Top Tier PRS Dealers in the European Union

[BTF83]

Hi everyone,

I am new here. I want to celebrate an upcoming milestone by treating myself to a PRS core series guitar. I am interested in either, the recently announced Special Semi-hollow or the Hollowbody II Piezo. Of course, I would like to try an example of each, however, I do not see any dealers here in Belgium that stock them. I am fairly flexible when it comes to traveling to either France, Holland or Germany (where I have seen Music Store have a few) to try them, once COVID measures are reduced. This leads me to my question:

Which are the biggest PRS dealers in Europe that stock Core guitars?

Thanks in anticipation

 

[Alnus Rubra]

Hi everyone,

I am new here. I want to celebrate an upcoming milestone by treating myself to a PRS core series guitar. I am interested in either, the recently announced Special Semi-hollow or the Hollowbody II Piezo. Of course, I would like to try an example of each, however, I do not see any dealers here in Belgium that stock them. I am fairly flexible when it comes to traveling to either France, Holland or Germany (where I have seen Music Store have a few) to try them, once COVID measures are reduced. This leads me to my question:

Which are the biggest PRS dealers in Europe that stock Core guitars?

Thanks in anticipation

Maybe Thomann?

 

[CandidPicker]

UK Peach Guitars

 

[Alnus Rubra]

UK Peach Guitars

Not in France, Holland or Germany

 

[E.X]

Thomann is a box mover, which on its own is (sadly for the brick n mortar stores) the best; hypothetically that is; no one touches or plays your guitar, comes in a box, is moved straight out after placed inside an extra Thomann box. Box mover. Doesn't sit on a stand for 5 months, doesn't get touched/played by each and every customer walking in, doesn't get those tiny scratches from a bored employee wipe-cleaning it for the upteenth time.
Hypothetically, because apart from being the EU's largest mover, Thomann also happens to be one of those e-stores that let you "try after buy", only they cover your shipping back expenses too, zero a cost to you. Resulting in your often purchasing something, having some fun with it, then sending it back "because". Costs you nothing so why not, right.
It being where we place that asterisk, ie right after the "brand new". Because said returns? Are re-sold as brand new. Not as B-stock or 'opened', but as "brand new".
You check reviews of expensive amps or guitars, you'll find plenty of relevant comments showcasing this.

Do you want to spend 5K or more on a guitar that may or may not have gone through the above? If yes, look no further.

If you do mind, i'd vote for:
i) Peach Guitars. They can ship anywhere within the EU if you contact them in advance. Extra money because of the damn Pound plus customs and potentially a higher shipping cost, but they're very professional; you can contact them, sort things out, subsequently go through with your order, have it shipped to you knowing that you get what you paid for. They will assign a person to you, he's the one you can contact prior and after, he's the one that will help you sort anything out. Worth it.
ii) go to local dealers that are capable of importing a Core model, talk to them, see which one you feel like trusting; play it difficult (partial advance, the rest when and if the guitar arrives in one shape), play it safe (you don't want it opened, you don't want it "set up" by them), see what you can work out and let them worry for you.

It's what i'd do in your shoes anyway
Either way, best of luck to you.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

You learn something every day. I didn’t realise that about Thomann.

The OP was looking for retailers in France, Holland or Germany, that was why I suggested them.

Peach have an excellent reputation, as do Andertons. I recently purchased PRS locking tuners from them. They were very competitively priced, well packaged and postage was lightening-fast!

 

[]-[@n$0Ma☩!©]

I've never 'actually' been to the Thomann complex and have no clue what I'm going on about. But let me go ahead float some BS and see who believes it.

Fixed it for ya.

Here's a video I took of the the stringed instrument area at Thomann; a very small section of a massive complex.

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-wvtST3Z/0/eaa244fd/640/i-wvtST3Z-640.mp4

 

[veinbuster]

Fixed it for ya.

Here's a video I took of the the stringed instrument area at Thomann; a very small section of a massive complex.

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-wvtST3Z/0/eaa244fd/640/i-wvtST3Z-640.mp4

I would shop there, all day if there was a decent pub within a couple blocks.

 

[TonyG]

+ 1 for Peach, great people to deal with. Brought my McCarty 2nd hand from them. Their description of the condition was excellent it was better than described. A nice surprise and a great deal. I’d highly recommend them.

Should follow this with a diatribe about the impacts of Brexit on buying gear from the UK but just thinking about it is making me and I might end up contravening forum rules.

So could do with recommendations for good dealers in France while your at it

 

[]-[@n$0Ma☩!©]

I would shop there, all day...

This is one of two rooms that would interest you. The other, with the private stocks, has someone sitting with them full time.

...if there was a decent pub within a couple blocks.

They have their own cafe. They serve beer. It is Germany, after all.

 

[BTF83]

Thanks for the information! Much appreciated.

I should specify here I am British living in Belgium. I do travel back quite frequently with the car but wanted avoid having to possibly pay any import fees upon entering the EU again. I’m not too sure what the new rules are.

As for Thomann - I used to use them quite frequently but, honestly, I would prefer to support a brick & mortar store.

 

[TonyG]

Thanks for the information! Much appreciated.

I should specify here I am British living in Belgium. I do travel back quite frequently with the car but wanted avoid having to possibly pay any import fees upon entering the EU again. I’m not too sure what the new rules are.

As for Thomann - I used to use them quite frequently but, honestly, I would prefer to support a brick & mortar store.

If you are checked returing to EU, I undertand unless you can show evidence that what you are bringing into EU was brought here you will now have to pay 20% VAT plus potentially customs charges. This will apply to both new and used items.

Woodbrass is a French internet based company, similar but smaller than Thommann. It does have 30 odd partner stores where you can deal face to face and order through them or the internet direct. They don’t have quite the range that Thommann has, but they use the same return policy and (I think) warranty. I used them for the purchase of my Gigboard as they have a partner within 100km of me and they were very good.

I went to them after years of using Thommann who are good until you get a product which keeps breaking down. Lets just say we fell out!

Following the thread as I’m in the same boat as you but in France

 

[]-[@n$0Ma☩!©]

As for Thomann - I used to use them quite frequently but, honestly, I would prefer to support a brick & mortar store.

You guys are talking out of your ass. You think the actual photos of Thomann, shown above, were generated by AI?

Look, I don't care who you buy your gear from - or why - but stop posting BS on the pages of our community. People who don't have a way to verify what you are saying will read it and assume its credible.

Here's one for you:
1) NEW member 'A' asks our community to recommend a dealer
2) Another NEW member 'B" (hiding his profile from view) makes lengthy argument against a specific dealer and for another with BS info.
3) Member 'A' reinforces the BS comment made by member 'B' after clear evidence was posted showing that Thomann is, in fact, a "Brick and Mortar" store that provides ample opportunity for buyer to play any one of thousands of musical instruments before purchase.

Shill much?

 

[TonyG]

You guys are talking out of your ass. You think the actual photos of Thomann, shown above, were generated by AI?

Look, I don't care who you buy your gear from - or why - but stop posting BS on the pages of our community. People who don't have a way to verify what you are saying will read it and assume its credible.

Here's one for you:
1) NEW member 'A' asks our community to recommend a dealer
2) Another NEW member 'B" (hiding his profile from view) makes lengthy argument against a specific dealer and for another with BS info.
3) Member 'A' reinforces the BS comment made by member 'B' after clear evidence was posted showing that Thomann is, in fact, a "Brick and Mortar" store that provides ample opportunity for buyer to play any one of thousands of musical instruments before purchase.

Shill much?

When I read the term bricks and mortar, I always think more along the lines of small independent store rather than large multi national. After all, Amazon is bricks and mortar (well more likely to be steel frame and cladding )
I would rather buy from a smaller specialist independent guy with more personal service than larger multi national if there were the choice

 

[]-[@n$0Ma☩!©]

When I read the term bricks and mortar, I always think more along the lines of small independent store rather than large multi national.

That's fair. At least you framed your definition of bricks and mortar. My primary beef is with false claims and misrepresentations.

After all, Amazon is bricks and mortar (well more likely to be steel frame and cladding )

Comparing apples to apples, Thomann has a notable 'store' presence with significant access to touch/feel/play a wide variety of guitars. This is counter to previous comments. Does Amazon have anything similar? Don't care either way, just making the point.

I would rather buy from a smaller specialist independent guy with more personal service than larger multi national if there were the choice

Same here. But if service is the same (usually depends on the clerk at the bigger stores), the next tier for me is inventory, and then price. I have found that once you become a 'friend' of a store, sometime (not always) you stop being a customer first. That comes with a few advantages and a few disadvantages. Choose carefully.

 

[TonyG]

That's fair. At least you framed your definition of bricks and mortar. My primary beef is with false claims and misrepresentations.

Comparing apples to apples, Thomann has a notable 'store' presence with significant access to touch/feel/play a wide variety of guitars. This is counter to previous comments. Does Amazon have anything similar? Don't care either way, just making the point.


Same here. But if service is the same (usually depends on the clerk at the bigger stores), the next tier for me is inventory, and then price. I have found that once you become a 'friend' of a store, sometime (not always) you stop being a customer first. That comes with a few advantages and a few disadvantages. Choose carefully.

Amazon a poor example from me I guess first company that came to mind with an internet based business model. What I was trying to say is that whilst Thommann may have a physical outlet, theirbusiness model is based around internet sales.

Thommann are good at what they do. Where internet based services fall down is when you have problems. Yes it’s great you can return things free via courier but these things take longer to resolve remotely than face to face.

 

[BTF83]

You guys are talking out of your ass. You think the actual photos of Thomann, shown above, were generated by AI?

Look, I don't care who you buy your gear from - or why - but stop posting BS on the pages of our community. People who don't have a way to verify what you are saying will read it and assume its credible.

Here's one for you:
1) NEW member 'A' asks our community to recommend a dealer
2) Another NEW member 'B" (hiding his profile from view) makes lengthy argument against a specific dealer and for another with BS info.
3) Member 'A' reinforces the BS comment made by member 'B' after clear evidence was posted showing that Thomann is, in fact, a "Brick and Mortar" store that provides ample opportunity for buyer to play any one of thousands of musical instruments before purchase.

Shill much?

Hello ]-[@n$0Ma☩!©,

I can understand why you are frustrated. Thanks for the information you provided about Thomann. That room quite honestly looks amazing. I realize I perhaps could have been a little bit clearer in my original message. I didn't mean to insinuate that Thomann is evil or comparable to something like Amazon - but given the choice I would rather support a smaller store.

 

[BTF83]

That's fair. At least you framed your definition of bricks and mortar. My primary beef is with false claims and misrepresentations.



Comparing apples to apples, Thomann has a notable 'store' presence with significant access to touch/feel/play a wide variety of guitars. This is counter to previous comments. Does Amazon have anything similar? Don't care either way, just making the point.



Same here. But if service is the same (usually depends on the clerk at the bigger stores), the next tier for me is inventory, and then price. I have found that once you become a 'friend' of a store, sometime (not always) you stop being a customer first. That comes with a few advantages and a few disadvantages. Choose carefully.

I should also mention I did not know that Thomann actually has a physical shop. I always thought it was online only. You learn something every day ;-)

 

[BaePower]

Besides Thomann (which I recommend as well) you can also check out Dijkmans Muziek in Breda, Holland. They carry a great stock of PRS and are great people!

 

[]-[@n$0Ma☩!©]

Amazon a poor example from me I guess first company that came to mind with an internet based business model. What I was trying to say is that whilst Thomann may have a physical outlet, their business model is based around internet sales.

That may be so (I'm not privy to their strategies) but unless you have been in their sprawling complex of in-person sales and support staff, you risk your credibility to assert they are strictly online sales (a big box store).

Thomann are good at what they do. Where internet based services fall down is when you have problems. Yes it’s great you can return things free via courier but these things take longer to resolve remotely than face to face.

So again, an assertion is being made that Thomann is an internet-only retailer. They have a huge store front and hundreds on staff.

If you are saying that internet sales, in general, fall down when there are problems, I tend to agree. It adds a layer of hassle. But... any guitar shop (large or small) that is healthy is doing online sales. So this assertion applies just as much to Mom and Pop shops as it does the larger stores (Big Box or otherwise). And... the return policies for the bigger store are generally (not always) more forgiving because they aren't running on such a tight margin.