IMO a shop that doesn't have much selection can make up for it by great sales people and being *nice* to you.

When I was in college there was a store that had an unreal selection of guitars, basses, drums, keyboards, etc. They had a repair shop, too. But, the sales people were all d**ks and they would watch you like a hawk as if you were going to run out with a Joe Satriani Ibanez at any moment. I only bought strings from them because there was no other place to get them.

When I started playing I would go in guitar stores and the people would all talk down to me and act like they didn't have time for beginners who had a couple of questions about gear. To this day I'm a little apprehensive about going in shops. Bottom line: a great staff makes up for anything because they might be able to order you something if they don't have it.

thats true

My favorite music store is very small but staff is awesome I will even give it a plug. Main Street Music in Summerville SC. They will bend over backwards to help musicians. They will even loan you gear for free in an emergency situation at a gig.

Me myself, I like to shop around. I'm more likely to buy used than new, but will always check out the new. It's always a great feeling to buy a new guitar don't get me wrong, but you just never know what your going to find. There are four shops that I frequent with one of them being over an hour away.

All of these shops carry used guitars, but one that is close by, has a 95% stock of used guitars. Only one person is in that shop. He's down to earth, has a good sense of humor and likes to talk shop. He even teaches his Luthier craft for a small fee IF you're willing to take the time and effort to learn.

The other three shops have sales people running around, or talking on the phone and blah, blah, blah. All the shops for the most part know who I am when I walk through the door and never bat an eye if they see me taking a guitar off the wall. I know the warrantees in all places. Out of all the shops, I only take the time to talk with anyone in three of them. The one that has the "Don't waste my time sales people," I don't bother with, but do go into the shop because sometimes, no one can beat their prices. They've never been rude to me verbally or anything, but you can tell that some of the staff has the "I don't want to be bothered attitude."

Even though I do purchase from the "I don't want to be bothered" shop, I am more willing to spend my hard earned money from a shop that is friendly, that takes the time to see if I need assistance and that are customer service oriented.

All shops are located in New Hampshire and I will list them and rate them if you are ever in the area.

Store: Rating 1-10 (being best):


The Grantham Guitar Shop 9.5

Blue Mountain Guitar Center 9.5

Down Town Sound 9.5

Daddy's Junky Music 6


Johnny Cox, that's a real rarity that a shop would do that anymore. I certainly remember back in the day when quite a few shops did that but I can also understand why a lot don't anymore.

i too prefer a shop with friendly employees. it just makes for a friendlier atmosphere, and if you know the management, they will cut prices a little for you, at least that's the way it is for me. i do still go to guitar center and daddy's junkie music, and all of those stores, but i prefer to buy at the local, small music shop.

\m/
~Sokol

same here, I find that a shop with friendlier staff is way better then a store where the staff are jerks. I remember going to stores where they were real bad. I remember one shop in particular, where they had advertised some guitars for great prices, but when i got there and found out they never had the guitars in the first place. The guy lied to me (was real obvious) and told me that they all sold. Then he immediately went and took down all the advertisement posters. Guess he didn't wanna get nailed with false advertising. So i've never gone back there.

I think there's nothing better than a place that has killer boutique quality gear and people working the sales floor that are salaried employees so that they don't feel the pressure of having to tackle you and put a guitar in your hands the moment you walk through the door. I want to walk into a vendor's pad and play a few instruments without having to feel like if I don't buy a guitar the sales manager will still be able to eat that week.

the shop i go to is real small but they always help me as soon as i come in. sometimes i just go in to jam, they don't care if i don't buy something each time and that is what makes a great shop.
but i have to say i love walking into a shop stuffed with gear from wall to wall, but its still not the same feeling as when i walk into my small home town shop : )

why do you think so many stores are advertising no commision no pressure. It's actually good marketing.