Irish guitar shops vs adverts vs online

8_Ace

Just interested in opinions as to what your preferences are when buying guitars, for me Irish guitar shops don't represent value for money, in general recycling guitars that haven't been sold on Adverts or Donedeal.

Adverts is a mixed bag, mint condition has a very broad interpretation, though I have, in general had great experiences and met some really good people.

I haven't had a bad experience on-line yet, I look at feedback and prices and every time so far have come out ahead.

Where do you stand ?

68 lost souls

I have never ordered online, mostly out of principle, except when I lived in America and ordered an iRig off Amazon. Majority of my gear is adverts and am very happy with it. The rest I have gotten on very good deals in Irish music shops and have always been very happy with the service I received. I would never buy a guitar, bass or other instrument if I havent played first and I don't mean the model I mean the exact guitar.

Squidgy Black

To be honest, I just go with whatever's cheapest.

I've a couple of guitars and amps I got in MusicMaker because they were the same price and in one instance cheaper than Thomann, but I've also got amps, cabs and pedals from Thomann and a few other online sites.

Adverts is great if it has what you're looking for, but it can be full of useless ****e sometimes. Picked up a DL4 the other day for 130 quid.

I'd like to think I make a decent contribution to Irish shops etc, but I'm not really willing to pay over the odds just to support an Irish retailer. The great thing now though is that they're competiting with the online giants and are matching their prices or at least coming close.

slavetothegrind

I have bought from all of them

My favourite guitar i bought from adverts, the seller now has a great shop full of stuff i cant afford.

Adverts has been good to me but i do admit i am wary of those with low feedback and recent sign on, a good history there does inspire confidence.

As regards shops try and support your local, believe it or not you can get good prices there, i know from experience

Thomann are impressive but i would rather, if possible, buy here.

Should add i am not nor have never been a retailer or employed by one.

zafo

I'd say adverts is the main one for me along with buying/selling/trading within my greater circle of mates and acquaintances. Buy lots of small stuff and accessories from shops here and haven't bought off thomann in a good few years now. I have very little interest in new amps or guitars, second hand all the way for me..

666irishguy

The internet is wiping out as far as I can see those who just don't care and an unfortunate few great little local shops who do give great advice and service and have been lumped in with the majority of the feckless guitar shops in this country. I would gladly spend a bit of extra cash to support a local business if I could just get a no song and dance, hassle free service. As for myself I'm sad to say that it's online all the way for me. The thing that finished me going to the average Irish guitar shops buying anything more than picks or leads is the more than often casual approach to business taken by staff and owners. By casual I mean not giving a toss. I ordered the standard Cry Baby Wah pedal off a local music shop last year and was told it would be in next Thursday, (ordered on a Friday) I paid upfront to cover the cost of carriage and got my receipt. Went in on Thursday, no sign of it yet. To cut a long story short Three weeks later I went in receipt in hand and got my money back off the young lad who was filling in for the owner (who I had ordered it from) who was on holidays. The young lad who was the only person I ever encountered in there who seemed interested in helping customers, said it hadn't even been ordered in the first place. I've had similar experiences with one or two other shops that can't seem to be bothered to order something and make a sale for 60 or 70 quid. The place closed down last year and the owner was in the paper saying people aren't buying guitars or accessories in shops anymore. Jesus! I wonder why???. If I go on Thomann and spend only a tenner on strings they will have the sense to send it to me. Adverts is generally pretty good once you have a bit of knowledge, can spot a clanger and know what you are looking for.

Rigsby

666irishguy wrote: »

The internet is wiping out as far as I can see those who just don't care and an unfortunate few great little local shops who do give great advice and service and have been lumped in with the majority of the feckless guitar shops in this country. I would gladly spend a bit of extra cash to support a local business if I could just get a no song and dance, hassle free service. As for myself I'm sad to say that it's online all the way for me. The thing that finished me going to the average Irish guitar shops buying anything more than picks or leads is the more than often casual approach to business taken by staff and owners. By casual I mean not giving a toss. I ordered the standard Cry Baby Wah pedal off a local music shop last year and was told it would be in next Thursday, (ordered on a Friday) I paid upfront to cover the cost of carriage and got my receipt. Went in on Thursday, no sign of it yet. To cut a long story short Three weeks later I went in receipt in hand and got my money back off the young lad who was filling in for the owner (who I had ordered it from) who was on holidays. The young lad who was the only person I ever encountered in there who seemed interested in helping customers, said it hadn't even been ordered in the first place. I've had similar experiences with one or two other shops that can't seem to be bothered to order something and make a sale for 60 or 70 quid. The place closed down last year and the owner was in the paper saying people aren't buying guitars or accessories in shops anymore. Jesus! I wonder why???. If I go on Thomann and spend only a tenner on strings they will have the sense to send it to me. Adverts is generally pretty good once you have a bit of knowledge, can spot a clanger and know what you are looking for.

I have had some similar experiences with Irish (Dublin) shops. This and the total lack of choice (from a bass guitar aspect....believe it or not but there are other brands besides Fender :eek: ), quite apart from the price, means I have made three successful purchases on line. Until the majority of Irish shops change their attitude towards customers, I will happily continue to buy on line.

666irishguy

Rigsby wrote: »

I have had some similar experiences with Irish (Dublin) shops. This and the total lack of choice (from a bass guitar aspect....believe it or not but there are other brands besides Fender :eek: ), quite apart from the price, means I have made three successful purchases on line. Until the majority of Irish shops change their attitude towards customers, I will happily continue to buy on line.

Choice is another big thing that is very limited even in the bigger stores. You could forgive the smaller shops somewhat as they can only carry so much. As for Bass I used to play a good bit of Bass when I was younger (about 10 or 12 years ago) and I found the same thing. It was a P or a Jazz or usually a Yamaha copy of a P or a Jazz or the odd one that had horns on the headstock and no way of getting anything else. Strangely enough when I ventured to a smaller shop with a cousin I found a bloke who was starting to sell Tanglewood acoustics and and he had two or three of their Basses as well and I took one off him and a little 20 Watt HIWATT amp (still have them if anybody wants to jam along with an acoustic). It was about 400 quid and I thought it was the most expensive musical purchase on the planet at the time, but it was/is still great to play. If I was to buy a Bass now, I would be looking online since I would probably go for a Rickenbacker and I haven't seen one in a shop or a window around these parts ever, though there is a bit more diversity in the actual body types (more metal looking ones mainly) I'd say it is still straight online to get anything other than BOSS effects for bass at a decent price.

**Vai**

Ive looked around music shops in Ireland, mainly Dublin but anything Ive bought came from adverts, thomann or musicstore. Oh and recently strings.ie for a few bits and bobs. Best way to get value in my experience.

miniroar

I've never bought anything on line, my fender jazz bought new from an irish music shop 10 years ago, get my amps and stuff from adverts I do find it addicting though I buy stuff I dont need all the time! its good for networking too talking to other bassists when buying stuff where they gig and all that jazz,I do find music shop staff in general to be very unhelpfull unless they are the owner, like when I went to buy the jazz bass in a music shop in Dublin with €1300 in my pocket and when I asked the guy behind the counter reading a magazine if I could try out the Jazz he frowned and said "well like are you actually really interested in it or just want to jam on it caus its hassle taking it down", I just took the money out of my pocket and said I'll just take this somewhere else so, hav'nt gone back to it since in ten years even if there massive sale is very tempting I'm sure they've changed management since then and cleaned up their act but one bad experience put me off for life

ShriekingSheet

I went looking for a back up guitar recently and Adverts was my fitst port of call. Found that so many of the mid level stuff around my budget had been modified in some way. Bridges, pick-ups, action adjustment etc. Much of it, no doubt, improves the guitar. Some of it, though, is done in a very amateur way. I don't have the expertise to be able to tell which is which (with total certainty), so it just totally put me off.

There's also quite a bit of s/h stuff (guitars but also pedals etc) that hasn't been treated well. I had a bad experience with a couple of pedals myself. Things can be cleaned up to look fine on the outside, but inside...

Back on the guitar, I went to the shop I've always gone to, which thankfully has the same guy I've dealt with for years working there. Obviously he's not going to recommend anything other than buying new, but I'd decided on that myself before going to him. I was very happy with the deal, and have been totally satisfied with the purchase ever since.

Anyway, I hate to be a 'scare story' guy when it comes to Adverts bargains. I work now, so I suppose am happy to spend a bit extra to avoid risk. In my student days, I always took the risk.

zafo

ShriekingSheet wrote: »

I went looking for a back up guitar recently and Adverts was my fitst port of call. Found that so many of the mid level stuff around my budget had been modified in some way. Bridges, pick-ups, action adjustment etc. Much of it, no doubt, improves the guitar. Some of it, though, is done in a very amateur way. I don't have the expertise to be able to tell which is which (with total certainty), so it just totally put me off.

There's also quite a bit of s/h stuff (guitars but also pedals etc) that hasn't been treated well. I had a bad experience with a couple of pedals myself. Things can be cleaned up to look fine on the outside, but inside...

Back on the guitar, I went to the shop I've always gone to, which thankfully has the same guy I've dealt with for years working there. Obviously he's not going to recommend anything other than buying new, but I'd decided on that myself before going to him. I was very happy with the deal, and have been totally satisfied with the purchase ever since.

Anyway, I hate to be a 'scare story' guy when it comes to Adverts bargains. I work now, so I suppose am happy to spend a bit extra to avoid risk. In my student days, I always took the risk.

What's the scare story?

Ravelleman

My biggest problem with Adverts is how people classify guitars as 'mint' when they're clearly not. They also act as if a dozen dings and scratches don't affect the price! Also trade offers are another gripe. They're fine if you want a trade but hard to stop if you really don't!

I often consider buying stuff from the likes of Thomann but I have yet to take the plunge. Maybe if I get a new amp some day.

Generally I buy from the States. It always works out cheaper.

Rigsby

Ravelleman wrote: »

My biggest problem with Adverts is how people classify guitars as 'mint' when they're clearly not. They also act as if a dozen dings and scratches don't affect the price!

I agree 100% but I always find this to be a bit of a paradox.

The people who complain ( I'm not talking about you personally) about scratches and dings etc are the same people who might pay over the odds for a "road worn" instrument. Whereas the scratches and dings you speak of, are the genuine article. I have heard of people taking a sander to the body of a new guitar to give the road worn effect. :eek: Absolute madness IMO.

I could never understand the road worn concept.

8_Ace

Rigsby wrote: »

I agree 100% but I always find this to be a bit of a paradox.

The people who complain ( I'm not talking about you personally) about scratches and dings etc are the same people who might pay over the odds for a "road worn" instrument. Whereas the scratches and dings you speak of, are the genuine article. I have heard of people taking a sander to the body of a new guitar to give the road worn effect. :eek: Absolute madness IMO.

I could never understand the road worn concept.

That's a serious generalisation and not warranted tbh

slavetothegrind

i don't really care as long as i get a truthfull picture, my favourite guitar was advertised as well used and so it is but i love how it plays, happy days!

Now other folk like an instrument in showroom condition, or mint, and when advertised as such expect it to be so.
Not unreasonable methinks.

Honesty ftw folks!

Rigsby

8_Ace wrote: »

That's a serious generalisation and not warranted tbh

Why not warranted ? Did I cut too close to the bone ? :P Not sure how much of a generalisation it is, but I personally know of two people who dont mind paying for "road worn" guitars, but would turn up their noses at one with a few natural dings and scratches. I'm sure there are lots of others.


Perhaps you could explain to me why this should be the case, even if they were in a
tiny minority ?

martinedwards

to be fair, I don't ever remember seeing a road worn guitar sold as mint condition......

Rigsby

martinedwards wrote: »

to be fair, I don't ever remember seeing a road worn guitar sold as mint condition......

Is it not possible to buy "new" road worn guitars, where it is specifically made to look as if it has been used for a lifetime, like in the link below ?

http://www.xmusic.ie/Fender-Road-Worn-1950-Strat-Black-p-28212.html

What puzzles me is why some people are prepared to accept these, and not ones with genuine dings and scratches.

Ravelleman

I see your point. If you go on to the like of The Gear Page, where everyone is a millionaire Republican, many people have PRS Artist Package guitars which they baby and then Fender Custom Shop heavy relics. They probably baby those too though!

It is an interesting consumer pattern that some people only seem comfortable paying for their instrument to be in less than mint condition. Lots of people also suggest that they buy 'road warn' or 'relic' guitars because they want something that they can play every day without worrying. It's certainly a master stroke by Fender in terms of marketing. Now most manufacturers do it.

BostonB

Because these days Road worn doesn't mean worn. It means cosmetically "pretty" well for some people anyway. Its a bit like distressed jeans etc.

It kind of a bogus concept. Originally it was the favourite pair of shoes idea, where an instrument has a visual history of your shared experiences with it, but also feels different, as its worn to suit your playing. Necks and frets etc. Which is especially true of someone famous whos instrument will have a lot of wear and tear then most.

But buying someone else's history just seems wrong to me.

-=al=-

Yea I agree with that. You have to make your own history alright... There is an oddly weird yet terrible and fun feeling from getting a new guitar that's so precious then eventually dinging it and then going with the flow for it... adds to the charm

ShriekingSheet

Rigsby wrote: »

I agree 100% but I always find this to be a bit of a paradox.

The people who complain ( I'm not talking about you personally) about scratches and dings etc are the same people who might pay over the odds for a "road worn" instrument. Whereas the scratches and dings you speak of, are the genuine article. I have heard of people taking a sander to the body of a new guitar to give the road worn effect. :eek: Absolute madness IMO.

I could never understand the road worn concept.

8_Ace wrote: »

That's a serious generalisation and not warranted tbh

Yeah, I don't see how that makes sense at all.

People who like Road Worn guitars are a tiny niche. Poorly looked after second hand stuff is in abundance, and people who hate that kind of stuff are many.

Rigsby

ShriekingSheet wrote: »

People who like Road Worn guitars are a tiny niche. Poorly looked after second hand stuff is in abundance, and people who hate that kind of stuff are many.

Poorly looked after, and road worn are not necessarily the same thing. Naturally no one wants a guitar that has not been looked after.

However even the best looked after guitars, unless you keep them permanently locked up in a glass case, will pick up some dings and scratches. Road worn happens naturally with constant playing over time, not from abuse.


Just as a matter of curiosity, can you show me some evidence to back up your claim that "Road Worn" fans are a tiny niche ? Judging from some of the bass forums, I'd be inclined to think there are more than you might imagine.

Otherwise the guitar makers would not have thought it worth their while to cater for these people.

BostonB

Heres another take on the wear ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNpS23xTyCM

....If its worn, it must have been played a lot, so must be good.....

raindog.promo

I've been ripped off money and had to go through the courts with one bricks and mortar shop in Ireland. As a result, I try and avoid small shops which is a pity but my trust is gone in that area. Same goes with repairs to equipment.

Started using adverts.ie a lot more recently for pedals and bits of equipment. Some good deals, but a lot of them would be perhaps maybe €15 off the price of the thing new.

Went to but a microphone from Music Maker (around €200), asked if they had any of the model in stock. Was told the microphone guy was busy at that moment and would ring me back in 5 minutes. Never got the call and I bought a newer version of the microphone online.

I like Jimi's Music store but trying to buy a pedal today, their phone number isn't working and I've received no reply to my email inquiry.

Xmusic is the one i go to as a last resort. I'm usually disappointed. Don't have the information to hand when you call (and nothing major, just if a certain guitar pedal was in stock) and ask can they call you back, which they never do. Rarely get an email reply either. I have been there and tried out a pedal in the store and when I went to buy it (that day) said they didn't have any in stock and for some reason wouldn't sell the actual pedal I had been trying out!

I've bought a fair bit of PA equipment online recently. Good prices and no bull**** basically. I had to return one speaker which was distorting. Told them (Thomann) i wanted to return it because of the fault and they sorted out the delivery back to Germany. All I had to do was bring it to the post office and it was returned to me 2 weeks later (if that long) working properly.

So it's either adverts.ie or online mostly for me because it works out as less of a headache. I can source goods and pay for them myself so why pay someone else to do so when they do it a lot worse than you can?

(I've also bought a guitar online. No problems with it, but I understand the whole try before you buy approach.)

Brave Badger

Ravelleman wrote: »

My biggest problem with Adverts is how people classify guitars as 'mint' when they're clearly not. They also act as if a dozen dings and scratches don't affect the price! Also trade offers are another gripe. They're fine if you want a trade but hard to stop if you really don't!

I often consider buying stuff from the likes of Thomann but I have yet to take the plunge. Maybe if I get a new amp some day.

Generally I buy from the States. It always works out cheaper.

Have you found that it still work out less expensive even if you are caught for VAT and import duties?

Brave Badger

raindog.promo wrote: »

I've been ripped off money and had to go through the courts with one bricks and mortar shop in Ireland. As a result, I try and avoid small shops which is a pity but my trust is gone in that area. Same goes with repairs to equipment.

Started using adverts.ie a lot more recently for pedals and bits of equipment. Some good deals, but a lot of them would be perhaps maybe €15 off the price of the thing new.

Went to but a microphone from Music Maker (around €200), asked if they had any of the model in stock. Was told the microphone guy was busy at that moment and would ring me back in 5 minutes. Never got the call and I bought a newer version of the microphone online.

I like Jimi's Music store but trying to buy a pedal today, their phone number isn't working and I've received no reply to my email inquiry.

Xmusic is the one i go to as a last resort. I'm usually disappointed. Don't have the information to hand when you call (and nothing major, just if a certain guitar pedal was in stock) and ask can they call you back, which they never do. Rarely get an email reply either. I have been there and tried out a pedal in the store and when I went to buy it (that day) said they didn't have any in stock and for some reason wouldn't sell the actual pedal I had been trying out!

I've bought a fair bit of PA equipment online recently. Good prices and no bull**** basically. I had to return one speaker which was distorting. Told them (Thomann) i wanted to return it because of the fault and they sorted out the delivery back to Germany. All I had to do was bring it to the post office and it was returned to me 2 weeks later (if that long) working properly.

So it's either adverts.ie or online mostly for me because it works out as less of a headache. I can source goods and pay for them myself so why pay someone else to do so when they do it a lot worse than you can?

(I've also bought a guitar online. No problems with it, but I understand the whole try before you buy approach.)

+1 on adverts.ie.....

Ravelleman

Brave Badger wrote: »

Have you found that it still work out less expensive even if you are caught for VAT and import duties?

I've always paid tax on my purchases, yes. You just have to be good at finding what you want for as little as possible.

topcatcbr

I have bought a good few things on donedeal recently and find it far better than adverts.ie. I think there are a lot on adverts who have little interest in selling an item just sitting on it with the hope some fool will pay big money. Another thing is made up accounts pushing up bids and items being relisted after.
An example is I was looking to buy a RC3 from a guy who was looking for €210 for one. They are €209 in Thomann. When I pointed this out he said I don't have to wait a week to buy his one. Needles to say I bought from Thomann warranty included. This has happened a few times with other items. So far I have bid on many things and bought nothing.

TroutMask

Never bought an axe online. I have to see if an instrument 'speaks' to me, so i always buy in shops. The Dublin retail scene has improved IMO, some of the large shops work on a client-based system, like each salesperson will have their own portfolio - so you could hav e different experiences under the same roof. Personally, i favour Some Neck for pre-owned and vintage, and Music Maker for new. Some Neck are 100% awesome to deal with. MusicMaker are great too, now that i have a go-to guy there. I think Irish shops can be very competitive, especially on larger ticket items. My last 2 major purchases were about 10% under the best online price, so go figure.

Ravelleman

If you want to buy something that isn't Fender or Gibson or an offshoot of either then Ireland is most definitely not the place to shop though.

macpac26

Ive always found Music Maker and Goodwins especially helpful. Cant say the same about other places. Being a lefty we're naturally forced to go online due to stock supplies but they always offer to order in anything for me.

As a rule if the staff are helpful and accomodating id always pay a bit more versus online. I try and support Irish stores as much as i can.

Steoob

Well I know theyre not instruments but I found a pair of Yamaha HS80m's on www.aquariussound.ie for cheaper than I can find them anywhere in the world. Not sure how much their delivery is though..

the_syco

Steoob wrote: »

Not sure how much their delivery is though..

Not sure how old this website is; http://www.mixcloud.com/aquariussound/ but it claims "free shipping".

On a side note, it's nice to know that Aquarius are still around; they've had a presence in Leixlip for a long time. Never had dealings with them, so can't vouch for them.

/edit;
Maybe message them on their facebook page; https://www.facebook.com/aquariussound