Conference napalm::guitar

		Heres some that are does, and some that are don'ts

    Jim at Mr C's in Marlboro is a good choice.
    
    Macduffs in Shrewsbury.  Not bad.  Rich is a good guy
    
    Unless your looking for beginners stuff, or trinckets, don't bother
    with Fitchburg music.  NOTE: They've got a 2 for 1 string sale each
    friday.  (Unannounced so ask on friday and you'll get strings 2
    for 1)
    
    As far as Wurlizters go.  I don't buy picks there.  Most of the
    people that work there are up and comming rock and roll stars, and
    are much too good to give you the time of day, never mind an honset
    answer.
    
    Hampshire Music.  Not bad.  Decent prices, good people, lots of
    guitars...

    

    One store that I can recommend (and others have already) is MACDUFF'S
    MUSIC on rte. 9 in Shresbury, MA, next to Spag's.
                                    
    They have very good prices and do very good instrument repairs.
    They are very knowledgeable about guitars.  The owner, Rich MacDuffie,
    has built a number of beautiful custom guitars (some of which are
    in his shop) and does top-notch repairs at good prices with a fast
    turnaround.
    
    Their selection of new gear is limited compared to many stores,
    they *don't* sell drums, keys or PA as major items (although something
    is usually lying around).
                                                            
    Another place that seems OK but I have yet to make a *major* purchase
    from them is UNION MUSIC on Southbridge St. in Worcester, MA, another
    place others have mentioned here before.  They are well equipped
    with keys (Ensoniq, Roland and Korg) and PA (a lot of Peavey, plus
    EAW) as well as guitar stuff. They have a lifetime loaner policy
    if anything you buy there breaks they will loan you something to
    use until they can effect repairs....*very* useful to gigging musicians.
    
    The curse of Worcester is that the Fender franchises are Wurlitzer's
    and Kurlan's both of which I *don't* recommend.
                                                                            

There's a "used" music store on highland street in worcester (or there used 
to be), it's across from the friendly's and next to the old sunoco gas 
station (which also may be gone - i haven't been there in a while).  Anyhow, 
i liked the guy - he's got lots of new washburn's, some used stuff, and some 
effects - i got a new BOSS DS-1 distortion pedal for $45.00, which i thought 
was a good deal.

Oh yeah...

Jim at MR. C's is OK too, i bought my new SG there for 40% less than 
Worcester's Wurlitzers was willing to sell it for.  He's got lots of nice 
gibson stock.

But don't go to him if what you want has to be ordered, you'll wait forever - 
and he's such a nice guy that you won't be able to get mad at him...

-max-

    For used stuff, check the board at Berklee College in Boston.  The
    kids there go from instrument to instrument thinking the next axe
    will solve their musical problems.
                                                                          
    For new stuff:
    Having lived, as a musician in Boston, take a ride to NY, 48th street, 
    and you'll find Mannys Music, Sam Ash, and a collection of stores.
    Know what you want before you show up, and the prices will be 'bout
    40% off list.  Also, plenty of top notch old Gibsons and Fenders.

    In Worcester, check out Gordon's music on Rt. 12, right around
    the corner from Kurlans(yecch!). If you're into blues music at 
    all, this is the place to be. The owner (Bill) is a blues/r&b
    fanatic. He also has lots of Gibson's that you won't find anywhere
    else (flame-top Les Paul standard, 62 reissue SG, etc.) and some
    really nice acoustics (a lot of high-end Washburns).
    
    -Dave

    ditto on Gordon's.  Bill is a great guy to deal with and I've had
    nothing but positive experiences there.  He gets a lot of old blackface
    and tweed Fender amps coming through but you have to check often
    because he turns them over quick.  He had an old 4x10 tweed Bassman
    a while back that I wish I'd grabbed.
    
    /rick

    I think you've asked the wrong question.
    
    I honestly don't feel that there is much difference among music
    stores regarding their business practices.  In my opinion, the 
    correct question is not "where", but "how".  More on this later.

    A lot has been said about Daddy's, but I give them a certain
    amount of credit.
    
    I frequent the Manchester and Nashua stores, and I have managed
    to identify the guys who can talk price and who know what they are
    talking about.  I avoid dealing with the "flunkies" who don't have
    the authority to give good prices and who often don't know the
    equipment they are selling very well.  Each store has one or two
    people with authority who know the stuff well.
    
    Another area I give them credit for is being cool.  They generally
    don't criticize products they don't sell, don't give you a bunch
    of bull about how awful other stores are, and don't give you hype
    (remember, I'm talking about the managers, not the flunkies).
    
    In fact, one guy at the Nashua store recommended I buy a unit he
    didn't have instead of one he did have!  I think he did this cause
    he knows me well enough to know:
    
    	a) That I check up on things
    	b) That I know what "good" prices are for the things I'm
    	   interested
    	c) that I can't be bullshited
    	d) that I'll be back and buy something else and he might as
           well be upfront with me if he knows he can't sell me something
    
    I have *never* had any trouble getting someone to show me something
    or let me play with something except when the store was crowded.
    However, it might well be because the guys I deal with *KNOW* that
    I *buy* stuff.  Music stores tend to be very wary of browsers, which
    is most unfortunate.
    
    You almost never get great prices at Daddy's, but most of the prices
    are at least decent or average.
    
    Now all this having been said, I *still* always do comparison shopping
    both on brands, units, stores, prices, etc.

    So, the bottom line really isn't "Go to Daddy's", or "Go to EU's"
    or "Go to _____".   In my opinion, the best thing you can do is
    try and develop a business-like relationship with one store and
    one salesman.   Demonstrate to him, that you know what you are looking
    for, you take the time to learn about  what you're buying,  you
    research the competition, etc.  In summary, get him to respect you,
    and then deal with him.
    
    	db

    I believe your point is valid, but there's sometimes a little more
    to it than simply being friendly with the person.  In my opinion,
    *where* does make a difference.  Of course, all storeowners want
    repeat customers, but some of them will bend over backwards to show
    goodwill and ensure your return by giving you good deals.
    
    In my experience shopping at Daddy's, it seems like they don't try
    too hard to sell their product.  It's sort of "if you don't want
    it, someone else will."  Other places will go the extra step to
    see that you do, usually in the form of price breaks.  I think they
    do better in the long run.  

    re:245.8
    
    I don't think the wrong question was asked.  I also don't think
    it necessary to build up a friendly realtionship with a store manager
    or owner, just to avoid getting screwed, or a lousy price.
    
    I don't really think it matters how friendly you are with people
    who own stores or manage them.  My money is as green as yours.
    
    Good business ethnics should have a line drawn on them as to how
    many times so-and-so pops in for a freindly visit, or major purchase.
    
    When I've worked in stores, (music or otherwise) anyone walking
    in the door should be treated as a potential sale.  PERIOD.
    
    By the Way, Daddys is a rip-off.  Don't care what anyone says
    otherwise.
    
    No flame. just my exp..

    re: .8

>    By the Way, Daddys is a rip-off.  Don't care what anyone says
>    otherwise.

    Roland RD-300 keyboard/digital piano
    ------------------------------------
    Sam Ash: $1695
    EU:	$1750
    Daddy's: $1600
    
    Yamaha GC2020B
    --------------
    Sam Ash: $375 (on the same "closeout sale" that had Roland SRV-2000's
    		  going for $400!!)
    Manny's: $399
    Daddy's: $325 (negotiable)
    
    Yamaha MT1X
    -----------
    Sam Ash: $500
    Manny's: $475
    Daddy's: $450

    No flame.  Just my observations.

    	db

I've been frequenting Daddy's since they first opened in a gas station
around 1973? and stopped about a year after they moved to their present Salem
location. (I just didn't need anymore equipment.) 

I've heard the negative stories surrounding their business practices but have 
to say that I've generally had good luck with them. If they didn't give me the 
price I was after, I'd just leave. Pretty simple actually. 

I will admit their trade-in allowances are very low, and just try to get them 
honor their old "we'll pay you 80% of what you bought it for" policy.

Anyway, went there last week ready to buy an ESQ-1, Art Proverb and an EQ 
pedal for my guitar. I'd already done my homework and was aware of the 
local dealers and prices for each of these items. 

Daddy's 1st quote: ESQ-1   - $1395 (included 80 voice cartridge)
                   Seq Exp - $  90
                   EQ      - $  75
                   Proverb - $ 320
                             -----
                             $1880
ME: "Not even close"
DJ: "What kind of figure do you have in mind?"
ME: "Let's see what you can do first."
DJ: "That's fair. How about $1850?"
ME: "Well, I was quoted $1295 for the ESQ two weeks ago.
DJ: "Here?"
ME: "Yup"
DJ: "Well, that didn't include the voice cartridge"
ME: "That was never mentioned. But I do know I can get it with the 80 voice
     for that price somewhere else."
DJ: "Where?"
ME: "I guess I can come back when the price is lower."
DJ: "How about $1775?"
ME: "I can get the Proverb for $299 across the street. (Music Workshop)"
DJ: "Ok, I guess we can match that. How about $1725?"
ME: "Make it $1680 and you have a deal"
DJ: "Well, I'll probably get hell for this, OK. Deal."

Final Price : ESQ-1   - $1250 (included 80 voice cartridge)
Sales Slip  : Seq Exp - $  70
              EQ      - $  60
              Proverb - $ 299
                        -----
                        $1679

The guy I dealt with didn't know me from a hole in the ground, but I still 
got what I consider to be a fair price.

What's my point? 

Every dealer is in business to make money, not to give stuff away. However,
every store has a figure that they consider to be their absolute minimum 
selling price on a specific product, and there IS room for negotiation.
If you go to Daddy's (or any other store for that matter) with a realistic 
figure in mind you will get a fair deal if you are patient and persistent 
without being arrogant. You shouldn't expect the best price if you are buying
one item, and you'll always get a better price if you negotiate a package deal.

When you think about it, it's a little like buying a car.

Dan

    O.k. O.k.  RE:Daddys..

    Lets go back in time... the year, 1978/79..  

    Friend buys an 12 string acustic.  Puts 100 dollars down on the guitar.
    Remaining balance 699.00
    
    We go back in 2 weeks, (the original agreement was 4 weeks).  Guitar
    is gone.  Sold.  "So Sorry.  Take something else."  "But I don't
    want something else, you sold the one I wanted"  "Well, we'll order
    you one."  "How long ?"  "6 to 8 weeks, need %20 down to order,
    gimme more money"  "What, I want my money back"  "Sorry, no cash
    refunds, how's bout a store credit ?"  "Screw that !  Where's the 
    manager ?"  "You're talking to him"  .....
    
    The conversation went on.  Wayne never did get his money back. 
    Wound up ordering one from this guy.  His choices other than
    ordering the piece from the heathen were to loose 100 bucks, or
    take a store credit towards another guitar, which for Wayne,
    didn't exist in the store that day, or buy 100 dollars worth of
    effects and various trinkets.  I must admit, the guy did accept
    100 dollars as sufficient down payment for the order.  Nice guy.
    
    Now, mind you, it was a few years ago.  Possibly, or at least
    hopefully the person in this  story does'nt work there anymore. 
    Whether or not he was an owner, real manager, or acting manager,
    don't ask me.  I've no idea.  He told wayne he was the manager.
    He was the only guy in there that Saturday morning.   But since then, 
    I never had a good impression of 'Daddy's Junky Music'
    
    As far as prices go, I've got no comparison against the products
    you mentioned.  That's not my reasons behind the profound statement,
    "Daddy's is a rip-off " anyway.

    Hope it's clearer to the good people of this conference now as to
    what I was referring to.  How'd you feel if that was you.  I was
    there, I saw the whole thing happen.  

    Maybe this guy had inflamed roids that day.

        

    re: .13
    
    I do understand your feelings.   The intention behind my note was
    not to antagonzie you in any way.  You made a very broad statement
    about Daddy's which I felt was untrue and my purpose in challenging
    the statement was solely to tell people that you CAN get a good
    deal at Daddy's, and therefore they are worth checking out.
    
    Your experience relates that anyone buying stuff at Daddy's should
    be wary, which is good advice, both at Daddy's and elsewhere.
    
    	db

	Prices are not everything and ripoffs aren't always in new stuff.
I have found Daddy's of Salem/Manchester to rate up there with E.U. Wurlitzer in
Boston as I would not even consider buying a pick from them. The store
in Nashua I have never been in so my experiance with them is negotiable and
maybe the other stores have even changed.
	But after two bad apples why should I ask for more? I do most of my
buisness with Hampshire Music in Keene,NH. I've bought from other stores
in NH,Mass and NY ,but I get the best prices(better than Manny's and Sam Ash) 
	You always hear bad more often than good. But once you've been burned 
or seen someone who get's burned you take your money elsewhere. You see "hack
job's" in repairs at any shop as everyone has good and bad day's. They really
can't help this as all us ex-music store flunkie tech's work for Dec or someone
who pay's a decent wage for full time work.
	I think striking up a buisness relationship as was mentioned previously
has worked for me.As far as electronic repairs are concerned I learned to do 
them myself to save money and insure quality. 
	I also get the best treatment and accurate advice on technical questions
if not from the people working in the Keene store they get it from the manuf-
acturer and call me back. They offer to do this and admit they don't know in-
stead rambling on about what it could be or avoid the real answer.
	I can't speak for the Nashua store as it's been a while,but the Keene 
store always has what I need at the price I want to pay and is well laid out,
clean and not a Ma/Pa shop. Also I don't spend 2k at a pop ,but I do come back 
and they count on that "repeat buisness" If there price isn't competitive they 
know I will go elsewhere.(Even pay sales tax in Mass!yuk)
	Finally,I speak from my own personal experiance and feel that it is
up to individual to form there own opinion of Daddy's,HM and others. It wouldn't
be fair or right for you or the stores to pass judgement on what I have said 
or others as it is just my opinion.

	A couple of years ago I was glad to be able to go down to Daddy's
	in Salem to make musical instrument purchases.  The only stores
	in the Burlington, Vt area charged list price and didn't want to
	dicker.  There is even one store that won't even give prices over
	the phone.  Then you go in to the store (Vermont Folk Instruments)
	which has a big "40% OFF ALL INSTRUMENTS" sign in the window and
	they quote you list price.

	I bought my Peavey Special 130 in Daddy's Salem for a good 30%
	less than I could get it anywhere around here back in 1984.  
	Luckily there has gotten to be a little competition and prices
	some places are negotiable.

	If you are ever in the Burlington area and need a good store, try
	Advance Music on Church street.  The owners are real descent and
	make every attempt to give you a good deal.  I bought my Guild
	D-25 there last summer and got 40% off what I could at most other
	places.  I thought this was pretty good especially since it was
	a lefty model that had to be ordered from the factory.  What really
	impressed me was that after telling me it would most likely take
	6-8 weeks to come in, it showed up 10 days later.  

	-gary

    Well, Dave and I had all kinds of fun getting off the track of the
    note.   But to finish up...
    
    Dave, No flames from me man.  I was the fortunate one to be
    the fly on the wall at this one instance.  I just didn't like
    what I witnessed, and it left a lasting impression.  My long 
    standing buddy Wayne, however, was not a happy man.  He's still
    got the guitar though.  
    
    Hence, Daddy's has never burned me, so perhaps I shouldn't have
    said anything negative at all about the place.  Like Ma always
    said, 
    
    		Nothing good to say, shut up..

        
    
    See ya..

I am having a positive realtionship with Steve's Quality Instruments
in Danvers. I had to wade through one schmuck, but I found another
who seemed knowledgable (I'm not) and was willing to bargain a bit.
They also have lessons upstairs. 

greg

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Note 371.0                Try Billy Lee's in Worcester                 4 replies
SLDA::SCHNARE                                        26 lines  21-OCT-1987 12:35
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    I'm new to this notes file and I read a couple of "plugs" for 
    "Gordon's Music" on West Boylston St. in Worcester.
    
    First of all, Billy bought out his former partner and the name
    of the store is now "Billy Lee's Music".
    
    Secondly, although it has taken a month or two to fully recover
    from the transition (stock was a mite low for awhile), it's my
    pleasure to announce that Billy IS BACK ALL THE WAY.  He has a
    lot of neat old "stuff" including some vintage Fender amps (as
    well as some much newer ones), guitars (Fender, Gibson, Washburn
    etc. etc. - I just saw a '68 Strat in there yesterday), and more.
    
    Although the place looks like a hole in the wall from the street
    (in fact, it probably looks like a hole in the wall from inside,
    too.), it's packed with all kinds of great stuff and Billy is
    real easy to deal with. (translation - his overhead is low, and
    he wants to work with you to make a deal that everyone is happy
    with.)
    
    Try Billy Lee's Music once and let me know what you think.
    
    P.S. No, I'm not a relative.  Just a person who has been treated
    fairly and appreciates it.
    
    
    

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Note 371.1                Try Billy Lee's in Worcester                    1 of 4
SLDA::SCHNARE                                         7 lines  21-OCT-1987 12:41
                                   -< Oops >-
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    My apologies to all who notice that this note should be a reply
    to Note 245 - Good Stores To Buy From.  It was intended to be
    just that, but (being new to Noting) I used the "Write" command
    instead of "Reply"
    
    Sorry.
    

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Note 371.2                Try Billy Lee's in Worcester                    2 of 4
SONATA::LANGE "LUNCH WITH EEEDDDDDDDDD!!!"            4 lines  21-OCT-1987 13:06
                 -< Might a re-route this one to 245 also... >-
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Did you happen to notice any stand-up basses in there?
    Last time I was there,I saw one for $350. beat up a little,but it
    played,and sounded fine. It was made by Kay from 1929. Should've
    grabbed it,but I was broke,(still am).
    

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Note 371.3                Try Billy Lee's in Worcester                    3 of 4
SLDA::SCHNARE                                         4 lines  21-OCT-1987 16:03
                           -< Sorry, just electrics >-
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    No stand up basses.  I remember the one you're talking about though.
    That was quite a while ago.
    
    How do I reroute the note to 245?  Thanks in advance.
    

    Is there anyone in the Reading/London area who could give me
    the name(s) and address(es) of good guitar stores in RDG and/or L.?
    I'll be in Reading next week (Jan 25-39), and - if possible - intend
    to buy an Ovation or Applause Acoustic/Electric 12-string.
    Very grateful for a fast reply!
    
                Henrik

    Hi,
    
    Best place for guitars I know of is Kingfisher Music down in Fleet,
    ( near Farnborough, Hants about 20 minutes drive from Reading ? ).
                                                 
    They stock a good range of Ovations, Applauses, Encores etc - and a
    good selection of all other Acoustics and Electrics. 
    
    Give them a ring first to check it out but I'm sure they'll have
    what you want !

    If you can't get there, then take a walk down Charing Cross Road,
    London, around Foyles bookshop - there are several guitar oriented
    shops there - FD&H Music usually have the best ( i.e. quality ) range. 
                
    Let us know how you get on !
    
    Cheers, Dave.
    

	The last note here was three years ago. Seeing how things
	change (stores open and close, management changes, etc.),
	how about updating this note? What are the good and bad
	stores in New England?

	As mentioned in note 2017, I'm scouting around for an
	acoustic guitar for my brother. Also, I'm planning on
	buying myself a new bass a few months down the road.
	I'm taking lessons these days at Daddy's in Nashua, and
	have started using some of the display models to get
	a feel for what I want (ahhh, that Rickenbacker!). Some
	of the notes in here were less than complimentary towards
	Daddy's - do people still feel the same way?

	Thanks, Mike

    I've bought some stuff from Daddy's and gotten pretty good deals. I've
    found the salespeople there to be friendly and helpful. Of course, I
    follow some of the advice that's been put in this note before, like not
    going in when they're really busy, etc. What I do is, shop around at
    several stores, check out the mail order prices, figure out what a
    reasonable dealer price is, walk in, check out what I'm looking for,
    ask them how much they want for it, and then tell them how much I'm
    willing to pay. In every case they have met my price. They usually tell
    me something like, "If we give it to you for that price you can't
    expect us to answer all your questions", etc. For me this is not a
    problem, and in fact they have been helpful when I did need
    "after-market" support.
    
    - Ram

I still feel that the best store around the local MA/NH area is EU Wurlitzer in
Boston. They have a real sense of customer loyalty, and they've always been
able to beat Daddy's prices by a huge margin. I spend a few thousand in there
every year. (that's why I have to play in a cover band!!!)

I have never had a good experience in Daddy's Nashua store, and I personally
have nothing good to say about them. 

I did buy my Charvel Model 6 guitar from Daddy's in Manchester, but that store
changes their staff every few months, so it's hard to build up a customer
loyalty situation because you can never work with the same salesperson over
a period of time. (how's that for a run-on sentence?)

Daddy's in general cannot compete in price with Wurlitzer.

Another dealer I've had good experiences with is Belisle Music in Manchester.
They deal in different brands than Daddy's and Wurly's, and they have some
nice gear (but a limited selection).

-Dan

Also, Hampshire Music in Nashua is liquidating over the next six months. There
are some GREAT deals in there, especially on guitars. It's definitely worth
checking out, although you may need to find another dealer to do your service.

I'm thinking about buying an acoustic/electric there.

-Dan

    Dan,
    
    I don't think it's really correct to say that Daddy's can't compete
    in price with EU, and that EU's will always beat Daddy's price is
    sorta reflexive in that I happen to know that Daddy's store managers
    are told to always beat local prices, even if it's way below their
    acceptable margins.
    
    My experience is that EITHER chain will beat the other chain's price if
    you quote it.  Being that EU's can't beat the 5% tax advantage that
    Daddy's enjoys by virtue of being in NH, I've always been able to get a
    better total deal at Daddy's.
    
    In fact, I seldom find myself quoting EU's prices to Daddy's because
    Daddy's have always been willing to do much better than match EU. I've
    found that Daddy's will beat a MAIL-ORDER deal!  I've gotten some very
    hostile reactions quoting MO to EU although they HAVE done it too.
    
    If you want to avoid the MA sales tax, EU-Boston seems willing to ship
    what you need to their one NH store in Portsmouth, but you must pick it
    up IN Portsmouth and for most of us, that's a good ride and usually not
    worth it.
    
    I don't doubt anything you've said about Daddy's in Nashua.  I've heard
    it before, and I've written similar complaints about EUW's.  However,
    the guys at Daddy's in Nashua have been SO incredibly good to me
    (despite my haggling over nearly ever dollar and cent I've spent there)
    that I really feel compelled to say that my experience has been such
    that I've never had a better relationship with any store of any kind
    (music or whatever).
    
    Like you, I'm in a small band and spend thousands every year there.
    Perhaps I get special attention because I'm a good customer - I don't
    know.
    
    Don't get me wrong, I think EU's is a excellent chain.  I'm good friends
    with one of their VPs and am on their customer advisory board.  And
    I'm not saying Daddy's is "better".  The primary difference as far as
    I'm concerned is that Daddy's is more convenient and has the sales tax
    advantage.
    
    So I'm not knocking EU's - I'm defending Daddy's. 
    
    	db
    
    p.s.  You may be glad to know that EU's has considered expanding into
    	  Nashua and/or Salem.  Not likely in these times however but if
    	  things get better...

    I personally think, in my experience, that EU's attitude has been
    generally nicer towards me, Bill Buckley, but I'll be the first to say
    I think they're pricey!
    
    So...

I heard that EU was going bankrupt, personally I haven't found a music
store I like yet...certainly not Daddy's or EU based on how I've been 
treated in both of their portsmouth stores...

dbii

    I heard that Acton Music was also about to file Chap. 11.
    
    Stay tuned...

    
    
    	I've bought a lot of stuff at Daddy's recently and they've
    been very good price-wise as well as very helpful and informative.
    The store manager at the Nashua store as "bent over backwards" to
    help me with some trouble I'm having with some gear I bought there
    and I'm not the easiest customer to have ;-).
    
    -T
    

    I shop at many differant stores depending on what I'm looking for. 
    The simple fact that all music stores only carry certain franchises
    really forces you to do this if you want certain brands. For example,
    EU doesn't carry Peavey. If you want something from Peavey, you pretty
    much have to deal with Daddys, Union Music, Fitchburg Music, or another
    Peavey Dealer. EU doesn't carry Mesa Boogie, Daddy's does. I can think
    of dozens of examples.
     
    I spend more than I care to admit each year in local Music stores. 
    I have developed a good repoire with sales people in EU Wurly (Worcester),
    Daddy's (Shrewsbury), The entire staff af McDuffs, Union Music, and even 
    Kurlin's. 
    
    One area that I find almost all these stores fall short in is carrying
    a good selection of used vintage guitars and amps (ie Fender, Gibson,
    Guild, Gretch, Martin, Rick, etc). The best store for vintage gear in
    Mass IMVHO is Mr. Music in Allston. I bought my Jazz Bass from them
    last July after hitting every other store dozens of times. I was in
    awe at the selection of guitars in that shop. He has entire isles of
    Strats, Teles, LP's, Fender Bass, Ricks. He usually has dozens of 
    Black-face Fenders and Vox AC30's in stock.
    
    I have been playing in a band with a guy that works for EU Wurlitzers
    and delivers merchandise from their warehouse to the various stores.
    Wurly's is definately in financial trouble right now, but then again
    so are tons of other Mass. businesses.
    
    Mark 

    Re: financial woes at EUW
    
    I think the coming recession is going to hit the music biz big time. 
    The manufacturers and dealers have had a boom market for the last five
    years.  Just look at the GTS sufferers in here, many of whom are not
    even gigging musicians!  Expensive toys are the first thing people do
    without in hard times, eh?  With such cutthroat competition in the
    Boston area (LaSalle's already dead and now East Coast Sound is trying
    to muscle in up here) not to mention the huge mail-order houses, it's
    going to be tough with so many retailers.
    
    						Brian

   Not to mention the recent (and up-'n-coming) "back to basics" movement
   among guitarists, which I see as trend for the early '90s.  Witness all
   the people trashing their racks of toyz in favor of a guitar, cord, and
   amplifier setup (with maybe a tube pedal thrown in).  I think we're 
   about to see a downturn in the $500 multi-effect units' popularity.
   (Remember, you read it here first!  :-))

   Also, w/r/t Acton Music's financial condition (someone mentioned 
   "chapter 11" and A.M. in the same breath recently).  My inside source
   at the store says, "No way!"  They're doing okay.  Some _other_ store
   local to the Acton/Maynard/Littleton area closed as of the 1st of the
   year, though, from what I hear.  Can't remember the name, though.

   -- Sam

    
    
    re: recession
    
    	I agree. Everytime I go into Daddy's, I see new peices on the
    used racks. I don't see too many moving out, though. It's a good
    time to get a bargain, If ya got the bucks... 
    
    -T
    

    I can remember about 10 years ago many clubs that once featured live 
    bands were either closing or doing away with live entertainment. Times 
    were tough for music retailers for a while, but by the time 1985 came 
    around, the music industry was enjoying a very prosperous period, driven 
    by cheap synthesizers, midi, affordable digital signal processors, 
    advances in consumer-grade recording equipment, etc. The demand for
    vintage equipment also drove the market into a frenzy, and the copy/
    reissue market was hot. 
    
    It seems like the current economy is taking it's toll on the music
    bizz again. Obviously, if people don't have money, they are not going
    to go out to a nightclub, or buy an expensive new toy. 
    
    In some ways, the recession may have a positive affect on some aspects
    of the industry. Prices that went through the roof (primarily for
    vintage gear) will drop to more reasonable levels. Only the companies
    making good quality (competitively priced) equipment will survive.
     
    Mark
    

     <<< Note 245.38 by MILKWY::JACQUES "Vintage taste, reissue budget" >>>
                          -< We've come full circle >-

>    It seems like the current economy is taking it's toll on the music
>    bizz again. Obviously, if people don't have money, they are not going
>    to go out to a nightclub, or buy an expensive new toy. 
  
  You are correct - cost effective bands (duos, singles & trio's with lots
  of MIDI gear to simulate a larger band) are working, because the club can
  afford them, as well as the person who might be throwing a party. The
  economic advantage is obvious.

								Jens

EU's is tops in my book. I've never been disappointed with them. When I got
my first Saber, it had a defective neck. I couldn't put enough bow in the neck.
They took it back and gave me a new one without any hassle. They always have
a floor model to try out.

I think the recession squeeze will force the following out of the market:

Mid range rack mount units. I think the rack mount boxes that don't offer
full processing will bite the dust. The high end stuff will win out. The roland
GP16 ( which is the balls, in my opinion ) will still be a good seller, as well
as some of the other multi effects units. The GP16 is at the top of this
category, I think. Other units that only offer noise gates, compression,
delay, reverb, etc., will bite the big one.

High end stomp boxes. Who needs to pay big bucks for a dinky battery powered
gizmo? The small ones that do simple things will still sell. Compressors and
distortion boxes will still do well, especially the ones that do alot of
little things, like mixing noise gates with compression, distortion with
parametric EQ.

Non functional extras. Guitar inlays and bindings will go, along with other
extraneous cosmetic stuff which no one wants to pay for. Ibanez and Fender
will survive without too much trouble. I also think amplifiers that offer
more than just the basics will fade away. The features amplifiers will be
rated on will be channels, gain, and tone.

In short, high end and low end should do alright. Midrange could have some
difficulties.
							John.

   FYI, another source told me the other day that EU Wurly's has filed
   Chapter 11.  All stores.

   -- Sam

    
    
    I'm not sure I agree with the assessment that the middle of the market
    will suffer the biggest hit if the market really turns sour.  IMHO, it
    will be limited high-end specialty manufacturers like THD that take the
    biggest hit.  They don't have a diverse enough product line to weather
    a slow down in sales of their only item.
    
    I can see the larger companies really cutting prices across the board
    on fxs, especially rack mount stuff.  The profit margins will go down,
    forcing the smaller manufactures to compete or close.  I doubt that
    we'll see new products appearing so soon, either.  I'll bet they want
    to extend the life cycle of a gizmo to get as much profit out of it as
    possible.
 
    I can also see manufactures like Fender pricing their import line to
    keep the other imports (fender clones) out of the market.
    
    Wow, Wurlys chapter 11.  Daddy's must have a close eye on its own 
    less profitable stores.
    
    Kevin
    

    Wow, EU goin' out ?  Bummer.
    
    I second EU's service.  I blew an amp I bought from them and they
    loaned me a really cool little fender amp to use while the repairs
    happened.  Nice folks.  Think the kids name was Craz or something.
    
    jc

    re: a few back about the future of the musical equipment & live music
    market in general.
    
    I gotta jump in on this one, I've been thinkin' about it alot lately.
    This next decade is going to be hellacious, at least economically
    speaking. Now that I'm an old mofo (over 40), and have aquired some
    wisdom, I can speak about trends. One trend I see is a move back to guitar,
    cord and amp, and away from all the sound processing fx. I think this
    is because of two reasons. First, everything seems to cycle every 20
    years, fashions, art and music. By "cycle" I mean nostalgicly (if you
    will) revisited. I noticed this in the seventies with respect to 50's
    music (remember Sha Na Na, Happy Days?), in the 80's with respect to 
    music of the 60's, and now with an
    apparent reinterest with blues and southern rock. I haven't heard so
    much Allman Bros on the radio since '73. Now this doesn't mean that the 
    whole industry follows the same trend, its just a facet of the business 
    in general. 
    
    Another thing is the musical venues themselves. I've heard so many top
    forty groups with all their slick processing, sequencing, electronical
    bullsh!t all mushed together where the group themselves loses identity.
    They all sound the same. There are so few places that play live music
    anymore (outside of the big cities), the market just isn't there.
    People don't want to go out to hear the same live music they've heard a
    million times by a million "groups". They want to go out to be exposed to
    the opposite sex - period. Now if something comes along that gets them
    interested in *it* as opposed to the opposite sex, such as a bigtime
    concert, then they'll go to that. This is evidenced by the success of
    the concert tours at a time when people like us wonder if live music is
    dead. I like to believe that if a talented group of musicians play music 
    and not processors, people will go out to see them (evidenced by the
    Classics House Band in Manchester, NH).
    
    So, relating this back to the point of this reply and a few others, let
    me say that I think the music industry is in for a swing back to the
    essentials. Instruments and sound projection equipment will remain
    important in the trade. Electronic do-all doodads are going to move
    slowly if at all. I think too that there's going to be a lot more
    interest/emphasis placed on good used equipment. Places like Wurlys and
    Daddy's have gotten too focused on the myriad of new equipment and have
    all but neglected the used market and potential. (Sure they take
    trades on anything, but its a far cry from what it was when Daddy's was
    just a hole in the wall shop in the early seventies. They could have
    expanded but yet retain the small used shop(s).)
    
    "sakman"
    

    
    I'd like to recommend a "neat" guitar shop in Quincy, MA.  It's called
    "Vintage Guitars" and it's on Franklin St., a few streets away from
    Quincy Center.
    
    There's a lot of old equipment inside, including a tweed '57 Fender
    Champ, an old black face Bandmaster, some Danelectro guitars, and of
    course, the requisite Les Pauls and Strats,  and even three Hagstrom
    Swedes, as well as a Rickenbacker or two.  There are brand new
    Pignose amps available, and modern day picks, strings, straps, books,
    and magazines, but the basic stock is by and large vintage stuff.
    
    In the glass case are Mu-trons and Electro-Harmonix stuff, and bunch
    of other old pieces, including some Fender strings in the package with
    the sun setting.
    
    I really enjoy these "elephant's grave yard" type of places (Billy
    Lee's, somewhere in Wrocester area is another cool place) but I
    don't miss the old-style pedals, the ones that used to go "BOOOCHKKKK-
    sssshhhhhhhhhh" when you stepped on them...you know, like the old
    Electro-Harmonix "Big Muff TT."   Boy, it was years before I realized
    what a big muff pie really was.
    
    Brian

    Unless Billy Lee's has moved, they've closed.
    
    	joe.

        Somewhere else in this file there's a thread going about hassles
        trying out high ticket guitars. One store that I've done lots of
        'window shopping' in is the Guitar Warehouse in Newington, NH.
        Granted, I do live in Portsmouth so it's not a big commute. 
        Rod Welles and Mark Bishop, the co-owners, are really great. Both are 
        musicians in the Bishop-Welles Band so I think they're a little more 
        in touch with musicians. Decent prices and you're usually talking to 
        one of the owners.

        When E.U. closed their Portsmouth store, Guitar Warehouse got a Fender 
        Franchise so they seem to have a big stock of all the Fender models 
        except currently the SRV Strat. Evidently Fender bundled the SRV Strat 
        with the HM Strat so if you took 6 or more of the HM Strat you got 
        priority on your SRV order. I guess the HM Strats aren't moving too 
        quickly so they went through the usual order process. There lines also
        include Soldano,Martin,PRS,Fender-Sunn,Alverez,Crate,Larrivee,Taylor,
        Sigma,Squire,Gibson,Epiphone,Jackson,Charvel,Ampeg,Bedrock,Hohner-Gruhn,
        Matchless,DOD,EMG,Dimarzio,etc.

        The Guitar Warehouse (603)431-2405
        107 Gosling Road        (exit 7 off 95 N, go left. 2+ miles on right)
        Newington, NH 03801     
        Hours M-S 10-6, Sunday 12-4
    

    
    
       FWIW - I bought my first Kitty Hawk (M3) from Guitar Warehouse in
    Portsmouth. I like the idea of not paying sales tax! Unfortunately
    I didn't know that a year later I could get M3's for $200 during the 
    major LPMG Kitty Hawk blowout.
       I agree about the store. THey let me try a Bedrock amp at the same
    time as the Kitty Hawk. I went with the KH cuz I liked the sound (the 
    best reason).
    							-B{}{}M- 

Rod's still in business?? Cool, I used to go there all the time years ago, but
now I be livin; in Maine. Back then he had a Fender franchise, did EUW beat 
him out of it somehow???

If you remember say hi to Rod for me...

dbii

I'm here to give some good PR to Jim at Mr. C's in Marlboro.

I picked up a Gibson Les Paul standard from Mr. C's in
August, but after a few days, I had a problem with the case 
lock (without setting any combinations, the sucker just jammed
up on me and wouldn't open) So, back I go, and Jim replaced
the case for me on the spot, (as he should have..)  

I just basically took second case and split, never even really
looked at it, (a case is a case right?)  

but when I got home I noticed that this case was kind-of a rat, 
I really wasn't happy with it, and since the other case was 
perfect till the lock broke, I was a little dissapointed.

But, I didn't wanna be a pain in the arse, so I figured, the 
hell with it, it's just a case right. Well, it's always kind
bugged me so last friday I went back to Mr. C's with my pals
Mr. Vigneault, and Mr. Goodwin, (to drool all over new guitars)
and I just thought I'd mentioned to Jim that I just was never 
happy with the replacement case, (he remembered I had to have
the original replaced)  at that he just said, bring  it in, I'll 
take care of it. (Keep in mind, I've had the Paul for 6 months now..)

So I went in on Monday afternoon, showed him the case, and 
all the things that I wasn't happy with, (rusty hardware,
oily staind on the top of the case, lining coming unglued,
case didn't shut square..) and he just says, "Say no more"
and with out flinching, he went into the back store room,
pulled new case and handed to me, and that was that..   
the new case is perfect...

To me, this is excellent customer service, my next guitars,
without a doubt, wil be purchased at Jim's store.

now compare this to the store I bought my Marshall at, who
after only 4 months of owning it had it fail, and the putz
store manager (who has since been fired, big suprise!) made
me fill out a repair ticket, and wait weeks for the warrenty
center to NOT fix it anyway, (but that's another story,,
see Marshall Amplification,,, there's a soap box of a story
in there on this.)