Baxter and Jonathan talk about the strengths and weaknesses of big box stores vs the local shop. 115 NE Broad St, Southern Pines, NC 28387 910-725-0807 Shop@Casinoguitars.com SHOP HOURS : MON - SAT 11AM - 5PM, SUN 12-4PM
@@RByrne You're fortunate, many of us don't have local shops. Some not even local GCs. Sweetwater is a good option. Unless anyone has a rec for the Cleveland OH area?
You are exactly correct about Sweetwater's approach to customer service. A buddy of mine works for Sweetwater, and he says the managers tell new employees up front to imagine they are in a local shop to the extent that they can, and as part of that, to make sure to initiate a personal interaction with each customer. And its' obviously been very successful.
I’m an independent shop kind of guy. I have a similar story to Jonathan’s story for both a guitar and an amp. During Highschool I KNEW what I wanted from a rig. I needed a PRS Core and a Mesa. Art’s Music in Montgomery, AL let me put money over a few months to buy my first PRS, a Core Custom 22 in Vintage Yellow! Then, shortly thereafter, Elite Music, also in Montgomery, let me pay on a custom tolex order from Mesa for a Roadster head and Rectifier 2x12 Cab in Cream Tolex. Those folks afforded me opportunities to get those things when I didn’t think it was possible.
My dad was a peavey sales rep the first 20 years of my life, and I grew up inside mom and pop music stores. There's a different vibe and wealth of knowledge that isn't at 90% of big box stores.
Love your videos and I try to support my local shop and have for years. The issue for me today is that new employee that doesn’t know me and makes me feel like I shouldn’t be in the store. That drives me to Sweeetwater. Without the independent shops, we loose music. Teach your employees not to judge the book b6 the cover.
When I was growing-up, my local guitar shop had both Dave Murray (Iron Maiden) and Jack Bruce as customers. It was always a thrill knowing I was buying from the same place as them. Then I moved to London and my local music shop was the place the Kinks bought their first guitars. Sadly, they didn’t care about their history and didn’t care about the guitar section, only bothering about the grand pianos they stocked. As a result, It was the kind of place I only went to in an emergency string situation. They recently closed and I don’t miss them at all. I’d much prefer to pop to Guitar Guitar (a small chain) in Camden.
Years ago I was in my local shop, and I remember one of the sales employees (and friend of mine) on the phone with a string rep (I forget which brand), my friend was arguing with the rep because GC was selling the same strings for LESS than the "dealer cost" for this local shop. The owner of the shop eventually sent one of his employees to GC to buy strings to carry in his shop instead of going through the rep. I lived less than 5 min from GC and about 15 min from the local shop, I almost always went to my local shop. I purchased numerous guitars, basses, amps, and accessories. I brought in and sent in many friends to the store for their purchases.I'd hang out there on many occasions. I've been friends with many of the (now former) employees for decades!
Back in the day ( I'm old) there was no big box music stores. The ones we had were so cool bc.it was a hang & all the local cats big & small would be there. Big box stores have eliminated that & the young musicians now, have no idea what it was like & what is missing now.
I just bought a Fender custom shop strat from Casino - they answered all my questions, setup and wired it the way I wanted and shipped it out quickly. I was nervous buying online without seeing or playing it but it worked out great - that would not happen at GC or any of the big box guys. Besides - I am happy that I helped the smaller shops out - they need our support.
My Sweetwater rep Joe is DA MAN! The Fender American Original 60s line was pretty much done and he came through and found me an AMAZING surf green Jag ❤
I so appreciate Casino. Baxter helped me pick out a Fender custom and suggested a different type of pickup for each position, something I didn't know could be done and I'm not sure I would've thought of. Casino kept me informed and the day I picked it up was so much fun. Kudos to Baxter and the team!
Excellent video, as always. Just have to say I’m all of the above. Sometimes, my local shop is five states away but has an online presence, web site or Reverb. Most importantly, I found a local luthier on Yelp who does fantastic set ups on all my purchases. But … my best purchase was from a true local store where I went in for a Martin, played several Gibsons, and came home with a Taylor, making friends with my salesman along the way. He helped me by playing each guitar so I could hear how they sounded to the audience. So, yeah, there’s that. Oh my!
My local shop (Tone Shop Dallas TX) is beyond great ! I would never go anywhere else. They are so knowledgeable, kind and humble. I'm just a hack at best but they treat everyone like a king and queen whatever your ability and the numbers of zeros in your bank account.
I appreciate my local shop for the relationships I've build with sales staff. And, the guitar knowledge the've shared with me and the 'trust' that comes with that over time. Lastly, being able to touch & play guitars I might be interested in carries much weight. As most of the comments below show it seems to be relative to 'personal preference'. Thanks for discussing the issue!!
The best thing about buying online from smaller dealers is the free shipping, no tax ! Especially living in Tennessee where tax is right at 10 percent! Nobody ever seems to talk about it, if I see a guitar on reverb I look at the seller,and then go to they’re website and either just buy it, or talk them down even more, they save reverb fees, and everybody is happy !
I always try to buy stuff from the local music shops. But if I can't find something locally, then I'll buy from Sweetwater or other online retailer. Sometimes it means I have to hit 3 or 4 local shops looking for something, but it's fun to pop in and say hello. Maybe they have something I need/want that wasn't on today's list. Of course I am fortunate and here in Nashville there are a lot of music stores, big and small. And some are just better than others, so it's good to get to know them all.
Love my Local Spot BL Custom Guitars in Harrisburg! Hell, Bill has allowed me on multiple occasions to "borrow" at home various Guitars and Amps to see how I like them. Kick Ass Shop & Folks! 👍🏻
You guys have a curated collection with some items that are hard to find, even at the lower price points. The 2 guitars I’ve bought from you guys are my favorites. You also influenced my amp choices in a way that had gotten me a better tone than I would have got on my own and shaped my ideas about pedals in a more usable way. There’s a lot a bland crap out there that gets more and more expensive. Thanks for everything you guys do, much appreciated! 🤘🎸
For some of us Sweetwater, for the most part, IS our local shop. There are a few that are slightly closer to me, but they aren't ONLY a big box store, and Casino is way farther away, so to me it might as well be a big box store.
We’re lucky to have a few local shops here in Springfield MO. My favorite is Palen Music, managed by Nate White (see his great RU-vid every Saturday morning for both guitar lessons the occasional humble words of wisdom). It has a good selection of acoustic and electric. I have spent hours trying out guitars with little pressure to buy, just the occasional check-in, answers to questions, and recommendations that you want from real sales associates. And they still have some used stock to sell, especially pedals. They have consolidated with a few independent locally-owned guitar shops in Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma, and can offer some “big box” perks. I’ve never been to any one those, but the Springfield store still FEELS like the independent guitar stores I grew up with as a kid. We also have a fair amount of pawn shops in town, the stock of those vary tremendously, but you always have the chance to walk away with a REAL pawn shop special if you’re lucky. BTW: I don’t work for Palen. I just really appreciate the store.
Love Jonathan's T-shirt. I've had nothing but good experiences with Sweetwater. They bent over backwards to solve an issue I was having with an inexpensive pedal I purchased.
Normally I buy most of my gear from my local shop. I ordered an Epiphone Les Paul from Sweetwater because it had the finish I wanted, and it was a Sweetwater exclusive finish.
I think at least part of the reason is the generally high quality, and consistency of guitar manufacturing, and that many people are prepared to buy based on photos, a description, and a review. I am sure not everyone agrees, and would prefer to be able to go into a store and play a range of instruments before buying, but the reality is that most people will buy on line, and as Baxter said, for some stores, the brick-and-mortar store front on Main St is now little more than a warehouse and mailing address.
Awesome shirt, Jonathan. My local GC Used to be a great place. My local shop is about 30 minutes and a great shop ( Mojo’s Music). Eddie’s is near by (my first Heritage, but only open by appointment now.
much rather buy from a small shop like Casino, always support the underdog for multiple obvious reasons. Heart and soul no corporate soulless bullshit, usually is what you will experience. These guys seem like cool dudes I’d have a great time talking to and doing business with, Respect!
I rather purchase from local shops, however the price at big box are usually better & free shipping. If the shipping wasn't free I would purchase local as it's usually the same price with shipping. The building of a relationship with the local shop is far superior than big box. My problem is when I visit the local shop. I feel obligated to purchase something. I just spent a hour playing the guitars and messing with the amps.
My local shop was my first choice when I was in the market for a Taylor 324ce. Unfortunately when I contacted them they were no longer a Taylor dealer. I live in the corn belt of Illinois so guitar shops are few at best so it is what it is. Instead of goin the Sweetwater route which I enjoy doin, I drove over by St Louis guitar shopping and found one and took it home. Guitar safaris are cool. My next guitar will be a used Gibson Custom shop les paul hopefully from Carter Vintage or something along those lines. If you guys sold Gibsons like you do Fender I'd drive the 10 hours to get a Les Paul from Casino. I just can't do Fenders lol
I love purchasing through Motor City Guitar which is my local guitar store. I am blind and I can walk in the front door and talk to the owner Marty and discuss with him what I need. If he orders an instrument for me then he will receive it first and the guitar technician Scott will go through the guitar before I receive it to make sure that it is correct. That way I don't have to deal with receiving a defective instrument and then have to send it back to the manufacturer or retailer and waste time and money doing that. When I receive the instrument it will be set up and playable. If there are any manufacturer defects then I will be able to bring it back to them and they will send it back if necessary and or repair it for me. I do not mind ordering smaller items that are less likely to have problems over the Internet but when it comes to amplifiers with tubes in them or an actual guitar I always purchase through my local shop. Just less headache and more reliability. Sweetwater is awesome for everything else though, not saying that they completely suck with Guitars and such but the risk is always there when ordering online and I like to alleviate that risk as much as possible. I have ordered probably around 8 or 9 Guitars online so far over the years and every single one of them has ended up at Scott anyways to get set up and made to play to my preference. So I feel like I'm just skipping a step. Not only that but when I purchase through them he has offered discounts because I purchased multiple items at the same time which Sweetwater does not do for you unless you make the effort to call them on the phone and talk to someone which I guess is all right but just more steps. there is plenty of used equipment and I can haggle on price with that and also I get to play all the guitars while I am there and possibly run into some thing I like that I didn't realize I liked before. Experience all around is just 100% better doing it that way. Plus you get out of your house and you're not sitting in your bedroom ordering shit on your phone lol.
I’ve been to my local shop a few times, only person in the store and dude just plays with phone behind counter and doesn’t feel like talking. Got a Strat from Sweetwater this year, pretty good experience
I’ve had such good luck w both SW and my local shop (corner music- Nashville). Like having both bc they each fill dif needs that the other wouldn’t be able to do
The last time I went to Sam Ash, they had no guitars. I thought they were going out of business. Maybe it was because of the pandemic, but they had removed several guitar displays. They just don't have any selection for instruments. The problem is, I have now bought 2 expensive guitars from Sweetwater that have both had issues upon arrival. They still are great with customer service, but it would be nice to be able to handle an instrument before buying it.
I am fortunate to live in the Washington DC area. Chuck Levin’s is an amazing store. They have a huge selection of gear. Knowledgeable staff and great pricing! Check them out if you can.
I’m so envious when I hear people talk about how fun guitar shops are. It’s not fun at all for us lefty’s. That’s why I just roll the dice with online orders. It must be awesome to be able to spend hours in a shop figuring out what guitar is best for you. This also lead to me not liking strats, because the dusty back squire with rusty strings in every guitar center is what I based my original opinion of them on.
Times have changed so much and there really isn't many shops around anymore, it seems like all the local shops now are extremely small with almost zero inventory or they sell obscure cheaper brands.
Personal service and expertise!!!! I buy ALL my guitar related items from Lauzon in Ottawa, Canada. Example, yesterday called local chain store looking for tubes for amp. Chain store had 0 idea what I was saying or what I was asking for. Called Lauzon and knew who I was, and had what I needed set aside. You can’t find that at chains!!!!
I really like to support local. However, for those little things my shop doesn't have Sweetwater, and their customer service that feels almost like a local shop works out very well.
My local Shop,is my lifeline,in this big markert/ jungle.Wanted classic ,but new spececks.Have fender ultrs luxe tele and strato with a q.c.for sweet tones,so far.I could never done it with out ,my local shop.😁😁
My local shop, blows. We live just outside of Nashville. Our local shop charges sometimes double for guitar strings. I'm 60, and when I come in and the kids are working, they ignore me. Yet, I can afford everything in the store. Another sale lost. I restore, repair, and modify guitars and basses. I still stop by and check on their used gear. Still over priced. Times I've paid their price in an effort to shop local. But it would be nice if they would meet me halfway. It's a 30-minute drive to Guitar Center in Nashville.
I was stationed in Tucson, AZ for the better part of 4 years. We had a GC 10 minutes away, and a mom and pop shop within walking distance. The mom and pop shop was run by a complete POS, so my only viable option was GC. Fast forward a few years, now I’m living in West Virginia and there’s not a GC or Sam Ash within the entire state. All my purchases are now online.
My local shops tend to have Player Series and best. You have to travel to find better anything. But that is okay I guess. Whenever I walk through a door a buy something, even if it is only some picks.
I’ve had great experiences with Sweetwater. Local shops I’ve had some great experiences too but also some very poor ones. Sweetwater has always been cool to me.
Most local shops and GCs offer good experience if and when you can get ahold of somebody. Even if you do, they want you to buy right then and there. Sweetwater makes you feel comfortable with your purchase. Sure, I’d rather touch and feel a guitar, but I know if I don’t like a choice I make at Sweetwater they will help me out.
I usually buy local (not really local, but small)... I like to avoid the sales tax for one... but sometimes only Sweetwater has the item I want, especially on the very high end stuff... they aren't like Guitar Center where most of their stuff is shit... they have high end stuff.
Man, most independent local type shops ive been too have been either shitholes with terrible gear or everything is so expensive I don’t want to sneeze in there. I gave up on even trying local shops. Sweetwater takes great care of their employees and they have great service. Plus it’s only three hours away if I really want to see something in person. I’m fine sticking with Sweetwater. I know what to expect every time.
My local shop is the worst. I used to try to go there whenever I could for stuff to help keep something around that we could go to, but the last 4 guitars I have taken there for repairs or work have been botched, took multiple trips, got charged multiple times for supposedly the same work, just a terrible experience. When a place is the only one around, sometimes they just don't give a shit because you don't have anywhere else to go.
I like love my local shop in Lexington ky, im sure you know who! 😂 on another not ive also signed up for your newsletter on your website! I look at your product daily. I guess its where i watch ur a.d.d videos. 😂 I also have adhd along with asd but anyways I connected and now i want a casino guitar!!!
There is no decent or even real guitar shop within 100 miles of me. I live in SW Montana. I have always had great luck with Sweetwater and I am my own luthier (as any guitar player should be IMO). I wish I did have someone local that was worth a damn though.
I am definitely more likely to make an impulse buy at the local shop (meaning you guys actually 😂) but if I have a very particular, thought out purchase it's typically a big-box purchase.
Most stores, corporate or indie, rarely set-up guitars before they put them on the floor. I expect that at GC, but why the the indies do it; I don't know. What a local indie can actually do; they don't. Might as well mail order. And to date, the best deal selling to a store, was at Guitar Genter. That being said, I go out of my way to buy from a local indie as often as I can.
One reason to buy from an Indy out of state is NO TAX usually. So I buy from a state over. But I also get a free setup to my specs and choice of strings too. They give me the same deals Sweetwater does. Happy to support my indy a state over, we only have GC and SamAsh here locally for the most part. unclean stores....yuck. The other two shops only carry overpriced junk and the 3rd one is mostly highend acoustics. I'm going to start a shop here once the economy is in a better place.
GC is opening a brand new store on Thursday in our local mall here in Grand Junction, CO. We have a very solid local shop with a long history and a lot of loyal customers, and a second shop that is also quite good, and is not far away from the mall, so I don't know about the GC thing......I don't see it happening....doesnt mean I wont pop in there next time Im in the area, but they would def be third choice if I really was in the market for a guitar or even strings. My view is they would beat having to go online if they had something I needed. Guess we shall see. Good on 'em for giving it a go!
I think you are correct. Things are going to be changing for GC before long. There is one Independent in my area. They suck. They have a guitartech who is pulling the GC crap on me. I own a Keisel custom and want a set of Bare Nuckle pickups put into it. They will not install anything (Pick ups) unless you buy from them. They shou;d be taking and helping people with any business they can get. I will remember that. -I did say in my area, they were the only Ma-Pa place. I hope this changes.
How about a switch, a Boss FS-6. Asked the guy in the shop if they had a FS-6 because of...and gone he was. No time to tell him I need it for switching my Boss GT-1 AND Roland Jupiter 50 synth for sustain. Does it matter? Well you need different cables to make this work. The guy returns and tell him my use for the pedal...he looks at me..."at the same time?" he asks. Yes I reply. "That is not possible!". ...by design the FS-6 can switch two things on one unit (with the correct cable) or two seperate units like in my example with two different cables, not even bringing up latched and unlatched and what that brings to the table. So this "dude" tells me it is not possible what I intend to use it for while Boss made this pedal do so BY DESIGN...
Sweetwater is Amazing. I don't like people touching my stuff. Sweetwater is the only place I can guarantee when I buy a $5000 guitar no one else (except the pro inspectors) have touched my gear. The only downside for going through Sweetwater is if you have to send something back, but they even make that as painless as possible.
I will never understand ppl like yourself- they come into a shop and claim the guitars aren't new because someone has unboxed and set them up- how ridiculous. The shop is supposed to be a buffer between you and the crap that sometimes gets shipped out of the factory- they're there to make sure when you buy a guitar, you get a good one that's ready to play and doesn't require you to set it up properly. To each their own but I will never understand why someone would want to remove that buffer and deal with the bs themselves.
@@stoneysdead689 Sweetwater unboxes them also. They said they like the only person handling it being the person doing inspection or setup. It won’t go on the shop floor and everyone who walks in can touch and play it however they want. Not saying I wouldn’t buy from a shop but I understand the thinking. I ordered a brand new acoustic from Elderly instruments and it came with obvious wear from being played in their store. I think that is what they are talking about, not the shop luthier doing a setup but random people waltzing in and banging on it.
@@psych336 That’s exactly what the original commenter is talking about which is understandable. However, there are some people who for whatever reason don’t want their new guitar to be touched between the time it leaves the factory and the time it gets to them.
@@psych336 Oh- well, that's about 1/10th more sane than the idiots who complain about even the set-up guy touching it. But hey, whatever- it's your money, waste it however you want.
@@stoneysdead689 Personally I prefer my instruments to be setup and played to check for buzz and other things. It makes a big difference so I can’t understand anyone not wanting that personally. There are a few shops that include free setups like Elderly and the acoustic shoppe , those are the ones I buy from if possible. If you are satisfied then I would say you haven’t wasted your money. I enjoy my guitars so much, they are some of the best money I’ve spent. If they enjoy their guitar that’s all that really matters, hopefully they can set them up. Just have fun and play your guitar
There was a specific guitar I wanted, went straight to my local shop. They didn't have it. I asked could they order it for me, was there any way I could buy it through them. They told me they couldn't because they didn't have a rep with that company. Ok, got it through Sweetwater. I always go to my local first.
Sweetwaters a blessing and a curse. They can preorder almost anything, and get it to you undamaged. But, something as simple as getting me another nut to replace the one that was improperly installed on my AJ sig. from Epiphone, has proven to be way more difficult than need be. Because there's soo many people and departments involved in handling a new guitar warranty covered part replacement, it's gonna end up taking almost 2 weeks to get the new nut. Sure glad I have other guitars to play, or I'd be bumming. Bigger isn't always better. There's plenty of gaps in their system. The reason I shop Sweetwater is I know in the end they got my back and always make it right.
Casino and Mom & Pop Shops help find what You Need, What You Want and keep your Budget in mind at same time, a Big Box simply wants to Sell you the Most Expensive Gear & Guitars they Have or can and Casino would rather have you Happy and playing what Fits you. Your Happiness is Primary Focus of All Mom & Pops, Your Money is really all the big box wants
I love guitar stores, I used to take weekend trips to them with friends but over the last 10-15 years, the interesting stuff is all gone or way too expensive. Beinf a lefty doesn't help either, I have to buy guitars on line because I rarely find anything I want locally. The deals are all gone for the most part. Guitar stores have seem to either have gone away and what is left the some of staff have have become entitled and rude. There are a few cool shops left in the bay area. Sweetwater won't leave you alone after you buy a pedal, they call at least once a month to see if you need anything else, they are the Jehova Witness of guitar stores.
Grab ass and poop stick. You ever play poop stick? It’s when you’re hanging out as kids and you see dog poop so you stick a stick in it and chase the girls around with it. It’s fine when you’re 12/13 or younger. If youre 39, you’re a drunk asshole and need to leave the dog park.
I do my best to give my money to the local mom and pop store. But when I want to try guitar X and they don't have guitar X, I have to go somewhere else. Buying a guitar online, to me, isn't really an option. I don't think I could sink money in a guitar I haven't played. Pedals, etc, I'll try my local shop first, then I'll order it online if they don't have it. But I can't wrap my head around ordering a guitar online that you haven't played, IMHO.
The wall behind them is their personal collection (at least part of it), and they started a series featuring a guitar from the back wall but they didn’t make very many episodes of that content. They also had an even more short lived series (I think only one or two episodes) where they featured the collections of viewers of this channel.
