[CRG1400]

I have kind of two sides about buying guitars online. I would never buy a guitar, unless i have played it. But on the other hand, if I have played the guitar i could get the same style online for cheaper. But no two guitars are the same. Also, it helps businesses locally to purchase there products. Music shops where I live are going out of business because of stupid walmart and their cheap guitars. Online guitars come with good deals. So as you can see there are many pros and cons to each purchase. What does everyone else think? What is better?

[Graeme! Yes, Graeme!]

What's better is down to personal preference. I wouldn't buy a guitar online, but I would check prices. I want to try out a guitar, see if it feels right before turfing out hundreds of pounds.

[beaumont]

. . . I'm wondering the same thing. All the advice I see says to find the guitar that's right for you and buy that one. So that scares me off buying on line. And, with a local dealer, you can go back if you need help. Don't think there's much chance that I'll buy online. Nothing like having a good relationship with the local guy.

[NXexpress101]

Go to your local music shop and try out some guitars. Then if you like any, but that guitar online because the best deals are online.

[goldrush]

Usually the best deals are online, plus most online companies have pretty generous return policies in case you don't like it. I do, however, have ethical problems with buying from some faceless megalo-corporation online also, but I have done it before with an amp and a Martin D35. I was satisfied with both, but I don't think I would chance another guitar online unless it was a cheapy that didn't matter much to me.

[BaasLian]

I wouldn't buy a guitar online, too big a risk to ship it across continents...

But the more exotic ( ) accesories are not easily accesible in South Africa.

I'm actually looking at getting a trigger capo off the internet, can't find them over here at all.

This post has been edited by BaasLian: 08 January 2005 - 03:59 AM

[dadfad]

I wouldn't buy a guitar online, too big a risk to ship it across continents...

But the more exotic (    ) accesories are not easily accesible in South Africa.

I'm actually looking at getting a trigger capo off the internet, can't find them over here at all.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Being around GTU for a while I've gained some insight into how difficult it is sometimes to obtain the simplest items we in the US take so for granted as being cheaply available at the shop down the street or for a couple of dollars inter-US postage. The little things a guitarist might want... a book, video, strings, effects... or a trigger-capo. Let alone the guitars themselves. I'd never really thought much about it before, that they might be hard to come by or the extremely expensive shipping costs, especially to places like Asia, Australia or Union of South Africa. Lian, something to consider maybe. If you have a shop anywhere near you that you patronize, you might want to discuss a little arrangement with the shop owner. It probably costs very little more or no more to ship ten Keyser capos than just one. He might wish to have some in his shop which he could sell at an appropriately marked-up value, while you might be able to get yours for considerably less.

As far as the topic. I have bought a couple of fairly expensive guitars on-line and had good luck (although very hesitantly). I insisted on paying COD, and when they were delivered I insisted on checking them out "for damage" before paying for them (although I actually wanted to make sure they were what they were said to be and in good playable condition). The delivery driver had little choice but to wait (I tipped him anyway!). The COD charge cost a couple of dollars more, but I considered it "insurance". Generally I prefer to buy in person, even if I have to pay a little more. Another thing to consider especially on more moderately priced guitars is that the instrument might vary in quality and playability from one to the next even on supposedly-identical guitars. But as was mentioned, many places have fair return policies. Just a few things to consider.

[djhemp42]

I think you should try to find you want locally first, because the guy who owns the music store is most likely a musician himself, and don't you want to support your local musicians?

[BaasLian]

I wouldn't buy a guitar online, too big a risk to ship it across continents...

But the more exotic (    ) accesories are not easily accesible in South Africa.

I'm actually looking at getting a trigger capo off the internet, can't find them over here at all.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Being around GTU for a while I've gained some insight into how difficult it is sometimes to obtain the simplest items we in the US take so for granted as being cheaply available at the shop down the street or for a couple of dollars inter-US postage. The little things a guitarist might want... a book, video, strings, effects... or a trigger-capo. Let alone the guitars themselves. I'd never really thought much about it before, that they might be hard to come by or the extremely expensive shipping costs, especially to places like Asia, Australia or Union of South Africa. Lian, something to consider maybe. If you have a shop anywhere near you that you patronize, you might want to discuss a little arrangement with the shop owner. It probably costs very little more or no more to ship ten Keyser capos than just one. He might wish to have some in his shop which he could sell at an appropriately marked-up value, while you might be able to get yours for considerably less.

As far as the topic. I have bought a couple of fairly expensive guitars on-line and had good luck (although very hesitantly). I insisted on paying COD, and when they were delivered I insisted on checking them out "for damage" before paying for them (although I actually wanted to make sure they were what they were said to be and in good playable condition). The delivery driver had little choice but to wait (I tipped him anyway!). The COD charge cost a couple of dollars more, but I considered it "insurance". Generally I prefer to buy in person, even if I have to pay a little more. Another thing to consider especially on more moderately priced guitars is that the instrument might vary in quality and playability from one to the next even on supposedly-identical guitars. But as was mentioned, many places have fair return policies. Just a few things to consider.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You know what the worst thing is, John? I don't think I'll ever lay my hands on a Gibson jumbo acoustic. They're here, if you look hard enough for them. Chances of playing one, with what they cost over here, are very slim. How would I know what I'm getting when it's done over the internet? I'll just have to fly over then

But thanks for the tip on the extras, the local guitar guy is a level minded person. Using my charm, I'll convince them to stock what I want!

[evileye]

I bought my guitar online, a fairly expensive one. The model I wanted was not available in shops in Ireland unless I ordered specially, so I saved myself over €1000 by buying online (off eBay mind you!). The guitar arrived, I've had it over a year and I'm delighted with it. That's my little sucsess story...

[lhall]

I wouldn't buy a guitar online, too big a risk to ship it across continents...

But the more exotic (    ) accesories are not easily accesible in South Africa.

I'm actually looking at getting a trigger capo off the internet, can't find them over here at all.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Jaslaaikit, BaasLian, where you living, Springbok or maybe Pofadder? I'm sure I've seen those capo's around. Guys on this forum gonna think we walk our lions in the mornings and wrestle crocs by night!Try T.O.M.S in Braamfontein, they got quite an array of accessories.

[BaasLian]

I wouldn't buy a guitar online, too big a risk to ship it across continents...

But the more exotic (    ) accesories are not easily accesible in South Africa.

I'm actually looking at getting a trigger capo off the internet, can't find them over here at all.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Jaslaaikit, BaasLian, where you living, Springbok or maybe Pofadder? I'm sure I've seen those capo's around. Guys on this forum gonna think we walk our lions in the mornings and wrestle crocs by night!Try T.O.M.S in Braamfontein, they got quite an array of accessories.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Neither - Nelspriut (Can you cope!)

I know 'bout THOMS, but very rarely travel to JHB. And if I can help it, I'll stay out of that entire province (No offence to anyone living there).

The guys in the local shops here might have a serious case of tunnelvision if they can't source a trigger capo here...

But ,if you'll excuse me, I have to take make lion for a walk before I wrestle the crocs tonite (I seriously couldn't resist )

EDIT: Spelling is a very difficult thing for a 'boer seuntjie'

This post has been edited by BaasLian: 10 January 2005 - 06:06 AM

[lhall]

I wouldn't buy a guitar online, too big a risk to ship it across continents...

But the more exotic (    ) accesories are not easily accesible in South Africa.

I'm actually looking at getting a trigger capo off the internet, can't find them over here at all.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Jaslaaikit, BaasLian, where you living, Springbok or maybe Pofadder? I'm sure I've seen those capo's around. Guys on this forum gonna think we walk our lions in the mornings and wrestle crocs by night!Try T.O.M.S in Braamfontein, they got quite an array of accessories.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Neither - Nelspriut (Can you cope!)

I know 'bout THOMS, but very rarely travel to JHB. And if I can help it, I'll stay out of that entire province (No offence to anyone living there).

The guys in the local shops here might have a serious case of tunnelvision if they can't source a trigger capo here...

But ,if you'll excuse me, I have to take make lion for a walk before I wrestle the crocs tonite (I seriously couldn't resist )

EDIT: Spelling is a very difficult thing for a 'boer seuntjie'

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I know what you mean about the Gauties boet! I live in the Empangeni/Richards Bay area where we really get friendly with the wildlife & the music stores are really pathetic. Fortunately I get to travel SA extensively(including yours truly Nelspruit) so I get to do my shopping for gear/accessories in the major cities like Durban or Cape Town(if I haven't had too much Western Cape rooi wyn by then!)

[BaasLian]

I wouldn't buy a guitar online, too big a risk to ship it across continents...

But the more exotic (    ) accesories are not easily accesible in South Africa.

I'm actually looking at getting a trigger capo off the internet, can't find them over here at all.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Jaslaaikit, BaasLian, where you living, Springbok or maybe Pofadder? I'm sure I've seen those capo's around. Guys on this forum gonna think we walk our lions in the mornings and wrestle crocs by night!Try T.O.M.S in Braamfontein, they got quite an array of accessories.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Neither - Nelspriut (Can you cope!)

I know 'bout THOMS, but very rarely travel to JHB. And if I can help it, I'll stay out of that entire province (No offence to anyone living there).

The guys in the local shops here might have a serious case of tunnelvision if they can't source a trigger capo here...

But ,if you'll excuse me, I have to take make lion for a walk before I wrestle the crocs tonite (I seriously couldn't resist )

EDIT: Spelling is a very difficult thing for a 'boer seuntjie'

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I know what you mean about the Gauties boet! I live in the Empangeni/Richards Bay area where we really get friendly with the wildlife & the music stores are really pathetic. Fortunately I get to travel SA extensively(including yours truly Nelspruit) so I get to do my shopping for gear/accessories in the major cities like Durban or Cape Town(if I haven't had too much Western Cape rooi wyn by then!)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Aaah... Red wine & acoustic guitar.

I can't think of a better combination

[elliemollett]

I bought my guitar over the internet, mainly because i was having a bad time trying to find what i wanted in my price range. I've recently found the guitar i got selling off an english site and it looks like i saved a couple of hundered pounds, even when i factor in the costs of shipping and tax and the such. But i wouldn't like to do it again. I didn't like the fact that it had to come so far, and that i had never played it before. Although it was fun getting the delivery and opening it up for the first time!
For smaller things though like strings the money you save on the internet just really isn't worth it, i may as well go down to the local guitar shop where they will have a nice chat with me.