I don't know what the deal is with the GC gig bag debacle. I assume GC demands a low wholesale unit price from PRS, and therefore PRS cuts the gig bags out of the deal to make it work financially. If that's the case (pun intended), I can't blame PRS, GC has clout because they're a huge retailer, and PRS knows they need to be in those stores. But it's definitely a ripoff on GC's part, imagine going into a store and finding an SE and falling for it, and maybe you're not getting much of a deal on it, like their default 15% sale. But it's all good, even at normal retail, SE's are a steal, right? You work it all out with the sales guy, walk up to the register with the guitar, and as you watch him start to awkwardly put your new gem up on the hard, dent-dealing tabletop, the wheels turn in your mind, and you say "Oh, can I get the case for this?" and he says, "Sorry, these don't come with a case."
Hmm.
I'm not coughing up an extra $60-70 for a nice case on top of a $600-700 purchase, when I can go to literally any other retailer and get a good deal that includes the case, even if the guitar in hand is a "good one." They're consistent guitars, "good ones" are a dime a dozen. That 15% discount they love to give disappears when you have to pay 10% of it back on a case, then 5+% sales tax as well, depending on where you live. Hey GC employee, nice deal bro. Thanks for hooking me up. In their defense, a few years back when cases were more of a gray area, I got a 15% deal and a gig bag. But from what I've heard and experienced now, they're pretty rare to get at GC. So I only buy an SE from GC if it's a good enough deal that I can buy a case and still save money. Which means they're selling me a guitar for around $500. If it works for them, that's cool I guess. But I would still like to pay a few more dollars and just get the PRS gig bag. Those things are SWEET.
So, Dizzy, if you ever think you might like to have a gig bag, I really recommend you order from a place that can guarantee you one. They're really nice! Plus you can cherry pick an SE from a mom-and-pop retailer online, a lot of times you can see the exact guitar and find one with a KILLER top. Can't tell you how many SE's I've seen from Willcutt with tops that I'd swear were artist grade.
I'm not trying to get in your face about this gig bag thing, that's just how I see it!
