Paucity of guitar dealers

[robithinker]

I've noticed that there aren't that many guitar dealers that carry CG's in Atlanta. Is anyone familiar with a dealer that carries a decent stock? I've been to Maple Street Guitars and it's the best I've seen so far (can I say that without being edited?), but beyond that nothing. I would like to try some Ramirez, Alhambra or Contreras guitars. It's obviously not cost effective to buy multiple guitars in a row through GSI on approval and have to pay all the shipping charges to send back the ones that aren't to my liking. It would be great to be able to play it at a shop then purchase on-line either form GSI, if they carry it, or somewhere else?

[guitargirl]

Its hard to find a guitar shop that will have a good selection of CG guitars. The main reason is that they hang on a hook and take a lot of abuse. Heavy, thick, steel string guitars are built to take this abuse whereas CG's are not. So the average guitar shop is not going to invest thousands of dollars in fragile instruments that can be easily damaged by heavy handed beginners or just browsers who don't know what they are doing. They are also not going to invest in the humidity control necessary to keep these precision instruments in good condition. So we go there and pick through the junk and walk away disappointed. Buy from a distributor at wholesale. Thats the best way.

[robithinker]

That's a good point. One thing I've been thinking about is consistency. If I play an Alhambra 5p or a Ramirez R2 in a store, what's the probability that the 5p or R2 that I order from a wholesaler will have the same tonality? As I understand it the wood used for all the guitar's can vary slightly, so the one you order from the wholesaler may not sound exactly like the one you've played.

[Scott]

True, every guitar has its own nuiances, but if you buy from a quality dealer (like GSI) be assured you'll get a good guitar. If you don't like it return it - a hassle yes but it is the best option you have. Of course if you get a cheap enough flight, you can always go to GSI :D and hand select.

[NGiorgio]

There is a lot to be said about being able to compare guitars side by side, when you are considering a purchase. There are good and bad sides to both picking out an instrument from a store or purchasing on-line. In the last couple of years, I've done it both ways so here is my take on it.

I have also owned and operated a guitar shop, so I have a bit of experience from that side as well.

When buying from a guitar shop, you can try as many as possible and hear and feel differences between different instruments. (This is good). You can also become confused after a while and have difficulty in making the right decision. (Not good). Also, many shops may have rooms to play the guitars where the acoustics are set up to enhance the volume and tone of the instrument. (Not all that good). You might take a guitar home and find it sounding different. (Not good). In a shop, try the guitar in different places, so that you can hear it in a few surroundings (Sometimes hard to do). Find out if you take an instrument home for a 24 hour trial period. (Good). Take someone with good ears with you. Have someone play a guitar you might be considering so that you can hear how it sounds. Don't make a decision, if your not quite sure of it. Try to spend as much as your budget will allow. Do not allow yourself to be talked into a purchase because it is a bargain. Be totally comfortable with every aspect of the transaction before committing to it. Ask what their trade in policy is. Be patient.

If you are considering purchasing from an on-line operation, you really have to do your homework beforehand. You must have a real good idea of what is needed to suit your needs. Tone, volume, ease of playing, price, etc. Try to communicate with someone who plays guitar at the company you intend to buy from, so that they can assist you in getting all the correct information you might want regarding a specific brand or model. If and when you are ready to make a decision, do it by phone, so that you can get more answers to any final questions that may arise. Also, consider if you are planning to up-grade in the near future. Some dealers such as GSI offer a terrific trade in policy but the time frame may have a limit. Do not be afraid to ask questions. Shipping costs, insurance, etc. Again, be patient. It may take a while to find the right instrument for you.

Another thing is spruce vs. cedar tops. A spruce guitar will improve with age. If you like it when it's new, you will most likely like it more when it breaks in. Cedar however, is a little different. The way it sounds when it is new is just about what it will be like as it ages.

It is very nice to be able to try a guitar in your own environment, where you are going to be playing it most of the time. It is also nice to hand pick one as well.

Good luck.

[tmkid]

NGiorgio's post was great! Very precise and excellent advice. After selling about 100,000 guitars in my life, I don't really have much to add...

It would be great if more shops would stock a bigger selection of classical and flamenco guitars. I think the market is a little "thin" and most dealers are just not familiar enough to sell them effectively. These are among the reasons we decided to offer classical guitars by catalog and, later, on the internet. We felt this was the best way to bring the best selection to the most people. Waiting for customer to walk in the doors in Los Angeles didn't seem like an effective business plan.

We also began distribution in 1996 and that has improved the selection at guitar shops around the US. Guitar Center and Sam Ash, for example, both stock Ramirez. GC stocks Cordoba, some Contreras and can special order more. They also offer a 30 day money back guarantee, no questions asked! If you let us know exactly where you are located, we may be able to recommend a shop or two who has good stock of classical guitars although we can probably do a fairly good job at guiding you through the process of purchase by phone. It has worked successfully for many, many customers but I understand that it may not be for everyone.

Tim