Guitar Shops That Survived Covid - For Now..

Baxter and Jonathan talk about the shops that survived, the ones that didn't, and risks that Casino Guitars took that have paid off.
115 NE Broad St, Southern Pines, NC 28387
910-725-0807
[e-mail]
SHOP HOURS : MON - SAT 11AM - 5PM, SUN 12-4PM

[@reecetaylor6655]

You guys are the closest thing I have to the news now… I’ve never been happier

[@lanedebbie]

I know this isn’t good for you guys, but a benefit for us regular folks is that a ton of people bought guitars and some percentage of those buyers got bored or “it was too hard to learn”, meaning the used market could get very interesting over the next year or so. It also means that in 20 years a ton of really clean “vintage” guitars will find their way out of the back of closets and from under beds.

[@JiminTennessee]

In my short 53 years on the earth, of which only the last 20 was I even paying attention, I have noticed that often wealth is accumulated in short bursts of time. Glad your decided to burn your boat and were committed to succeed or fail by going all in. That is courage. Keep shining gents!!

[@MatthewBaronEsq]

Feh. That's so 2020. Get with the times, guys! I wanna know about what shops will survive Monkeypox!

[@dazdarren9926]

You mentioned that you are wondering if this is the return to the good old days? When was that? For me it was when each city had a half dozen good independent music shops all typically situated in the same part of town and you could spend a day going from one to the other . It was a real sense of community to know the store owners and workers and fellow musicians who stopped in

[@joelstephen3542]

I finally got a biz trip to Charlotte. Planning to stop in Monday afternoon to start the masterbuild process. Can’t freakin wait.

[@cutez0r]

I'm one of the people who picked up the guitar in the pandemic. I wanted to start way back in 08 when I watched an ad for the Gibson robot guitar, and I remember thinking it's amazing...LOL! I'm really glad I eventually started because it's so much fun!

[@savethedandelions]

hopefully, you didn't start on one of those robot guitars! haha

[@dcamp671]

Good for you! I didn’t pick it up until I was 30, and that was 25 years ago. I’m finally quick enough to hit the solo from “Shine” note-for-note. 25 years trying and I finally hit it a couple of months ago. Keep it up, amigo, you have no idea how high you can get!

[@brianb.5661]

I don't have a car for Jonathan, but I bought an EV a couple years ago and it has saved me a lot of money. To buy a guitar and amp with.

[@Barbarapape]

The UK has been hit hard with guitar shops closing. The high street stores have almost all gone, so there is no passing trade. Add to that they are low on stock worth buying, travelling a long way to the few that are left makes it a wasted journey. I can't see this changing anytime soon.

[@mcd5778]

At least our goberment's protected us though 😅

[@Barbarapape]

@@mcd5778 Not in the UK they havn't, 54% increase in energy bills means no spare money for gear.

[@strumminronin]

@@Barbarapape "Camphor wood" ^Red Dwarf reference. Hopefully it doesn't come to that

[@Dian2Gig]

Hello boys! I hail from from Apex NC. I’ve been at your shop. Glad you’re still around.

[@bottomkitchen250]

I'm glad to see you guys still here of course. But I'm also really glad that my local shops are still in business. I'm pretty sure they never actually closed either. Just had some limited hours.

[@joerob3081]

Only 7000 more subscribers and we finally get to see the arm wrestling match💪

[@0burrus]

So glad y’all did!

[@ryangunwitch-black]

I'm glad it sounds like you guys are doing ok

[@troycollins2900]

God Bless Guitar Center and Sweetwater... Troy from Atlantic City

[@peterrebhahn1113]

Guitar Center's current owner is, I believe, an outfit named Ares Management -- private equity, hedge fund, whatever. Hard to tell the difference sometimes. One thing you may be certain about: Outfits like Ares don't buy companies because they want to run them. They don't buy companies to get a long-term revenue stream that they make profitable through skillful management. That's just not their business model. I suspect the unpleasantness of the past two years delayed execution of their game plan but probably didn't change it fundamentally. Arguably, the guitar boom has made GC a more valuable asset. Then there's the question of why they continue to operate two separate online operations: GC and Musician's Friend. Why? Of course, MF is more an 'asset light' operation, unlike Sweetwater. But still. My 2-cent predictions, not necessarily in this order: 1. GC will close some (many?) marginal brick-and-mortar locations. 2. At some point, MF will fold over into GC and, eventually, MF will go away. Easily done as MF is essentially a simple, bolt-on merger. 3. Ares will cash out by selling GC back to the public via an IPO (initial public offering) of stock. 4. GC will continue as a brick-and-mortar operation but with fewer locations and a streamlined (i.e. single entity as opposed to GC and MF) online operation.

[@JoshMarzolf]

I don't know what it means for your theories, but there is a GC opening in my little town of Fargo, ND this fall. We have a few little shops but most of our guitar shops have closed over the years or are other smaller chains (Eckroth & Schmidt). It will be the first GC in our state.

[@pooshNchums]

Will literally watch you guys talk about anything. Branch out!

[@contrabandjoe7974]

Louisville, KY just lost a LONG time Vintage Guitar shop, opened in 1975- "Guitar Emporium". Iconic in the industry. Closed in March, 2022. Another local dealer bought their name and set up a "corner" of their store with the GE name, but it will never be the same. Very VERY sad ending for this beloved guitar shop. End of an era...

[@matthewf1979]

I’ve just purchased items that have been unavailable for a year and a half. Ordering an AO P-Bass next Monday if I can find one.

[@troycollins2900]

The Black Friday Before Covid I Decided to Learn Guitar... Made a Garage Studio... If It Wasn't for Covid I Wouldn't be as Good as I Am... Troy from Atlantic City

[@glenkepic3208]

Pretty interesting. I haven't been to a shop in over 5 years. That was for a repair. The shop closed about a year later. I'd gone there for years. For the heck of it, i looked up the local GC the other day. Same time frame there....move had me selling some amps. Should have walked...the SM Ca shop is still there. Oh welll, got a great deal on one amp there about 10 years ago. Used Peavey Vypyr 15 for $49.99. Good amp. btw, i was a buyer during the 'shutdown'...Epi LP Jr and Spark 40. Had to wait for both but worth it.

[@dvcerdeira1]

great thematics. can i suggest a talk about how mom and pop musical stores are impacted by the online retail (gc , amazon) and how can they survive

[@nealhartsell3880]

Economy will slow. But work from home professionals and the great resignation shows that many folks want to enjoy a simpler life. The guitar will figure prominently therein. Boomers are nostalgic and still have money to spend - just not as much. But a few grand for a couple of great guitars and an amp or two - it’s just joy.

[@mikepodorski4272]

I think the pedilum will swing the other way. Production costs will stay high and demand will drop, so quality will go down. People will lose Intrest in playing and need money so the used market will be flooded and prices will drop. Neither are food for OE manufacturers and shops.

[@arcarioandsons]

It's coming gents... Slowly yet surely.. the greatest guitars that have ever been built... They're coming... The wood is almost dry.

[@texhaines9957]

No idea about the effect. I ordered locally, put the percentage down, and didn't mind waiting. I also traded in some gear so they could resell it. Have a great day!

[@BillAltman]

what are the thoughts on opening a new shop post covid? used gear repairs and lessons still viable?

[@wrobinson1702]

You guys were either brilliant or you got very lucky from a business standpoint for buying lots of guitars just as COVID started! A couple of our local shops here in Jackson, MS did not survive. And I've been to NAMM, but never noticed that it "smelled funny"!

[@HSet77]

Not to be a bummer but, Covid is NOT over not here in California. I recently got very sick from the 'mild Omicron'. I'm 67 - (so more at risk.) Cases are increasing here in Santa Cruz County every week - where I am. I have now tested negative - but still ill. Many people here have acted like it's over - especially under 40 year olds - no masks... I understand how tiresome this Covid is however... Anyway, keep the videos coming. Thanks.

[@9372duffy]

Rock & Roll!!!

[@teknomanning]

I’m 71,I bought a bunch👍🏿🕺🏿

[@ericwarrington6650]

Hey everyone 🤘

[@pbrstreetgang73]

If only the prices would come down…

[@CindyMattern]

Look at Baxter’s cool shirt!

[@belmont74dunes65]

Guitar centers In store customer service sucks. I went to the bakersfield CA store to pick up some gear and It was the worst experience I’ve ever had.

[@b1j]

I am an acoustic guy, with a Gibson at that, so Casino is not going to be my shop. But I like your free-association rambles. Core topic? Sometimes.

[@littlehamptonangling]

I'd love to be able to sell guitars and amps. We have a drum store a few miles away that sells fishing gear, you can browse the rods whilst the owner gives drum lessons, not at all distracting!

[@bbrotherton6345]

$5.20 San Tan Valley, AZ, today.

[@scottdematteo]

Good Morning

[@garyb7575]

Hit the bell... it makes sounds :D

[@Fog640]

Patience, at least half the demand has already split to disco heaven. When supply and previous demand levels are met, stock begins to gather dust. Prices level out. The new normal takes shape.

[@gilesmallinson8554]

$80 fill up your car 😆, you should trying filling up a car over here in the UK . You can get a good squire , new for the price of a tank of Unleaded 😂

[@RoadKing-ky2bs]

COVID19 fell into two camps: some industries flourished making record profits and other industries it was detrimental forcing them to fold, go bankrupt, and lay off workers. The music instrument industry seems to have had both camps within, where some shops prospered and some shops locked the doors/turned off the lights for good. It seems any disaster or major event will always produce both camps in some way, shape or form.

[@mcd5778]

Government lockdowns*

[@acousticadventure1]

Station down the street, $4.90 last night...

[@davedavid7061]

you walking around with your phone trying to get info just brought everything back from those first days. I had just picked up a Squier Tele with the intention of learning. as a cabinet shop, we were considered critical industry and in our area, housing blew up. I had enough money coming in to buy whatever I wanted and I kinda did. Sad for those businesses that didnt make it but we were lucky and pretty much untouched by the whole thing

[@Corn-Pop.]

they survived covid but at what cost, just look at that man's hair, what a shame the stress did that to him

[@MrSmiley1964]

I'm with you Baxter, my wife's going to visit her mom next week. I'm tossing the dining room furniture and getting a drum set. If she loves me she'll get over it .... right?

[@dcamp671]

Tis easier to beg forgiveness than to ask permission.

[@MrSmiley1964]

@@dcamp671 That's my plan. Plan B is she doesn't know how to drive, So she can't get to the divorce lawyer.

[@davidsteinberg8024]

Anecdotal, but it seems that there are more low-end and no-name guitars showing up on offerup recently. The flood of lost interest/can't get it/just don't play/get it out of here gear may be starting.

[@teknomanning]

Sorry to tell you this, But work on the frontlines in a hospital.It’s never over. I got in a COVID last night

[@jed1166]

“Used cars that are affordable”??? Huh? I was lucky enough to reserve a RAV4 Hybrid on the Pacific, coming from Japan it was cheaper than the used ones available!

[@mikedr1549]

I've got a car that was once owned by Tom Petty - I'll sell it to Jonathan for cheap!

[@homersreluctantodyssey2508]

that'd be a great car for runnin' down a dream

[@teknomanning]

Every guitar player are a guitar shop..We buy,We sell to us.

[@darthdurf9611]

oh...I also have a '11 Ford ranger extracab....24k miles....4x4....4L v6....red....no rust....23 k that's not mine to price, father in laws

[@sneakerhead6184]

I'm having a very hard time being a lefty!

[@subzero308]

same we already never had guitars in shops now its worse smh.

[@30smsuperstrat]

What Covid is over? I just tested positive for the first time, even though I was sicker during the thick of 2020 😆

[@Boomsterblak]

Great to hear ..guitar players..professional musicians ..we all went all in long time ago..lol..Highs and lows ..covid was..is ..relative to what you did or were doing..a dr. would have a different story than a bartender..etc.we had no choice we had to head out frontline for our community ,country..not much in the way of thanks ,but that really doesn't change much or does it hmmmm...now hairdressers and barbers were hit hard hint hint Baxter...does your wife let you out of the house looking like that..lol..sorry..maybe some gel..I dunno talk to a proffesional..lol..just muckin about love your show.

[@darthdurf9611]

I have an 07 hyundia elantra....50k miles....ghetto ready....ill sell to you for 5 k.....12k on craiglist....thats a deal

[@mikefinley4367]

Fact ... Instrument sales skyrocketed due to people bored at home. Used sales were insane and have finally slowed some. Guitars and banjos are a dime a dozen, over priced or if affordable China crap.

[@frozendivots1564]

Wake up people…

[@misterknightowlandco]

Your video got the old conspiracy theory badge lol you’re an official KZbinr now! Congratulations! Lol

[@Tony_Leonardi.]

It’s all just the truth can’t deny

[@rrrrdavid1]

and 16 million new guitar players trying to sell their gear

[@fordhammie]

It's sooo baaaad for years now but not one person is doing the funky chicken in the streets! Jackassess in america are easily bamboozled! 🤣😂😂😂😂😂🤣😂

[@shanewalton8888]

Tell Johnathan to buy Japanese cars. Just like the guitars, American cars are generally crap.

[@reidponce]

Can’t wait to afford to buy something at your shop🥲