Has anyone ever been to Guitar Center?

[PerianArdocyl]

They've got their very own accoustics room! How awesome is that? The whole place is as big as Walgreens, too!! :D

[socialmisfit]

I've never been there before, but by the sounds of it, and the size... it must be heaven! do you mean acoustics room like a room full of acoustic guitars or a room specially designed for good acoustics/sound quality? my local shop has one of those with an electric drum kit and all kinds of expensive gizmos. I must go to one of these guitar centres some day. theres a place somewhere around here that's the size of a big warehouse and has tall walls that are like, 3 guitars high! they have to use this kinda pole grabby thing to get the top ones down!! I love guitar stores!

[PerianArdocyl]

The accoustics room, in description, is this: You walk past all the straps, cases, and electrics, and there's this awesome door that's bordered like a log cabin with the words "ACCOUSTIC ROOM" etched in the log at the top. Then you walk in and it's kind of like the inside of a log cabin, old glass stains and all. It's awesome. Wall-2-Wall guitars, literally!

[socialmisfit]

awesome! the local shop in my city has a room like that! you through the main room past all the bajillion foot high marshall stacks, then past the wall of guitars, and theres some stairs with a black shaded glass door, and you cant even see through it. (actually i didnt even discover this room until like, a few months ago!! and ive been going there for years!) and you go through the door, and you go through a hallway and on one side theres a bunch of huge grand pianos and stuff, and then on the other side is like this little door you go through and theres a whole room full of acoustic guitars! green ones, red ones, blue ones, tons of them! theres a little stool set up so you can just go in and play them and its like a little hidden acoustic guitar paradise, and then theres the used amps room and the recording room.

[PerianArdocyl]

Stools in mine too. It's really groovy of them to set aside a whole separate room for the accoustics to celebrate their greatness. :p

[guitaraholic680]

I've been there. The acoustic room is vintage guitars wall to wall. I didn't like the store. It was heaven, but when i was just starting out, they were trying to get me to buy like a 400 dollar guitar. Sorry man, not going to do it, i got my 100 dollar ibanez just fine. It kicks ***.

[PerianArdocyl]

That's strange, it must've been the employees, because when I went there, they were very helpful and non-pressuring.

[GustavLesPaul]

never been there... doesnt exist in sweden!

[AcousticShred]

Its so sweet! You can try out anything you want! I had a friend who went in the back expensive acoustic room picked up a Gibson and dropped it right on the floor. Now thats bad, but he just walked away non-chalantly. Just goes to show ya.

[Slashman11]

the employees are hit or miss, i love the employees who give honest opinions when asked and dont just go with an expensive is better approach. i was lookin at amps but the guy "helping me" totally turned me off of the place because he was so overbearing. another time i went in for just some guitar picks and while there i asked how the guitar grimoire series of books was. the guy responded that they were a bit over priced but they were absolutely great. he also told me i could find the info online though, so i might want to do that. since the guy was so honest (and the books so good) i put it on my birthday list and guitarcenter made 100$ based on being honest.

[PerianArdocyl]

Its so sweet! You can try out anything you want! I had a friend who went in the back expensive acoustic room picked up a Gibson and dropped it right on the floor. Now thats bad, but he just walked away non-chalantly. Just goes to show ya.

Wooh...that really is bad...

[CaptainSG]

never been there... doesnt exist in sweden!


maybe it's like GÜitarren Centren


I dunno sorry I had to post that. Sweden's an awesome place from what I hear. I just can't read anything but english.

[PerianArdocyl]

I'm going there in a couple of weeks to finally purchase a guitar bag. They're only 20.00$, but you'll never guess how long it took me to save up that much (and I'm still saving). Stuff keeps coming up and I have to keep emptying the fund, but now I'm finally gonna get it!

[Etingi]

I think the employees really vary. Like once, all in the same day, I had one guy try to sell me a $850 American Strat when I said I wanted a Gibson, another guy try to sell me a LP Standard for like $2100 after I said that I couldn't spend that much, another guy actually help me and show me the different features on some guitars, and then yet another guy tell me not to even buy a Gibson and buy a Burny or Orville instead (even though they don't carry them). I ended up getting the Burny because I felt like he was being honest since they don't even carry the Burnys, yet he still recommended them.

[fornies]

At our guitar center they have a room filled with Mesa/Boogies and vintage guitars and amps.

[MistaMusicMan]

I LOVE THAT PLACE!! Its my playground i love it, its got a priv room for acoustics with exactly the right amount of humidity for the guitars and a priv drum sections its really good place to go plus the plus the prices are really good.

[PerianArdocyl]

Yeah I think I'm in love :luv:

Next time I go there, my mom says we can hang out for a bit (last visit was really rushed because me and her had to meet my sister at the cafeteria)

[Jake]

Ah, too commercial for me. Support your mom and pop shops or before you know it we'll all be owned by Fender and Gibson.

[tvolkmann80]

Guitar Center is the devil, Bobby Bouche!!!

[Slipstream]

I NEVER drive past a place that sells guitars. :) I've bought stuff in all three in town, and the next town over has a GC that I stop in and look around each time I'm there. I've bought stuff there everytime except once.

[GuitarMarkGR]

I LOVE my local Guitar Center, the guys there are great, no pressure, etc. I've actually bought 4 guitars from them in the past year. I travel alot with my job and although I take a little travel electric with me I usually need to feel and hear a nice acoustic so I often seek out the GC in the town I'm in. For the most part they have been good. I usually walk in the store, tell them I'm not looking just want to play. Have always been treated well even when doing that. Often given a pic, etc. Some folks don't like the GC. I'm sure that the quality varies from store to store but generally I like them. There is always a few nice Martins to play.

Mark

[Frethead]

i wish there were GC's in aus, the biggest one in my city doesnt even have an acoustic room or anything like that, that would be so awesome

[isak_9]

yeah the acoustic room rocks, fricken sweet.

[Mug]

I always get hiped up when i know i get to go down the highway to my local Guitar Center here in Dallas. But once i get their theirs always a bunch of either emo kids or shredders playing the guitars on the amps. And i feel so out of place when i grab like a fender telecaster and start playing parts of "Commotion" by CCR, or something really simple that anyone can play. Ive only been playing for about half a year now. But i love going into the acoustic room, usually no one is in it. But i like it because not everyone is trying to show off their skills in their. But i dont have an acoustic yet, im almost got enough money to get one over the winter break.

[Roman]

I like the GC in my area . . . bought 6 Taylors from 'em.

[Slight Return]

I love that room. I don't go to GC often, but every time I go there I spend a decent amount of time in there. Last time I went, my dad discovered a smaller room inside the acoustic room, basically just a little closet-type area that fits about 2 people. I brought a Martin 12 string into there, shut the door, and played for quite a while. You really can hear the true tone of the instrument in a room like that (I'm guessing it's called a dead room). I do enjoy going into the "expensive" section, though, and trying out all of the high end guitars. Sometimes people will walk in and start talking to me, and that's always fun.

There was one embarassing incident. I remember when I first started playing 12 string, I was really excited about it and I was happy with my progress, which in retrospect was meager and almost nonexistent. I started playing a tune, and this other guy that was REALLY good goes, "Are you playing Leo Kottke?" I go "yeah," and then we got into a short conversation that concluded with him doing a great rendition of "Watermelon." I am still not that great on acoustic, but I am definitely not as bad as I was that day. I haven't seen him in the acoustic room since, and I haven't had a chance to redeem myself or strike up another conversation.

[GuitarownzU]

Be careful with the person you get to help you decide what guitar you are going to get. (or amp, drums etc;) I went there to look at schecters and this guy came up and seemed like an honest nice guy, he said the guitar I was looking at was 800 dollars before taxes. I had to wait before I could finally make the purchase but when I went back he wasn't there and another guy who seemed like a ****** said that the guitar was actually 699 and that my total would be 750.

Needless to say, I don't assosciate myself with guitar center often.

Do they get commision? or how are they paid?

[TaylorES]

Yeah it all depends. At the local Guitar Center I go to the majority of the employees are honest and very helpful. But there are a couple I have to ignore since they are more intent on showing you that the brand they use is the only brand you should buy. Besides those few employees it is a great place. I usually spend more time there than my finacee would like.

[f1rocco]

I like Guitar Center....Whenever Im bored I go down there to kill time...I usually walk out with nothing....But hey thats what makes it fun sometimes...Not spending a nickel and having fun...

[tomac62]

hurry up and come to London GC!

[Too old to rock]

There are two Guitar Centers near me. I have been to both of them and they both have TWO acoustic rooms. You walk into the first and they have all the usual stuff. Washburns, Taks, Yamahas, Ibanez, Fenders, beginner kits, etc. Each also has a smaller separate room where they keep the really high-end stuff (Taylors, Martins, etc.) When I touch the door knob to the second room it vibrates and burns my hand. :(

[ManicMusician]

If I die without ever setting foot in the local Guitar Center again, I will be happy. My experience with them has SUCKED. The people are rude, and they certainly don't know what they are talking about. I have listened to them BS other people in the store, which they appear to have no shame about whatsoever. And I deeply resent being accosted concerning my purchases on the way out the door when the person SAW ME walk straight from the register to the door.

My local mom & pop music store is a little more expensive, but the people are cool, and they KNOW their stuff. It is WAY worth it to pay a little more to not have to deal with those morons at GC. I sincerely hope they are not all like that; it's depressing to think that they might be, and yet they are still doing such good business!

MM

[nick b]

If I die without ever setting foot in the local Guitar Center again, I will be happy. My experience with them has SUCKED. The people are rude, and they certainly don't know what they are talking about. I have listened to them BS other people in the store, which they appear to have no shame about whatsoever. And I deeply resent being accosted concerning my purchases on the way out the door when the person SAW ME walk straight from the register to the door.

My local mom & pop music store is a little more expensive, but the people are cool, and they KNOW their stuff. It is WAY worth it to pay a little more to not have to deal with those morons at GC. I sincerely hope they are not all like that; it's depressing to think that they might be, and yet they are still doing such good business!

MM

man that horrible! the people at my nearest guitar center are freaking awesome, or atleast the ones i've encountered.

[Strungout]

I have purchased a couple of guitars from my "local" GC. The guys I have delt with were pretty good. Once bought a Taylor 214 and the guy let me play every one they had in stock (5). There was one on the wall that was very shop worn, so he went to the back and drug out the other four. Spent about an hour making the choice and the guy never pestered me. The problem for me at GC most of the time is: 1. The place is usually utter chaos, with 3 guys shredding away, someone playing a bass at stadium volume, folks pounding on drums, etc. Even in the "acoustic room," quite often I cannot hear myself.2. I am appalled at the shape a lot of their acoustics are allowed to deteriorate into. I would have bought a Martin 000-28 Norman Blake, a guitar at the time with a list price of over 5 grand, had it not been in such a poor state. Dings, pick scratches, glazed donut finger smudges, deader than Deadonia strings, etc. Unfortunately, the store believes this to be normal shop wear. BUNK!!! That's why I will only buy something from them that I see brought out from the warehouse and watch the packing materials come out of it.

[Skapegrace]

My wife and I went to USA for a vacation from England.

We ended up in LA on a stormy February sunday in 2005. I think it was labour day/ preseident's day, some sort of national holiday anyway.

we stumbled on a Guitar Centre outside the dingy motel on Sunset Blvd.

The guy there was really cool - Hey Zoltan you roool!!
He didn't mind me trying out all these cool guitars, I was convinced I was gonna get a Jackson RR, but the guitars I was trying out were relatively cheap. I then spied on a Gibson Explorer right at the top near the ceiling.

He was like ' oh man do i have to get that down??' But he did and then WOW! my wife said you have to buy that.

My jaw dropped. I loved playing that guitar and I guess she saw that on my face.

But anyway, I think Guitar Centre is a great place and it's a pity there's nothin like that in England.

we have a crappy place called SoundControl where they didn't even let me touch an explorer even after I explained I already had one!!

just wanted to share that.

P.S. this forum is great, I can't believe the maturity of the people here, it amazes me. Keep it up guys

amit

[TGaucho]

^^^
cool story right there dude! oh to meet a woman like that.


the GC nearest me is always so damn packed and loud that it makes me want to run screaming . . but really that's just my problem, not the store's . . the acoustic room would be cool if it weren't the size of a blasted walnut! it is, however, the only place in GC that i feel comfortable trying out the guitars, don't know why . . i guess because i'm a bit shy and i know that at least on the acoustics not too many people will hear me. at least it makes the trip to the store worthwhile . . fiddling around on high end Martins is practically as good as the naughtiest of naughties for me . . just thought i'd share that

[froman1991]

i dont have a GC near me but i have had good experiences at the closest mom and pop's

[chen34212]

Guitar Center is awesome... I buy all my equipment from there.... Its 2-3 times bigger than Sam Ash and much nicer...

[Dude Absher]

We have a Guitar Center here in Kansas City and it is very big like you say.

Now take that size and Xs it by 10 and you then have the Musicians Friend Store here also. In back it has 16 semi slots for unloading and loading shipments.

Get this they are moving because it is to small...

[Bullet Comes]

I do use guitar center for pedals, picks, strings, stuff like that. It is what it is man, a largely commercial music store. They work on commission and try to sell depending on what you show you know or what you obviously don't know. Most are just teens or people in their early 20's who know a little bit but could care less about the consumer. But you also get the one's who do care and it is good to see there are some out there.

I would love to get another les paul and I could but I am married and if I spent 2000 dollars on a guitar she would shove it in my ***. Quote unquote.
They do have nice guitars there and it is a shame that some are treated like crap. I do go into the acoustic room and look but I usually go to the high end room in philly because I play a taylor and I like to see the other taylors they have or how much they are selling my model for.
Good selection yeah, too bad there are bad apples to ruin the experience for musicians.

[Exothermia]

Most are just teens or people in their early 20's who know a little bit but could care less about the consumer.

Hit the nail on the head. In all the times I've been to Guitar Center, I've seen the range of salespeople from completely ignorant to simply flat-out lying in order to get a higher commission. The only good thing about Guitar Center is size. Their clientele sucks, the atmosphere is basically Wal-Mart, and their salespeople situation is what it is. Luckily in my town there is a much better independent guitar shop which is just as big as Guitar Center, where only about 5 people work, who all know what they're doing. It amazes me that Guitar Center has 15 employees working every time I go there, and the next time I'm there, there are 15 new people working there. And none of them are at all helpful.

[Orangechilly]

They have one here, Man I love that place, There are two accoustic rooms,and they had that Bose tower amp in there too amd alot of highend guitars....and alot of everything else as well. I spent 4 hours in it last week.

[chrisarrington]

I go there all the time and I am never pressured. Sit around and play for hours if you want, they don't care here.

[Cryber27]

I wish we had a guitar center here in Northern Ontario...We get hosed so bad on prices it's silly. To get anything decent I have to drive 2 hours out of town to find anything that's reasonable. That's pretty much why ebay is so tempting I guess.

[guitarfun]

Guitar Center is an awesome stop, but I admit, I have had trouble before with some of their less than helpful and sometimes outright rude employees. But, all and all, where else can you walk in and pick up a $3,000 guitar and just start playing it with no questions asked?