The Ultimate Sweetwater Tour | 55 Point Inspection explained

Baxter gets an exclusive behind the scenes look at how Sweetwater gets those killer guitars to you so fast and perfectly setup every time! Plus a bunch of stuff you probably didn't know Sweetwater can do for your vintage or custom guitar!
Check out our shop at www.casinoguitars.com

[@dvanolya]

I take my hat off to Baxter for showing us a major competitor’s operation. Kudos to Sweetwater, too.

[@halcooper3070]

Major competitor? They're not even in the same business...

[@halcooper3070]

Kinda, says baxter... that was a mistake... lets you know he'd sell that guitar without accounting for the delamination... I get it, but he just told us he accepts flaws Sweetwater does not

[@thomastucker5686]

@@halcooper3070 please read my comment above. I debunk the Sweetwater 55 point inspection myth.

[@riksplace]

A few yrs ago I was buying a lot of stuff from Sweetwater. From picks to expensive guitars. I mentioned to my rep ONE TIME that I appreciated the sweet tarts candy. Didn't ask for anything. But from that day forward every order I received had multitudes of ONLY sweet tarts. Now who does that?.......fairly amazing.

[@fretted]

I told my rep I only buy guitars for the Candy...we laughed...next week I got a big Sweetwater decorative Jar full of candy!

[@Sir.YeetusIII]

That's awesome!!! ​@@fretted

[@marcuscarrozza732]

I ordered many things from Sweetwater but once I ordered a guitar and I asked if they could put the guitar in the case and send it to me that way . They honored my request and I got my guitar safe and sound . I like Sweetwater a lot . I had a great sales representative at the time when I got my guitar in case. I hope he is well .

[@Sea_Jay]

So cool of both Casino and Sweetwater to come together like this. You may technically be competitors but it's so good to see the good will between both companies.

[@xaviergough9359]

Stop, they're not competition for Sweetwater.

[@musicisfree91]

@@xaviergough9359 They compete for customers in Southern Pines, NC. So yes they competition for Sweetwater, if only on a small scale.

[@PineMountainMusician]

@@xaviergough9359but… they literally are? They both offer the same product to a large amount of people with essentially the same market. That’s what competition is

[@WilliamHaisch]

40:09 The orange Florida guitar on the wall made me chuckle! 😂

[@Smart-Alex]

This was the best tour of Sweetwater I've ever seen. Well done!

[@davidsummerville351]

We are so fortunate to have Casino Guitars doing this episode. I've read quite a few of the previous comments and everyone seems to agree. Thanks guys, so glad I'm only a couple hours down the road from Casino Guitars here in Carolina.

[@steverok67]

Baxter's fascination with the double-boxing of guitars is priceless.

[@dbenadon]

Guys, this was such a blast to watch this series. THANK YOU!

[@wirthwhilemedia]

as someone who works in supply chain logistics, this is pretty impressive indeed. Thanks Casino for showing us this amazing behind the scenes look at Sweetwater!

[@va7242]

That is next level receiving, inspecting, stocking, picking, packaging and shipping. Love the boxes in boxes. Just wow!

[@mikewendeln5218]

That was great Baxter. I have seen a couple of these Sweetwater videos, but this was really educational. What a phenomenal set up. Unbelievable amount of work and planning. Hats off to you and Sweetwater.

[@stevevaughn2040]

I really enjoyed this video. My career was in logistics management and I designed distribution systems and warehouse set up. To me this is very cool. I am impressed with the way they do things and how they are clearly using Lean principles.

[@bottomkitchen250]

Having worked in a warehouse dealing with shipping and receiving, i must say this is very impressive. Its scary how high that forklift goes.

[@luispalacios5086]

What was scary was seeing how it moved every time she reached to grab a guitar.

[@ArizonaMusicProFlagstaff]

Very impressive! Thanks Baxter and Sweetwater for sharing this inside look at what must be the most efficient guitar distribution model yet.

[@taurektaurek6213]

And props to Frank who did a real impressing tour and seems like somebody who loves his job!

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

Yes and kudos for dealing with Baxter. haha 😉🤣

[@thseed7]

Love this tour. Very interesting glimpse into the innovation and strategy that has made Sweetwater so successful. Shops like Casino and Sweetwater make you feel like they care about their customers and the things they sell. Some larger centers of guitar sales don't

[@JTMP12]

I made my first Sweetwater purchase recently and the entire process from ordering to delivery was outstanding. Guitar arrived very well packaged and exceeded all expectations.

[@MichaelStephenson51]

Sweetwater is AWESOME. I don't buy a ton of gear (as I am 100% amature) but every dealing I have ever had with them has been perfection. We have a Sweetwater here in Indiana. I have passed it a few times but it is a couple hours away. ONE DAY I am going to visit the store.

[@rickmiller7884]

Love the Strange Brew reference.

[@MrSmiley1964]

I was amazed at the organization and efficiency of the entire warehouse. To think it only took 15 minutes to get that bunch of picks and strings I ordered to me in the mail, with Candy NO LESS!!!!!

[@MrDanalaimo]

Good on you for doing these vids about an online competitor. I already thought highly of Sweetwater, but these make me think more highly of Casino.

[@Jeffreykip]

Wow, wow, wow. Each moment is more stunning than the last. I don’t know hoe Baxter holds it together… I might have broken into tears or just decided to get out of the game as soon as I saw the foam machine and box-selecting computer, described by this kind, thoughtful, and enthusiastic manager. It’s seriously intimidating to know that a,company has gone to lengths many of us would have thought beyond realistic.

[@petekoerner3827]

Cool video. I’m a Sweetwater customer, because that’s what I can afford and they do an amazing job. By no means is that a knock on Casino guitars. I’d go to them for a high end purchase in a heartbeat over a volume distributer. Hopefully someday I’ll also be a Casino guitars customer too.

[@kevincoffee3238]

The bulk of my working life has been in retail sales and shipping/receiving, with a lot of detailed measurement work like cartography, geological drafting, and picture framing. I was fascinated by the incredible amount of thought and rethinking that went into the logistics of their layout. Efficiency is how they keep from losing or mixing up parts of orders. Funny to read comments from people who don't find this interesting; I understand that, but to me, it was truly fascinating. Also makes me glad I'm retired, otherwise, I might consider going and working there! 200 some-odd guitar techs? How wackadoodle would that be?!

[@BaritoneUkeBeast4Life]

Wow, I am so impressed by this video. Sweetwater is freaking awesome and one of the most efficient and well designed warehouses I have ever seen. They really go above and beyond to make sure that their products go out to the customer and arrive as perfectly as humanly possible The people who run Sweetwater, seem really cool and know their $h!t. I have seen Sweetwater on the internet but didn't know anything about them and just thought of them as being a typical online music store. I didn't realize how well organized and genius the company was. I want to support them and I will order my next Taylor GS Mini from them. Thank you for this educational video.

[@BettyHuss-xj4rh]

Just received a Yamaha APX2EW - Excellent condition - really appreciated the tour. Thanks (Rex) My 6th guitar - Now I just need to learn enough to play them.

[@noRest4Gary]

I love that there is what seems to be a Orange Crush 12 or 20 in the guitar inspection booth. They a really versatile, great sounding little amps. A lot of tones. Obviously, I'm a fan of my 12.

[@silverman169]

Man this was awesome to watch in incredible detail. Thanks so much Casino Guitars and Sweetwater!

[@scottmacdonald1826]

That is an incredibly impressive organization. I wouldn't buy from them because I like my local shop and the folks that work there so it's important that I support them, but, if I lived in a town without a guitar store, I wouldn't hesitate buying from them.

[@bldallas]

Very cool, thanks. Sweetwater’s 55 point inspection, along with your guitar gallery (HD photos, exact weights, etc.), makes me much more comfortable and confident buying a guitar online. Plus your customer service is without a doubt, the very best in this industry. I love the fact I have a sales engineer assigned to my account, and he’s so accessible/responsive, personable, knowledgeable (he’s also a musician), I really enjoy interacting with him. So keep doin’ what you’re doin’, and you’ve got a customer for life!

[@desertcrab6331]

Great video, I enjoyed the entire tour and am amazed at the size and efficiency they have going on. I wonder if that manager worked his way up from the unboxing crew, he knew each step of the process like he worked each one himself. I am waiting on my order now, this gives me great hope she will be here very soon and in perfect condition. Ready to play. If the founder of Sweetwater wanted customer service to be their top priority, I think they are doing fantastic evolving to make it even better.

[@videosfromallan]

This is so cool! Thanks ka for giving such a great behind the scenes look

[@ms.fruitbat8883]

Great video! I bought a guitar from Sweetwater recently and had them set it up - it's neat to see the process it went through.

[@danthegreaser71]

I’ve bought some pickups pedals and a few other things from Sweetwater and always had a good experience. I recently bought a guitar from them for the first time and was amazed at how much care they take to make sure the guitar is playable and properly set up and packaged good! I received my guitar and waited 24 hours to open the box and pull it out which is suggested by sweetwater as they put a label on the box stating this. After the waiting period I opened the box pulled the guitar out and it was beautiful! No marks whatsoever and was set up perfectly all I had to do was tune it up plug into my amp and start riffing away! I’ve ordered guitars in the past from other big music retailers whose names I won’t mention and usually always had issues from damage to the instrument not even being close to playable and having to spend more money to have a setup done and even receiving packages that look as if they were dropped off of a cliff and ran over by a truck. These other companies should take lessons from Sweetwater as they have it right as far as selling musical instruments and gear and great customer service!

[@DDPAV]

Hats off to their set up team. Latest purchase came with a free Plek and setup and it's perfect. Absolutely add it to my next guitar purchase.

[@mmartak]

My jaw is dropping at this company and this video. This is amazing and insightful.

[@jondonnelly]

I've watched a few of these tours and this is the best I've seen. Really well done guys.

[@dexter_gd3478]

I went there last September. Watched a concert that was a Led Zeppelin cover band with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. It's a great place.

[@SirenaWF1]

It's great to see companies like this innovating.

[@WestCoastBaltimore]

Really impressive video. Well done guys

[@thomasschlaack6592]

Strange Brew reference for the win!!

[@j.r.g3548]

Love ya Bax but trying to watch these tours is like having teeth pulled. Ahh the technology of warehousing, what a treat! Is that a *barcode scanner*? And you're telling me that that barcode is specific to ONE guitar?? Wowzers in my trousers.

[@chrisbrowning6102]

Very cool tour. Thanks for sharing and kudos to Sweetwater for showing y'all "how the sausage is made".

[@nervousnedmusic]

Thanks for sharing - I've bought several guitars over the years from Sweetwater. Next one will be from CASINO!

[@mikedavis7733]

I just purchased a guitar from Sweetwater but this Video is amazing! Retired from sales & Marketing this is Amazing! My question How often if any you guys do inventory Who decides what product comes to the Whse and where does The Capital come from to have this much Stock? I usually do business with Zsounds but I purchased a Gretsch Guitar and am a Happy customer.

[@TheFeelButton]

I grew up in a distribution center! Cheers Casino!!

[@jasinow]

That is a unbelievable setup.

[@davidpalmer9014]

My jaw is on the floor. They are incredible.

[@jameswhite5806]

Fantastic tour. Very impressive!!

[@MrBigpoe]

I am a Sweetwater fan I have ordered more than once and for me if I'm going to order any guitar online it's only Sweetwater or reverb that i trust , but Sweetwater is my favorite, the mixer deal for the package area reminds me of the bomb in die hard 3 lol Keep it up fellas you rock and also roll. Right on

[@MetalHeadHippie]

Nice thanks for taking us along.

[@babagadoush1]

I really like Sweetwater, particularly as they make the process of interest free payment plans super easy, however, anytime I can get something from an independent or smaller shop I will. Like that they have Plek available as well.

[@marshallohio5512]

Totally Mind Blowing 😮. Smooth and excitingly Organized 😊

[@lazvt8469]

So much fun to watch...an education even. Thanks!!

[@happytrails1963]

So interesting just got guitar from sweetwater and was looking at inspection card. Was cool to see each performed and checked off. Even signed card. Part of me wants to learn how to do a simple setup and part of me wishes I had just paid sweetwater to do it. Last couple guitars I think they maybe took guitar and placed it in its case then double boxed it before they shipped it to me. Really have it down to a science.

[@glencooper1091]

Sweetwater is amazing seeing how they can have such a large investment, be able to present the actual product being sold as well as all the QC work and still remain completive in price, but the reality is it took that large investment to be able to handle the amount of sales needed to get the return on that investment. This is an industrial engineers dream job.

[@07Shanks07]

Wow amazing video! I love Sweetwater

[@Allison_Chaynes]

Wow!!!! Very impressive, Sweetwater.

[@fretted]

Would love a tour of the Plek shop! Thanks for this Baxter!

[@thomastucker5686]

I asked Sweetwater if the plek process would have completed the necks of the guitars I had to return for incomplete fretwork and never got an answer. 55 point inspection skips the neck altogether base upon my last order of 3 Fender Aerodynes. Fender and Sweetwater have adjusted my attitude about purchasing guitars online, unseen. I could not see incomplete fretwork in the pictures provided by Sweetwater or I would have cancelled the order. I wonder if the plek operation also avoids sharp unfinished fret ends and fret sprout? I received new guitars in the box from Sweetwater with fret sprout, Fender will not warranty fret sprout and sharp as hell fret ends/tops, with tool marks visible. Sweetwater took the guitars back, but wouldn't explain how 6 QC signoffs all ignored fret sprout, sharp fret ends and dirt in the finish on the back of one guitar. I would say, it has to be intentional with 6 people letting these instruments go to shipping. There must be a standing order to ignore problems with Fender guitars. I am cured.

[@jhmusic1]

​@@thomastucker5686plek isn't worth it. The ONLY advantage the plek has over a traditional fret level is it removes slightly less fret material. All of the finishing work like crowning and polishing still has to be done by hand and you end up paying like 250 dollars more for it. Usually a job like this will include fixing any fret sprout but often times it'll leave the factory or distributor being completely fine but during transportation the wood will shrink and you'll feel the fret sprouting. Almost nothing leaves the factory with painful fret ends but a lot of factories don't dry their woods enough before making a guitar out of them (especially Fender. Both USA and Mexico) and the result is fret sprout after a couple weeks of making it

[@2dazetake]

Way to go Baxter, very informative video,Sweetwater is awesome,once in a while,the guy that help me order once,will give me a call and ask if I need anything,I don't need a thing,but we know how that goes,thanks Sweetwater for taking care of the customers.😊👍

[@_drizzle2237]

Best time watching this video! Thank you!!

[@TedBarrett]

Got Reverb KZbin Ad in the middle of Casino Guitars showing off Sweetwater. Cool!

[@MrMann-gt1eh]

100% we enjoy having shipping options as sweetwater customers! Sometimes we get a bad delivery person and we’ll switch until they’re gone (and they always end up leaving).

[@JuddLofthouse]

Excellent video 👌was there a competition going on how many times you said ‘that doesn’t make sense to me’ 😀😀😂👍

[@AssuredHomeInspect]

My 78 yr old mom doesn’t play an instrument, but everyday asks me if Baxter has a new Video.😊

[@Robbie28]

I really like y’all’s channel. Wish ya were in Texas though. Maybe ya could move here?😀 Thanks for this vid. Really well done.

[@FoundryStreetJason]

Such a great video. Thanks!

[@southernpanda33]

I live in a part of the country where FedEx ships my guitar to Chicago from the distribution center 1 hour and 45 minutes away from me, then a week later ships it to my house in California. Mind you, the box started in Reno.

[@suzannecoholic1467]

enjoyed the tour!

[@jasoncurry207]

Craziest stuff ever I'm sitting here watching this video and all of a sudden my phone rings with a call from sweetwater sound checking to see if my order has arrived lol

[@chris_2714]

That custom upgrade shop is pretty sweet. Good business idea for Sweetwater to offer that in house

[@MrSmiley1964]

I had no idea they did that kind of custom work either. I would hate to drop 2 grand on customizing a guitar I haven't played though and then just not like it.

[@blueser100]

Excellent video. Have so much more appreciation of SW than even before. Was wondering about that inspection interval...I have new Taylor en route and wanted to know when it was inspected. No one can seem to find the answer for me, other than they received the guitar into inventory last October. What is the timeframe after which it has to be inspected again, and prior to sale? 4 months? 6 months?

[@820hurleyj]

I've been a customer for quite a while now and my experience with Sweetwater has been 99% positive. My only negative experience, Sweetwater rectified in short order. I've had a great experience with my salesman, Loui. So, here's my only negative experience. I bought a guitar and a case for the guitar at the same time. In 2 days it was delivered. The box was not well taped and had come open most of the way on the bottom. I know Sweetwater normally does excellent packing so I wasn't concerned. However, someone made a poor choice in packing my guitar. I don't gig anymore and the case wasn't intended for shipping. But they had shipped my guitar in the case and the case was only protected by the one outer box with the foam packing. After inspecting the guitar I found no damage to it, it was set up perfectly and it was even in tune! I always take pictures of new guitars and usually the case, too. While I was taking pictures of the case, I noticed some white Styrofoam in one of the shots. I figured it was an errant packing peanut. Nope. The compartment in the case was broken and I discovered this really nice looking, but not-for-shipping case was made cheaply with the soft velvety material covering the Styrofoam blocks that made up the compartment. My Strat styled guitar fit the case well but not snugly. There was a couple of inches clearance for the length of the guitar. What had caused the case compartment to break was the upper horn of the guitar body. During shipping the guitar slid back and forth with those 2" of clearance and had punched through the Styrofoam block, dislodged it and tore the cover. The case was beautiful with a hardshell tweed on the outside and the great looking blue velvety covered inside. I contacted Loui who told me to contact their shipping department since their shipments are covered by insurance. It was a Gator case, of which I've had several and I really like the brand. But since this case was broken before I ever saw it, I was able to work a deal and exchange the broken case for another sturdier Gator case which was the same price. FedEx picked up my broken case and in a couple of days I had the new made-for-shipping Gator case. This was the only time I'd ordered a guitar online with a matching case during the same purchase. I had assumed Sweetwater would ship the case in one box and the guitar doubled boxed, as they show in this video. I had just ordered a single case for my bass the week before and it came very well packed and double boxed. I was surprised when the FedEx driver only delivered the one box. If you're listening Sweetwater, my advice is to not ship a new guitar in the new guitar case. That's just my 2¢. (Actually I'd spent significantly more than 2¢!) 😅 So this is my 1% bad experience with Sweetwater. There was a problem caused by a poor shipping decision but they quickly rectified the situation to perfection. And the best part was that I got an extra bag o' candy! 😂

[@hod8931]

Thanks! Been back there many times picking up stuff but never been inside.

[@jimbrennan1181]

It amazes me that there are so many guitars being made and sold. Where do they go? I have 7 guitars myself but if my house doesn't burn down won't they just go back into circulation after I die? Are there that many guitars that just disappear from circulation? Or is it that the production of guitars just can't keep up with the general population as the popularity of the guitar has increased for decades.

[@steverok67]

This video reminds me of that scene in Clerks, where Randall pays a visit to Big Choice Video and bows at the altar.

[@sempercompellis]

what an operation !!! Noticed a bunch of Epiphones in line.... I had ZERO idea they had a mod shop...they should advertise that better..

[@gaberox1]

I would love to work there and be part of that team. As a guitarist who has had pretty bad luck with new guitars out of the box having annoying issues, I would love helping make sure other guitarist have a better experience. Fighting the good fight Id say.

[@JS-hu7pv]

That’s happened to me. “Hey - I want to change my order” and my rep says it’s already shipped two hours later. Crazy fast. That’s some serious industrial enginerding!

[@TheMixClub]

Enjoyed the video.. Hats off...

[@danielstoddart]

I've been waiting for this! Yowza!

[@stampscapes]

This was amazing/shocking. Knew they were big but this...

[@3tequila]

Love this! Just fascinating

[@evalonious]

Damn, thats the level after next level. Like the end of 1st Idiana Jones with the warehouse of artifacts.

[@softdev1]

I got a nylon from Sweetwater and it had a short in the electronics. They sent me a new guitar and I sent the other back. I was surprised that the first guitar I ever bought from them got through the inspection process with a short.

[@shanegaspardLATraveler70501]

I take my hat off to Baxter for wearing those lame-ass saucony shoes, women skinny jeans, his same hipster uniform and that Phil Spector hair cut! Good for you for being so confident wearing that Goodwill 5 piece....

[@buddylewis2743]

Wow! Just WOW!!!

[@joshuataylor672]

I wish they had a distribution center in the Nashville area. I would apply

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

Very impressive!

[@ifly65]

Wow I think my PRS 10 top was just there a week ago. Im shocked you missed the Die Hard 3 reference with the two solution A B bomb.

[@kevinwagner8697]

beyond incredible!!!!

[@shubus]

I'm a happy Sweetwater customer and had no idea about the scale of their operation. Holy smoke, it's ridiculous!

[@Neil-Aspinall]

This guy acts like he's straight out of the 1960's or something, he's so amazed at everything, 'that's crazy'.

[@bobdomke]

Love Sweetwater!!!

[@Abbynorml1979]

22:00 that's cool!

[@BulldoggerJK]

Great service. They don’t test B benders because my strap locks didn’t fit. Took 4 hours of filing to fix that. Same guitar has a grounding issue. Not sure how that got thru. They’ll pay for someone to fix it but luthiers aren’t plentiful in my area. Don’t want to send a guitar back that took months to get. I’ll still order from the again. Thousands of guitars, some mistakes are going to happen.

[@mikeseigler2967]

Sweetwater has wonderful PR and marketing, unfortunately i havent had this exact experience as of late. Last time i couldnt even get tracking info on a guitar, nor would they coordinate it when i asked them about it. Instead they lied to me and said itd be updated soon and it never was. Instead i randomly had a guitar delivered without warning on a day that i was assured i wouldnt get it on. They even had the nerve to say they wouldnt change the shipping because it was “on the truck about to leave sweetwater” meanwhile it was actually half way across the country and they refused to admit they didnt know what was going on.

[@MetallicA29]

This was epic!

[@user-dr8ug3gs3c]

Thanks for taking us inside the vending machine.

[@dxcman1]

WOW ... I love it.

[@glencooper1091]

Baxter did you see the weird guitar shaped like Florida hanging in one of the customizers booths?