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Posted by: Travelin' Man Jul 13 2007, 02:42 PM

Has anyone gone through this process? If so, do the stores, say Guitar Center, whom you may order it from, have one in-store that you can try on for size, before ordering it, or is it just a shot in the dark?

Posted by: Hemlok Jul 13 2007, 03:04 PM

Why order online if you are able to go into the store and try it out? I haven't ordered online, I ordered over the phone to get my Gibson Les Paul, and I didn't try it first, but I also am not in a location with stores that sell guitars.

Posted by: ZakkWylde Jul 13 2007, 03:07 PM

Never buy a guitar that you haven't tried out before!
My first guitar looked cool, I ordered it and it sucks (bad luck).

Posted by: icedern Jul 13 2007, 03:09 PM

Most you can order online you can find in a shop. If its the cost thats bringing you to order online, id go in and play first.

Posted by: Hemlok Jul 13 2007, 03:10 PM

I would never order anything other than a les paul without trying it first too But I really couldn't go wrong buying this. So definitely try before you buy, or you may be very sorry.

Posted by: Travelin' Man Jul 13 2007, 03:54 PM

Thnx all...I havent been to any store as of yet, but it seems when looking for a guitar in a certain store via the internet, it keeps pushing me to the "order-on-line" nonsense. I just want to see whats available IN the store...thats why I posed the Q.
Im sure the Gibsons, Fenders, etc. are available IN the stores, but the cheaper ones, maybe even the value packages, may have to be ordered on-line.
The last thing I want, is some piece of junk that is better suited as a tomato stake in the veggy garden, than plugged into an amp. I just dont have alot of funds for the more expensive set-ups.

Posted by: steve25 Jul 13 2007, 03:57 PM

Well the reason to order online is because 9 times out of 10 guitars online are a lot cheaper than in stores or at least over here it is. Seriously went into local guitar shop the other day they had some guitar there selling for about £500 - £600 yet online they were only about £300 yet they were the exact same model. Sure try stuff out at your local shop to see if you like it and stuff but i personally would prefer to order them online.

Posted by: timbo81 Jul 14 2007, 01:38 AM

I bought a 2002 fender strat off ebay, I saved hundreds, I estimated it would have nearly cost double if I walked into a shop because mine was a bit of a rarer version.

True I didn't get to play it before hand but the fender name is so well known that you know you can trust that you're getting a good quality guitar.

Ordering an unknown name brand guitar yeah might be risky.

Posted by: Aaron Jul 14 2007, 01:43 AM

The best thing to do would be to check out the model you want in an actual store. Dont just look at it and play for 10 minutes. Get a feel for it and if its the one you want go for it.

Posted by: kahall Jul 14 2007, 02:43 AM

The guitar center here has tons of guitars to choose from. You can get a $100 or a $4000 one and they will let you play any of them for as long as you want before you buy, and you can return it in good condition for 30 days if for any reason you decide you don't like it.

Posted by: fkalich Jul 14 2007, 03:15 AM

my opinion, is that the better guitars are pretty consistent, and people are kidding themselves that they find the perfect one searching in the music stores. some look better than others, when flames are concerned. if there is any problem with the guitar, if you are unhappy with it in any way, you can send it back for exchange. i did that, they sent a replacement, paid shipping. but i would not assume that online is always the least expensive. some reputable musics shops ship them, and often have good prices. again, I am talking about better brand guitars, not cheap ones.

the human mind can convince itself of a lot when it tries real hard. there is a story about j hendrix, he would complain about something, some device. they would take it away, leave the room with it. then come back with the same item, and say "here is a different one, customized, try it out". he would try it and say "now that is really fine". as Kris said, Eric Johnson thinks he can tell the difference between different battery brands in his devices. Right.

Posted by: Travelin' Man Jul 14 2007, 03:19 AM

Thnx all...I will reserve my buying for IN-store only

Posted by: radarlove1984 Jul 14 2007, 04:02 AM

I buy all my guitars online because they're A LOT cheaper and can be returned or exchanged if I don't like something about it or if it's defective.

Some (cheap) guitars have fret problems, but all the big name brand $500+ guitars I've ever seen are pretty consistent. I've played guitars in the shop, but I've never bought into that whole "10 identical guitars but one of them plays perfectly" kind of thing.

It's a guitar. It's not Excalibur. No matter how well it plays, you should have it professionally set up after you buy it to make it even better.

My $150 Epiphone SG plays just as good as my Gibson SG after I got it set up.

People just like to feel important and in control. It's why they order water in restaurants, sip it, demand for fresh mountain springs mineral water, the jaded waitress comes back with a glass of toilet water and the guy who ordered it thinks the new glass is better.

And it's the only reason Starbucks is even in business. I went in there once and tried to order "coffee" and the person working there looked at me like I was insane or retarded.

But, I digress.


My advice: if you find a good deal online, take it. What little playability differences you find between in-store guitars will be rendered moot once you get the guitar set up.

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Jul 14 2007, 01:56 PM

I bought my last 4 guitars online - all decent brands, $500+ and have had no problems.

Whilst all online merchants I have dealt with have been good - Sweetwater push it a step further. I have one huy who always handles my orders, took some time just to chat with me and find out what I was into after my very first order and saved my a boatload of money on that purchase by alerting me to a manufacturers offer that I hadn't seen. Also, this guy was a musician and knew his stuff, not some unknowlegaeable teenager who didn't know the first thing about music.

In addition, when I bought my Jem, they set it up to my specifications before shipping it - for free. And finally, my guy just left Sweetwater, but I got a call from his replacement, informing me and introducing himself. Needless to say, that given that all the prices are identical, this kind of attitude makes a huge difference!

So, online is cool and cheap IF you know what you want.

Posted by: radarlove1984 Jul 14 2007, 07:20 PM

Are you talking about www.sweetwater.com? I assume you are since I just ran the name through Google and that's the first site that came up.

I've never heard of them before. Did you place the order online, or call it in? Do you remember who you talked to?

Aside from Carvin, I've never heard of a music shop doing that. Sweet Water sounds like it's worth checking out.

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Jul 14 2007, 10:28 PM

Yep, Sweetwater.com - I just ordered online, and within an hour someone called me back to talk. They'll assign you a personal contact guy first time you order, or you could call and ask for advice, they are very big on that.

Oh, and they give you free sweets in the shipping box when it arrives

Posted by: CrashOops Jul 15 2007, 12:16 AM

I dont order anything online. for me I find shipping to be a hassle and I like to be able to talk to a real person. as far as guitars are concerned I want to be able to play the guitar before I buy it, because some guitars do have issues with scratchy volume knobs, tone knobs etc.
As for Andrews comment about talking to a teenager that doesnt know anything about music, there's a reason I go to the music store that I do. It's a Tom lee's in Surrey BC, and that's two towns over from where I live, and the third furthest Tom lee location from where I live. YOu need to find a store that you feel comfortable with the environment, and trust the employees knowledge. The manager at the store I go to is a really great older guy that's played his fair share of gigs, and is always willing to talk with you about any questions you may have. there's been a couple times where he has steered me towards something a little bit cheaper or better value to get what I'm actually looking for, instead of steering me towards the most expensive thing hanging on the wall.

I guess what I'm trying to say, is not all guitar stores are lousy. just need to find the right one.

Posted by: blindwillie Jul 16 2007, 09:54 AM

Haha, yeah that's weird. I ordered a new digital camera and some extras because my son broke the old one. Just got it the other day and I got a complimentary candy bar with it. A special edition even!?!

I wasn't sure if I dared to eat it so I gave it to my kid and he seems OK still

Posted by: Layzer Jul 16 2007, 09:58 AM

There are a number of trustworthy vendors on ebay

Posted by: Jakub Luptovec Jul 16 2007, 10:22 AM

Anyways I have ordered my Cort EVL X2 via internet.. spared 'round 50$ (which is a lot for me:-D ) and I am fully satisfied with it:) expect the tremolo sux.... but its not problem of piece, but problem of these "licensed" floyd rose tremolos..anyway, the guitar is great and I havent found her in local shops:(

Posted by: shredmandan Jul 16 2007, 12:15 PM

Wow thats good service!

Posted by: mattacuk Jul 16 2007, 01:16 PM

I will buy my next Guitar online because we dont have that Great Music shops locally, and also cause i know a Gibson Les Paul is going to rock!

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Jul 16 2007, 02:17 PM

LOL - yeah. must get an LP at some stage ... did you get your Cort yet?

Posted by: Hemlok Jul 16 2007, 02:27 PM

LP's DO ROCK!!!! woops i dropped mine the other day

Posted by: tonymiro Jul 16 2007, 04:29 PM

Never bought a guitar on-line (effects etc yes). Though now that I live in the back of beyond I probably will have to .

However my main guitar was a custom made one off. That is sort of similar - you can spec it, try others that the luthier has made and talk to him/her 'bout you likes and dislikes, watch it being built over several weeks/months and ask for alterations but until its really finished and in your hands. A bit like buying on-line after researching specs, looking at forums/reviews etc., ...

Cheers,
Tony

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Jul 16 2007, 04:53 PM

Cool - how does that compare price wise? Maybe I'll get one made to my specs too - would be the ultimate in coolness

Posted by: Smikey2006 Jul 16 2007, 07:00 PM

I tried to order a guitar online, nothing but bad troubles. I'm going to try it a bit more, maybe order some cheap used guitars to fix up and sell at my shop Ebay is a great place as long as the person you buy from is legit.

Posted by: tonymiro Jul 16 2007, 07:52 PM

Mine ended up costing about the same as a Gibson Les Paul Standard (street price rather than list though . Nowadays about 1200 pounds sterling - about 2200USD) Andrew. For that I got a 24 fret thruneck (Gibson scale) Les Paul junior double cut type guitar (what I wanted), transblue with a tigerstripe maple top (body is walnut - heavy guitar).

Some of the extra features included 2 emg pickups, graduated frets, floyd rose trem (mine floats off the body with no routing behind the trem. This required the neck set at an angle to the body but meant more natural sustain from the guitar), ebony fingerboard with flying birds (a la PRS) position markers. The neck was profiled to be identical to my Gibson semi. I would say that all the woodworking, electrics and fretting are 1st class. Action isn't super low - but that's the way I wanted it - setup to order.

The guy who made it (Andy DeMitriou) used to make guitars for Uli Jon Roth (ex Scorpions) - Andy was a great luthier but gave up work for health reasons. One nice thing about a custom made is that you can literally spec anything that will work and get to talk about the hardware/wood/finish options etc. If anyone is in the market for a premium end guitar I'd advise that they consider it BUT find a good luthier (go on recomendations etc).

I'll try to borrow my wife's camera and I'll take some photos and post them up.

Cheers,
Tony

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Jul 16 2007, 08:05 PM

Fascinating - thanks, and not as expensive as I would have thought ... I wonder how to go about finding a good luthier in my area ?? Would love to see pics

Posted by: tonymiro Jul 16 2007, 11:32 PM

I've hopefully posted a pic of it under the 'post pics of your gear' thread Andrew. If you want to see any more then just shout.

Good place to start regarding local custom guitar luthiers are always any players in your area; alternatively the local guitar shops (though they tend to recomend their own in-house techs from my experience).

Luthiers aren't as expensive as most people think albeit the famous ones aren't cheap (Zematis etc). They represent great value for money and you get a 1 of a kind . Check out who's in your area and go and have a chat - they are usually incredibly friendly and helpful.

Cheers,
Tony

ps one way to check their work out if you're not sure - get them to service one of your guitars. Just had an annual service, including a full fret dress done for 90euros over here in Spain. Good job and a nice guy.

Posted by: shredmandan Jul 16 2007, 11:55 PM

I havent bought a guitar online yet but, i would definatly consider it.Were im at the prices are much cheaper online than buying from store.When i read Andrew's post about the service at sweetwater i was really suprised.Thats a really good place to buy.I sell afew guitars once and awhile on ebay and am considering buying one there.You just have to be smart who you buy from.Even on ebay there are many guitars for sale with a trial period,so even if you have never played it you can try it and if it's not for you send it back.Musicians friend is also a great place as they have 45 days best price promise and return polocy.You see this is how they compete with the stores out there and they buy in much bigger quanity most times than your average shop which in return gets you a better price.So like i said you have to know who you are buying from but i almost consider buying online and you can always go to your guitar store and see if they have the guitar you want to buy online and play it first in most cases.