actually played thru something there all i heard was one kid playing the intro solo to "fade to black" and another kid playing the riff to TOOLS "aenima" over and over and over.

sheesh!!!!!!!

 

[glassjaw7]

I've mentioned it before, but I like the one near my old apartment in MN. Really cool people who take care of the gear and check the amps on a somewhat regular basis. (At least they did while I lived there) They always had cool used amps, and they carry some pretty decent stuff regularly. (Mesa, EVH, Blackstar, and of course the usual crap too )

They have a soundproof amp room and they'll set up any amp you want in there and let you rock out. I put many amps through their paces in that room including my dual rec that I ended up buying, a Stage II Stiletto, H&K Triamp I, used SLO, 5150 III, Marshall JVM and many others.

OP, I know what you're talking about however, as I've been to some pretty shady GC's. The one in Appleton, WI sucks balls and the one I went to in Chicago was only ok.

 

[chameleon2112]

I went to our GC here in Fresno. Went in knowing I wanted to play the 5150 III, JVM, and the Mesa MarkV. Guy saw what I wanted to play and handed me the $1800 axis guitar which I played 5153 and JVM.Went into toroom to play the Mark V and played the Surfing with the Alien Guitar. Had fun.5153 and Mark V are on my list ab next time wenI take my own guitar.

 

[jet66]

I like the one in south Orlando, I've had good dealings with quite a few of the guys there. I usually find some nice prices on used gear, too. The new stuff they stock is definitely a little too generic, but it's convenient for the staple stuff.

 

[zee1usa]

"I think I've had my fill of Guitar Center"

Every time I leave that place I say the same thing.


and before I go in I KNOW that I am going to feel this way.

 

[Heritage Softail]

GC is a particular experience. Wal Mart music store. I avoid Saturday mornings. They usually have lots of items that came in on trade at the two GC's here. I have not experienced the 'turn down' bit. I don't think they do that at the Atlanta store. It is not the store to go in to talk to an amp tech.

They definitely have people working there that know very little about amps and guitars. My all time crazy music store moment was at GC when the kid of 20 piercings and black fingernail polish was explaining to me that I needed this Line 6 combo with on board effects.... it was epic dude.... and when I told him I was happy with my amp, an SLO, he told me the Line 6 was way way better.... And the manager was there and chimed in the SLO is a one trick pony that the Line 6 would be better for my needs and they could work a trade for me. How kind of them....

 

[charveldan]

GC has nothing i can't get off ebay or online, i avoid them like HIV, my local Vintage shop has all i ever need, with an owner who really gives a shit, acmeguitars.com

 

[Motorpud]

I think I wrote a thread about the same thing 7 or 8 months ago. I'm so sick of that place. The one around here is just a worthless shithole with nothing you'd want to buy. It's weird because when I first started going there they had much better gear and it seems like now every guitar is a squire, MIM strat or tele, and 15 of the cheapest Jacksons in 2 of 3 different colors. The so-called "vault" where they used to keep all the good stuff has like a renegade and some little Bugera combo sitting there and a few shitty guitars hanging on the wall, kind of sickening really when I think about how I used to like to go there when it first opened and try out all the cool gear I won't go there anymore except to grab a couple packs of strings or some picks

 

[dfrattaroli]

Hey, I'll listen to any talented player. There's something to learn from everyone. But what drives me crazy are the f#$king tools who come to the store together, grab $300 Ibanez RGs off the wall, plug into adjacent Line6 combos and commence to have band practice. Badly. I mean what the f$#k are they thinking? They clearly have no intention to buy anything. And they usually suck. It's the Walmart of music gear.

 

[dfrattaroli]

It's weird because when I first started going there they had much better gear and it seems like now every guitar is a squire, MIM strat or tele, and 15 of the cheapest Jacksons in 2 of 3 different colors.

True. When I got back into playing in 2003, I could walk into my local GC and there were literally 5 or 6 Mark IVs and lots of Boogie stuff. This was before the "vault". Now, the vault is where they keep the Les Pauls only an artist or cork sniffing fruit will buy. And under those Les Pauls? The hallowed Marshall JVM or Renegade.

 

[stratotone]

My favorite GC moments are when two or more guitarists or a guitarist and bassist decide to hold a mini-concert at the local GC. At earsplitting levels to be sure everyone can hear them. And generally out of tune with each other.

I've dropped enough coin at my GC that I could probably grab the loudest amp there, crank it and nobody would say shit to me... but when I check out gear I just want to hear it loud enough that I don't hear anyone else over me. That's it. If the GC is quiet, then I play quietly too.

I worked at a mom and pop music store as a teacher and sometimes salesguy, had a really obnoxious kid playing really bad atonal metal. Manager grinned at me, said "watch this" and cut power to the outlets on the electric side. Kid thought he blew something up and ran out of there so fast he nearly left his shadow behind.

Pete

 

[smdb]

GC has nothing i can't get off ebay or online, i avoid them like HIV, my local Vintage shop has all i ever need, with an owner who really gives a shit, acmeguitars.com

The last time I was in that store (acmeguitars) they did not have anything worth a damn in there, it looks like I may need to visit them again.

 

[RockStarNick]

Facts about guitar center:

• If you need a particular Fender or Gibson part, they will have every part BUT the one you want.
• If you want to try a guitar out, the action will be godawful
• If you want to try out an amp, it will be broken, or there will be no cable lying around
• If you ask to borrow a pick it will be a Fender thin
• If you want to try out a drumset, there will always be a seemingly abandoned 5 year old banging on it at the moment.
• If you need help, there will be no one available.
• If you want to be left alone, there will swarms of sales goons.

Guitar center is good for: Strings on sale, and the occasional piece of rare used gear.

 

[Hard&Heavy]

Our local gc's have gone down hill in a big hurry this past year. It seems that they are catering to the teenie boppers (Nothing meant against anybody here) It's just that they seem to be carrying a bunch of junk lately. Once in awhile they get something in used that is worth looking at. Whats really bad is when I have to tell the sell's person about there product, because they do not know anything about it. Now there are some sell's people that do know,but not many.

I was just there not to long ago walked in and was back out in 2 min's,no need to go there for awhile.