I stopped into GC

missouri.picker · #1 03-09-2009, 08:59 AM

I went to a local GC to play some of their inventory. Was very please to see a huge humidifier in teh acoustic room, however, it was so loud you couldn't hear any of the instruments. My ears were ringing after I left the room. Too bad too, because I was looking for a good 12 string. They expect you to take it outside the room, but if you do, the music playing on the loudspeakers overpowers the guitar, go figure.....

ljguitar · #2 03-09-2009, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missouri.picker

I went to a local GC to play some of their inventory. Was very please to see a huge humidifier in teh acoustic room, however, it was so loud you couldn't hear any of the instruments. My ears were ringing after I left the room. Too bad too, because I was looking for a good 12 string. They expect you to take it outside the room, but if you do, the music playing on the loudspeakers overpowers the guitar, go figure.....

Hi mp...
When I've encountered the humidifiers at Guitar Centers, I'll either turn it off for a couple minutes to play in quiet (I ask the attendant to do so), or I take the guitar either into the classical room or inner-sanctum room in the acoustic sections. I've even asked to go to a back store room...

I've always been able to find a quiet environment to evaluate instruments by being polite and asking. I'd rather have them humidifying than drying instruments, and they want to show them off and sell them...always a pretty good mix.

rlouie · #3 03-09-2009, 09:32 AM

dadgum!!!!!, Guitar Center just can't win for losing..........first people complain that the guitars are too dry in GC's because they don't have humidifiers in their guitar rooms...... now the ones that do have them are too loud????????????

sheesh...................

kev2225 · #4 03-09-2009, 09:36 AM

I went into GC too, and they had a wonderful assortment of guitars, from low end to high end. There was nice humidity in the acoustic room, and it seemed like every guitar in there had fresh strings on. Loved it.

missouri.picker · #5 03-09-2009, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlouie

dadgum!!!!!, Guitar Center just can't win for losing..........first people complain that the guitars are too dry in GC's because they don't have humidifiers in their guitar rooms...... now the ones that do have them are too loud????????????

sheesh...................

Comeon now I wasn't badmouthin' them at all. I didn't think it right for me to turn the humidifiers off, but I will ask next time. Like you say, better to have the monster humidifier than none at all.

PorkPieGuy · #6 03-09-2009, 11:05 AM

Every GC's acoustic room I've ever been in has rough wood panelling on the walls. Would this do more harm than good when trying to humidify a room? Does that wood soak up the moisture moreso that sheetrock?

Just curious.

rmyAddison · #7 03-09-2009, 11:20 AM

When I go into my GC's high end acoustic room I turn off the humidifer, and turn it back on when I leave, or if someone is playing ask them if they want me to leave it off.

I do know the folks very well at my store, at another store I would ask permission.

skiltrip · #8 03-09-2009, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missouri.picker

I went to a local GC to play some of their inventory. Was very please to see a huge humidifier in teh acoustic room, however, it was so loud you couldn't hear any of the instruments. My ears were ringing after I left the room. Too bad too, because I was looking for a good 12 string. They expect you to take it outside the room, but if you do, the music playing on the loudspeakers overpowers the guitar, go figure.....

I know what you mean about the music on the speakers. Fortunately the acoustic room at my GC has a quiet machine in there, but some other guy was trying out guitars, so I didn't want to disturb him, so I respectfully was trying the Yamahas out on the floor, but the music blasting was so annoying, I couldn't hear enough to tune up. You'll think in a music store, they'd keep the guitar room quieter, or even silent. I know they wanna inspire the little kiddies with all the rock, but I gotta hear if I'm gonna buy!

I'm sure their (de)humidifier was due for some servicing. Or it was a some cheapo home unit like my Sears one that makes a racket unless you turn it off and back on real quick, then it gets quieter.

MikeTX · #9 03-09-2009, 01:43 PM

Ratz! I was hoping for a good musician's joke...

Kinda like "A guy walked into a bar..."

PorkPieGuy · #10 03-09-2009, 01:47 PM

Also, I tend to be the most impressed with the guitars with the newest strings on them.

stratokatsu · #11 03-09-2009, 01:56 PM

Interesting... I've never seen, or thought I heard any kind of humidifier at my local GC. On the other hand, the Best Buy near me set up a guitar department and does have a humidifier. It's quiet as can be and doesn't bother you to play and be heard in the slightest.

djphelan01 · #12 03-09-2009, 01:59 PM

I too stopped at GC today. The only issue I have with my GC is that it seems everytime I go into the acoustic room someone thinks they are auditioning for a record contract. I don't mind hearing people play no matter if they are good or bad, but I get annoyed when people play and sing. I want to hear how a guitar sounds and feels to me. I would think that other people are there for the same reasons, so I do not want to hear singing unless they are testing a microphone.

skiltrip · #13 03-09-2009, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djphelan01

I too stopped at GC today. The only issue I have with my GC is that it seems everytime I go into the acoustic room someone thinks they are auditioning for a record contract. I don't mind hearing people play no matter if they are good or bad, but I get annoyed when people play and sing. I want to hear how a guitar sounds and feels to me. I would think that other people are there for the same reasons, so I do not want to hear singing unless they are testing a microphone.

I gotta say.. I sing when I try out guitars... that said... I do it quietly, not full on, and if anyone else is in the room with me, I don't. So I'm with you in not wanting to be subjected to someone's singing, but a lot of times for a singer songwriter trying out a guitar wouldn't be complete without seeing how it compliments their voice.

ljguitar · #14 03-09-2009, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djphelan01

... I would think that other people are there for the same reasons, so I do not want to hear singing unless they are testing a microphone.

Hi Djp...
Some of us play without singing, as well as play and sing, (and some even accompany singers). For me it is important to see how the balance between my voice (and the voices of others as well) and a guitar...it's a vital part of auditioning an instrument.

Some guitars sound fine on their own, yet are either too soft or loud to be sung comfortably with.

Sorry you are irritated by we ''singers''...

Tony Burns · #15 03-09-2009, 02:33 PM

Well at leat they had a humidifier/Dehumidifier most guitar retailers dont go that far ( most GC's have them- thats a good thing ) and their easy to turn off - dont ask just do it ( if its s small unit ) - not the worst place to buy a guitar .Most Mom and Pop places now a days just have the cheap stuff on their walls - cause thats about all they sell with this economy .Be gratefull you at least have a GC where you live . i have all the guitars I'll ever need -so those places dont interest me that much - looking at stuff you cant buy just frustrates some of us.