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MF
Topic Started: Jan 25 2006, 08:19 AM (258 Views)
Jolly
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Geaux Tigers!
I get Musician's Friend catalogs at the house. Living out on the rural route, it's a way to access musical odds and ends that you need, without having to make a 30 mile trip to the closest music store.

If y'all are familiar with Guitar Center's catalog presence, MF stocks a lot of entry level to mid-level stuff.

The new catalog is different, however. Prices are starting to creep up a bit on some items, but better mid-range, and even high-end stuff is starting to appear, mostly in guitars.

Blueridges.

Breedloves.

Taylors.

Custom shop Gibsons.

Custom shop Fenders.

Can a company successfully sell a $3000 guitar through the mail? Or is this simply window dressing for the lines they normally sell?
The main obstacle to a stable and just world order is the United States.- George Soros
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kenny
HOLY CARP!!!
I'd never buy any guitar without playing it, especially a $3000 Taylor.

OTOH some people may take the approach: How bad could a $3000 Taylor really be?
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big al
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Bull-Carp
I think they can sell to those who buy by name alone and have the cash to do so. Sort of the Steinway marketing strategy :rolleyes: in some respects. They may also sell to those who shop locally and then purchase by internet (a practice of questionable ethics IMHO), but run the risk of the inherent variability in musical instruments.

I do enjoy browsing through their catalog once in awhile. I learn about products that I wouldn't know existed otherwise.

Big Al
Location: Western PA

"jesu, der simcha fun der man's farlangen."
-bachophile
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Improviso
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HOLY CARP!!!
Jolly
Jan 25 2006, 11:19 AM
Can a company successfully sell a $3000 guitar through the mail?

I personally would not purchase a $3K guitar through a mail-order firm. Before my purchase last year of a Martin HD-28, I visited 3 different locations (including our local Guitar Center) and played as many as I could. Only after playing and talking to a semi-pro player I work with, did I settle on the model I wanted. After that, I shopped price. I bought from a local guitar shop (been in business for 28 years) over the franchise dealers for one simple reason. I felt if in the future I needed service for my instrument, this place was more likely, IMO, to still be in business.

Now, if we were talking about a 20%-30% price difference through mail order over the local shops, I might have considered it. I did price shop on the internet, but the prices were never anything that I was willing to take a chance on to save a buck or two.

But what the hell do I know. YMMV.
Identifying narcissists isn't difficult. Just look for the person who is constantly fishing for compliments
and admiration while breaking down over even the slightest bit of criticism.

We have the freedom to choose our actions, but we do not get to choose our consequences.
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Jolly
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Geaux Tigers!
Improviso
Jan 25 2006, 08:34 AM
Jolly
Jan 25 2006, 11:19 AM
Can a company successfully sell a $3000 guitar through the mail?

I personally would not purchase a $3K guitar through a mail-order firm. Before my purchase last year of a Martin HD-28, I visited 3 different locations (including our local Guitar Center) and played as many as I could. Only after playing and talking to a semi-pro player I work with, did I settle on the model I wanted. After that, I shopped price. I bought from a local guitar shop (been in business for 28 years) over the franchise dealers for one simple reason. I felt if in the future I needed service for my instrument, this place was more likely, IMO, to still be in business.

Now, if we were talking about a 20%-30% price difference through mail order over the local shops, I might have considered it. I did price shop on the internet, but the prices were never anything that I was willing to take a chance on to save a buck or two.

But what the hell do I know. YMMV.

Have you played the Chinese Blueridge?

Supposedly a copy of a Martin 28....AC had heard one at a bluegrass gathering, and was fairly impressed - for the price.
The main obstacle to a stable and just world order is the United States.- George Soros
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Improviso
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HOLY CARP!!!
No, I didn't play one Jolly. I really had my heart set on a Martin. I've wanted one for 25 years. So I played every Martin I could get my hands on and a couple of Taylors. But in the end, it was a Martin that I wanted. I've done *copies* for most of my life. At this stage, I wanted the real thing this time. Not knocking' other brands. For me, Martin did it.

Identifying narcissists isn't difficult. Just look for the person who is constantly fishing for compliments
and admiration while breaking down over even the slightest bit of criticism.

We have the freedom to choose our actions, but we do not get to choose our consequences.
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kenny
HOLY CARP!!!
There is nothing quite like a good Martin. :thumb:
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AlbertaCrude
Bull-Carp
Jolly
Jan 25 2006, 11:20 AM
....AC had heard one at a bluegrass gathering, and was fairly impressed - for the price.

The 2 Blueridge's I have heard were pretty impressive. But as you can see on the Bluegrass equivalent of Larry's Piano Facts I would say the jury's still out:

Bluegrass Works Forum- Blueridge Guitars

Here's a better discussion: http://www.bluegrassworks.com/forum/viewto...lueridge+guitar
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