| Author | Message | ||
| keurosix
Senior Member Username: keurosix Post Number: 425 Registered: 10-2005 |
Sorry to see this wonderful store go. They still have a beautiful Tribute, and are selling everything in the store at unbelieveable prices. Today is one of the last days. Wish I knew this sooner, or I could have given a better heads up. http://www.gguitars.com/alembic14009.html | ||
| keurosix
Senior Member Username: keurosix Post Number: 426 Registered: 10-2005 |
Here is the notice: http://www.gguitars.com/closingsale.html | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 2528 Registered: 3-2004 |
It's a tough market. I was in that store a couple times and spent a few dollars on strings and things that weren't in stock in my local stores. I generally found the prices quite high compared to shops more local to me. Not sure if the real estate is super expensive there or what. If I knew earlier and wasn't spending as many hours working on snow removal and the like, I might have made a road trip to see what they were up to. Whether you loved the shop or not, the loss of a shop is the loss of options for players. I would have thought that would spell the end for Alembic dealers in New England, but apparently there's a place called "Brian's Guitars" in Hamden, CT. The website is a little tough to work with, but I'll have to stop in there next time I'm passing through. -bob | ||
| cje
Member Username: cje Post Number: 61 Registered: 5-2009 |
Yikes!!! This is the dealer I put my deposit down with for my Alembic! I wonder what I should do? | ||
| thumbsup
Advanced Member Username: thumbsup Post Number: 210 Registered: 7-2008 |
Hi Chris, Music stores were a very competive market when times were good! We lost a ma & pa store thats been in business for 30 years this year and fixin to loss another. We'll be down to only 1 local store and thats in a city of 115,000. And we dont have any chain stores like GC. If the last one doesn't make it we local muscians will have to go to Dallas or Temple/Austin....or just get everthing on the net! Steve (Message edited by thumbsup on February 05, 2011) | ||
| pace
Senior Member Username: pace Post Number: 673 Registered: 4-2004 |
http://briansguitars.com/ Brian is the nephew of Gguitar's original owner.....and a super nice guy. the new location isn't far out of the way, in fact it's closer to my in-laws, so maybe I have an excuse now.... .lol....  | ||
| thumbsup
Advanced Member Username: thumbsup Post Number: 211 Registered: 7-2008 |
Hey CJ, I'm sure you will contact them and ask. Was your deposit for a custom build or one they have/had in stock? | ||
| cje
Member Username: cje Post Number: 62 Registered: 5-2009 |
Just spoke with Nick - the short story is that I have about 2 weeks to pay the balance on my instrument (I was planning on paying when I picked up the guitar)! I guess it'll be OK, but I'm certainly caught off guard by the timing of this. And I would never have even known they were closing if I didn't see this thread, so thank you! Kinda bummed to see this awesome store go, and equally bummed about the timing of my unexpected lump sum payment! Gonna sit down and have a shot of PVW...! | ||
| cje
Member Username: cje Post Number: 63 Registered: 5-2009 |
It is a (truly awesome) custom build, thumbsup! | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 1605 Registered: 9-2002 |
Economics are relentless. IF you have a local store you like, with good people that sell fair and give good advice, spend your money there when you can ! The mom and pop music stores we all grew up with are steadily being murdered by the net and the big box stores. And it will surely be a loss if kids now go to Guitar Center to hang out on Saturday mornings, instead of the local 'House of Music' where so many of us hung with the older cats, got part-time summer jobs getting the rental horns ready for football season, and had first dibs on the juicy trade-ins. I've never understood how in the old days guys would try 10 or 12 of the same guitar in different stores till they found exactly the right one for them, yet now we think nothing of sending a credit card number across the country to buy a guitar completely blind, hoping it will arrive in one piece someday, with no thought of setup or trusting it IS 'as advertised'. We all want a deal, but I think I'm saving a lot of peace of mind (and S+H !) when I can buy local. J o e y | ||
| 88persuader
Senior Member Username: 88persuader Post Number: 439 Registered: 5-2004 |
Well Joey ... I think most of US on this forum set up our own instruments and don't expect them to be perfectly set up to our taste when we get them. In my neck of the woods (Southern NH) all there are is the Guitar Center and Daddy's Junky Music. If you want to buy ANYTHING besides Fender, Ibanez and the occasional Warwick you HAVE to buy over the internet. Just a fact of life I guess. When "I" was a kid there was a store called Progress Music and the owner Johnny Progress was an old jazz head. You didn't hear rock or pop in his store (today it would be rap, house and grunge) you heard progressive jazz ... it was an awesome environment and Johnny was a real musician, not some kid who should be selling fries! I'm afraid those days are long gone and we should consider ourselves lucky to have experienced them. I totally agree ... if you have a cool Mom and Pop music store in your area buy as much as possible from them before hitting the internet. Keep them in business, you're lucky to have them! | ||
| mike1762
Senior Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 748 Registered: 1-2008 |
We had 1 music store in my town when I was growing-up. I spent a LOT of money there (for a kid anyway) and enjoyed hanging-out with the local talent. It was my only point of reference; therefore, I didn't realize how much the owner was SCREWING me at every opportunity!!! The owner eventually sold-out to one of my buddies and I learned some of the ins/outs of the retail music business. The big three at the time were Gibson, Fender, and Music Man. They (the manufacturers) were notoriously difficult to deal with and their business practices were just this side of extortion. The small independently owned stores often could not afford to stock their instruments; therefore, they became "pick and string" stores with an occasional used LP or Strat hanging on the wall. They just didn't do the volume of a GC; and as such, they HAD to mark their stuff up more (however, I still feel like the original owner took advantage of me). When I think back on it now, I really can't BELIEVE the prices I paid for stuff back in the 70s and 80s. I was paying the same for bass strings that I pay now!!! I'll admit that I'm an internet troll when it it comes to gear. I'll find what I like at a brick and mortar store and then spend hours looking for the same/better/equivalent wherever I can find the best deal. The internet REALLY changed the game for EVERYthing associated with the music business. | ||
| pas
Advanced Member Username: pas Post Number: 255 Registered: 3-2003 |
3 of my 4 Alembics were purchased from the now defunct Rolls Music in Falls Church, VA. Phil, the owner, wasn't the most personable fellow I ever met, but he ALWAYS gave me a better deal than the folks up at Chuck Levin's. I hope he's doing well, where ever he is. | ||
| glocke
Senior Member Username: glocke Post Number: 828 Registered: 9-2002 |
In my area there are hardly any independent music stores, a few have opened up and tried to make a go of it over the years, but never lasted. Also, as much as I would like to support a local store, in all honesty I really have never been to one that carried anything I could use or would buy. The ones that have tried to make a go of it usually stocked lower end equipment and accessories. Heck, when it comes to basses even the guitar centers and sam ash stores I have been to really don't have anything that would interest me enough to plug in and try out, although the acoustic guitar rooms in these stores can have some nice things to check out. That is if the tops arent all cracked and warped from lack of proper humidity. | ||
| hankster
Advanced Member Username: hankster Post Number: 253 Registered: 6-2004 |
When I was a kid, the local music store - Leister's Music - was owned by an upright bass player who played in the local big band and played all the local amateur musical theatre production pit bands. He was old enough to be looking to retire from those, and as soon as I was a good enough reader he started pushing me, and those around him in those gigs, to get me in to replace him. Once I started, he stepped back, and at age 14 I got all those gigs. I doubt if that would happen in today's big box music store world. It kept me out of trouble and taught me to play. And it was good for business, too. Rick | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 873 Registered: 10-2006 |
Steed Music (Zanesville, OH) was a wonderful place, and is greatly lamented, even though I get the old hood about every 3 years. Today I'm fortunate to live in a small city where a 3rd indie shop just opened. And unfortunate not to able to buy anything from them right now. Peter | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 1674 Registered: 2-2005 |
A friend of mine owns a small local music store. One of the sad facts is his dealer cost is quite frequently more than the retail price at the big box stores. As he cannot do the volume to deal directly with the manufacturers he is forced to go through distributors who each take their cut. The whole setup reminds me of the way the mafia operates. Keith | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 4738 Registered: 7-2004 |
Gee, you guys are killing me. I have a friend who is opening a local store selling rock 'n roll memorabilia - old posters, photos and records. We're talking about me going in with him and stocking the place with a wall of old, unusual, boutique, etc. instruments. I'm viewing it as part business, part hobby. I'd be stoked if it could just pay for itself, at least in the beginning. I think it could be the start of an internet presence too. Do you guys think I'm nuts to consider doing this? Bill, tgo | ||
| artswork99
Moderator Username: artswork99 Post Number: 1406 Registered: 7-2007 |
A bit different Bill since you will be stocking vintage and not going to the "big guys" for your inventory. I think this has a place and if no one else is doing it nearby then go for it! Careful though since this opinion comes from one of the older guys ;) Good luck with the venture! | ||
| artswork99
Moderator Username: artswork99 Post Number: 1407 Registered: 7-2007 |
And very sorry to see G Guitars go  | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 1598 Registered: 5-2009 |
Bill, I think your new venture might be fun . I am very passionate about the " Old Bay Area Music Scene " having grown up in it. I wish you the best success with this idea! | ||
| glocke
Senior Member Username: glocke Post Number: 830 Registered: 9-2002 |
Bill, I personally think there is a market (niche market perhaps) for music stores that cater to vintage, boutique and not so everyday instruments. A place where you are just as likely to walk in and find a used Alembic of some sort, as well as instruments and/or amps by other boutique makers that you do not see every day. The two biggest issues (and I am sure there are more) that I see right from the start are being able to keep prices at a level that is competitive, and in the case of vintage instruments being knowledgable about what is supposed to make them correct for their time period. | ||
| thumbsup
Advanced Member Username: thumbsup Post Number: 223 Registered: 7-2008 |
Hey Bill, I've been in several business most of my life. With one business being my bread and butter which supports my Bass addition and other speculative business ventures. Some have made it and some have lost big time. The ones that lost were the ones I could not have hands on time needed and trusted the partner to take care of business. (no one will run a business better than yourself) My question would be Does your friend have a bread and butter job? If not business that need a partner needs OPM (other peoples money). It may not come up now but any new business needs capital. Partnerships rarely work. You may not not only loose some money/instruments but a friend. (which is one of my rules,no friends in partnerships, they soon part) Of course Bill you are a wise ole fella yourself and already know this! So to answer your question..no I dont think your nuts..any sucessful business has it's risk.... I do think you have some Gande Wavoes! Steve (Message edited by thumbsup on February 06, 2011) | ||
| mike1762
Senior Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 750 Registered: 1-2008 |
We had a vintage guitar store in Knoxville, but they had the misfortune and bad timing to open right about the time of the real estate/stock market bust. Needless to say, they didn't last very long. With any niche venture, you just have to be sure you have the market size to support it. That shouldn't be an issue in the Bay area. You could always sell "herbs and spices" out of a back room!!! | ||
| mike1762
Senior Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 751 Registered: 1-2008 |
"...no friends in partnerships...". Words to live by. I wish I would have had that perspective about 5 years ago. My medical group came very close to imploding after some very risky (and asinine) real estate investments went VERY wrong. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 4739 Registered: 7-2004 |
I appreciate the warnings about partnerships. In this situation, we wouldn't be business partners, just sharing the retail space. His stuff would be his, mine would be mine. However, my friend would actually be staffing the store. He is a musician and knowledgeable about guitars. I'd be available by appointment and maybe some evenings and weekends. I also think that each of us would attract people who found the other person's stuff interesting once they saw the store. Bill, tgo | ||
| thumbsup
Advanced Member Username: thumbsup Post Number: 224 Registered: 7-2008 |
sounds low risk.....maybe a no brainer! definetly let us all know the web addres. Steve | ||
| cje
Member Username: cje Post Number: 64 Registered: 5-2009 |
On a happier note... I (growing up in Rockland County NY) always had Alto Music as my independent music shop. It's where I got my first guitar and amp, where everyone knew me and my dad (who would take me there almost weekly, since I was too young to drive), and always had a buy 2 sets, your third is free deal for strings. Well, here I am 20 years later with my own house in Rockland, and guess what - I STILL have Alto to swing by! They sold their old familiar location and moved just up the street to a MUCH larger store. Most of the people who work there are young kids, but there's still some "old timers" who remember me, and it's great to have a local business that I can actually support. And, they still have their 3-for-2 string deal! If only they were Alembic dealers, my personal music retail life would be perfect. | ||
| bassilisk
Member Username: bassilisk Post Number: 90 Registered: 4-2009 |
Wow. Too bad. I only bought a couple of pieces from them over the years (Steinberger white XL2 from one of their ebay auctions and a Ken Smith BSR4 Elite G) and they were always very pro to deal with. I was satisfied with my purchases and happy to do business with them. They always had a lot of nice eye candy and were a cool browse. | ||
| gtrguy
Advanced Member Username: gtrguy Post Number: 340 Registered: 9-2004 |
Ahhh, the fond memories of all the local music stores that kicked me out when I was a kid, for playing too loud or too long. We have a local music store that is half pawn shop and it does OK, judging from the amount of stuff they carry. Several other small ones have tried to make it but had to close. A few years back I lost all interest in new guitars and basses anyway. Thank Gawd for CL and EBay. I would not open a retail music store. Too risky, too much overhead, too little return. Most have to give lessons and rent band instruments and carry a cheap line or two of instruments that have enough markup to make a profit that I would not feel good about selling. The big makers may well not be even willing to let you sell their products if you are not selling enough. And if they did, you would have to sit there and watch some kid (like I used to be) with no intention of buying, play your new Fender or Gibson until after a while it would end up looking used. And then they would go down the road to Guitar Center and buy one anyway. | ||
| pace
Senior Member Username: pace Post Number: 674 Registered: 4-2004 |
CJ, it kind of bums me out that your guitar will probably be dropped-shipped to you w/out any final inspection once it reaches the east coast.... Back in the day I chose to go through Gguitars for my custom, and even though I didn't opt to have them fool w/ the setup, I'm sure picking a dealer who's a straight shot down 95 factored into your decision, just in case any problems arose. | ||
| keurosix
Senior Member Username: keurosix Post Number: 427 Registered: 10-2005 |
CJ, I would not be surprised if G-Guitars DOES include a final set up with your guitar. Their repairman Mike Miscagna is really good, and has been doing repairs for years - as long as I have known him. I played in a band with him when I was in High School, and he was doing repairs back then too. He was a real smokin' guitarist also. When I got my 6 string Europa from G-Guitars, they sent it to him to do a final and he also dressed the frets which had stuck out when the fingerboard did it's initial shrink. Since then it has never repeated this, and remains a fabulous playing bass ever since. I have his contact numbers in case you need service. Also, Pace posted above a link to a new store in Hamden, CT: Brian's Guitars who show Alembics on their website. I wouldn't be surprised if the unsold stock from G-Guitars ends up there. It would also be real cool if they become a new Alembic dealer, but I am not privy to that info. Here's hoping you get your custom with the right kind of support. Kris | ||
| pace
Senior Member Username: pace Post Number: 675 Registered: 4-2004 |
Kris, I hold Mike M. in high opinion as well, but it's not up to him to do the right thing.... It's up to the shop's current owner.... I stopped by Brian's place a couple of weeks ago, he is now THE area dealer for Alembic. He apologized to me for not having any basses in stock, but said in time that'll change. Personally, I doubt he will be taking much of Gguitar's liquidation stock~ judging by the current inventory, it looks like he already squirreled away a bunch of good stuff from his tenure at Gguitars!!!!! (Message edited by pace on February 08, 2011) | ||
| keurosix
Senior Member Username: keurosix Post Number: 430 Registered: 10-2005 |
Mike, that is good news about Brians Guitars. Hamden is only about 20 mins from where I live. Are you in CT as well? | ||
| pace
Senior Member Username: pace Post Number: 676 Registered: 4-2004 |
Yep, I'm about 30 min east of either store. I originally stopped by Brian's because I was curious which "Brian" Brian was...... Anyone remember Brian Guitars' ???? The new shop is a clever play on an old local name~ I'm sure it brought some old friends out of the woodwork to see the man behind the curtain! | ||
| keurosix
Senior Member Username: keurosix Post Number: 431 Registered: 10-2005 |
Mike, I sure do remember Brian Cohen from the original store. I spent a small fortune there, and got my first Alembic from him - the John Judge Doubleneck Dragon bass. I still have a Modulus Graphite Quantum TBX 5 string with a cocobolo top I bought there. He was a hell of a salesman, and knew his clientelle very well. He always had a surprise for me when I would come in the store, and 9 out of 10 I'd walk out with! You live close to me on the shoreline? | ||
| cje
Member Username: cje Post Number: 67 Registered: 5-2009 |
I'm not too worried at this point. THe financials have all been worked out, and I'm happy with the final result. When I visited Alembic, I had two objectives: control placement and string height. I accomplished both of those - I made a final layout of the controls, and then played a bunch of guitars until I found the one that felt JUST right - Mica spent a good deal of time measuring string height, relief, etc... and will use those numbers to set my guitar up. As for taking care of the frets eventually, I'll probably arrange to bring the guitar to a tech here in midtown if I have to. Of course, I'll visit Brian's Guitars as soon as I get the chance, but it'll probably be a while, since I'll be too busy playing my new Alembic! All good things in all good time. |
