CandidPicker
Tone Matters. Use It Well.
Though this may ruffle a few feathers amongst the naysayers, here is my experience today in my local Manchester, CT GC.
My Taylor 714ce had scratchy volume and tone pots, and I wanted to check the battery compartment for corrosion. After arriving, a customer was standing ahead of me being waited on. It took the longer part of 2 minutes before the customer completed her sale, and stepped aside. The clerk behind the counter asked how he could help.
I said that I had called the sales associate named "Chris" before arriving and had asked if the repair tech could put my guitar up on his bench for an exam. The clerk said to bring the guitar over to the tech, "Justin," and he'd try to fit me into his repair schedule. After speaking briefly with Justin, Justin set aside his ongoing repair and said, "Let's take a look." The Taylor case opened up and was set onto his secondary bench station.
Immediately, Justin popped this volume and tone knobs off the guitar with his fingers (I didn't know you could do this, otherwise I might have saved myself a trip to GC) and sprayed some DeOxit into the pot cavities. He put the knobs back on, and worked the pots back and forth, and then checked the battery compartment. The spring towards the inside battery compartment was clear of any corrosion, and the inside contact point was as well. Justin then closed up the battery compartment and plugged the guitar into a nearby amp and switched the amp on.
Lovely round tones, and after a few knob adjustments the guitar was as good as new. Justin said "Here ya go." I asked how much for the work? Justin wrinkled his nose and said, "Nah, no charge."
Joyful, I thanked him and said I'd need to make this worthwhile. He smiled and set about returning to his previous repair work. I took my Taylor out to my car and walked back inside again. "Chris", the associate whom I originally spoke with over the phone was there. I asked "Chris" if it were possible for me to take a look at the acoustics in their acoustic room. "Chris" said, "Sure, let's walk that way and see what's there." Chris over the phone had apologized that their PRS SE Angelus guitars were out of stock, and not due until July, so I thanked him for his concern and said we would look at several other models.
I had previously expressed an interest in a Yamaha AC3 A/E cutaway, as well as a dreadnaught cutaway. I then asked Chris if he might suggest some other cutaways in my price range of $500 to $900.
Chris politely excused himself and said he'd bring another associate he'd introduce me to, Jamey. I thanked Chris as he introduced us and repeated my name to Jamey as I said "Hi."
Jamey took plenty of time answering my questions and brought several concert, auditorium, and dreadnaught cutaway models in my price range for me to check out. First, the Yamaha's, then an Epiphone Masterbilt, then an Alvarez, then a couple Breedlove's.
The Epiphone Masterbilt dreadnaught cutaway in vintage finish caught my eye and ear. Of all the pieces I tried out, the Epi Masterbilt dreadnaught had the best warmth, balance, response, brightness and projection. The neck felt right, as well. The entire piece felt not too heavy in the hands. Price was decent, about $650 with case, IIRC.
After about 10 to 15 minutes of quick survey of each example, I said the Epi spoke to me the most. And if after changing the strings on my Taylor upon arriving home, the Taylor might be put up for sale, the Epi would be my next acoustic guitar choice. Jamey said, "Good! We'll look forward to your business when you decide to sell the Taylor." I thanked Jamey and walked out and couldn't find Chris again, so I spoke with the clerk who was originally there at the beginning and said, "Just thought to thank you folks because sometimes GC receives a lot of bashing on guitar forums. Just wanted to let you know you'll receive a good review on my current guitar forum, and thanks for your attentive customer service."
So, yes, folks, sometimes all GCs are not created equal. Apparently, when you approach a clerk for assistance from them went one walks in, the associates will take their time with you. However, if perhaps you walk in and don't speak to an associate from the get-go, YMMV. I just hope that folks don't murmur against GC unjustly, because GC deserves a chance to prove itself just as any other person or business might. No, not all GCs are equal, but let us not judge all based on the poor examples of the ones who may have not served you well.
My Taylor 714ce had scratchy volume and tone pots, and I wanted to check the battery compartment for corrosion. After arriving, a customer was standing ahead of me being waited on. It took the longer part of 2 minutes before the customer completed her sale, and stepped aside. The clerk behind the counter asked how he could help.
I said that I had called the sales associate named "Chris" before arriving and had asked if the repair tech could put my guitar up on his bench for an exam. The clerk said to bring the guitar over to the tech, "Justin," and he'd try to fit me into his repair schedule. After speaking briefly with Justin, Justin set aside his ongoing repair and said, "Let's take a look." The Taylor case opened up and was set onto his secondary bench station.
Immediately, Justin popped this volume and tone knobs off the guitar with his fingers (I didn't know you could do this, otherwise I might have saved myself a trip to GC) and sprayed some DeOxit into the pot cavities. He put the knobs back on, and worked the pots back and forth, and then checked the battery compartment. The spring towards the inside battery compartment was clear of any corrosion, and the inside contact point was as well. Justin then closed up the battery compartment and plugged the guitar into a nearby amp and switched the amp on.
Lovely round tones, and after a few knob adjustments the guitar was as good as new. Justin said "Here ya go." I asked how much for the work? Justin wrinkled his nose and said, "Nah, no charge."
Joyful, I thanked him and said I'd need to make this worthwhile. He smiled and set about returning to his previous repair work. I took my Taylor out to my car and walked back inside again. "Chris", the associate whom I originally spoke with over the phone was there. I asked "Chris" if it were possible for me to take a look at the acoustics in their acoustic room. "Chris" said, "Sure, let's walk that way and see what's there." Chris over the phone had apologized that their PRS SE Angelus guitars were out of stock, and not due until July, so I thanked him for his concern and said we would look at several other models.
I had previously expressed an interest in a Yamaha AC3 A/E cutaway, as well as a dreadnaught cutaway. I then asked Chris if he might suggest some other cutaways in my price range of $500 to $900.
Chris politely excused himself and said he'd bring another associate he'd introduce me to, Jamey. I thanked Chris as he introduced us and repeated my name to Jamey as I said "Hi."
Jamey took plenty of time answering my questions and brought several concert, auditorium, and dreadnaught cutaway models in my price range for me to check out. First, the Yamaha's, then an Epiphone Masterbilt, then an Alvarez, then a couple Breedlove's.
The Epiphone Masterbilt dreadnaught cutaway in vintage finish caught my eye and ear. Of all the pieces I tried out, the Epi Masterbilt dreadnaught had the best warmth, balance, response, brightness and projection. The neck felt right, as well. The entire piece felt not too heavy in the hands. Price was decent, about $650 with case, IIRC.
After about 10 to 15 minutes of quick survey of each example, I said the Epi spoke to me the most. And if after changing the strings on my Taylor upon arriving home, the Taylor might be put up for sale, the Epi would be my next acoustic guitar choice. Jamey said, "Good! We'll look forward to your business when you decide to sell the Taylor." I thanked Jamey and walked out and couldn't find Chris again, so I spoke with the clerk who was originally there at the beginning and said, "Just thought to thank you folks because sometimes GC receives a lot of bashing on guitar forums. Just wanted to let you know you'll receive a good review on my current guitar forum, and thanks for your attentive customer service."
So, yes, folks, sometimes all GCs are not created equal. Apparently, when you approach a clerk for assistance from them went one walks in, the associates will take their time with you. However, if perhaps you walk in and don't speak to an associate from the get-go, YMMV. I just hope that folks don't murmur against GC unjustly, because GC deserves a chance to prove itself just as any other person or business might. No, not all GCs are equal, but let us not judge all based on the poor examples of the ones who may have not served you well.
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