Is it okay?

rudarb · November 2nd, 2009, 10:38 AM

All right, like I said in an earlier thread im thinking about buying an American Standard strat, ive had great experiences playing a few in my local gutiar center. However, they do not carry the color I want (I know, really stupid), and for some reason it really bugs me, plus if I buy it in store I DONT get the free case, cable, and all the other stuff than if I were to buy it online. So, heres my dilema. I like to play a guitar before I buy it. Ive played a few MIA strats, both were amazing, so im happy with that. But, I get kind of freaked out about buying online, I just feel like ill get screwed and get a bad one (very unlikely, but you know it could happen). Has anybody ordered thier guiatr online? Did it turn out okay? Horror stories are welcome as well...

Rick in Miami · November 2nd, 2009, 10:57 AM

I'm considering buying a guitar in a few months too, and have similar concerns about getting one online. I've seen some e-bay offers that allow returns - maybe that's a good option, although you generally pay a bit more for those. Anyone?

TexBiker · November 2nd, 2009, 11:01 AM

All but one of my guitars has been purchased online from various guitar shops (not individuals) and I've yet to have a negative experience. Some of them needed a good setup, but that's likely to be true regardless of where you buy the guitar.

Just use some common sense and ask questions before you buy. You'll probably be just fine.

Orlando Mike · November 2nd, 2009, 11:04 AM

if you use Musician's Friend you can send it back if you don't like it

Christian2009 · November 2nd, 2009, 11:11 AM

They won't give you a free case with an american standard? I'd shop somewhere else...

I think you'd be safe buying from musician's friend or the like. I'd stay away from ebay but that's just me...

Malikon · November 2nd, 2009, 11:21 AM

One word for ya bro: Sweetwater

sweetwater.com will completely take care of you and do everything humanly possible to make you happy. NOONE else will go to the extreme lengths to get your 110% complete satisfaction that they will.

**paid for by guitarists against Guitar Center and Musicians Friend**

T-Bodz Terry B. · November 2nd, 2009, 11:29 AM

Out of the 10 guitars I have, 7 have been purchased online! No issues thus far!
As Malikon mentioned ... sweetwater appears to be the most customer service
oriented currently and will certainly insure that you're happy with what you receive!

Paulbiz · November 2nd, 2009, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malikon

One word for ya bro: Sweetwater

sweetwater.com will completely take care of you and do everything humanly possible to make you happy. NOONE else will go to the extreme lengths to get your 110% complete satisfaction that they will.

**paid for by guitarists against Guitar Center and Musicians Friend**

+1 You can talk to a guitar tech at Sweetwater, tell him or her what ya want, have them play a couple of guitars for you and ask what they think, they will set it up for you too, Sweetwater is the only place Id consider buying a guitar online from.

gitterfidder · November 2nd, 2009, 01:56 PM

Buy from a local shop man they won't make you pay for things that already come with an instrument like its designated case or its warranty like GC does. GC is owned by the same people who own Burger King. They don't care about you just $$$. I know every business is concerned with the cash but the employees will most likely be actual performing musicians who know whats right.

rudarb · November 2nd, 2009, 02:15 PM

Well this does make me feel better. GC will give me a free case and stuff if I buy online, but thier prices in the store for the same strat were around 950.00, which is about 300 dollars off from the online price, so im sure they will make me buy a case. Plus, if I buy online I will get the paper work with it as well. I bought my Epiphone LP straight off the floor, I got absolutley nothing, no paperwork, booklet, NOTHING. So, you can see why buying online has quite some appeal to me. Im just worried about the quality, like I said the ones i've played in store have been great.

Craizee J · November 2nd, 2009, 03:25 PM

I bought mine from Guitar Center during a big sale, and they were out of stock - they let me buy it online in the store, and allowed me to ship it to the store (Boston) for pick up. So I went there and picked it up - brand new - every accessory fresh and included. I could try it - it was the best of both worlds. They had an ordering terminal right in the store that the sales guy let me order from. The Boston GC is far and away better than the suburban one where I live which does not have the same procedures. Also the Boston salesperson was nice, no pressure, helpful. So if you live near one of their bigger city stores, you might give that a try. Nothing against non-chain stores, but it was around 300.00 cheaper than i could find in an independent store.

AllroyPA · November 2nd, 2009, 03:27 PM

@Craizee J
Did they have you pay the handling on the item ?

lemacque · November 2nd, 2009, 03:35 PM

I was a bit nervous when I bought my 1998 MIM 70s Classic Strat online, but it turned out ok for me, got an amazing guitar at a great price. On the flip side, I once bought an Epiphone LP Special in a shop.....played it for a day or so, then realised its a pile of crap. (its been sat upstairs for the past 7 years.........)
The guys are right, you can go through many guitars till you one day hold in your hands the one that just works for you. Trial & error.

rudarb · November 2nd, 2009, 04:47 PM

Ill have to check out sweetwater, never heard of it before. Im not really too picky when it comes to choosing a guitar, it may be becuase I havent been playing for a long amount of time, but I still like to play them in person. My guitar center has good customer service, theres two in my area, the one I go to is the better of the two. Ill do my homework on all these online stores. Thanks for all the help

Boris Bubbanov · November 3rd, 2009, 12:20 AM

Welcome Rudarb.

Put in some hours on these websites; TDPRI is a good one.

Musicians Friend has a recent deal every Friday where they select some Fender models and blow them out for near half price. And you can still send it back if it appears to be a dud. I've bought about a dozen from MF over 3 years and the worst I found was some mineral stains down deep in the maple, where nature put them.

If you know zero nothing about guitars and have money to burn, Sweetwater might be an idea.

I'd be more inclined to buy a nice Strat stupid cheap from MF, then take it to a serious luthier and have the nut detailed, the fretboard leveled, crowned and polished, and have the guitar fully set up. And it would STILL be way below the Sweetwater price. Plus, the luthier will tell you if your guitar should go back, if he's trustworthy.

MFFF is a phone deal, only.

olaftheholy · November 3rd, 2009, 03:44 AM

Never ever EVER!!! like NEVER buy guitars online.
Allway's play guitars before you buy em, unless your name is Boris Bubbanov and have waaaaayyyy too many guitars and/or means to buy guitars.

hehehe

TexBiker · November 3rd, 2009, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olaftheholy

Never ever EVER!!! like NEVER buy guitars online.

Some of us live hundreds of miles from the nearest guitar shop. As a single dad with young boys, I don't have the option of driving 6+ hours round trip just to try out a guitar. Online purchases are sometimes the only choice.

Craizee J · November 3rd, 2009, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllroyPA

@Craizee J
Did they have you pay the handling on the item ?

I'm not sure what handling is. I paid the price for the guitar, and MA tax (they have to charge tax whether you have it shipped to your house or pick it up in a store because they have stores in the state which makes them have to charge local sales tax either way). Shipping was free.

Suthrn_BLU_Sman · November 3rd, 2009, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christian2009

They won't give you a free case with an american standard? I'd shop somewhere else...

I think you'd be safe buying from musician's friend or the like. I'd stay away from ebay but that's just me...

Yea I thinks its unheard of to not give you a free case with your new American Std. What kind of people are you dealing with there? They sound like a bunch of lieing con men. Plus they should be able to order it in any color you want as long as Fender makes it in that color.

rudarb · November 3rd, 2009, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suthrn_BLU_Sman

Yea I thinks its unheard of to not give you a free case with your new American Std. What kind of people are you dealing with there? They sound like a bunch of lieing con men. Plus they should be able to order it in any color you want as long as Fender makes it in that color.

I explained it wrong, the last time I was at my GC this past Saturday I played an American Standard Strat and the price tag was 949.00, since thats about 300 dollars off the online price I assumed that you didnt get the case and that they would make you buy it.

DoeringerGuitar · November 5th, 2009, 11:47 AM

Its ok to buy online but I would check out the vedor if you are not familiar. STAY Away from eBay!
I'm also partial to our S-Factor guitars as you don't have to settle for a Strat.

Malikon · November 5th, 2009, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudarb

I explained it wrong, the last time I was at my GC this past Saturday I played an American Standard Strat and the price tag was 949.00, since thats about 300 dollars off the online price I assumed that you didnt get the case and that they would make you buy it.

most of my students that have bought Strats at GC, including one who bought a Hot Rails Squier a couple weeks ago, don't seem to get any accessories. He got no allen wrenches, no tremolo arm, no nothing. Just the guitar.

I can't help but wonder what they do with all the spare allen wrenches and whammy bars. Probably try to sell them for $20.

I hate GC, bunch of lying crooks.

rudarb · November 5th, 2009, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malikon

most of my students that have bought Strats at GC, including one who bought a Hot Rails Squier a couple weeks ago, don't seem to get any accessories. He got no allen wrenches, no tremolo arm, no nothing. Just the guitar.

I can't help but wonder what they do with all the spare allen wrenches and whammy bars. Probably try to sell them for $20.

I hate GC, bunch of lying crooks.

Yeah thats what happend with my LP, I bought it off the floor and they made me buy a case, which is okay, its an epi. But, I got no paperwork or anything, kind of worried me. I trust Guitar Center online though, at least ill get it from the factory with all the stock papers and stuff.

JRSIV · November 5th, 2009, 03:52 PM

Most online dealers know that we guitarist are a fickle, finicky bunch and will allow you to return a guitar if you aren't pleased with it. It's kind of a pain but if you don't have 2 Guitar Centers and a Sam Ash within a 15 mile radius like I'm lucky enough to have, you gotta go online sometimes.

Sweetwater is excellent as others have testified to and I got an Epiphone Sheraton II from All American Musical a few years ago and they were really cool; called me twice after i got it to make sure it was the one and that everything was fine. With this economy they better treat someone whose laying down several hundred dollars plus really good!

rudarb · November 5th, 2009, 05:18 PM

Ha ha, I do have two GC's and a Sam Ash in my area, but from what ive heard the GC that I go to the best of the three. I checked out sweetwater, but their site was kind of confusing. GC does have an online return period, I should be okay. I just get nervous buying something ive never played, but from what ive heard so far it will be okay.

thaus · November 5th, 2009, 05:29 PM

I have bought all of mine online and used. Have been lucky and if you have basic set-up skills, it is a bit less daunting!

Yogi · November 5th, 2009, 05:37 PM

Thats BS about the Case. If it is a new American Standard it comes with the case. As far as all the paper work is concerned you just have to ask before you leave or don't buy if they don't have it. The thing is with GC is that most people really don't care/ know about the little extras that come with the guitar so they don't always have them ready

rudarb · November 5th, 2009, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yogi

Thats BS about the Case. If it is a new American Standard it comes with the case. As far as all the paper work is concerned you just have to ask before you leave or don't buy if they don't have it. The thing is with GC is that most people really don't care/ know about the little extras that come with the guitar so they don't always have them ready

.....like I said it was about 300 dollars lower than the online price, so I assumed that they would make you buy a case. Online it comes with a specialy fitted SKB case (great cases by the way), and knowing my GC they dont have any in stock, so they make you buy some other flight case.

michnet76 · November 5th, 2009, 06:25 PM

Considering you asked for horror stories of buying a guitar online, here's one that could have been... I must say though in the end it all worked out well but for a while there I felt rightly jipped.

About 6 months ago I wanted to buy an Ovation iDea acoustic after reading a positive review in a local Australian Guitarist rag, figured the inbuilt MP3 recorder would be great for recording riffs and ideas as they come along. Also great for jamming with oneself!

After looking around no one in Australia seemed to keep any in stock, they would have to be ordered in etc... average price was between $1500AUD online and $1800AUD in the stops. So then I started looking overseas, the USD is a lot weaker against the AUD so buying stuff from the US is great! I found an online store selling them for around $550AUD + $250AUD for delivery so figured it was worth it. It was sent by express so I had it in 5 days. Took it out of the box and tensioned the strings up, the neck was so far out the strings were taught against the fretboard. Eyeballed down the face of the guitar and the neck was bowing backwards and at a slight angle back. So I figured an truss rod adjustment was in order. After finally figuring out how to get to it I proceeded to try and adjust it... after a few hours of messing around I came to the conclusion that the nut was rounded off as I just couldn't get it to grip on the hex wrenchs I tried.
So I email the shop and got a prompt reply. I asked if anyone had tried to set it up to which he said that they don't even look at them, they come in boxed up and they ship them out straight away, relying on the manufacturer to have done a basic setup before leaving the factory.
We discussed sending it back for a replacement but at $250AUD each way that's a bit unfeasible so he asked if I could get a local luthier to have a look. The nearest luthier is 300km away and he offered to cover the petrol cost. So the next Saturday I took it down and he had a brief look at it and came out to say that the truss rod nut is fine, but given the angle it's on there's no way you could get in there with a standard hex wrench, he could adjust the truss rod with a special tool which had a universal joint in it. So he told me to leave it with him for a couple days and he'll do a proper setup on it, adjust nut and saddle etc.. and it will be fine.

So I did that, told the shop that sold it to me and they reimbursed the cost of fuel and the setup which worked out to about $140AUD. So in the end I have a great playing Ovation acoustic professionally setup now and paid half the cost of what I would have if brought in Australia.

But the experience has certainly made me cautious of buying a guitar online, especially from the other side of the world.

Cheers
Carl

rudarb · November 5th, 2009, 06:30 PM

Wow, quite a story carl. I feel somewhat better knowing that I will be buying from someone within the US, but like what your story shows, I could unpack it and find a mess. Thats why im leaning towards buying a custom shop model instead, theyre really nice guitars and from what ive read they come perfect straight out of the box. I guess I can justify the higher price of a custom shop model for better quality.

Scott L · November 5th, 2009, 06:44 PM

Price wise - you may want to give a call over to Troy at www.wildwoodguitars - (303) 665-7744 - they are the #1 Fender Custom Shop dealer and work hard to earn your business with very sharp pencils.

Not sure what color you want - but if you want a killer Strat that a lot of folks put right up there the CS guitars with out the price - take a hard look at Wildwood's Limited Run Eric Johnson Artist Series -

Wildwood Guitars | Fender | Artist Se...Color Sunburst

michnet76 · November 5th, 2009, 06:55 PM

The problem in my case is the seller didn't give a rats, they were just trying to on-sell as many units they could for as little effort, which is typical of some of the bigger companies. In return I got what I paid for, cheapest possible price and no service. Paying extra for the same item from someone who puts more time into the sale, actually looking over the guitar etc... really is worth it.

If you can find a reputable online seller that actually cares then you would be fine. I have brought other guitars online but I brought them one on one with the a sales rep over email and phone, i.e. With my Cole Clark acoustic I asked him to email through photos so I can see the grain, even rang up and asked him to play it over the phone!! I was happy to pay an extra $200 from that seller knowing I could chose the guitar out what he had in stock (he ended up emailing through multiple pics of all of them!) and discussed how I wanted to have it set up etc...

I would assume you couldn't go wrong with a custom shop guitar, I would say the person packaging it up would be fairly apt in how a guitar should look and play. Unlike the Chinese housewife who packed my Ovation!! ;-) yes I figured the Ovation iDea was made in the US considering the $1700AUD retail price tag till I got it and found a Made in China sticker on it. I don't feel so bad as in the end I only $800AUD for it, which is an average price for upper end Asian built acoustics around here.

Scott L · November 5th, 2009, 07:16 PM

Here's a few things l learned about buying online.

GuitarCenter.com, MusiciansFriend.com, Music123.com,Woodwind&Brasswind ( wwbw.com), Guitarsale.com and PrivateReserveGuitars.com and the Guitar Center retail stores are all the same company - controlled by a private capitol group Bain Capitol.

If there is a Guitar Center Store in your state - you will be charged sales tax by GuitarCenter.com. You have to check on the others based on where they are located.

Except for Private Reserve - all the above drop ship from a mega warehouse:

Music and Audio Distribution
4005 N Norfleet
Kansas City, MO 64161-9231

The gear is not opened and inspected - just drop shipped - in fact, they don't record serial #s

I ordered a package of picks for $1.99 to reach a discount level and MF ended up double boxing the guitar just to be able to ship the picks in one order.

SamAsh.com 's sales reps are much more aggressive in discounting right away, especially when it seems you know exactly what you want and they have in stock at that moment.

Spend the $35 / $50 for a pro setup if you don't know what your are doing, find a tech recommended by an experienced player. Assume the strings are shot and old.

The tech at retail GC are on site vendors working a per piece basis - not GC employees. I have 2 GCs in my town - one guy is great, takes his time and pride in his work, the other is extremely hit or miss.

The online outlets will price match in the in store prices - again to avoid the sales tax be careful which you order from.

The gear ships UPS and they will leave it at the door unsigned for - I had one Start VG delivered several doors down and found it laying down in the bushes.

You may be getting gear that is not necessarily the current model year production. Guitar Sale / Private Reserve seems to have quite a stash of nice upper end guitars in their inventory and once in a while you find a "One Off" or a small run of non current guitars at good prices. I got a couple of VGs that had the older violin / maching gun cases rather than the newer rectangular SKB models - call and complained and was given a $100 credit.

Guitars over $2000 do not have a 30 day / 45 day return policy - 10 days from the day shipped - NOT received.

Once or twice a year they will put on a sale for 20% off that is good on gift cards. Buy your self a gift card @ 20 off then wait for a blow out sale and use it. Every 3 months or so you will find a sale on the brands like Fender and Gibson that are usually excluded.

I've had some good luck with " blemished or scratch&dent " models from MF. They were blowing out the S&D items last May with an extra 20% off, plus I used a discounted gift certificate on an Oxblood Les Paul Custom that has only the lightest of button marks on the back for a net of $1535 (2399 x .80 x .80). Did the same over the summer at Music123 and got an 08 American Standard Strat in Candy Cola for $650, the blemish - on the bottom rear of the guitar the appears to be a 1/ 10 inch bubble in the clear.

rudarb · November 5th, 2009, 08:05 PM

Wow, thanks for the info, didnt know that. Im definitley going to check out Wildwood, If I want custom shop I should go to the source, right? Thanks again...

Scott L · November 5th, 2009, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudarb

Wow, thanks for the info, didnt know that. Im definitley going to check out Wildwood, If I want custom shop I should go to the source, right? Thanks again...

Keep on eye on Wildwood's used items - some great CS deals there, the photos and descriptions are very accurate

I've spent more that I should have on a few amps recently, otherwise I'd be looking to take this homeless puppy....

Wildwood Guitars | Used | Electrics |...ilver Metallic

rudarb · November 5th, 2009, 09:56 PM

Well I just sent Troy an e-mail, thanks for the help with that, thier selection is amazing. I hope they'll be able to answer all my questions, they seem like an awesome group.

scotzoid · November 5th, 2009, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott L

I've had some good luck with " blemished or scratch&dent " models from MF. They were blowing out the S&D items last May with an extra 20% off, plus I used a discounted gift certificate on an Oxblood Les Paul Custom that has only the lightest of button marks on the back for a net of $1535 (2399 x .80 x .80). Did the same over the summer at Music123 and got an 08 American Standard Strat in Candy Cola for $650, the blemish - on the bottom rear of the guitar the appears to be a 1/ 10 inch bubble in the clear.

+ on the deals from MFiend. I wanted an Epiphone 12 string since briefly playing one in a bandmate's guitar shop 35 years ago, then finally found a Scratch 'n' Dent DR-212 last year for $128.44. This was the only "defect" I could find.

Looked like a little clear coat slopped over onto the fretboard. I scratched it off with my thumbnail, & polished up with a slightly dirty finger

Scott L · November 5th, 2009, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudarb

Well I just sent Troy an e-mail, thanks for the help with that, thier selection is amazing. I hope they'll be able to answer all my questions, they seem like an awesome group.

I've sent quite a few people Troy's way - all came away very satisfied not only with a great price, but excellent service - A Total Pro.

I'm just glad I live so far from the shop ;)

rudarb · November 6th, 2009, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott L

I've sent quite a few people Troy's way - all came away very satisfied not only with a great price, but excellent service - A Total Pro.

I'm just glad I live so far from the shop ;)

I hope he can help, im looking forward to what he has to say. If I lived near there they would probably have to kick me out everday!

Scott L · November 6th, 2009, 08:03 AM

I live just out sideNYC and in my town are 2 GCs and Sam Ash, not good for the wallet.