Is Price A Prime Consideration?

[Adam]

Yeah, I wouldn't call many music stores bad. Except some here in my hometown of Everett north of Seattle... One store is completely dirty. I mean, think of the dirtiest stores you've ever seen and multiply it times 10... that's what you get. I was told it was dirty, but it was way dirty. They had about 6 guitars, all things I've never heard of, and tons of music-related junk all over the floors and shelves and was filled with smoke. The second shop had some nicer guitars, but was also filled with smoke and just an icky feeling. The third shop wasn't bad at all. It wasn't meant to be a guitar shop, and for not meaning to be one they had some nice guitars. But only about 6, and none were amazing to me. But it was mostly a violin/repair shop. All within a block.

I've had so much better experiences at other small local shops, there was one that really went the extra mile with me and had great prices to boot. The outside was dirty, but the inside was great (which seems to apply to lots of guitar shops). I would most definitely buy from them if they sold Larrivée. But they don't. No local local shops do.

[Fergy07]

I guess I'm conflicted. I really like the guitars and service of Cathedral Music in Troy and have bought four fairly expensive guitars from him; a Webber, Larrivee, Breedlove and a Kenny Hill, and I enjoy traveling to his shop when I am in Albany (about ten minutes away). His store however, is about 200 miles from my home, so I guess luckily I don't get there too often or I am sure more would have followed me home by now.

I also bought two guitars over the internet (Larrivee & Tacoma), and have been happy with both experiences.

I guess, for me anyway, when I am in a store I can get to know the guitar, appreciate the wood, sound, the whole experience. On the net, you can't engage those senses, so I guess price and the look of the woods make more of a difference for an internet buying decision.

I do buy my strings and some of my gear from Cathedral, as the cost difference is not great, and my thought is that I'd like to see the store remain in business and the few extra pennies is my small contribution. If that makes the difference on his being able to pay the rent that month, than it was a good investment.

Andy