Buffalo Bros

[leftync]

I was back in San Diego this week and went to both Buffalo Bros. shops, the old one in Carlsbad and the more recent one, Old Time Music or something like that, in North Park. I thought both were terrific stores with nice and helpful staffs. Lots and lots of high end stuff, and the Carlsbad store had about half a dozen nice lefties. Lots of Collings, Santa Cruz, a Goodall, and many, many Taylors (local company) and Martins. And I'd have to say that they had more great-sounding high end Martins than I've  seen and heard anywhere. They even had that D-28 Authentic, which costs many, many, many thousands. 
My intent was to finally see and play a rosewood L body. They had a nice righty L-03R and a nice L-03. So I could experience the comfort of the L body and hear it in rosewood as well. I was surprised at how much I liked the sound of the L-03R, and how much more I liked it than the sapele version. I didn't like it quite as much as my D-03R but it was close and I could change my mind some day. My interest in trading has to do with the comfort of the smaller body and the wider nut. IVe had the nut in my D-03R widened (changed to bone as well) so I didn't see that much difference. The L body is very manageable and comfortable, no doubt about it. But I'm a pretty big guy with fairly long arms, so I've never had a problem with the dread, even on the sofa.
So as much as I liked the rosewood L, and I liked it a while lot, I think I'll stay with the D-03R.  But anyone who's got that L-03R has a great guitar. And Buffalo Bros.' two stores are a must-see for anyone in the San Diego area. 

[ncognito]

 
Coast to Coast and Coast to Coast Again Buffalo Brothers Guitar Purchase Odyssy! 

I purchased a used Taylor 514ce from Buffalo Brothers a few months ago.  Not too long thereafter a friend emailed me about a music event he was hosting; I responded to his invite and informed him of my recent purchase, and asked if he had found a short scale acoustic because the last time we spoke he told me of his quest to get one.  He told me that he traded in his Taylor 514ce to Buffalo Brothers where he bought it about three years ago.  It was used when he bought it, and his new guitar was a brand new Taylor slot head short scale.  He wanted to know if my new acquisition had a custom tortoise shell pick guard.  I'm sure you can guess the end of the story.  I brought my guitar the next night to his open mic and let him fondle his ols gal.  We both live in CT about five miles from each other.  BB has an excellent trade- in incentive policy.  What he originally paid for the guitar three years ago is the amount of trade value they gave him toward his new instrument and the exact same price I paid for it.

            DAVE

[boyds]

Here, here for Buffalo Bros. I made a long distance purchase with them and found they were extremely helpful and answered my every thousands of questions. Even when the guitar did not work out (with their 48 hr return policy) they were very prompt and cordial to work with.  I bought my P-09MR from them and will one day take them up on their 100% trade in.

[Nort]

I'll second or third that, 
I've purchased four guitars and one mandolin from Buffalo Brothers over the years,
two Larrivee's that I traded in with som$$$ to purchase and Ehlers Koa/Spruce guitar,
a National Style O 14 fret, and a National RM1 mandolin.
The guys there have always been knowledgable, helpful and low or no pressure (which I appreciate)

a little off topic, one of the guys that used to work there for years: Mark Steib passed away suddenly and unexpectedly a couple of
years ago, Mark was always incredibly kind and supportive when I was in there, whether or not you were buying anything.
A great guy,      I miss talking with him.