Just in: Guitar Center is closed

[Song80s]

Remember the good old days ?

 

Use to complain about GC not having the newest keyboard in a 88 size.

 

Or the MODX was not plugged in.

 

I had to bring my own headphones because the GC headphones were...

 

Or too many 8 year olds running around smacking the keys on $3000 keyboards.

 

Or the keyboard section shared a thin wall with the drum department

 

Or the salesman couldn't discuss the intricacies of the sequencer.

 

Or I could order it on line cheaper.

 

Or the trade in value of my 20 year old Triton was weak.

 

I know, I like nostalgia. ;D

[Dave Bryce]

I broke a D string (.024) on my Telecaster. Currently using an .026 bronze acoustic string while I wait for Amazon to bring me new electric strings.

 

 

 

Oh wait - wrong forum.

 

dB

[Sam CA]

Closed permanently?

 

https://www.guitarcenter.com/pages/COVID-19-Announcements.gc

 

I didn't read the whole thing, but it seems they closed like any other non-essential business out there.

[Song80s]

I broke a D string (.024) on my Telecaster. Currently using an .026 bronze acoustic string while I wait for Amazon to bring me new electric strings.

 

Oh wait - wrong forum.

 

dB

 

I hear you. I had a stickey key on my XS Motif and. posted that on the Guitar forum.

 

Nobody cared ! :sob:

[Song80s]

Closed permanently?

 

https://www.guitarcenter.com/pages/COVID-19-Announcements.gc

 

I didn't read the whole thing, but it seems they closed like any other non-essential business out there.

 

more importantly, trying to find someone who can predict the future.

 

Going to post that on CraigsList . With me luck.

[El Lobo]

And why does the G# key on every sax stick? Oh, right ...

[Song80s]

And why does the G# key on every sax stick? Oh, right ...

 

not only that.

 

One time, I tried a Fantom at a GC and it was not. running in stereo !$#@

[Baldwin Funster]

I used to hate radio shack. Now that they're totally gone I cant get a pot, jack, resister or solder without ordering from far far away.

[elif]

And why does the G# key on every sax stick? Oh, right ...

Twenties unstick better than ones.

[16251]

Guitar Center has been kind to me in last year. 15% on my last two keyboards.

[Tom Williams]

I noticed that the list of online used Kurzweils went from 10-20 to three. Then I noticed that I could no longer query stores within visiting range for used gear either. It took me a while to figger out that it was a coronavirus thing. Unfortunately, the note from their CEO is one of the, um, less clear3 communications I have read recently.

 

I (selfishly) wish them the best. They've treated me very well on used instruments, as both a seller and a buyer.

 

I still get Daily Pick notices from them, so their online presence is only slightly diminished.

[Stokely]

Yeah, if you are into buying used stuff, they are a resource to be missed for sure. Decent selection (though sometimes prices can vary, may have to wait for a specific item) but mostly it's peace of mind--being able to return locally for any reason for at least 30 days (45?). Take the thing out, try it on a couple gigs, and if it's not your deal, take it back. I had to return two items: a busted pc361 that was a victim of UPS before I ever played it, and a Korg cx3 that just double-triggered too much. No hassles either time and I really appreciated that.

[J. Dan]

I used to hate radio shack. Now that they're totally gone I cant get a pot, jack, resister or solder without ordering from far far away.

I felt the same way but then discovered a local business here called Gateway Electronics that is about 100 times better than RS ever was! I'm like a kid in a candy store in that place. Need a 35V 100 microfarad axial electrolytic capacitor? You can literally just look it up in order on the shelves ordered by specifications and find a bin full of them. Need a specific ribbon cable? 180 or 90 degree header? one end or both? How many conductors? Got it. I once needed a very special power supply that I couldn't find and they ended up digging it out of a bin. LOVE LOVE LOVE that place! Don't know if they are open during these times or not.

[Docbop]

My buddie's sister works for Guitar Center headquarters and she's said for years most of their business comes from online sales, so closing stores is sad especially for the employees, but GC should do okay without them for now.

[Reezekeys]

How am I going to get to audition all the HARBINGER gear I want to try?

 

(Sorry)!

 

I used to hate radio shack. Now that they're totally gone I cant get a pot, jack, resister or solder without ordering from far far away.

 

I hear that. I went searching for a pot for my Ibanez bass and found it on Mouser. I ordered it on Feb 2. They had zero stock so it's coming from China â I might have it by June or July! (Of course the chance that even back in the day a Rat Shack would have this particular pot is zero).

[Song80s]

My buddie's sister works for Guitar Center headquarters and she's said for years most of their business comes from online sales, so closing stores is sad especially for the employees, but GC should do okay without them for now.

 

I have enjoyed GC's online service and telesales in Indiana. Very organized, responsive , great pricing.

 

Perhaps with the current crisis, they can end the costly leases on many of their brick and mortar stores, or largely downsize the store count. I doubt many of these locations

can standalone and justify a month to month/year to year operation.

 

The online/telesales operation should be sustainable. In theory, of course.

[Song80s]

How am I going to get to audition all the HARBINGER gear I want to try?

 

(Sorry)!

 

I used to hate radio shack. Now that they're totally gone I cant get a pot, jack, resister or solder without ordering from far far away.

 

I hear that. I went searching for a pot for my Ibanez bass and found it on Mouser. I ordered it on Feb 2. They had zero stock so it's coming from China â I might have it by June or July! (Of course the chance that even back in the day a Rat Shack would have this particular pot is zero).

 

call me Captain Obvious, but I believe we are going to be in " DIY " Mode for many months. Mr Fixit is not a skill I have.

 

I think there is a great business opportunity, for folks that are handy with a solder gun and a schematic.

[Devnor]

It's the standard covid19 posture for retail and GC is extending sick leave for employees affected by the virus. They aren't closing stores permanently.

 

Instrument repair shops are closed and I haven't been able to take my Fantom in for service. The owner of one of the shops agreed to meet me tomorrow AM, so I can get this thing into the parts queue.

[Docbop]

My buddie's sister works for Guitar Center headquarters and she's said for years most of their business comes from online sales, so closing stores is sad especially for the employees, but GC should do okay without them for now.

 

I have enjoyed GC's online service and telesales in Indiana. Very organized, responsive , great pricing.

 

Perhaps with the current crisis, they can end the costly leases on many of their brick and mortar stores, or largely downsize the store count. I doubt many of these locations

can standalone and justify a month to month/year to year operation.

 

The online/telesales operation should be sustainable. In theory, of course.

 

 

Many of the brick and mortar stores double as warehouse and distribution locations to have products spread out regionally.

[RandyFF]

Not likely they're going out of business. Since online sales tax is charged they've had a revival AFAIK. I've always appreciated their local stores, can return items witnout having to ship, and with a 45 day return that's sweet, esp for larger items. They also have the largest used inventory I know of, perhaps larger than Reverb? And, the local SF store has always had a decent inventory of keyboards.

 

Unfortunately, their former policy of free shipping for used items has stopped, you want it you pay for the shipping. That was one of the best deals out there, having used gear shipped for free PLUS 45 day return window. Oh well, I think they were hemorrhaging money and bending over backwards just to stay relevant, and now that they're playing on an even playing field because of online sales tax being charged, it looks like they walked back that more-than-generous free shipping policy.

[ProfD]

Yeah, I figured GC was closed for now when looking for audio cables, I did a query on stores within a 50 mile radius and got nothing.

 

Thankfully, eBay is still open for business. I bought some outboard gear last week.

 

The seller in Cali was able to ship them out. I received the package Monday.

[Delaware Dave]

I used to hate radio shack. Now that they're totally gone I cant get a pot, jack, resister or solder without ordering from far far away.

This. Pisses me off....

[Baldwin Funster]

Guitar Center online is pretty much Musicians Friend. Except for the used stuff.

[jeffincltnc]

Where will I go to now to hear kids riffing on Stairway to Heaven and Sweet Home Alabama on a Squier Strat played through a Blackstone amp?

[Tom Williams]

Where will I go to now to hear kids riffing on Stairway to Heaven and Sweet Home Alabama on a Squier Strat played through a Blackstone amp?

Worse yet, How can I tell if the Williams(1) Allegro is better than a Kurzweil PC4?

 

(1) No Relation.

[Lou Gehrig Charles]

I used to hate radio shack. Now that they're totally gone I cant get a pot, jack, resister or solder without ordering from far far away.

 

That reminds me: I wonder what is up at Fry's? The one by me looked like it was in the final week of a going-out-of-business sale, and that was back before Christmas. The employees looked like they were there just killing time.

[El Lobo]

I used to hate radio shack. Now that they're totally gone I cant get a pot, jack, resister or solder without ordering from far far away.

 

That reminds me: I wonder what is up at Fry's? The one by me looked like it was in the final week of a going-out-of-business sale, and that was back before Christmas. The employees looked like they were there just killing time.

"Fry"s is in the process of transitioning to a vendor/consignment model.' https://www.ocregister.com/2020/02/26/do-new-frys-closures-signal-the-companys-end/

[Doerfler]

Guitar Center online is pretty much Musicians Friend. Except for the used stuff.

 

also they do not accept each others coupons/discounts

[Mark Schmieder]

I asked a sales manager point blank and he said they are competitors but that they do share a warehouse. I pointed out that I sometimes get packages from MF or WWBW (or vice-versa) that were ordered through GC. Music123 seems to have diminished but also seemed related. Music & Arts was a small chain of actual stores with an on-line presence, that GC bought a decade or more ago.

 

Before on-line sales tax kicked in fairly broadly, it seems that the main purpose of maintaining all of these sites was to have different states for each one and therefore ways of avoiding sales tax depending on where you live. As the websites got overhauled, they seemed to finally share the same design, layout, information, and occasionally even the same user reviews. It remains a bit of a mystery.

 

Gear Nuts on eBay is the same as Sweetwater. And Austin Bazaar, if they still exist, is the same thing as another one whose name I forget as I haven't shopped either in many years now.

 

I think American Musical Supply and Zzounds are the same thing too, but I haven't seen much if anything from the latter for some time now. I even thought AMS might be a Sweetwater alias for a while, as they have similar website layouts and presentation styles, as well as both showing actual serial numbers as separate postings -- a bit annoying at times though, as it takes longer to suss out individual models vs. colours.

[jeffincltnc]

What will happen to all of those Guitar Center coupons that exclude every brand of product I would ever actually consider buying?

 

What will happen to all the bro tourists in Times Square who depend on Guitar Center's 28,000 square foot guitar department to rock out next to each other in the most densely populated place on earth?