Crazy Music Man clearance at GC

[Greg Suarez]

I purchased 4 EBMM guitars from GC (returned one for fret issue). I can confirm that I got them for great prices... but I suspect - pure speculation - that Ernie Ball has put GC on credit hold just like PRS and Behringer did.

Hmm... I was unaware of GC's woes. This is an interesting article I just found on Google:

Deep in Debt, Big Retailer Guitar Center May Be Acquired - Create Digital Music

I'm not sure MM has put them on credit hold, however, since I know that GC just got a new shipment of JPX's and JPX with rosewood necks. However, I have noticed their selection of plain-jane JP6 and JP7 models (which are the least expensive of all MM JP models) has dwindled to almost nothing. GC seems to have focused on the higher priced models - the "anniversary" JPs and Majesties.

 

[mudf00t]

Hmm... I was unaware of GC's woes. This is an interesting article I just found on Google:

Deep in Debt, Big Retailer Guitar Center May Be Acquired - Create Digital Music

I'm not sure MM has put them on credit hold, however, since I know that GC just got a new shipment of JPX's and JPX with rosewood necks. However, I have noticed their selection of plain-jane JP6 and JP7 models (which are the least expensive of all MM JP models) has dwindled to almost nothing. GC seems to have focused on the higher priced models - the "anniversary" JPs and Majesties.

I think it depends on your market because both of the stores in my area - Charlotte, NC - have dumped all high end guitars except for Gibson and Fender. In addition, they shipped the stock of PRS that they had to Greenville, SC. So it's possible that they are moving some of these higher end guitars to markets where they sell better.

They have been purchased in a debt-for-equity deal by an investment group called Ares Management.

Guitar Center gets new owner and relief from crushing debt - Los Angeles Times

I was told that they had to come up with $200 million cash by a buddy of mine that pays attention to the stock market. Also, as far as PRS goes, I just recently learned that they will no longer have any US made production models. They will all be made to order.

 

[mystixboi1]

Also, as far as PRS goes, I just recently learned that they will no longer have any US made production models. They will all be made to order.

What?!?! That's pretty big news. Where did you hear this?

 

[mudf00t]

What?!?! That's pretty big news. Where did you hear this?

From the manager at my local music store - who is a PRS dealer. He told me he got a memo from PRS.

Keep in mind that "made to order" doesn't mean you will have to order a PRS to buy one. It means that the dealers who stock them will.

 

[beej]

Guys- let's not get into speculation about Guitar Center's finances, please. This forum isn't the place for it.

 

[uOpt]

My GC people, which look a lot more coherent than previous generations of it, insist that they just want to get rid of the old models and will get new stock, such as the neck-through new petrucchi.

Given how old some of that discounted inventory is according to the serial numbers it looks pretty plausible to me.

 

[ksandvik]

My GC people, which look a lot more coherent than previous generations of it, insist that they just want to get rid of the old models and will get new stock, such as the neck-through new petrucchi.

Given how old some of that discounted inventory is according to the serial numbers it looks pretty plausible to me.

Still quite useable guitars and as many have noticed, those are really good deals just now.

 

[DrewH]

From the manager at my local music store - who is a PRS dealer. He told me he got a memo from PRS.

Keep in mind that "made to order" doesn't mean you will have to order a PRS to buy one. It means that the dealers who stock them will.

On the PRS forum, PRS has stated how the relationship will continue with GC and its not what you are saying. Of course your dealer is going to say that... He doesn't want you to have any reason to walk into a GC. Lets keep to the facts that can be backed up, kids.

 

[Big Poppa]

well here we go....WIll some of you look at yourselves? Really...a thread about a sale and 13 pages of management advice to both companies....old press releases from very marginal sources...speculation about credit standing with my company....prs's not making usa guitars...and then the person who spreads falsehoods posts a nazi pic because we tell him this isnt the place to post and promote financial information about another company...especially since the info was false....Really do you know how stupid you look comparing your being asked to tone something down on a commercial forum to nazi Germany? AND once again you were wrong to begin with.

Now enough of armchair running Guitar Center or my company....You want to talk about guitars start a thread....you want to talk about the clearance then post away

For the record...Guitar Center got rid of Bain Capital....by swapping debt for equity with Ares....Ares is bullish and is happy to relieve the debt and go about growing GC...

For the record...Guitar Center has always paid its bills like clockwork....They have never been on credit hold with my company
For the record PRS is in the usa made guitar business...Paul is my friend and he isnt going anywhere but up

Guitar Center is moving high end stuff to the stores that have proven they can represent and sell high end guitars....we will be in about 120 stores when its done

 

[xjbebop]

I've seen articles 2-3 times a year for the last 4-5 years saying GC is going out of business...
And yet, my local store is in the middle of a remodel that's going to double it's size. We were in there tonight and even in the middle of the construction, I saw new EBMM's and PRSi...

Just because you read it on the interweb doesn't make it true...

 

[DrKev]

In light of BPs last post, I think this thread has more than run it's course. Time to lay this one gently to bed.

 

[Big Poppa]

thank you