GC Roseville, MN

[tomcstokes59]

There are 4 remaining Guitar Centers in the Twin Cities. I was very impressed with the staff and inventory at the Oakdale location. Two winters ago I stopped at the Roseville location looking for a J45. The salesperson said they didn't have any which was a good thing. Their humidification system went down over the Christmas weekend when they were closed and about 10 higher end Martins and Taylors developed serious top cracks. I stopped by yesterday to return a couple of items and do a quick walk through the acoustic room. I noticed a pink tag on a Martin dread. I thought used or maybe sale. It was a new D35 with a center seem crack from the bridge to near the edge. What struck me as odd was that it was not repaired. They also had it marked down only $500. You can probably find a new, uncracked one for that discount. If I understand correctly, same humidification system failure. I think they may want to invest in an alarm on their system.

[abn556]

I once tried to buy a 57 Black Beauty Custom Shop Historic from GC that hung on the wall a long time and was in dire need of some TLC. Tarnished hardware and too many kids playing it after eating at Taco Bell. I offered them a fair used price and they would not budge of their price. That guitar hung there for years after that.

[Greg1075]

Not surprised. I swing by that GC here and there and have seen quite a few damaged guitars unegenerously marked down. I don't care if it's repairable. You're selling a new guitar with a cracked top, you're gonna have to do better than that.

I don't even know why I keep going there. Staff doesn't seem to care much about anything, and having to call one of them to unlock the nice guitars is a drag, though I understand theft is a big issue.

The website is never up to date. So many times I've showed only to find out they actually didn't have the model I was interested in in stock. And don't get me started on the deader-than-dead strings on half their stuff, except Taylors for some reason. Always in tune with good strings. Martins and Gibsons... good luck.

Problem is there isn't that many great options in the TC. I love LaVonne but it's a bit of a hike for me. Willie's is close, but aside from one nice guy, whose name I donÂ’t know most everyone else there really has a knack for making you feel like youÂ’re not part of the kewl crew . I surmise they treat you differently if you buy from them, but they certainly don't make me want to give them any money, so... Fret Central is great, but the appointment system is also a drag...

Problem is there isn't that many great options in the TC. I love LaVonne but it's a bit of a hike for me. Willie's is close, but aide from one nice guy who works there, most everyone else has a knack for making you feel like you're not part of the kewl crew. I bet they treat you diffetently if you buy from them, but they certainly don't make me want to give them money, so... Fret Central is great, but the appointment system is also a drag...

OK, rant over...

[beatcomber]

I rather buy a used one than a busted new one.

[6L6]

I'm glad I have Gryphon just 20 minutes away.

[tomcstokes59]

Originally Posted by Greg1075

Not surprised. I swing by that GC here and there and have seen quite a few damaged guitars unegeneriously marked down. I don't care if it's repairable. You're selling a new guitar with a cracked top, you're gonna have to do better than that.

I don't even know why I keep going there. Staff doesn't seem to care much about anything, and having to call one of them to unlock the nice guitars is a drag, though I understand theft is a big issue.

The website is never up to date. So many times I've showed only to find out they actually didn't have the model I was interested in in stock. And don't get me started on the deader-than-dead strings on half their stuff, except Taylors for some reason. Always in tune with good strings. Martins and Gibsons... good luck.

Problem is there isn't that many great options in the TC. I love LaVonne but it's a bit of a hike for me. Willie's is close, but aside from one nice guy, whose name I donÂ’t know most everyone else there really has a knack for making you feel like youÂ’re not part of the kewl crew . I surmise they treat you differently if you buy from them, but they certainly don't make me want to give them any money, so... Fret Central is great, but the appointment system is also a drag...

Problem is there isn't that many great options in the TC. I love LaVonne but it's a bit of a hike for me. Willie's is close, but aide from one nice guy who works there, most everyone else has a knack for making you feel like you're not part of the kewl crew. I bet they treat you diffetently if you buy from them, but they certainly don't make me want to give them money, so... Fret Central is great, but the appointment system is also a drag...

OK, rant over...

Check out Twin Town Guitars. They recently had an incredible selection of Gibson acoustics. The GC in Oakdale is nice. My experience at Willie's was also not overly positive, specifically my interaction with the owner.

[GCWaters]

Originally Posted by Greg1075

Problem is there isn't that many great options in the TC. I love LaVonne but it's a bit of a hike for me. Willie's is close, but aide from one nice guy who works there, most everyone else has a knack for making you feel like you're not part of the kewl crew. I bet they treat you diffetently if you buy from them, but they certainly don't make me want to give them money, so... Fret Central is great, but the appointment system is also a drag...

OK, rant over...

Dave's in LaCrosse is what, two hours away? With his selection, that would be well worth the drive...

[FrankHudson]

Another recommendation for Twin Town in Minneapolis.

[gr81dorn]

I posted a video that a fried posted from that GC a few months ago with all the stuff cracked in that room. What a nightmare. If they did the repair work and then asked that price, they might still be high.

[abn556]

Originally Posted by gr81dorn

I posted a video that a fried posted from that GC a few months ago with all the stuff cracked in that room. What a nightmare. If they did the repair work and then asked that price, they might still be high.

They must have not run the humidifiers last winter.

[gr81dorn]

Here's the video i re-posted a few months ago: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3i7j...BiNWFlZA%3D%3D

[tomcstokes59]

Originally Posted by gr81dorn

I posted a video that a fried posted from that GC a few months ago with all the stuff cracked in that room. What a nightmare. If they did the repair work and then asked that price, they might still be high.

That was my biggest surprise. They didn't fix the guitar and the price was not reflective of the condition. You would think they would have some type of alarm on the room in case humidification went below 40%. They don't even sell a hygrometer with built in wifi or blue tooth.

[Greg1075]

Originally Posted by tomcstokes59

Check out Twin Town Guitars. They recently had an incredible selection of Gibson acoustics. The GC in Oakdale is nice. My experience at Willie's was also not overly positive, specifically my interaction with the owner.

Oh duh, forgot about TC Guitars. I do go there now and then and like them. Friendly staff and a good selection of acoustics. Recommended indeed.

[Greg1075]

Originally Posted by GCWaters

Dave's in LaCrosse is what, two hours away? With his selection, that would be well worth the drive...

I've been there a couple of times and have bought a D-18 and a D-15 from them. Their selection is great, no doubt. It's just that the distance makes it a no-go for a casual swing-by.

More importantly they do not accept returns. If you buy from them and realize you made a mistake, you're sol and will either have to sell privately at a loss, or trade in back to them at an even heavier loss, even if the guitar is 3 days old. I found that out the hard way.

[Merak]

Don’t forget Brickhouse Music in River Falls.