GC report: looking good.

[DaPatrooch]

You guys are lucky. The Guitar Centers around me never have EBMMs. They have lots of the basses, but rarely the guitars. The most Music Man guitars I've ever seen at a Guitar Center is 1 Axis Super Sport. One time they had a Rosewood, the next time they had one with MM90s, and the next time they had a regular Honey Burst. And the visits weren't in a row.

 

[mb99zz]

I just visited the GC in Rockville and was amazed to find they had 15 EBMMs in stock and displayed together. Before I have only ever seen 3 at most. It was such a pleasure to be able to try almost the entire range in one sitting including an Al. Looks like GC is doing an amazing job working with EBMM and that things are really looking up.

That's good news. I'm in the Bethesda area pretty frequently. I'll take a stroll up 270 and check it out next week. Is that GC in the old Venaman's building?

 

[Slingy]

Last time I was in one local they had a nice selection. 3 Sports, 2 Petruccis, and a Luke that I took home. Pretty sure there was a blackburst BFR petrucci in the platinum room too, didn't go in there.

The other local GC where I prefer to shop is not a "primary" store yet as was explained to me and has no EBMM's last I check. Stores that are very new they said don't get prime merchandise until after some time.

 

[philiprst]

That's good news. I'm in the Bethesda area pretty frequently. I'll take a stroll up 270 and check it out next week. Is that GC in the old Venaman's building?

That's the one!

 

[Kristopher]

The GCs I've been to lately seem to be improving a lot. The employees are nicer and more knowledgeable. All in all, the stores are looking better than ever.

There were two BFR guitars in the location I went to today, over on Peoria Ave in Phoenix. Really nice looking instruments.

 

[ducatisteve]

The last time I was at the Tallahassee GC, they did not have any EBMM's. It's a good thing I live only a couple hours away from Bass Central these days....

 

[mb99zz]

I finally got out to the GC in Rockville per Philiprst's post. Wow! They had some balls. Just as Phil stated, GC had a separate wall that had maybe 15 EBMMs all by themselves. It was so cool to see so many EBMM's together. There were several other EBMMs mixed about with other makes and models as well.

Here's something cool...I saw three guys who were obviously there together. They were probably in their 50's and two of them were testing out EBMM's while I was there. One was playing a red Silhouette the entire time while the other was testing a couple different Axis Super Sports. That guy seemed to really dig an all Rosewood ASS.

Unfortunately, I couldn't sample anything since I had my 2 year old daughter with me. She's at that stage in life that EVERYTHING has to be touched and I figured I didn't need to leave GC buying a new guitar with a dent in it

Anyway, I chated with the guy who was playing the Silo. The guitar sounded great. He really seemed to like it. When I left he had passed the Silo to his buddy who had been playing the Axis Super Sports. I heard them chatting about how nice the neck was on the Silo.

I need to get out there this week (by myself) and get my hands on some of those guitars. It was torture to see all those Balls knowing I couldn't play any of them. For those in the DC area, they had several Axis Super Sports, JP6's, Silhouettes, a couple of Lukes, a 20th Anniversary Silo (which looked fantastic) and one AL. Interestingly, three of the five Super Sports I saw were Tobacco Bursts. I guess TB is a very popular color.

 

[southpawmax]

I live about a mile from them. While that GC has great stock, the manager there is the worst person I have ever dealt with. I work at a music school and we used to be located on the third floor there but left because they embezzled about $10,000 from us to make up for shortfalls in their sales. We have the evidence but instead of suing they gave us a great deal to keep quiet. The moment that ended though they got even worse.
If you are in the area, go to Chuck's. Last time i was there they had about ten balls, but the salespeople are nicer and more knowledgeable. Also I prefer supporting independent business.

 

[mb99zz]

I was in the area for my nephew's birthday party, I figured I'd stop in and see what they had. My goal is to try out a Silo, JP6, and possibly an AL for a future purchase. I haven't tried any of those yet.

I appreciate the heads-up. I'll likely buy from Pete D. when the time comes.

 

[Astrofreq]

Went into GC Manhattan yesterday. Probably 10 balls there. I did notice that the BFR Luke had sparkle back and sides. Do all of them?

 

[Big Poppa]

that sparkle back is one of just a few that is really a special guitar

 

[Roubster]

Yea, the GC in NYC is really looking nice I must say!!! I was there the other day and they have a whole pillar covered in EBMMs. They have a Blue Dawn JP, I think like 3 JP BFRs, the SPECIAL Luke BFR which I played through a Peavey JSX (sounded KILLER). They have 3 Silos, few other JPs, another Spahire LUKE, and ASS, and they STILL have 2oth Silo there, and even an AL which is a rarity to see in stock I guess. Its actually a joy to go there now just to look at the wall and be able to test run these beauties throug a proper amp.
Cant wait to get my JSX to play my 20th Silo and hot roded Silo Sp through.

 

[Astrofreq]

that sparkle back is one of just a few that is really a special guitar

I must say, it added some pizzazz for sure! I didn't think they were all like that as I had never seen one of those on the forums. Maybe I'll go take a picture for all the kiddies on the forum.

 

[Geno_xl]

I haven't had any luck lately. The GC by me only carries Stingray's. But they always have a large selection of OLP's.

I remember a few years ago they always had a good half dozen or so of the axis' in stock. those were the good old days

 

[starsky]

Guitar Center in Houston seems to be much better for EBMMs now. When I was there about 18 months ago they only had 3 - the mandatory black Luke, rosewood ASS and a standard JP.

Visiting again this year the selection had improved hugely - they had a BFR Luke, BFR JP6, a few Lukes in assorted colours, a few JP's, a couple of ASS's, an Axis and even three Silos. And a rosewood ASS.

First time I'd even seen a Silo in the flesh, they feel very comfortable. I'd be interested to try a Silo Special.

Only complaint was that they needed to sort out the setup on almost all the store EBMM's I tried. String buzz, action too low/too high, not the best impression for anyone trying one for the first time, but that seems to be a general problem in most GC's I've been to. Wish they'd check and sort out the setup when they arrive in the store when they've shifted in transit, and maybe check them periodically in the store as well.

The v on the neck of the BFR Luke didn't seem quite so pronounced as on my regular Lukes, it was ever so slightly flatter on the back, which was interesting. Nice guitar!