How Are You Buying Your Guitars These Days?

[plaidbeer]

So, I'm in the market for a new guitar for the first time in several years and obviously things have changed since supply chain issues have appeared. I've noticed that my local shops and local Guitar Centers don't have a lot of the smaller bodied/parlor guitars I'm considering in stock right now even though I live in a huge city. This means I can't try most of them out except for GS Minis or an Alvarez Parlor.

Are you guys just buying online and then returning stuff if it's not "the one" until you find the right guitar? I don't really have a problem doing that but I certainly don't want to abuse any return policies or goodwill by buying/trying/returning. What are your thoughts? Thanks.

[cc132]

Fuller's is in Houston and their website indicates that they have a pretty decent number of parlor and concert sized guitars in stock. I'm a little biased as I'm a very recent customer of theirs, but I don't think you'll find a better shop anywhere.

[rule18]

I've bought my last few online, with no issues. I will say that I've been lucky in that I've been happy with my purchases, YMM definitely V. I made sure that the seller's return policy was good, although I didn't have to use it.

[Andromeda]

All my guitars in my signature were purchased online. I'm disabled and mobility is an issue and I'm not close to any guitar store. I haven't had any problems and loved every guitar I've purchased.

[HeyMikey]

I primarily buy used guitars online from established forum members, Reverb, eBay, and locally on Craig’s List. I would not consider asking for a return unless it was damaged in shipping or significantly not as described. That is on the seller. If I just don’t like it then I will resell it. That is on me unless the seller offers a return for that situation.

[b1j]

It’s all online now if you want new. The world has changed.

[Rockysdad]

I'm in Houston ('burbs), the shops I've been in recently have had a variety of acoustics.

What are you looking for?

[plaidbeer]

Originally Posted by cc132

Fuller's is in Houston and their website indicates that they have a pretty decent number of parlor and concert sized guitars in stock. I'm a little biased as I'm a very recent customer of theirs, but I don't think you'll find a better shop anywhere.

Yeah, I checked their site earlier. I'm looking for Yamaha, Epiphone, etc. and some other smaller bodied guitars between $400-$800. Fuller's has a great selection but they tend to lean more towards mid-range and high end. In that price range, they just had GS Minis and Rancher Penguins.

[plaidbeer]

Originally Posted by Rockysdad

I'm in Houston ('burbs), the shops I've been in recently have had a variety of acoustics.

What are you looking for?

I'm looking for Yamaha (CSF Series and TransAcoustic Parlor), Epiphone (L-00 Studio), etc. and some other smaller bodied guitars between $400-$800. I'm a short dude with an arthritic right shoulder, so smaller bodied acoustic-electrics are what I'm looking for right now. The only other requirements are a solid top and sounds balanced while strumming as I'm a beginner and am mainly just playing open chords right now. My other main guitars are a Jaguar and a Tele Thinline.

[s2y]

Directly though the builder. If not, I'll support my local shop first. Sweetwater 2nd.

[mawmow]

Well, I used to look up local ads and those on the web.
So, I would buy in person or order online.
I never returned a guitar I bought : they were absolutely
as advertised except one notable exception over some
twenty used acoustics bought online (the guitar was a
one of a kind for me and at a great deal of a price : I
received a good acoustic but with checkered nitro finish !).

These days, I am buying more expensive acoustics : I
go on sales or used markets and read ads as carefully
I used to, and the result are still as rewarding as it used to be.

[packmule]

I'm not in the market right now but if I was I'd either:

- take a trip up to Dublin to Some Neck Guitars to try things out in person
- Order something online from TFOA
- commission a build with Frank Tate

[ol4t]

Most of my guitars come from my local shop, guy's got a huge inventory of used.
Occasionally online, but I don't trust that as much (I'm picky).

[zombywoof]

For many decades now the only guitars I have bought were used. Sometimes very used. Only one though was purchased online from a store I had no relationship with. Most of mine have come from the same local shop I have gone with for years. Only difference is they are no longer a quick drive down the road but the owner knows me well and has me pegged. For me his word about a guitar is good as gold.

[CASD57]

Mostly online..Our Local GC has mostly entry level and lots of Electric's
Most mom and pop stores have less well know brands or locked into Fender Acoustic's..
No Eastman or Alvarez local dealers...