Where do you go to buy your guitars and amps?

[MrSandMan]

..when buying new stuff. Just curious where you go to test it out and, if you like it, buy it? Do you have local guitar shop that you like to visit often?

We have a ma and pa store named Quinns music / guitar store here in Big Rapids. They are really good and friendly. Whenever I go there they are always very accommodating and helpful... even if I need a box to ship a guitar that I might have sold online, they are always really cool to help. So I like giving them my business whenever I can.

Do you have guitar shop that you fancy? If so, who are they?

[Brian Krashpad]

I hardly ever buy anything new any more.

I get all my repair work done by my old friend (and briefly a former bandmate) Tom Holtz at Lipham Music here in Gainesville. Their amp guy, Pete, does all my amps too. It's a mom-and-pop (Mr. Lipham still runs the place), established 1954, but a large one. Tom Petty used to work there back in the day, and they have one of Bo Diddley's square guitars (Bo used to live near Archer, Florida, in our county) up on the wall.

http://www.liphammusic.com/sites/default/files/1stpagenightandinside2.jpg

Also, I like a funky little mom-and-pop called Tim and Terry's. It's a weird combination of things. Upstairs, there's a small music store. Downstairs, in the front there's a small package store/bar, which has a front porch you can sit and play and drink on. In the back room downstairs is a small show space where bands play in the evening.

Here's the front of the place (did I mention it was purple?):

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e311/benben4u/743425432_l.jpg

Here's a pic of one the bands I'm in playing the back room:

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/113/l_4f23707d5e6427d7faefaa902179b68b.jpg

[bsman]

I'm lucky -- in my area there are a plethora of choices. However, the place I frequent the most is this:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2324/2481664285_acf3a0dc25.jpg

because: 1) it's less than a mile from my place, and 2) it has the largest selection of used instruments.

However, there is also a Guitar Center close by that I've taken to occasionally perusing (mostly to check on what's new) and across town a rather nice place called Guitar Showcase. If I want something a little more prosaic, I work a couple of miles from Gryphon Stringed Instruments in Palo Alto. These, along with a decent market on the local Craigslist mean that I feel well-served.

[Brian Krashpad]

Bsman-- do you also use that moniker on Harmony-Central? The person who does has (or had) an avatar of a very young football (soccer) supporter (fan) flipping off a team or referee from the crowd, when I see that name I always think of that pic.

[bsman]

Why yes, Mr. Krash - that's me. I had actually recently changed my avatar on HCEG to a pic of Gumby (w/guitar) and poky. I guess each image represents a different aspect of my (occasionally schizoid) consciousness...

In my non-musical life I'm pretty heavily involved in association football as a player, referee, referee instructor, administrator and in my copious spare time I work for the local MLS and WPS teams as referee liaison. I have good reason to believe that if I ever get divorced football will be significant contributing factor...

[Brian Krashpad]

Ah, I thought that might be you. I was a footballer back in the day, playing in youth leagues and at the middle school, high school, and college (intramurals and club team) levels (played for an intramurals team at UF, the UF Internationals club team briefly, and a season with Florida Junior College at Jacksonville).

Blew out my left knee in an adult league around '84 or '85. Still like to watch football but don't follow as closely as I should.

[bsman]

Ah, I thought that might be you. I was a footballer back in the day, playing in youth leagues and at the middle school, high school, and college (intramurals and club team) levels (played for an intramurals team at UF, the UF Internationals club team briefly, and a season with Florida Junior College at Jacksonville).

Blew out my left knee in an adult league around '84 or '85. Still like to watch football but don't follow as closely as I should.

Sorry about the knee injury. I've been incredibly fortunate - I'm still playing on an >35 team in my 50s (although I think this winter will be my last season). I used to be able to make the excuse that I was doing it "for the kids" but since none of them still live at home, that's getting a bit thin!

Maybe I'll take up golf...

[schoolie]

I'm lucky -- in my area there are a plethora of choices. However, the place I frequent the most is this:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2324/2481664285_acf3a0dc25.jpg

because: 1) it's less than a mile from my place, and 2) it has the largest selection of used instruments.

However, there is also a Guitar Center close by that I've taken to occasionally perusing (mostly to check on what's new) and across town a rather nice place called Guitar Showcase. If I want something a little more prosaic, I work a couple of miles from Gryphon Stringed Instruments in Palo Alto. These, along with a decent market on the local Craigslist mean that I feel well-served.

Yeah Starving Musician is pretty cool. I go to the Santa Clara store all the time. Otherwise, I buy everything online. I take lessons at Gryphon Strings. Small world, eh?

[Redline68]

I'm 1.5 hours from a GC, but I have a couple small shops around. I like one small mom & pop in particular and have bought from them in the past. The "mom" is super nice and gives great deals but the "pop" is a bit pushy. Their selction is limited though and they don't carry used stuff.

[speakerjones]

I rarely buy new stuff, but when I want to try something new out I'll usually either go to the GC that's about 25 minutes from my house, or if it's something more boutique, I'll go to a place called G Guitars (http://www.gguitars.com/) down in New Haven. They have a nice selection of higher end stuff. My local Mom and Pop is great, but they don't carry much new equipment that interests me.

[stvnford]

Got my first (and only) Guitar from a mom and pop place - Albemarle Music in Elizabeth City, NC. Small town -- I think there are only 3 music stores. Also where I go for my lessons until I get beyond the basics.

Finally able to snag a pic of the shop (outside at least) -

[MrSandMan]

stvnford, Cool. It's good to give mom and pop stores your business. What guitar and gear did you buy?

[stvnford]

My wife bought me a Jay Turser 200D with a Tiger Eye finish. (http://www.jayturser.com/jt-200d.php)

I picked up a Marshall MGD10CD amp and medium quality cable.

Right now I'm using Cool (medium - .75) picks. I need the extra grip as I'm recovering from a bad injury to my right wrist and forearm.

I don't have much else except for a carrying case that I use to take my guitar back and forth to lessons.

My teacher (who's been playing for 25+ years) was quite impressed with the JT-200D. She liked the sound, tone and quality -- especially when she found out how much we paid for it.

I'm still playing stock strings but think it's time to get some decent ones next time I'm at the shop.

Speaking of the shop - I'll grab a picture or two next time I'm there and post it.

[MrSandMan]

That is one sexy Turser! Those are good guitars. Congrats! I'd recommend picking up a metronome when you get a chance. Those are a must have. My first mistake when learning guitar is not using a metronome.

[stvnford]

Thanks for the suggestion. Got one :) built into my tuner. Music and timing shouldn't be an issue as I've played musical instruments since grade school -- total of about 25 years.

Just figuring out how to finger notes with only one hand has been the toughest thing so far -- and those darn low notes.

[Brian Krashpad]

stvnford, Cool. It's good to give mom and pop stores your business. What guitar and gear did you buy?

Yeah, on those rare occasions I buy new I try to buy from local mom & pops.

That Turser is nice, next step eventually will be an amp upgrade, but no hurry. Hope that hand injury gets better!

[mmcquain]

Where ever I get the best deal is usually where I buy from. I've bought guitars from eBay, mom and pop stores, Guitar Center, Sam Ash, Wildwood Guitars, Centre City Music, Matt's Music, other guitar forum classifieds, gBase, and other places. Amps from the same types of place. It really just comes down to price and service (and the dealer's reputation if buying something like a guitar across the Internet.

[smorgdonkey]

Any store that has fair deals. I've bought from the Mom and Pop shops, big stores like Long & MacQuade and smaller businesses as well. Also, I've used online forums and eBay of course along with kijiji/craigslist.

[TheLivingDead]

A nice little place up the road called Alpha Music. Beats the hell out of my Guitar Center.

[TheSoad25]

guitar center or sam ash:)