Things You Always Wanted to Ask a Guitar Store Employee

[@PraetorianCuber]

the jellyfish pick is such a hilarious recurring villain on this channel, makes me laugh every time when he brings it up again

[@Kennyisnotdead2283]

Same here 💀💀💀

[@Irquiois]

It's funny to imagine Sammy G either having to always go pick The Jellyfish pick up when he thows it away or him having an altoids tin full of them to throw around as a stress reliever, lol.

[@ErnieNF]

I got one for xmas one year, and put it away....and a month later its on my desk in plain view. I never touched it, but every few months its there again... maybe it has a special jellyfish dna that's trying to kill you, who knows...

[@1683clifton]

Belongs in the trash. Yet it somehow remains...

[@EeekItsSnek]

As soon as I heard the question I was like "Enter the jellyfish" lol and there it was. 😅

[@ScottClark1138]

As someone who also owned a Jellyfish, I appreciate your consistent hatred of the thing.

[@grarglejobber7941]

I can sound better than you using only a jellyfish I let my cat worry at for two weeks though

[@alexchapman3906]

I almost want to buy one to frame it as a reminder that no matter what I do it can’t be more useless than the jellyfish.

[@richardcesare5347]

This will be the third video in a row I've seen from him that mentions it 😂

[@j_freed]

Not to be picky… I know the truth stings…

[@pissgravesprteam8737]

Tell me why I thought everyone was talking about the animal

[@vmurad]

Hey, samurai dude. Here's an idea for a video: "Top 5 guitars under U$950 you can shoplift in California without going to jail". I'd watch that.

[@vmurad]

For reasons.

[@j_freed]

These days, that same guitar will inflate to over $1000 by the time they apprehend and charge you…

[@listerfeend2004]

@@j_freed that's the joke, if $950, right now, they won't even try to apprehend or charge you.

[@listerfeend2004]

@@MostlyLost apparently, depends on which state you are in, but several states have had lots of issues with shop lifting lately due to this.

[@aw2584]

It's kinda funny how people freak out over this when such laws existed for decades. Idk about UK but Europe and Asia this was normal. Reason is if you charged every shoplifter was charged even for theft of low value it would completely clog the court system and cost billions. And since such laws have always existed and only things changing is the amount allowed, and since its california mostly being bashed, I'm assuming the previous limit was something like 700 dollars and raising it to 1000 saves a lot of money from court cases but Fox needs a topic to complain about lmao

[@grarglejobber7941]

Man, I'm really glad I worked for a mom and pops type music store. I rented way more oboes than I sold guitars, and I sold guitars better than the entire staff's numbers. I learned to take dents out of brass instruments and all sorts of things like that from this band director who was dying of cancer. Nobody ever said someone was playing guitar too much on the clock, even if they were playing guitar too much on the clock. When stuff was done and things were slow, me and one other guy's favorite thing to do was go derp around on this roland pedal that played simple progressions in different styles. It was like $550 in 2010 money which was way out of my price range. Totally cool experience, no corporate overlords, just musicians somehow running an actual business.

[@TheBanana93]

Family business's are rare as fuck these days :(

[@qua7771]

I hate working corporate anything. It sounds like a good experience at that shop.

[@wolfetteplays8894]

@@qua7771 same

[@youtubedeletedmynamewhybother]

@@TheBanana93 Good ones especially

[@MittensOnly]

I don't know if i'll ever get over the name "Big Bong No Pants"

[@sheltongolden4394]

Better than "Big Pants No Bong" I guess.

[@erikberg8352]

This is now the name of my Doom Metal band

[@Dark_sniper223]

I am not getting over that name either

[@weevilsnitz]

About playing guitar and jamming when a customer comes in: I think that's just a huge corporate stigma thing. I've worked big retail in a small shop, and in small stores, and I think the one thing customers want is someone who is friendly regardless of how the customer finds the associate. Jamming and having your head down you're going to get caught in the same position as someone carrying boxes and stocking shelves when a customer comes in. If I was playing I would just make sure to always face the door and when someone comes in you can give a wave and a smile or say hey or anything. I would much rather walk into a music store to see an associate enjoying music as opposed to bored on their phone. It's like when I worked at GameStop and the company policy FINALLY changed from literal business casual to jeans and a collared shirt to jeans and pretty much anything non-offensive. Do you want to buy video games from a salesman? No, you want to make friends and talk about the thing you like with someone who also looks like they're comfortable and looks like you.

[@DoctorTrainGaming]

I currently work at a Long And Mcquade. So this was cool to hear. Though you might agree that the worst type of customer can be the person who says "I spend lots here, I should get a deal" and they've spent maybe 2k in 10 years

[@samuraiguitarist]

Hahah ahh yes I know exactly what you are talking about

[@jondnz]

Oh that old chestnut, you hear that in ANY type of retail shop

[@refonbass]

Been with L&M for over 20 years. Definitely heard this one a lot.. 🤦‍♂️

[@GenXJames]

I loved when people would use the church credit card to buy their own personal gear to not have to pay taxes on it , also those same people would think you would have to basically give them things for free or cheap because it was a church

[@legoking2116]

@@jondnz sometimes I get people asking for discounts on their pizza order b/c "it's a really big order" meanwhile it's like $60 USD

[@wildwayz]

The story about dropping and instrument happened to me. I was doing 2 week's work experience when about 15 or 16 in a small independent music store. Part of my role was to clean guitars and sell people things. I was cleaning a Telecaster and when finished, I put it back on it's high hanger and a minute or so, it fell through the hanger and hit the floor chipping it. That sinking feeling is real. The store owner told me not to worry, put the price up £50 so he could knock it off if a customer buys it lol

[@TheBanana93]

Cheeky!

[@morbidmanmusic]

Your boss sounds like he was a real winner. .. ugh.

[@ryano.5149]

I was finally able to quit a store that rhymes with "sitar renter" in the beginning of October. I left on good terms, but I came so, so, SO DAMN CLOSE to taking off my nametag, stomping on it, and walking out...but thankfully, I was able to put in my notice before I went off the deep end like that. Also, want to know why women aren't more common in music stores? CONSTANT harassment from customers. We lost many a cool and talented coworker because of that shit. Never going back.

[@CrossoverGenius]

Unfortunately. women customers are also harassed by the male staff of these same stores. Pretty disgusting atmosphere all the way around.

[@ryano.5149]

@@CrossoverGenius Not to diminish your experience or the experience of others, but that wasn't a thing at the store I worked at. That would get you fired on the spot if there was even a hint of a rumor about that...which is probably a good thing IF management were sane individuals...however, that meant I saw people fired over significantly less serious complaints all the time. Funny how the management cared so much about the customers, but didn't give a rat's ass if it was the other way around. One day, a customer accused me of being racist...it was this whole big investigation. I didn't remember what the interaction was at all, but you know, misunderstandings can happen...I was often a "greeter" which meant pseudo-security (signing in customer-owned guitars, checking empty cases, checking serial numbers on guitars leaving the store, checking receipts, stuff like that.) so I thought ok, maybe I might have asked to check a receipt or something too annoyedly. I don't remember this customer at all, but fair enough. I took responsibility for it, and apologized to the customer. Later, my manager and I were talking about it, and the date of the incident came up - turns out, I wasn't even there when the incident in question happened! Fuck retail. I'd rather be homeless or shovel literal fecal matter all day than work one more microsecond in retail.

[@PaisleyPatchouli]

That's sad. At my local Sitar Renter for years there was always a really cool super skinny 'Goth looking' gal that was covered in tattoos, wore the most rad rock gear, and who could shred with the best of 'em. The funny thing was that it was always a different gal, but they looked like they played in the same band or something. I kinda thought maybe they had a quota to fill; never really could figure it out; but I know for sure that it was a different gal each time, just 'cut from the same cloth' so to speak.

[@naamakala789]

I'm beginning to wonder how many times that Jellyfish pick has been thrown on the floor in Sammy's videos. :D

[@cameronbergeron5840]

Hahaha that’s a good point! Which means he keeps grabbing it out of the trash. I’m beginning to doubt his hatred, and believe he’s now attached to it.

[@procrastinator6902]

Only once. Everyone knows what happens to a pick once it hits the floor, so he must have a drawer full of them 😂

[@fredegundestratton4891]

Not enough times yet

[@kaisonlopez4557]

Same!

[@michaelsacksteder7952]

"Baby-boomer, weekend warrior, rock and roll-type dads, who weren't especially good, but could kind of get through some tunes and some licks..." I feel seen.

[@oldsledpurgatory3595]

Whenever someone dropped a guitar at the music store I worked at, our reaction was always "Hey, we just made a sale!"

[@gatormouth337]

You are a great communicator. you told everything in a concise way and I appreciate it. Great work!

[@JoshuaSigmund]

Did my tour toward the end of and after college. Ended up as the drum department manager. Two stories stick out: 1) "Best used purchase": Guy comes in wanting to sell 2 Zildjian K Custom splashes (8" & 10") in mint condition. I told him flat out, "We're going to have to under pay you for what these are worth. You should really just sell them on Craigslist." But he insisted on selling them. Long story short, they lived hidden under the counter for exactly the amount of time required before I was able to buy them for something like $40 total! 2) "Best customer": There were a few regulars who were always great to see (knowledgeable, nice, never haggled, listened to my advice). But the one that stands out was a kid, probably 10-12 years old, who would come in every week to play and ask questions and add to his "wish list". He liked vintage gear, and had his heart set on this old Ludwig snare drum we had on the floor. He told me he was saving up for it but was going to be a while before he could afford it. It was around the holidays, so I ended up reducing it to cost so he could have it that day. The look on his face made all the shitty parts of the job worth it. For that moment at least.

[@donald-parker]

Love the Godin story! It would be cool to know how it ended. From a store point of view, I get that there is not much you can do, but from RG's point of view, he has a great opportunity for some cheap advertising and public relations. I love Godin family products and have owned several. They offer great value, and, being Canadian, they are a source of national pride.

[@morbidmanmusic]

Mr Godin is an awesome guy. He was like that in our store too. He is an amazing guy, and great company.

[@kamekomiyamora]

Whenever I go to a music store, no one really pays attention to me. I'll be trying to find someone and I clearly don't know what exactly I want or need as I'm looking around and taking my time, but no one ever comes up to me to ask if I want help. Takes me a while to track someone down and most are quick to the point so they can do something else. The store could be pretty empty and not busy at all, but that's been my experience. One time, I wanted to get my new Squier guitar checked. The fretboard was kinda curved with high action so it was really uncomfortable to play. I didn't know the terminology then as I was still a beginner. Guy played like 2 chords, gave it a 5 second glance, then said it's fine and I need to practice more 😒 After doing more research, I adjusted the truss rod. I also filed down some sharp fret ends that was scratching me and it's been great. I don't know if this is most people's experience, or if it's true that you're looked down on as a girl, but I try not to think I'm being discrimination against unless I know for sure.

[@frizzlefriar4417]

That's been my experience in most music stores I go to, and retail in general. I have found smaller mom and pop type stores are a bit more helpful, but usually don't have much selection. Learning some of the language helps, like asking about a setup on the guitar, rather than asking for it to be checked out. Stick with it, and things will start coming together better.

[@saintrhoads3375]

Not to shoot myself in the foot, but I'd say any neckbeard working in a guitar store would be falling head over heels to go set up a female beginner's guitar. Your experience seems strange.

[@user-rh5eq7bl4c]

Idk if this has been the type of shops you've already been too but I find that smaller independent music shops usually have owners that are overly eager to help which means you often end up wanting to come back, but whenever I've gone to a big name place, I too have felt a bit like its my job to find everything and know everything

[@saintrhoads3375]

@@user-rh5eq7bl4c I feel like that extends to any type of store.

[@user-rh5eq7bl4c]

@@saintrhoads3375 true true

[@arthurvandelay7677]

I worked at a independently owned small music store in the 70's. I was the service and repair tech (Uncle Doug has shown me how much I didn't realize that I didn't know then). A guitar teacher rented space in the store to give lessons, and that space was in the back of my not very large repair shop. I shoplifted guitar lessons every day.

[@jonraquet6629]

I will carry the term "big-bong-no-pants" with me for the rest of life lmao

[@maxscardanelli6185]

Same here man. 😂👌🏻

[@michaelhalliwell1015]

“Smoking up and going to the Guitar store is just something you do.” Ladies and gentlemen… we got a real one over here 👏🏻

[@Kuhlyedascope69]

this was my highschool

[@rbilleaud]

The story about stuff that accumulates reminds me of an experience I had. I never worked in a music store, but hung around them quite a bit as a teen. One of them was going out of business and one of the guys was going to throw a big box of junk out. I asked him about and and said, what'll you give me for it? I had like $5 on me, and he said, "sold". So for that $5 I got a couple of DiMarzio humbuckers, a couple of sets of tuners, some bone nut material, other odds and ends, and yes, a trem bar. Probably $100 worth of stuff.

[@clanwaddell5628]

That’s a steal

[@aliensliveinme]

Oh dude, I once visited a store that specialised in vintage instruments and watched a guy completely fail to re-hang a vintage early 70s fender strat that was basically mint back onto the wall whislt being 1. seated and so far too low and consequently doing it at full extension holding the bottom of the body and 2. holding another guitar that he was trying out in the playing position on his knee. It stayed up there for all of about 4 seconds before sliding off of the hanger onto some similarly vintaged amp and scraping a significant amount of its previously flawless finish off of the back. That dude left the store in tears. Truly heart braking stuff!

[@whitenoise509]

Every store is going to be a bit different. I made my default sales pitch to just jam around the acoustic room. Tons of sales that way, and it justified me playing all day :)

[@timsopinion]

I've heard you tell the Post Office story a number of times now and I gotta say, it still cracks me up.

[@brandonraemusic7471]

Thanks man! This really helped. I'm 14 am started to think about getting a part time job at guitar store when I'm 16 and this really answered a lot of my questions. Thanks for the help!

[@theabyssaldevil]

Love the recurring Jellyfish hatred. Keeps cracking me up

[@stevefeatherston4977]

My favorite so far. I’m 60+ & worked in a music store back in the 70s. Sounds like nothing’s changed.

[@godsfavoriteboyband]

I work in a guitar store and I generally bring my own guitar to the shop in winter so I can jam with my buddies that worked there as well when business was down.

[@andylovesbats4566]

One of my wishes as a kid was to get to listen to the stories of someone working in a guitar store/music store, because i always thought that they must've been through so much interesting stuff, thank you for sharing your experience! I started really getting into playing guitar a few months ago and i can say for a fact that this is something i've been looking for my whole life. Your channel has really helped me through my music journey so far!

[@Colhogan06]

I know the pain of a guitar getting away. But this one was closer, and more personal. My father had a 1959 Gibson ES350T that he got somewhere in 1960 or 1961. He used to treat that guitar like it was one of his kids. In fact sometimes I wondered if the guitar got better treatment...Lol. It was always in the case when not being used and he did regular maintenance to keep it in great shape. Anyway, while I was in the Army Stationed in Germany he sold it! When I came home on leave and found out it was gone I was heartbroken. I loved that guitar. Anyway he played in a band and his rig went belly up. So he was able to replace his amp, speakers and get another guitar with that one guitar. I only wish he had asked me. I would have bought it. It was one of a kind!

[@3rdalbum]

Reminds me of my dad's guitar, a Maton acoustic from around 1964. That guitar travelled the world with him and his wish was that he would pass it down to me. He took it to a festival last year and somebody broke into his car and stole it. Not a terrifically expensive guitar but had enormous sentimental value to him.

[@RepublicOfUs]

As a current retail employee, I absolutely *love* slow days. I can keep myself entertained in my mind forever, and the general public is horrific to deal with; if I were to never see another customer on a single shift I ever worked again, I would be a very happy man.

[@mikestibor1]

I worked at similar guitar store for many years. Very similar experience. Though our store was a little less “corporate” than Long & McQuade, which had its pros and cons. Let’s just say the staff and managers were often crazier than the customers. The one customer I always hated was the ones who brought their friend, who was the “expert”. Well intentioned perhaps. But so often the friend did more of a disservice to their customer than help them.

[@ElvannReacts]

As a fellow former music store employee: Everything in this is SO spot on 😂 It's almost nostalgic!

[@callmesubby]

Around 16 minutes, after the question about stairway to heaven and whatever I just randomly imagined what it would sound like to play snake oil by good tiger in a guitar store, and as I was still imagining it the next question said snake oil and threw me for a loop

[@lizarrrdbeth]

I have to say as a woman I went in to get my first guitar at a Guitar Center. It was an awesome experience. They treated me like any other guitar player. Getting your first guitar is something special and a memory that you never forget!

[@idek8822]

yeah fr, i bought my first guitar(besides my brothers old guitar) back in november and i will say it was amazing. i wasn't the best player and i'm still not but the employees helped me and me feel amazing beings crappy beginner

[@TheDsX]

So... Are you guitar center?

[@Wargasm644]

The missed 335 was the best story. But a 6 month journey while you’re young is priceless. At least you got to travel and enrich yourself. And.. you got a great “the one that got away” story.

[@nickmacuna2692]

I share your absolute hatred of the Jellyfish pick. I too was suckered into buying one and still have mine. When I first saw your rage about it I knew I was in good company.

[@zakkmylde1712]

I got rid of mine soon after purchase. I knew I wasn't going to like it when I bought it, I new it was stupid but I too was stupid.

[@nickmacuna2692]

@@zakkmylde1712 Yeah we tend to get rid of or let things slip away when we are younger. It may have saved you some frustration by reliving yourself of it. I'm not sure they are worth anything now. I have since put mine in a shadow box with a bunch of unique guitar picks to hang on the wall.

[@71tbomb]

I live across the road from a music shop (literally I do atm). I work most weekdays but on the weekends I have a few beers. I'm 50 now but keep up with new tech & research old tech. So when I go into the shop across the road I've usually had a few. The guys & girls in there don't mind because I Know my gear & mostly what I want & buy stuff. I have the stories too. These people are always great & I have had some impromtu jams(preese pardon spelling). Even when I've gone in trashed It's because I want something. I've never broken anything & I never interupt the sales staff. Just saying that some inebreated people are not so bad. I've never dropped my pants there. Cheers Y/All.

[@jakebackman1862]

Ive worked in guitar stores for the past 3 years and this is all incredibly true. Especially the hagglers, and the annoying customers with no respect for your time.

[@StandTallTx]

My first job was at a local mom and pop guitar store when I was in high school in 2008! I proceeded to float between a few different local stores for the next 10 years until I decided it was time for a career change. I was the jack-of-all-trades guy who did a little bit of everything - repairs, sales, teaching, etc... I definitely enjoyed teaching the most and it paid the best, but was also the most stressful since you had to keep up with your students sometimes who were already established players or were eating through my material fast. I am dyslexic and learning by ear isn't my forte, so figuring out other bands' songs still doesn't come naturally to me and prefer writing my own material. I often had to spend my off-time figuring out songs people wanted to learn since the process was so slow :( I eventually got burnt out from it all and wanted to go back to my roots where music was just a hobby again. I've definitely had a new found love for guitar playing again and feel the fiery passion I used to have coming back. I don't regret it at all and have a lot of good memories, but it is a job and the same stresses come along with it just like with any other. The knowledge you learn is absolutely priceless and being around so many talented musicians is very humbling as well.

[@joshfowler6216]

It’s good you never had to deal with broken Gibsons. I work at GC currently and there have been quite a few truck days when we unbox a new shiny Gibson with a broken headstock, deep surface scratches, or a warped neck. I’ve also seen one that had the incorrect C.O.A. and bench photo in the case.

[@kcapkcans]

I like the fact that every time he throws the jellyfish pick he has to find it so he can throw it again to satisfy the rage

[@STSGuitar16]

Oh man, I ALWAYS get nervous hanging a Tele back on the wall!! That thin headstock shape and the way it sits on the hanger looking like it would easily fall off whenever you let go lol

[@fvrmusicgr]

Big bong no pants is literally my favorite thing to ever be mentioned on this channel!!!

[@sixstringsoneway]

I got an amazing deal on a Telecaster that my boss knocked over when I worked for a local guitar store. Scratched on the back but I don't mind. Also, once met Joe Bonamassa at the store. He's a haggler, for sure.

[@andrewkemp6477]

I think it would be hilarious to work there and actually enforce the "forbidden riff"

[@BadvisionStudios]

Every time, you keep throwing that damn Jellyfish "pick" away, and yet it seems to always be at hand for the next rant about it! LoL... I love it! (It's apparently a better boomerang than a pick)

[@1pspgofan]

Im about to start working at my local store and my reasoning for wanting to join is pretty much the same. I basically grew up there since I was like 15 and loved checking out all the new guitars theyd bring in

[@RokDAWG1]

You brought back so many memories for me. I worked in a guitar store for 6 years. That was a really fun experience.

[@ryanhogge8]

The only remaining guitar shop in my hometown after I came back from the military is the one I took lessons at as a kid. Same owner, but the last two times I've gone there the employees treat me like I'm up to no good. Man, I just came in for patch cables. I'm not here to shoplift from your pick aisle. I can afford picks! After those two visits, I decided that "big box" stores never made me feel that way, so if I go to a shop in the future it won't be the local one.

[@joshbittner]

The guitar that got away from me was a PRS Custom 22 in a dark scarlet red finish at this guitar consignment shop in Lemoyne, Pennsylvania in early 2007. For $929. Yes, a USA core line PRS Custom 22 But I was a broke college student - I wish I called up my parents and have them let me buy the guitar and promise to sell whatever I needed to sell to get it, cause I was playing mediocre Ibanez, Schecter, and Epiphone guitars at the time. If I had gotten it, it would’ve easily been my best guitar and likely would still have it, cause I have none of those mediocre guitars anymore 😅 Of course, I have a picture of me playing it and so it will always haunt me

[@strivingx67]

I really enjoyed this video man. Good laughs and cool stories. Thanks, I needed that today... its been a very rough day for me bro. Cheers!

[@jerryodom7358]

All that Boredom time should have been productively spent tuning all the guitars. I don’t think I’ve ever found a guitar pre-tuned in any store.

[@ImnotgoingSideways]

Exactly!!! I worked repairs at a small shop for a few years. If I found enough time between jobs, I'd grab one of the 'low wall' collection and do a full setup. GUITAR STORES: If you just do something about your setups on the wall. Maybe even just tuning. Sales would go through the roof. Having guitars on the wall which are out of tune with the action and intonation of a Costco floor sample are bound to chase people out of your store. Have someone set up one guitar each day. And, I mean a good setup. Like trim-down fretboard high spots, good. Moving units at low margin will always beat moving nothing and keeping dusty trash on the wall.

[@Bagledog5000]

@@ImnotgoingSideways All the guitars in the shop I worked at were set up before the customer left the shop if they needed it. A lot of the time I'd set a few up here and there if they were in need of one, trimming down high spots on the fretboard though? Yeah, that's a little beyond the skills of the average guy in a guitar shop. Then again, guitars came form the factory with better set ups back when I was selling them for a living.

[@stapler942]

I am socially anxious so I don't wind up talking a whole lot to the sales people at Long and McQuade unless I have a technical need or question. I usually just do enough research into a product I'm looking for and if it is at the store and I often wind up just making a committed purchase in a pretty short time. A couple times it was a synth I was interested in and I find that sales people don't really talk about or focus much on synth gear compared to guitar gear. ;)

[@flybynight1929]

Dude, Gina Gershon is a total smoke show! That qualifies as a 'celebrity' for sure.

[@ryanfox5612]

Not in Winnipeg, but I got my favorite guitar at L&M in Calgary. Epiphone Sheraton 2. I couldn't afford a lot and the dude attend the store was awesome for helping me with the ins and outs of guitars in that price range. My first electric and I've always loved playing it. The best part of the experience was a sales person talking frankly to me about brands and helping me understanding that a well made Epi was going to bring me as much joy as a low end higher brand. I ended up getting it signed by BB King and will always love it. Later on, after I built my first acoustic, I brought it in to L&M to find a case that would fit it. The sales guy thought it was a stolen Martin because it was the right shape but no branding on the headstock. I've never had a bad experience there. It might have been a min wage sales job, but never discount how much a guitar shop employee can impact a person.

[@parkerhatcher224]

I remember going into L&M as a teenager and just feeling like a kid in a candy store. I still feel that way at 31. I’ve probably spent more money at L&M than I have on groceries in my lifetime. If it wasn’t for that place, I wouldn’t be a producer and guitar tech. My wife is getting into bass and audio production now! She’s just killing it. Long live L&M! At the time you worked there, I was VERY into Ibanez super strats. I also bought my first bass amp to use as a vocal amp around that time. And in 2005, I ended up with my first Les paul. Just a standard epiphone sunburst. But I remember plugging it into my Marshall, and feeling those humbuckers roar! It was the first guitar I had owned that was not, a strat type. I was a teenager, and in a couple of bands. There’s a good chance we’ve crossed paths multiple times. Ps. Mark London is my favourite person in the world. Aside from my wife. Hi Mark!!! I’m feeling super nostalgic now. Thinking about my first really solid experiences at Long and Mcquade. My entire family plays music, and my grandmother Beverly is a regular there. She’s nurtured my families musical abilities and interests our whole lives. So many feelings! Take care!

[@OmicronTauKappaClassicDaddy]

My first job was working at a guitar store in Tulsa. I recall my boss getting upset at me when two young lads were allowed to play on the premium guitars. I assuaged my boss by promising him nothing bad would happen with the Hanson twins playing his instruments.

[@firemarshal2629]

Here’s a question, how are guitar stores allowed to sell their stuff at new prices yet every guitar in their store has been played numerous times? Drove an hour and a half to go to my nearest GC and wanted to buy a LP JR. It was smudged, small dings all over it and the pick guard screws were rusted because of all the sweat from different people playing it yet they refused to mark it down.

[@qua7771]

I would guess that you would negotiate the price according to it's damage. I noticed that about gear at GC as well. Some people won't buy a guitar they haven't seen, GC seems to be the shop where people spend hours playing gear they have no intention on buying.

[@griefman6550]

For new guitars, they don't sell you the display model. They grab a box with an untouched guitar, the gig bag etc. from the back. At least in my experience.

[@kieranwalsh2058]

@@griefman6550 I had a similar experience. Guy brought one fresh out the box and let me play it too. Best purchase I’ve made so far

I used to work in a music store too. I actually loved it. Unpacking awesome gear, talking to other musicians/producers etc. And the discount. Ohh, the discount. Yum! But yes, there were some downsides: Crappy salary, weird regulars that never bought anything and just asked questions about stuff that they already knew the answer to...and the torment of hearing people playing the same songs over and over and over again at 150 dB. Still; Awesome period in life.

[@Cam-on2jw]

This was a great video thank you for posting it. I desperately wanted a job at guitar center after graduating high school a few years ago, mainly for the reason you wanted that kind of job as well-to be surrounded by gear and instruments I love. But as most of the jobs I’ve had so far, I’ve learned it’s not good to go into a retail job that you’re a fan of. Seeing the behind the scenes of certain jobs ruin the customer experience that you probably prefer than having to provide it

[@timothya2742]

Kudos to all musician's who work in music shops. From the first guitar to the next I have always found them to be understanding. Haven't played in almost 7yrs. Just got a cheap dinky from guitar center. More to scratch an undeniable itch then anything else lol Let the calluses begin

[@IDoABitOfTrollin]

I LOVE when the store was slow when I worked places. We got our daily tasks done fast and just got to chill and talk. I miss that about working places. Slow days are best days

[@ericddoran]

My Squire humbucker guitar from one of those packs has always been for favorite guitar. Didn't sound amazing but it was the most comfortable thing ever.

[@Simoran]

I currently work at a Guitar Center in ops. I'm so glad I don't have to deal with customers on the regular and I can just sit back unboxing a bunch of cool gear, organizing it on the sales floor, and shipping out a bunch of interesting stuff. It's not something I'll do forever but I'm an undergraduate so it's not like I've got anywhere better right now.

[@cameronmassey3458]

The amount of times this man has flicked that damn pick away and some how finds it astounds me. If i blink mine disappear forever lmaooo

[@inflameslp311]

I worked in a music store for a year and a half, and it was fun to answer these questions to myself and take a walk down memory lane. If money was a non-issue, I think I might work at a music store for the rest of my life. I loved doing it, and at the time the money was sufficient, but it was H&H, and they just happened to go out of business. They had maintained ownership of their repair business and were planning to re-build from there, so my boss had mentioned that he would try to get me a job as a local educational rep to take care of the local school districts, but that ended up falling through. There weren’t any other close music stores hiring at the time, so I had to just move on, and as life got more expensive, I realized that I couldn’t afford to work at another music store unless I either owned one or just didn’t need the money. Looking back, it seems like it was longer; I think because I enjoyed it so much, I just took in more of the experience.

[@davidfulginiti5985]

Thanks, that was entertaining 👍

[@JUNK_ZONE]

"I used to work at a guitar store" - tries to sell us something - - the video - I can't even be mad, it IS like that. Very authentic experience. 10/10

[@ileutur6863]

Huh?

[@romandurant5309]

This was a very peaceful video, made me feel hopeful for the future, a rare feeling nowadays…

[@arcadian3090]

I wish my local guitar store had employees as awesome as Sammy g. My first experience I walked into the store and the owner had been very argumentative with a customer over the phone, the other employee, and the only other employee was standing there next to the guy that was cursing out the person on the phone doing absolutely nothing. I thought at the time that you weren't allowed to try out and guitars unless you had very specific instructions to do so. Now I know that's absurd, the lack of care at my local guitar shop is horrible and the only other place around is guitar center which is 30 minutes away.

[@Steve.Cutler]

I was a guitar teacher/tech for years. I was allowed to jam when ever and how ever long I wanted. Every music store is different, barring chain stores, and every experience is different. It must of been a retail experience for you since your experience is newer stores...

[@braydenmackie2204]

I’m extremely thankful that I’ve only heard the sound of a guitar hitting the ground in videos on KZbin. I don’t even on any truly expensive guitars (my most expensive is like $850) and I don’t know what I’d do if that thing broke.

[@danielalexander8402]

Wait, so it's a weird thing that I always have anxiety because none of the employees are every playing the instruments? Because the lack of seeing that makes me feel like I shouldn't be making noise and bugging them so I end up always buying a guitar without trying it or scurrying out with a panic attack.

[@johncurtis4159]

Been there done that - thanks for sharing - took me way back and made my day!

[@Irquiois]

11:51 Never been three sheets to the wind at a guitar store myself, but I went to visit the local store once around noon when they open and the owner who ran the operation by himself was either absolutely blitzed out drunk or nursing the hangover of a century - you could hear it in his voice. It's sad because I like the dude and his business is definitely suffering because of it - esp. now when another music store popped up in town.

[@kiwibass6207]

Your dad is awesome, such a wise man.

[@PierceThirlen2]

I would have loved a part time job like that! As it was, I cleaned a bakery part time after school. But I saved every dime and I was able to buy a brand new 1971 walnut finish ES-335 with my earnings, plus lots of concert tickets, and a used van to transport equipment to gigs, plus I earned my tuition for electronics school.

[@svenleeuwen]

That Godin story is wonderful!

[@dans1516]

small world..I worked at the same store in the early 90s (different location)..so yeah Phil!!.LOL .My biggest take-away was seeing guys who had played my junior high (Churchill) when they were on the rise 18 years previous and still couldn't get their act together...renting an amp for a gig 'cuz they didn't own one, etc. Made me totally examine my career path. I had lunch with Fred Turner and met Nuno Bettencourt's brother! Got free tickets to Joe Satriani and Melissa Etheridge. Good fringe benefits

[@gustavrosentoft6723]

that 335 story almost brought tears to my eyes. Great video!

[@davidcelliott]

My only bad GC experience was when I was talking to the salesman and he took a phone call right after I asked a question. As I was leaving the store 5 minutes later, I heard him start to answer the question. At least they never talked down to me at GC like the people at another music store nearby.

[@dooley9621]

I don't understand how you said when it was quiet you would buy $1 scratches to pass the time, in a music store there is always something to do as in cleaning and dusting. I have never seen a spotless music store. It's always possible to find something that needs doing. Thanks for sharing mate.

[@SMAAAASHTV]

I worked at a Guitar Center in 2004 and the worst part was the corporate attitude. I started as a door greeter and moved into the accessories department, selling pedals, strings, cables, wireless systems and dynamic mics. It was minimum wage with commission based sales potential, but the minimum required was so high that it was virtually impossible to make commission. We also had the issue of customer grinding us down to nearly cost a lot of the time, which they don't negotiate on price anymore. I got fired because I didn't take a customer cursing me out because he bought the wrong thing, blaming me for it, even though the thing he ultimately wanted was something we didn't even carry, which only came out after the fact. I also had an issue with one of the managers claiming I was cursing over the store intercom, which was complete BS. I did end up with a 1989 "made in USA" Squire that some drug addict brought in trying to sell, without strings. When I told him we couldn't test it, he just handed it to me and said it's yours, so I'm sure it was stolen. I still have it.

[@fredwagner240]

Very cool!! There's a reason why you have over 912k subs. Good Job!!

[@rw9495]

I ordered a Fender Bass VI that arrived to Guitar Center broken, and the most they would refund to my card was $500, I had to take store credit for the remainder. I took a Sterling SUB Ray4 and sold it at the next guitar store down the block for the rest of my money 🤷‍♀️

[@geekychick131]

Dude I worked at L&M for 9 months and it was insane. Best retail job hands down, management was meh, but the folks I worked with were the best. I had to quit due to the mistreatment I was getting from customers due to the fact I was a woman of colour and dealt with a lot of sexism, at times borderline assault, but the worst-case was when I had to deal with a stalker issue. Wish I had been there longer but the customers were easily the worst part of the job.

[@kamekomiyamora]

Omg hope you're okay D: Which location if you don't mind me asking? I made a comment on this video too about always being ignored at L&M, usually the one by York University in Toronto, and workers barely giving me the time of day when I do track them down. I remember applying to work there years before I picked up guitar. Had an interview but never heard back from them. If that's how they are though, I'm happy they didn't take me 😅

[@geekychick131]

@@kamekomiyamora I worked at one in the lower mainland of BC

[@bensonsj98]

The Big Bong No Pants story had me rolling.

[@blaineadams7484]

When I started working minimum wage was 3.50 an hour. When I finally reached 7 an hour I bought my first house and was the breadwinner for my family of four. The other difference was our medical insurance was only $30 a week. Now it's $180

[@lfaf9509]

I find it odd that anyone would ever tell someone else that its not outright worth it to repair a guitar.. I understand that its possible that it would cost more to repair a guitar than it would be to buy another one, but to me that is just the financial perspective. When it comes to guitars, people grow attached to them, and the amount of money it would cost to repair it is not even a factor to them. I had this same issue with my old Honda Civic, it got to the point that when I got new breaks put on it, the mechanic told me it was not worth doing the work because the car was not worth what I was asking him to do.. It was a break job, and it only cost a couple hundred dollars, compare that to the tens of thousands of dollars it would cost me to buy a whole new car, and I told him he was crazy.. to his face lol. When it comes to guitars, people are sometimes full of it when it comes to that obvious attempt of pressuring people into buying a new guitar. I get why someone in a store may want to get you to buy a new guitar, seeing as it is part of there job and all.. You can not buy a new guitar that has done the same thing with you as your last guitar did, because you can't go back in time like that. What you can do is fix a damaged guitar, that you have had many experiences with. If you are financially broke, you can get a little work done on your guitar at a time, until you get it fixed up. You can buy another cheap guitar for sure, but it won't ever be the same guitar you first had.

[@jamminshaman5935]

“I have no problem seeing a bare-naked body. We’ve all got one.” -samuraiguitarist

[@everychannel1025]

Sigma grindset

[@andylovesbats4566]

I mean yeah, that's a pretty healthy, woke opinion on this topic

[@WutipongWongsakuldej]

I was in Toronto for 8 months in 2012. During that time, I bought an American Special Strat and rent a guitar and a digital piano from L&M. I really like the store and would love to go there sometime. The guitar I rent was a Simon&Patrick. It's made from Cherry wood if I'm not mistaken, and it smell real sweet.

[@aidenburgess217]

The only two guitars I've ever bought brand new were my first two, which were both birthday presents when I was a kid. After that, it's always been second hand.

[@sauce_aux]

Funny how you had a Jackie Green story; he grew up in the small town I live in, and was the talk of the locals, all through high school and Jr college. From the sound of it, you were interacting with him/his affiliates, around that time. Didn’t think I’d hear him mentioned on an international KZbin channel

[@ileutur6863]

Music stores across the pond seem much better than those we have in my country. Our biggest chain store has absurd prices, rude and uninterested employees and you can't haggle down the price on anything. They have guitars in there that have been hanging since the late 00s. There's a particular employee that must hate me for some reason cause every time I go to buy something he implies I don't know how to use it. I finally blew up at him when he wouldn't sell me a replacement bridge for my bass, cause I had a gig that night and only a few hours to make repairs. Walked out and never came back

[@LeavinMyTown]

Ooh yep. There's a music store in the city (a glorified town, but legally a city) I live where they've used COVID to just straight up ban people from playing instruments they're not in a position to buy; whih, at least in my book, is signing their own death warrant with gleeful abandon. If I can't even check the instrument out to see how it play and sounds, then why would I waste my time in a physical store when I could just go online and buy it?

[@owenfoster255]

I work at a guitar center in Massachusetts and i was answering the questions with my own experiences as you went. I’d love to compare notes sometime! Lol

[@MisterTee]

My old L&M badge is hanging from the rafters at the Calgary store on 58th. It’s a cool ritual at that location.

[@rijosigns]

great video loved it made my day ty.😀

[@highstreetjackmusic]

I've been binging on your channel. I love it.

[@HeathBlair]

Video quality is great!!! Love it!!

[@geordiedog1749]

I lived next door to Peter Cooks Guitars in West London. Naturally I spent a lot of time in there and the best way to ingratiate myself (which is how I got my beautiful Japanese Squiertele) was to talk about something, anything, other than guitars to the staff. I chatted about football. Subsequently I would be welcomed into the shop.