any advice on buying a D-03R?

[Riley]

Hey all, I found this forum in my search for a new D-03R and thought you all are just the right people to help. I have been looking into buying a D-03R for a little while now and I was going to buy one online until a samash near me got one in! I've played it a few times and its great! So, I asked them about matching online prices and such things, and found out that they will match online prices. I was wondering if anyone knew any good places to buy online or any good prices out there? I would like to buy it from samash to avoid the whole shipping thing and would rather just walk out with my new larrivee, but any advice on what to do as far as price comparisons, or any good online dealers with quality larrivees and good prices would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

.....oh also....

[stuco]

 

First of all  , second of all I wouldn't buy from sam ash.  You should be able to get your D-03R for much less than their asking price.  Just contact Jim at www.trinityguitars.com or jason at www.notableguitars.com or dave at www.guitaradoptions.com .  These are all respected dealers around these parts and I'm sure you will be happy with any of them.

In fact, I just checked and jim at trinityguitars has a d-03R in stock with pictures.  I've bought two high end guitars from him with no problems(and for great prices!)

[jeremy3220]

The dealers stuco mentioned are the big 3 here on the forum.
However I would highly suggest you buy from Sam Ash since you actually got to play the guitar first, they should give you a free setup, and you can bring it back to the store if you have any issues or questions,etc.
As long as they treat you right and seem to know what they're doing, I see no reason to buy online.

[jwsamuel]

Riley,

I sent you a private message.

Jim

[sayheyjeff]

I bought my favorite guitar from Notable and would buy from Trinity without giving it a 2nd thought.  They have a demonstrated record of their knowledge, expertise and trustworthyness.  On the other hand, I bought my Larrivee and had it shipped in because I could not find one for sale here from anyone I was comfortable doing business with (and I tried for almost 12 months).  That said, I have to agree with Jeremy (usually do) that if you had a guitar in your hands that you liked at a fair price and you are fairly comfortable that Sam Ash will back their sale, how good is that?  If everyone had that option, there would be no online shopping.  You have discovered some very good options.  good luck with it. 

jeff   

[Dotneck]

ok...i'll add my advice.

Pay cash.

[Riley]

thanks everybody!

[stuco]

 

Honestly, If you order from any of the dealers I mentioned above and you are unsatisfied, you can return the guitar.  There is really not much risk but if you want to spend hundreds of extra dollars for the same instrument, then go for it.

[jeremy3220]

Honestly, If you order from any of the dealers I mentioned above and you are unsatisfied, you can return the guitar.  There is really not much risk but if you want to spend hundreds of extra dollars for the same instrument, then go for it.

I was going to buy one online until a samash near me got one in! I've played it a few times and its great! So, I asked them about matching online prices and such things, and found out that they will match online prices.

[stuco]

 

Yes, they will match the prices quoted on the above mentioned dealers sites but the prices shown are not the actual sale price for any of them.  The price listed on these online sites is either a list price or the lowest price the manufacturer will allow to be advertised.  I highly doubt samash will match these dealers ACTUAL sale price. 

[jwsamuel]

I highly doubt samash will match these dealers ACTUAL sale price. 

A couple years ago, I had no problem getting 40% off a martin at Sam Ash to meet an online price.

Jim

[stuco]

A couple years ago, I had no problem getting 40% off a martin at Sam Ash to meet an online price.

Jim

Ok, lets say he can get the same price as these dealers can, personally I would much rather support these guys than samash.  Maybe it's just me though.

[dhisharp]

I would agree, buy from Jason, I have bought three guitars from him & he's a great guy to deal with - he won't sell you crap and he would also work with you to pick the right guitar.

[jimmyd]

It's always good to play a guitar that you want to buy. On the other hand I'm no fan of big box stores and don't like their policy of only being competitive if you are educated enough to discover the true discount price on your own. The online guys mentioned will give you their best price straight out. I've dealt w/ Jason, (noteable guitars),  and he is as honest, competitive, and customer focused as you can find. Dave, (guitar adoptions),  has been very kind to me in offering advice more than once when there was no financial incentive or sale involved. I've not had an opportunity to talk w/ Jim, (Trinity guitars), but have heard many good things about him. He is a bone fide luthier who obviously knows guitars inside and out.

[Fstpicker]

I can vouch for Sam Ash meeting online wholesale prices. They have done it for me on more than one occasion. I personally like being able to play a guitar first before buying most of the time.

Jeff

[Nephidoc]

If you can buy local for the same price I would do the local deal.  I bought a Taylor from a great on-line dealer, then the lower bout cracked.  This was about 1 month after I bought it.  The response from them was send it to Taylor (at my expense) and hope they will cover it under warranty.  Then pay to have them ship it back to me.   

I think Sam Ash would do all the shipping and help you out. 

Good luck and hope it all goes well.

Stan

[dp36]

I'll put in a word for Jim at Trinity Guitars. I bought my OM-03 from him a very good experience.

[Ronniedee]

I bought from one of the online sellers and received a guitar with grain variation that I was not pleased with. Not the cool type that that most of us drool over, but the kind that catches everybody's eye and prompts the question "what happened here?". Had I known about this and seen pictures beforehand, I wouldn't have bought it.

I ended up keeping it though because it was setup well, was the last of the 'hog backed and sided L03s I could find outside of eBay, and, most importantly, sounded great. Additionally, I'd have been out shipping to and fro and would have ended up with sapele b/s. I'd also share that my guitar skills have vastly improved recently with all the practicing/playing that my new guitar has inspired. I love it!

Even with my recent experience, I'd still probably support the little guy by buing online and take a chance that I wouldn't get a dud. If we don't support the little guys, the Samashes and GC's of the world will put them out of business. And I know that my local Samash isn't stocked with the same caliber of guitar guys like we have at Notable and Trinity.

Likely, you'd pay sales tax at Samash-- another consideration since most online retailers ship free or for $15 additional and don't add sales tax. One of the big benefits of the big stores is that they have a 30-day trial period. You're only out the gas it takes to drive the guitar back to the store. I believe the online guys' trial is only a few days and you lose shipping both ways.

I'd advise you get pics of the actual guitar you'd be acquiring before it's shipped to you.

Best of luck! Keep us posted.