I saw something crazy today

[Quarter]

My experience with GC has been for the most part very good.

It started a few months ago when at 48 years old, I decided to learn to play guitar.
My first trip to GC was kind of intimidating / overwhelming.
All that shinny gear and a pushy sales person threw me into sensory overload and I could not get out of the store quick enough.
But, that didn't keep me from my quest. I educated myself a bit, learned the difference between a humbucker and a single coil and ventured back in.
Armed with a little bit of knowledge, all the shinny gear was no longer scary and I found a sales person that was fantastic.
In case anyone from GC sees this, Guitano (sp?) from the San Marcos CA store deserves huge props.

Now my dilemma is that I am again afraid to go back to my GC.
You see, they have a beautiful 20th in there that is calling me with that siren song.

 

[koogie2k]

Keep in mind people that this was probably done at gunpoint.

Keith...you're a funny dude....lol

Norrin, I don't feel like you went at me......just gave out your opinion.

 

[phatduckk]

I like GC just fine. if they were closer id go more often.

The thing with GC is they're HUGE. They have a LOT of stores. I've never managed one store, much less hundereds each with thousands of peices of inventory & people walking in and out all day long. Its a tough problem.

Some employess might not know that much. I have no idea how many emplyees work at a single store but im guessing its in the range of "a lot". And if its true that theres a lot running on commission etc then youd expect a bit of turnover. The point im trying to make is that they probably dont have the luxury to make sure every single person they hire knows a lot of stuff about a lot of the brands they carry. Its a tough problem for GC and they are a business and theyre smart and they know its in their best intrest to make all customers happy... whether that's thru inventory, price or a knowlegable staff. I bet theyre trying to figure all of this out and that takes time.

I come from the computer world... so here's how i rationalize it. Most of us have a computer at home that works fine most of the time. but sometimes stuff happens and you get pissed. printer doesnt work, the USB port the digital camera is plugged into craps out (and you have no idea) etc. Its a pain in the ass isnt it? Now imagine running hundereds of servers - some are here, some are there... its a huge and hard task making sure that everything is humming along smoothely.

anything that is huge and spread all over is hard to manage. if they could get everything perfect overnight they would...

 

[Enzo]

Thanks everybody for your constructive comments about Guitar Center's representation of Music Man guitars - and special thanks to Big Poppa for his eloquent support of our joint efforts to be the place where the pro's love to shop.

I'm delighted that many of you have noticed the increased stock of Music Man guitars in our stores, it's good to see the efforts of our partnership with Ernie Ball recognised by you - our customer.

There seems to be a lot of interest regarding which Guitar Center stores have what MM guitars, so I thought I would give you some insight...

Guitar Center carries five Music Man guitars ongoing, they are:

Luke Trem in Black
Petrucci Trem Piezo in Pearl Red Burst
Petrucci Trem Piezo in Saphire Black
Axis SS Dbl Hum in Rosewood with a Rosewood neck
Axis SS Dbl Hum in Honetburst with a Maple neck

These five models are stocked in 28 stores across the country. Those stores are:

Hollywood, San Marcos, La Mesa, Fountain Valley, Sherman Oaks, Scottsdale, San Francisco, San Jose, Concord, Sacramento, Seattle, North Chicago, Central Chicago, Twin Cities, Appleton, Rockford, Edina, Arlington, Houston, Central Dallas, Austin, Overland Park, Nashville, Atlanta, Manhattan, East Brunswick, Towson, Rockville.

In addition to this, we often buy additional, different spec guitars just to spice things up a bit. Naturally, we can Special Order for individual customers any guitar in any specification from any Guitar Center location.

As Guitar Center sales and Music Man production capacity continues to improve, we hope to add more models to more stores in the near future.

I hope this information helps. Please contact me directly via the forum if you have any other questions.

Regards,

Michael Doyle
Director of Guitars and Amplification
Guitar Center Inc

 

[Big Poppa]

Hey Kids

How many directors of big box retailers post on supplier forums on Sunday?

 

[brentrocks]

Do You really care? When's the last time you bought a new EBMM?

This was suppose to be funny.
Nothing to see here

Nice read koogs

WOW...yeah i would like to get a Morse, but i cant play one because the store doesnt stock them!!!!!!!!!

 

[Jimi D]

After picking up my Rosewood Axis yesterday, I stopped by our local Long & McQuade (I'd heard they were having a huge sale on gig bags and wanted to pick up a good one cheap - which I did) and I actually had the opportunity to play a Silhouette Bass!! These guys have maybe five SUB 1's in stock, a Silhouette, and a Sil. Bass?!? I couldn't believe it - it was the first time that I'd seen one of these in the flesh (or in the wood) and it was very cool, but I was too enraptured by my new Axis to do more than noodle on it for a minute or two... Still, I'd like to go back and plug it in for a while, just for fun...

 

[Warg Master]

I like my GC.... They just don't stock the MM (YET) or keep their guitars as fresh as they should. That being said, I have bought 5 or 6 guitar from them in the last 7 years. 2 of those were my first ever EBMMs. The Pet and the Axis. The pet was actually well maintained, even though it had been in the store for more then a year. The axis was not so well maintained and had been in the store LONGER then the Pet.... the fret board was DIRTY as hell and the strings were ****ing nasty. BUT, when I bought it, with out any propmting, they gave me 5 free sets of string PLUS they restrung it for me AND cleaned it up... They also threw in a nice strap! I've been doing business with one guy there since then because of that... and if they're going to try to get better, I'm all for it!

 

[koogie2k]

Thanks Enzo for the additional information.......

 

[NorM]

Hey Kids

How many directors of big box retailers post on supplier forums on Sunday?

I read that and thought that was very cool.
Welcome Enzo!
Hopefully you have some more information that you could share with us about EBMM and GC. I know you just dropped a pant load of info on us but I think that kind of stuff is super cool. If you do have something that was ordered to "Spice Up" a store that seems to be getting dusty, perhaps you could bring it to our attention here. Thanks for comming round and I think you could become popular here.

WOW...yeah i would like to get a Morse, but i cant play one because the store doesnt stock them!!!!!!!!!

Brent,

Have you tried the dealer locater to see if there is a store within 200 miles that has one?
If you come over to the house I’ll let you try mine.
I think Musician’s Friend has a 30 day NQA return policy.
I assure you that if you want a Morse (or y2d) and special order it you will be blown away.

 

[brentrocks]

Norm, i would love to jam at your place! Sorry about the language, but every time i go in that GC, i walk out asking myself..why do i go back there?

It's for cheap slikys!!!, that's why!!!!

 

[SteveB]

Enzo,

Thanks for that contribution.. very timely and useful information. Now duck and run before the MarkBass questions start...

 

[Enzo]

Hopefully you have some more information that you could share with us about EBMM and GC. I know you just dropped a pant load of info on us but I think that kind of stuff is super cool. If you do have something that was ordered to "Spice Up" a store that seems to be getting dusty, perhaps you could bring it to our attention here. Thanks for comming round and I think you could become popular here.

Actually, our Electric Guitar Buyers are at Ernie Ball today putting the finishing touches to a revised Music Man assortment. In the meantime I am pleased to let you know that we do have some 20th Anniversary Silhouettes in Trans Caramel Burst available right now - in addition to our ongoing models.

I'll let you know about other developments as and when they happen.

All the best,

Michael Doyle
Director of Guitars and Amplification
Guitar Center

 

[phatduckk]

Actually, our Electric Guitar Buyers are at Ernie Ball today putting the finishing touches to a revised Music Man assortment. In the meantime I am pleased to let you know that we do have some 20th Anniversary Silhouettes in Trans Caramel Burst available right now - in addition to our ongoing models.

I'll let you know about other developments as and when they happen.

All the best,

Michael Doyle
Director of Guitars and Amplification
Guitar Center

sweet! thanks for all the info