GC observations

[BigSkyTaylorPlayer]

I spent some time at the GC in Hallandale, FL last week and the salespeople in that store were very nice, friendly, and helpful.  I even mentioned that I was just looking and was in from out of town but they took time to answer my ques and explain things and I was free to play anything I wanted.

They had a Taylor 914ce that was BEAUTIFUL and sounded FABULOUS!  This store was not loud, well lighted, clean, organized, and well-stocked (I almost left with a powder blue Les Paul but managed to control my GAS.

Most GC's I go into here in Northern Virginia are loud and disorganized with equipment that looks like it's been put through the ringer - I don't even really go there anymore BC the experience is not fun.

[michaelw]

hi TP516,
i'm glad your experience at the GC when out were out of town was a pleasant one

the local GC that i used to frequent, while a friend worked there, was nice as well, in terms
of the acoustic instruments (as that was his 'department') & i was able to find 'what i was
looking for' even when i wasn't looking for something in particular, especially a number of
great, relatively inexpensive solid top guitars, some models that were exclusive to GC &
some really nice pre-owned gear (among them a 98 Martin SWD that remains right here) -
in addition, he & i had the 'same' tonal & aesthetic preferences so, when he let me know
about a guitar he thought i should check out, we were on the 'same book & page' most
of the time (or, at least the same chapter) & it didn't hurt that there was a great chinese
buffet that was pretty much right across the road, which we went to every chance we got

the 'bad' thing is i would go in there & at any one time i'd see a good mix (5 or 6) of +/- $2k
guitars that i'd check out & i 'wouldn't mind' letting all them follow me home ... dangerous

[Edward]

Lots of GC bashing out there, and lots well deserved, I;'m sure.  But like any chain, each has its own "culture" created by whoever is running the joint.  I've been to some that are great, relaxed, and genuinely friendly; others that want to help you only if they see you're "serious" about buying; then there's that infamous salesman who knows everything and points you to the "Esteban" (fill in the blank) that just came that blows away guitars at 4x its price.  Glad you had a great time!

Edward

[Go Navy]

My local GC is pretty well stocked with guitars, but the overall typical crowd/atmosphere is pretty far out with the tattoos, body piercings and rock wannabes making lots of noise. I'm not a music snob and that's apparently the broad part of the local market, so more power to them.  I'm not a keyboard person, but it seems to have a good keyboard room.  The acoustic rooms are well set up.  The first one, larger, has the less expensive stuff;  the inner sanctum is climate and humidity controlled, smaller, somewhat sound isolated, and has the good stuff hanging on the wood paneled walls.....Martins, higher priced Taylors (5xx to 9xx), etc.   So that is the best part of the store.

The store's amplifier presentation is chaotic.  Can't make any sense of it, except the bass amps are in their own corner.  Generally the employees are really nice folk but they don't know squat about jazz (understandable), and only a couple seem to know enough about acoustic guitars.

[Tammany Tiger]

Lots of GC bashing out there, and lots well deserved, I'm sure.  But like any chain, each has its own "culture" created by whoever is running the joint.  I've been to some that are great, relaxed, and genuinely friendly; others that want to help you only if they see you're "serious" about buying; then there's that infamous salesman who knows everything and points you to the "Esteban" (fill in the blank) that just came that blows away guitars at 4x its price.  Glad you had a great time!

Edward

This has been my experience too. My local GC is noisy and chaotic with shredders and head bangers. The acoustic room is physically nice but the inventory leaves a lot to be desired. Their Taylor inventory is never more than about five guitars and they have had the same four Gibson acoustics on the wall for two years. They have a good selection of maybe a dozen Martin dreads and then the rest of the room (probably 80% of their inventory) is filled with low end, price oriented guitars.

In terms of sales people, they have one decent guy who is friendly and knowldgeable about acoustics. He has taken care of me for years and made sure that I get pretty good deals although getting the right price has become significantly harder (often impossible) since the venture capital firm bought the chain. Other than my guy the rest of the salesmen are either tatooed electric players or lunkheads. The manager of the acoustic department knows guitars but insists upon trying to impress you with how much he knows and how little you know.

One day last year I went in to buy a pretty expensive piece of gear that the store had in stock. After this guy finished belittling my knowledge of the item (and at one point my playing style), I just left and took the business up the street.

I guess he really showed me that he was the Alpha wolf.

GC used to be a lot of fun. Lately it has been too much trouble and noise.

[Go Navy]

Good move, Tammany Tiger!

[BigSkyTaylorPlayer]

I wonder if the Taylor folks here might discuss this with GC since they do alot of Road Shows there.

The Road Show I went to here in No. VA last fall was fun (it was a Taylor Road Show after all) but the GC was disorganized and smelly and loud.  Worst of all, I wanted to see the electrics in action and the Road Crew said that BC GC doesn't have Taylor electrics they weren't going to demo them - I was like.....dang that's really what I wanted to see.

[e8n]

We seem to have the tale of two GCs here.  One is very nice, very well run and you can get help if you need it.  The other has lots of stuff but the only place you can get help is with the acoustic guitars.  They have an overly stocked selection so there is hardly room to move around the acoustic room.  If you go into the keyboard or PA section there are tumbleweeds near the gear as far as people helping although there are four of them standing at the front counter talking to each other.  The northern one is completely the opposite.  Each time I've been in there I've been asked if I needed help all throughout the store.  The sales people are knowledgeable and very friendly.  It truly is like two completely different businesses.

-Dave

[SMan]

My local GC has been all over the board in terms of service and store feel.  They went through a period where I couldn't stand the place but now its gotten better.  I have found the key is to go right when they open before the noise levels become incredibly high.  I've negotiated decent deals on a few amps and stuff.  Overall I'd give them a B.

[jrporter]

I learned yesterday that not all Guitar Center stores are created nor run equally. Different levels determine who gets which guitars....