What Happens When You Buy 3 Guitars from Guitar Center? | Trogly's Unboxing Guitars Vlog #87

[@Trog]

At the end of the day, with their return policy - I don't think you can go wrong. You might break your heart returning a guitar you were looking forward to though! 🔴Reverb: reverb.com/item/36851792?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=Trogly ❓Private Help Sessions: troglysguitarshow.com/help-appraisals/ 🍭Shop Sweetwater + Support the Show ➡️ imp.i114863.net/trogly 💰New to Reverb? Get $10 on Me ➡️ reverb.grsm.io/earn10 👕 Merch: teespring.com/basic-logo-4245?pid=211

[@rondobondo6600]

Ya gotta be careful with who you buy from

[@dante316a]

Could you explain me whats wrong with richlite? I mean it looks good (like ebony) , it feels ok, I don’t get the disapproval for richlite, me dream les paul has richlite, its an satin ocean blue signature player plus from 2018, or is there other older models with that same finish?

[@Trog]

@@dante316a richlite is fine - but many buyers refuse to order guitars with it simply because it isn't ebony. As a dealer, this makes it a bit harder to sell. Guitars with it aren't bad, they just might not sell for as much or be seen as desirable on the used market.

[@dante316a]

@@Trog ooh i get it, kind of a good thing for me then haha. Since that signature player plus I want wont be crazy expensive

[@JuiceBox_0126]

You should do a musicman stingray guitar

[@carnacthemagnificent2498]

I bought one guitar from Guitar Center, had it shipped to the local store (cheaper shipping). When it arrived I went to pick it up and they opened the box and the headstock was broken. They processed my refund on the spot, no issues. If I ever bought another through them I'd do the store-to-store shipping again, just in case.

[@0utlaw13]

I do the same

[@chrisguzman7926]

Just bought one. Trying to learn and after hearing the horror stories about GC I wasn't sure if I wanted to buy from them bought ordered it pickup and luckily it was perfect

[@Chrispy_tV]

“Only 10lbs 6.6oz” I don’t think the word only is a good use there 🤣 🤣 🤣

[@hashslinginhasher]

I was born .2 ounces lighter.

[@RCFrizz]

@@hashslinginhasher Gestational diabetes?

[@hashslinginhasher]

@@RCFrizz no idea

[@RCFrizz]

@@hashslinginhasher Sorry -- it's really none of my business, high birth weights are associated with gestational diabetes.

[@eupel1]

3hrs on the phone?? Jesus, that seller had the patience of a saint

[@beefnacos6258]

Lol.... Most people that are trying to sell you something they don't want will have the patience until they get your money

[@itsMrNoble]

@Social Outcast is it?

[@itsMrNoble]

@Social Outcast is it?

[@abcrx32j]

@James Smith And all for buying a Gibson with a useless truss rod

[@TheJackie2007]

I would rather wax my arse than listen to this guy talk to me for three hours. Jesus...

[@WellnessRosterHQ]

Sweetwater knows how to package a guitar for shipping. Just saying.

[@Beserker3737]

I live about 10 mins from a GC and Sam Ash. I drive an hour and a half to go to Sweetwater. And I’ll keep doing going up there. Love Sweetwater

[@Plague_Architect]

@@Beserker3737 and Sweetwater loves you too

[@terryrowland1558]

I LOVE Sweetwater!

[@ballpythonsarecool5437]

@@Beserker3737 sadly where I live there is not a sweetwater remotely close to me but I can still order from them.

[@mattyz28kbrracing80]

So glad I found Sweetwater

[@stephencastro1437]

I worked at Guitar Center, "The Evil Empire" as I referred to them, for 2 years (aaaaarrgh), and they never, ever, perform the sort of detailed inspection for used guitars that they should. (this does not apply to the Vintage Guitar Vault at the Hollywood store, as they most often sold to the pro's and discerning collectors, and was managed by two guy's called "The Burst Brothers" who were VERY knowledgable). Doing an inspection of an instrument prior to buying it off the street is a job requirement as mandated by corporate. But in practice, never done, as most people working there, with a few exceptions, don't know what to look for as they don't have the technical knowledge or experience to do this. ESPECIALLY with any sort of vintage instrument. If you did a "Street Buy" and the guitar was found to be defective later on , you were screwed by management (although sometimes forgiven under certain circumstances). The way it worked was this: Somebody comes in with a guitar to sell. They look around for an employee to help them. ALL the floor sales people quickly rush away in order to avoid making contact with the seller if possible (not jokeing here). A manager will then intervene andr does the transaction, or they will assign it to a salesperson to do the "Street Buy" as it is called. Sales people HATE doing Street Buys, because the process takes up a great deal of their time to process and fill out the necessary legal paperwork, etc. This process also requires them to fully check out the instrument (they aren't required to disassemble it though). All of this process takes up thier time and takes them off the sales floor and away from making commission. Though Street Buys are a part of their job requirements, most hated having to do it andavoided it if at all possible due to this reason. More often than not a new amd less experienced employee would be assigned this responsability and thus, mistakes would be made. Management could be quite brutal if you didn't make your monthly numbers, and is quite compettitive and cutthroat with the sales people, Sales people took shortcuts, rushed the process, then hustled to get back on the sales floor. This is a generalization of the process and how employees dealt with it, and it should be taken in that context. It does however, provide you with a caveat when purchasing used equipment from them.

[@deebop4904]

Drew hasnt worked there in 14 years.

[@stephencastro1437]

@@deebop4904 neither have I, thank god. I was only relating my experience theere and not intending to speak for others. The management I worked for was possibly the worst experience I have had. This may not relate to other stores, but it certainly did mine.

[@Eliandhimself]

@@stephencastro1437 nothing has changed

[@b5blu392]

Dude. A lot of the older Gibson guitars Have longer threads sticking out. They are cut differently. You can also add a half moon washer under the nut. I’ve done it a million times with great success.

[@ChubToneGuitars]

Truss Rod Threads on a Gibson are a good thing.. you should’ve made the adjustment to see if it operated correctly. You can always add a washer. Kids these days😂

[@madgebishop5409]

THIS!

[@stephencastro1437]

Very good point!!!

[@jonnybabich9667]

Yeah, this guy is worried about some really strange stuff. Dude, I'll take that natural finish les Paul if you don't want it lol... jeez

[@stephencastro1437]

Yep

[@moptop5253]

I love the second Les Paul. It has a really pretty headstock and back

[@realtwistyfresh]

IS THAT THE ROBERT PLANT

[@kaekalivas9119]

@@realtwistyfresh yes

[@moptop5253]

David Kastin actually I dabble in guitar some. Not like Jimmy but when I see beauty, I know it’s there.

[@kellphil76]

Hey man remember when we wrote “Big Log” in that toilet in Venice?

[@mrbrownstone233]

That's randy rhoads

[@brandonmitchell1056]

Just started watching the video, but what a coincidence -- I also purchased three guitars from guitar center recently. Each one was either listed incorrectly or priced very well. Every guitar I bought came without a case and they did a GREAT job packing it. A couple of the guitar's they even put into boxes from the same brand 😂 i.e. a 2004 epiphone I bought came in a new epi box because they had it lying around. Cute lil touch for an inexpensive guitar

[@brendangibson2925]

That's cool, what model epiphone did you get?

[@brandonmitchell1056]

@@brendangibson2925 it was an SG-310 listed as a special iirc. I got it shipped to my house for $135 total, sold it for $200 on CL by the end of that week. Funny enough, I actually mentioned trade Tuesday in my FS listing for that guitar, and somebody emailed me to say they were going to lowball me until they saw I was a trogly fan. 🤣😂 they wished me luck instead.

[@brendangibson2925]

@@brandonmitchell1056 ah that's cool, I have an sg-EB0 bass

[@MrJohnnyDistortion]

Lying around

[@knedy]

I really have a tough time believing you can't find a decent guitar tech near you! That natural custom was cherry and well worth saving!

[@robmeier1895]

That's what I thought the second he said that

[@maxmustardman298]

The value would certainly justify the work

[@neilpatrickhairless]

I think Trog lives in a pretty rural area. I can relate, the closest good repair guys where I live are mostly 50-100 miles up the road. The local ones are swamped with work lol

[@maxmustardman298]

@@neilpatrickhairless since he does a lot of shipping anyway he shouldn't be too alien to the idea of shipping it to a luthier, I think the greater concern for him is not to be fucked over and to estimate the costs properly

[@forrestgreene1139]

@@neilpatrickhairless 100 miles is less that 2 hours driving. Some of these guitars are worth 5 digits. I do not get it.

[@Muzzledoctor]

American made guitar with finish checking = character. Import guitar with a spec of dust = terrible quality control. 🤣🤣🤣

[@beefnacos6258]

I'm not saying American guitars are bad because many of them are incredible. But I've also played many American duds... Unacceptable.

[@beefnacos6258]

@@123HeavenlyMusic I'd say for the most part that's a pretty accurate statement for example older guitars that were made in Japan were cheap guitars. People used to sand off or take off the stickers that said made in Japan because it was viewed as a lesser model. Now people look for that sticker/label. I'm not saying all Japanese made guitars are good because I've definitely played a lot of crappy ones but I think you get the idea

[@sircampbelltenson7297]

@@123HeavenlyMusic I get that man. Most of my guitars are battered old Hondos and Samicks, I've played USA LP's and other high end instruments and don't really enjoy them as much. To me imports have more character and the age much more gracefully.

[@markhorton1718]

What a sad, sorry truth

[@abcrx32j]

Funny because many Chibsons deceive a fair amount of people, but these Gibsons look cheap af, even if I try to imagine them as new.

[@RastaSaiyaman]

Say Austin, your videos have helped me out tremendously in shipping the guitars I sell online. I got compliments from the buyers for packaging them so well. You showed me how to go to it the proper way. Thanks man.

[@ripley7t429]

Guitar Center Used has been my guilty pleasure since 2010. Now, you can find serious differences in prices between stores. I have made quite a few great purchases from the stores in the smaller markets. I am usually looking for the oddball 80's early 90's amps and guitars.

[@jwalkrr]

i work at a small location guitar center and we price gear to MOVE here. sold a used custom shop g&l asat that was absolutely decked out for $1350 the other day. there are deals out there just depends on which guitar center, who bought it in, and who you talk to about purchasing

[@happycebu]

12:00 that is what heat does to varnish! I make custom walking sticks. Sometimes I need to remove the clear coat. I use a heat gun gun to remove it. The finish looks like this when it gets to hot and I don’t scrape it off. Sometimes I get interrupted mid process. When I get back to it, that’s what it looks like.

[@SuperDanielB1]

True story. About 25-30 years ago i took a 63 strat that (unfortunately) the previous owner had taken to a local guitar shop to repaint. It looked pretty but it lessened the value. It was still a very cool guitar but times got hard and I had to sell it - sooner rather than later. So I took it to one of the Guitar Center stores in MI to see what they would give me for a start figuring I would check out other places and friends etc.. I always open up my Fender guitars and date the pots and controls and take plenty of pictures. I don't think I ever bought a vintage fender without doing that. So the guy at the counter wanted to take it into the back to have it checked out for authenticity etc. and I expected that. But I said I got pictures here of the date on the neck and the pots, initials and date on the pickups etc.. But he said the tech had to physically see it all. I understood that and I said 'cool lets go'. Then he said I couldn't go in the back because of insurance regulations being I might get hurt if something fell on me or something like that. Well he seemed pretty cool and like an idiot I figured the tech would pop the pick guard remove the neck to check everything out and that should take 20 - 30 minutes at the most. So long story short (as I can make it). After about 25 minutes I told the sales guy they should be about done and at the least know enough to give me a price as they're tuning it back up or whatever. He goes in the back then comes right back out of the back and says they're not done yet and have to check some things out - it will probably take a half hour or so. Well I may have been an idiot for letting my guitar go in the back in the first place however I wasn't stupid enough to leave it there for another minute and I walked right into the back to their shop area. you should have seen the shit start to to fly. Two guys of about four that were at the benches got right in my face trying to block from me going any further yelling about their insurance rules bull shit. But I could plainly see my strat and the tech soldering on the pots and another already removed and some new looking pots and pickups right on the same bench. Fucking thieves. They were trying to tell me they had to remove the pots and pickups to date them and test them AND told me I had to leave or they were going to call the police. well there was a lot of yelling and it was a pretty tense situation to say the least. Thatwere saying that I couldn't prove what part was whose and I would be arrested. So I insisted they do call the police. I demanded they call the police but of course they wouldn't because the stupid sales guy didn't tell them I had pictures of everything WITH ME and informed them of that - right after I did there on the spot. It was now a pin drop quiet situation. Then they started stuttering and using words like 'a misunderstanding' and said I could stay and watch them put it all back together. Fuck that I wasn't going to let them touch a thing. I put the four screws through the neck partially threaded into the body and got the stuff together enough to put in the case with paper wrapped around much of the parts - I couldn't close the case all the way. I told them I was taking EVERY part on the bench and they even got me a box. I had extra pickups, pots and a bridge much of it crap as far as I was concerned. I wasn't in the state of mind to assemble the the strat properly or do much of a comparison to my pictures. My adrenaline was still running. When I got home and calmed down I compared all the parts and put it all together. I sold it at the next guitar show for a lot more than I paid or even thought I would get. Of course after I left I thought to myself that I probably could have got even more. I doubt if it was GC policy to steel parts but they are stupid enough not to see this kind of thing going on. Either way I have never been into a GC since. AND I let every musician friend I have know about this. If they are doubtful I show them the pictures I had taken when I got my strat home in pieces.

[@wayne2202]

What a story!

[@DaedStarr]

Yeah that's definitely just a one off thing that happened in the place you went to.

[@trevor-johnsen]

I've bough at least a half-dozen used guitars off GC's website over the past decade. All modern Gibsons though, no vintage stuff. All of them are great, no complaints here. They seem to price at a fair value and don't overcharge for shipping.

[@COBHC8890]

***Tbh, that scratched up silver burst, will probably be one of the best playing guitars. I've worked in a music store/pawn shop for the last 12 years. The ones that are brought in that look like they were in a car crash lol tend to be the "Runts" of the pack. Alittle TLC, and just enjoy it. The dings in dents are there. Can't be afraid of it lol

[@bipbipletucha]

I like these cross section looks into what you're getting packaging wise from different places. Although, they do remind me why I usually only buy on reverb

[@fishdicks4621]

You should've seen what they tried to sell me. Lol They said they had a PRS SE 245 still in the box... I get there and they couldn't find it for 30 minutes. Then they bring out this smashed up box that was clearly already opened, because it was barely holding together. They held onto it and rang it up. They wanted me to pay up front. I told them to let me look at the guitar first. I let the "box" lid fall open and the guitar is fucking smashed between the volumes and tone pots. They said, "oh shit, how'd that happen?" The box wasn't even labeled, they just tried to sell me a smashed up guitar. They had to look in the box to see what it was, and told me to drive out. They let me drive 2 hours to guitar center to buy a guitar that they knew was smashed up. They deserve to go bankrupt.

[@humbucker08]

Damn and I thought my experience was bad. Guitar Center sucks.

[@clintgordon412]

I buy an repair guitars for a hobby an when I finish a build I look for someone or kids that need a decent guitar an I give it to em I love the happiness it brings an im sure ya get many man of these stories but I'm the real deal if you ever have any guitars that you do not want I would gladly take em an fix em an send ya back vids of the happiness it brings when I go to there house for a guitar lessons a surprise them I just recently gave away a 2003 1960 Epiphone Les Paul with the 57 Gibson pickups the poor kid burst in bauling ha ha ha it was awesome I love all your videos enjoy your day an keep me in mind cheers

[@clintgordon412]

Ill take anyones broken guitars or ones with wire issues ill take em all if anyone is willing to help out with my project I NEED ALL THE HELP I CAN GET

[@elliottsmith8636]

They're like "heck, this ones going to that troglys guy" then they sound an alarm and they're in defcon two

[@The.Adam.D]

I totally understand not doing dedicated videos to each and every guitar you unbox. That said it would be very cool if you could black light document each guitar that has some age...

[@davids9192]

Your knowledge of these guitars is exceptional. Thank you!

[@WalkenDead]

It's been a few years ago, but I ordered a used Dean ML from GC. Can't remember which one, but it came in an inner box of a 2 box set up and that was it. No packing of any kind. It was a miracle that there was no damage

[@OldManBadly]

3rd one looks like water damage. There is a pretty distinct dirt line running up and down, likely the guitar was standing up and only the area from the tal piece down actually was under water. The splitting further up the body is in line, and shows that the liquid was absorbed pretty high up. The pressure of the strings is likely what caused much of it to break.

[@imannonymous7707]

Ya that's pretty severe for sure that makes more sense

[@BrandonDeft]

I hope you see this before you send back that Les Paul. I'm a tech and there is 2 things you can do to save that neck, 1st is the easiest by putting a washer under that lug you have a bit more truss rod to adjust. The 2nd you would need a tech to fix I wish I was close to you bud I would fix it for free just a thank you, keep those videos coming. If you have any questions about the washer please send me a message.

[@reddsshaker3477]

I’m a professional luthier. I’d strip and respray that top, recreating the ambered clear. When finished properly, that guitar would be a killer piece.

[@EroticAlmond]

I will say, as someone who works at a guitar center, the third guitar is likely someone who bought the guitar online and did an online return after they damaged it. Unfortunately, the online returns aren't vetted too well since there's no one taking a look at it until the return comes in. However, I cannot defend that they didn't disclose that the finish was not as pictured.

[@becausehelivesministryintl6841]

Thanks for being Honest. With today's society that is becoming a very rare thing. Keep it UP.

[@herbertrodriquez6456]

Haven't had any bad experiences buying from Guitar Center. Bought 3 guitars from different parts of the country and they did a good job packing them . 5 Stars for Guitar Center.

[@twistofcain1975]

You can save that truss rod. Look into the stew mac truss rod tool. Allows you to slightly bore into the truss rod cavity and then it also adds more threads to the truss rod. Well worth it to save that beautiful custom.

[@tnikoli40]

Just put steam on the fretboard, take it off, remove truss rod, put new one on and glue the board back

[@moonchild4806]

Bought an 99 Dearmond Pilot on GC a couple weeks ago and it was packaged pretty well and was way underpriced. It's definitely hit or miss with what you get.

[@xxtwnz2919]

It can be hit or miss but it is always near zero risk since they have a 45 day return policy. How many used car dealers could you say that about? Look for a good buy, order it, and return if it doesn’t meet your expectations. Reverb buys often are “as is” or a lousy 7 days return. Plus everyone thinks what he has is a collector guitar while GC often lists guitars wrong that are a steal.

[@kevinsmith7841]

I had a silver burst Les Paul.Early 80's. Turned green in about 5years.Sold it, mid 80's. Coupla decades later. Tool. Adam Jones . Collector's piece. Still kicking my self.

[@stephencastro1437]

You can easily drop fill in the cracks with tinted lacquer, and do a fairly good finish repair. Especially where the lacquer is just checked. It will drip through the cracks and under the lifted finish and adhere to the body. with the proper rub out it should look good. Thus saving it from a respray!

[@dylanharris9131]

Hey @The Troglys’ Guitar Show I’ve worked for GC almost 5 years. I’ve noticed depending on where you buy it the quality of both pack jobs and condition accuracy of used/vintage gear is night and day. West Coast stores tend to be more accurate and better at packing than the Midwest and East Coast stores with the exception of the stores in Nashville, Times Square and Manhattan. I have my theories as to why that is, but it’s all above my pay grade for me to know the exact reason. 😂 If you ever need anything by the way, let me know and I can send you my info! 👍🏻

[@butterknight37]

great video as always and that second Les Paul looks nice

[@kiezersosay49]

Before I even watch this im just gonna say thanks man. Not having work along with the pandemic and all the shenanigans from the election...your videos are a nice escape and I appreciate them a lot. I bought an ec1000 that someone bought from the factory and then immediately sold it to GC. I found this out from a GC worker when I claimed it. He said they pleaded with him not to do it. Thid guitar was brand new and still had all the included case candy from the factory and it looked completely untouched...it was 600 with the esp hard case. I later traded it for a mint condish jim r. Tele. There are some good deals on GC website but its always a gamble cuz there pictures are horrible.

[@Trog]

Glad I could help!

[@rondobondo6600]

Dude I toltaly agree

Can’t you shim the trussrod on that 80s model, Trogly? And could the trussrod have been the reason for it being a second?

[@stephencastro1437]

Usually a guitar is marked as a factory second due to a finish flaw, or some other minor flaw. I doubt it was due to the truss rod issue though. If it was a truss issue an employee could have purchased as is, and they would have marked it accordingly so he could not resell it. But that's just a guess.

[@stephencastro1437]

Yes you can shim it. I have done so before.

@@stephencastro1437 Exactly.

[@alabamahebrew]

Austin, I am guessing chemical damage caused the issue on the last guitar. If you look at where the blistering occurs and the fact that it only affects the clear coat and a small portion of the original paint, take notice of how it seems to be "running" away from the nuts on the controls and even the trem system. It looks to me that someone sprayed something like a WD40 on the nuts and did not know that it would react with the nitro finish as it did. Exposure to a high heat is of course possible as well, but just by the fact that it is moving away from the controls it looks like whatever they used was sprayed on to the nuts then ran down the guitar. Now, heat exposure could also be the cause because those same areas would have heated up more than other areas of the guitar because of the metal that's there. But, if it was heat then it should be around the controls as well, not just moving away in one direction, which indicates more of a liquid running. I am not sure what lubricant would interact with Nitro the way it appears to have done on this guitar but that shouldn't be that hard to figure out. How in the world did you not see that kind of damage in photos?

[@davidam9454]

#3 Looks like heat damage. Maybe not in a fire directly but close to some high temps drying it and humidity of water used in fighting it rehydrating the wood in rapid succession

[@alexdoyle9274]

Sweetwater folks. I bought a Fender Telecaster with two humbuckers and it had a flame maple top with a red and black burst. It was gorgeous. I opened it a week after it was delivered and the headstock had a big chip in it. I was given a return label and shipped it back. I got a MIM tele and got it a few days after. Absolutely perfect.

[@Mollohandro]

Rolling the dice with Guitar Center. I'm glad that their returns are so pain free. That Zac Wylde Buzzsaw is cool!

[@xaphan8581]

That’s a little dramatic lol. You reside stuff breaking in the mail dosnt make them money right? If it was that common they would have done something

[@aluminati9918]

Great vid. No need to discard guitar due to exposed threads on TR. Usually an added washer solves this smoothly. Recently did on a P bass. Some brands like Rickenbacker come w. a fair bit exposed threads original. Just a tip

[@BLeeMuller]

I had a buddy buy a Tom Delonge epiphone a year ago and they were told it was in perfect condition. It was so damaged, it would've cost double what he paid to make it playable and it was not due to shipping. After a few issues myself, I vowed to never purchase used guitars online without seeing it, first hand, before buying it.

[@Greg-vd5om]

Trogly's in the HOUSE!!!

[@rwmcgeesr]

I bought a new Epiphone acoustic from Guitar Center. They stated 4 week lead time. At the end of 4 weeks, no guitar. Then they stated 6 months. I cancelled the order and bought from Sweetwater. First of multiple orders I placed with Sweetwater. Always delivered on time. Won't do business with Guitar Center again.

[@TheLenaweeTrekker]

Most of the used guitar that I have bought from Guitar Center were in person purchases, and I still have a bunch of them. The online purchases that I have made were backed up by phone calls to the stores that had the instrument I bought, and those have turned out good as well, but I am not into the more high end stuff. Your advice to call the store about the guitar you are thinking about purchasing is good advice regardless of the value of the guitar or the organization selling the guitar.

[@DeafBunnysBand]

Agree. GREAT advice! Also, ALWAYS ship to store if at all possible. ROKKON! \m/

[@falcongunner33]

Guitar center sold me a Martin that needed a neck reset. Was at the end of its truss rod too. I still liked the guitar but that definitely should’ve been disclosed before sale. All the details about these guitars are available because the techs do look at them and even set them up so they’ll sell on the floor but they don’t disclose anything. Pretty shady for such a huge guitar retailer.

[@falcongunner33]

@@tjailts yeah that really is the kicker. The returned guitar will go right back up as they cross their fingers that the next buyer won’t notice or care

[@jenniferwhitewolf3784]

part of why they are going bankrupt.

[@beefnacos6258]

I'm not saying great things about Sam Ash because they are definitely overpriced on their used gear but at least on their website they straight give you a description of the guitar which guitar center should do as well.

[@falcongunner33]

@@beefnacos6258 yeah it’s funny you can actually get good deals on guitar center, not because of good prices but because of mistakes they make listing things. Just shows you how bad that system is

[@drumsandmore4448]

This video was on my suggested videos.... My dad is a guitar player/PRS junky, I'm just a drummer, but I bought a used Pearl drumset from Guitar Center. I noticed in the pic on GCs website it had 10 lugs on the bass drum (only higher end drums have 10 lugs vs 8 lugs) and had the traditional size toms (not like those power toms in the 80s) I called and asked if the drum shells were fiberglass and they checked and the manager said yes.... They were listed for 150 dollars and I asked if they could help me out on the price... He said $115 delivered (done deal)...the next year Pearl drums reissues the fiberglass drums for $1100....if you are patient you can definitely get a steal...I'd hold my drums up to the highest end drums as far a tone and volume for $115 delivered 😊. If I did not like them, I had a chance to return them...I'll never sell these drums.

[@guithawk-ij8is]

Recently bought a "new" Gretsch Jet Baritone and had it shipped to my local GC. The packing was horrible - loosely packed in a large box with paper and bubble wrap. Headstock cracked, neck damaged. Glad I had them open it, sent it back and currently waiting for it's replacement. Had a new Guild Starfire 12 sent to the same store several months ago and it was neatly packed in a Guild box, which was inside a larger box and well packed. Guitar was immaculate. Moral of the story, if you buy from GC have it sent to the store and have them open it up.

[@grantkoeller8911]

If truss rod nut is so far tightened, you could add washers, but if neck relief is fine, then no problem.

[@ethanmichael7940]

The silverburst Les Paul is my favorite. Definitely the greatest guitar demoer on KZbin

[@wrenchhead4378]

And some people wonder why guitar center is going the way of the dodo bird

[@neilpatrickhairless]

not many

[@jeremiahgibbs7786]

You often get weird about truss rods being “maxed out”. StewMac makes a $1 washer that you just take the nut off and put the washer on. Operates just as it should. Really not a thing at all.

[@rondobondo6600]

The thing is that it starts pulling the stop plug forward towards the headstock and that becomes more of a problem.....just saying...on the other side Yes I would at least try it first before returning it because actually what you are talking about sometimes works......

[@jeremiahgibbs7786]

@@rondobondo6600 I hadn't thought of that. I suspect that is because more of the rod is above the most stable part...I wonder if they could make a similar "washer" that is similar dimension to the Gibson stop plug. That may keep it from pulling that way.

[@boofingenthusiast]

Very informative video. Love the talk about "big gaping holes", "musty smells", "scew holes" and "knobs"!

[@I-Libertine]

I dont get it : why not return #3 and get a luthier to fix #2???

[@shaunw9270]

Because $500 profit is better than $300 .Not about the guitars here , it's about the money .

[@shaunw9270]

@@tjailts Who are you his Dad ? Lol . I'm not a sycophant , just being realistic.

[@mattcampbell5915]

i worked at guitar center for about two years and i can attest to the fact that the way they handle their used gear is insanely archaic, bordering on terrible. we had an "intake" room where we shot all the pictures with a shite digital camera from like 2008 and a gross white backdrop. it was RARE to get any of the ops people to take more than one photo and while ours were "good", we didn't get many used sales over the web. if a customer was genuinely interested in purchasing the guitar and you had to send them more photos, the internet sucked so bad there that you'd literally have to step outside of the store and pray they would send. you couldn't send them from a personal email either so you'd send them from your phone, to the GC email, THEN to the customer. it was terrible. needless to say, the guitar center used system is flawed and really only works when you actually go into the store and see it for yourself.

[@leebatt7964]

I have bought dozens of used guitars from guitar center via the internet. I was rarely disappointed and when i was i brought the guitar to my local GC store and returned it there. Also, i had an 85 les paul that had finish and splitting issues. I’m not a gibson guy and haven’t owned many but that 85 i had was a lemon.

[@goldboxguitars6871]

Just FYI. You can return a used Guitar Center guitar at any GC. So if you have a GC near you they will have record of it in inventory and it can be returned there (they even refund shipping cost). Saves all the shipping hassle!

[@ozoneswiftak]

Just dont use thier store credit card and lose it. They will not refund you.

[@MatthewFant]

Hey, how bout you send me a link to the second one with the truss rod maxed out? Not a deal breaker for me. I’d get that fixed.

[@Trog]

$4k - [e-mail]

[@MatthewFant]

@@Trog do I want to know how much it was originally? 😉

[@Trog]

@@MatthewFant 3500+tax from guitar center

[@Bliggick]

That's probably why it was marked as a second, and a player never used it.

[@darrenworth1236]

Think you may be a little over sensitive on the truss rod adjustment nut. Had to put some washers under the nut on my '98 special, still has heaps of actual adjustment available. I put the washers in originally because the socket spanner I adjust with couldn't reach the hex on the nut because the truss rod protruded so far. You could make a plate spacer if you don't like the look of the washers.

[@christopherkelly2]

I think his concern was that the rod is pulling out and stripping. He is a reseller and his care and eye for reviewing stuff like that would make me very confident to buy from him. I don’t want to worry about all that myself. Trust goes a long way.

[@imannonymous7707]

I'd be inclined to agree but this guy does this 24 /7 I only dream of buying that many guitars hell I wish I could afford 1 I'd just get that one repaired properly tho if I could

[@cod8140]

I agree man over sensitive . I’ve never heard anyone complain about that issue with a truss rod. Especially if the action is low. You didn’t even play it 🤣

[@BCThunderthud]

What do you do if you have the opposite problem? I have a Washburn Eagle where the action is just fine but the truss rod is as loose as it can get.

[@Peron1-MC]

@@BCThunderthud dunno heavier strings XD

[@Marco-ls6ou]

Hey is amazing watching this video. I am a beginner bass player. So i was looking to get a decent bass for practicing, something solid, good quality, and reliable. After 7 frustrating orders/return from Guitar Center i finally hit the jack pot! I got a Fender Player Jazz Bass from Guitar Center AGAIN, but this time brand new, and in pristine condition with no issues whatsoever! AFTER 7 ATTEMPTS!

[@bryanmchugh1307]

I recently bought an "excellent condition" used Jackson DK1 from GC. First off when I got it it was SO DIRTY. When I finally got it home I discovered that the neck was some how "twisted" basically. GC could not care less. I am now stuck with this near unplayable USA Jackson. Wow OP. GC LIT YOU UP with that 3rd Gibson!

[@michaelhall736]

I love the Les Paul with the Kahler. I'm even digging the scratches in the paint. That gives it character.

[@HalfDeadGeezers]

I have a wrecked 73 Pinto for sale. Loads of character.

[@KM_1983]

That isn't scratches.. that is the paint completely peeling off.

[@willb3486]

It looks like absolute shit

[@DDE_ADDICT]

last night i had a dream that my 1954 tribute strat had two trem arms and then this what

[@taylorlutherful]

I literally just bought a used Gibson SG online from Guitar Center this morning. Going to call and hopefully catch them before it ships. Great information, wish me luck!

[@clutchmarauder6755]

The small bar on the Kahler is called a palm bar and goes in the middle position on the bridge. As the name implies it's meant to be used with the palm of your hand.

[@WalkenDead]

That truss rod situation may be why it was a second in the first place

[@dragannestorovic01]

I wouldn't be buying chit from GC right now - if they turn the lights off, you're screwed.

[@grantj3413]

Do you even know what Chapter 11 is?

[@1sttvbn]

@@grantj3413 Right 😂

[@davidbarber2010]

That’s very true .your. Screwed. Big. Time. That’s why want. Sell use gear. Be for the light go. Out then your screwed. For life.

[@Peron1-MC]

@@davidbarber2010 that was very hard to read XD

[@arthurblackhistoric]

I bought a Gibson ES-335 Custom Shop guitar brand new in 2009 and it had such a soft neck wood that the truss rod nut was boring its way under the first fret! I took it to my guitar tech who chiselled away some of the wood and inserted some hard walnut in there. It had become so bad that the neck would bow from weekend to weekend! Every week I had to adjust the truss rod to bring it back to the proper relief. No sooner did he fix it at the nut end, than it started to pull the other end of the truss rod up under the fingerboard! He removed the last half a dozen frets with the fingerboard attached and did a similar repair, then replaced the fingerboard and re-did the binding. When I took it to the store I bought it from, they just didn't wanna know about it. What should have happened was: Gibson should have replaced the guitar for me. Simple as that! With such a major problem, it should have been covered by the lifetime warranty against defective materials and faulty workmanship. The guys, who up until that issue I regarded as personal friends, promised they'd make it up to me on my next purchase . . They said they'd bring back from their next trip to America a fat neck Gibson ES-335 and sell it to me for $2,500. Of course that never happened and I haven't been inside that shop ever since, and I won't go back there until my phone rings with someone from that shop telling me my guitar that I was promised over ten years ago has finally arrived.

[@RC51Rod]

On the body the Kahler doesn't seem stock. It should just have a small square hole. The truss rod cover should be in the regular location just shorter and the lock nut is usually right next to the regular nut. But they could have refined that from 85 to 89.

[@rondobondo6600]

Sometimes you can shim the truss rod bolt with washers ... you need to be careful that ya don't pull the rod up any more than it already izzz

[@JohnAkinJr]

I ordered a used Gretsch last summer from Guitar Center and when I got it it was NOT the guitar that was pictured in the ad (different pickup configuration, different sound holes, different pick guard color). It was very frustrating but at least they were very apologetic when I returned it.

[@bb.6969]

I think moisture came in via the kahler routing and made the wood expand locally, would also explain why the kahler looks less tarnished than the tuners and the strap buttons because it would be a replacement unit!

[@knedy]

*Swap out the pickups in that Hot Rod Studio and keep them, you never know when you stumble upon a Buckethead without its original whites on it!*

[@markintexas9258]

The camera was picking up your heartbeat

[@tomleary121257]

he put that in there he makes great videos

[@guitarman6632]

I bought a bunch of guitars from MF , some just needed a tweek or 2 ! I didn't have to send any back. Saved a bunch of $.

[@Hillbilly_Papist]

Best part of buying used and having it shipped via GC is 1) Shipping costs. You can have a tube amp head sent across country for $30 2) Ship to store, open it in front of them and if anything is wrong with it you can return it right then and there.

[@myckmcclung7529]

You’re right about heat damage, my educated opinion is it’s from the passenger seat floor board heater, probably a leaky heater core as well, in whatever car the original owner carried it to and from rehearsal.

[@fredericsrhetorics6114]

Wow, never have been so early. Hard when you are from Europe. :D Now I will enjoy the video!

[@Jester-Riddle]

I still don't get it when you rave about the visuals on the back of a guitar ... especially when the front is shot !?! Also, in my opinion, the 3-piece top on the natural looked pretty awful as nothing matched up in any way making it look poor quality ... especially as no decent grain really.

[@beefnacos6258]

I know right? The back of my guitar could be all scratched I could give a s*** less as long as the front looks nice

[@ryansharp4691]

The despair in your voice upon discovering the truss rod issue with the '82 LP Custom was heartbreaking!! Sorry that happened. Very unfortunate. 😢

[@lorikislack1504]

I worked at Guitar Center for 2 yrs. Very little is done to check the guitar over when buying used gear...at least at my store. We basically plug it in and check the electronics and make sure the neck is straight without any cracks. In the 2 yrs, I never once saw anyone take off the truss rod cover off and check that. We also never opened access cavities to check the cleanliness of the pots, etc.

[@wiseguy9202]

I have an old Kahler on one of my guitars that I just lock in place and use it like a TP6.

[@matthewb8229]

Guitar Center proving what we all know.

[@rhythmjones]

If you don't have a local luthier, become the local luthier.

[@nisoldi]

I bought a music man majesty 7 in white from guitar center back in July. I got it and immediately knew why no one has bought it. It was filthy. Cat hair inside the pickup routing. Frets needed polished. Intonation was jacked. Batteries for pickups were dead. Case was covered in cat hair and some other funk that I had to use fabric clear and elbow grease to get rid of. After 7+ hours of cleaning I got the guitar in 8/10 condition, but decided to return it and made them credit me for my work. I took pictures of everything too.

[@jenniferwhitewolf3784]

RE: the third one.. These days people pay EXTRA for shitty finish condition.. Personally, its ready for refinish. It looks like garbage 🤮 to me.

[@j.w.allison4637]

Guitar center fucks over the people that bring their used gear to them so badly that they can afford to price stuff so it won't sit for years.

[@grantkoeller8911]

Just like a pawn shop

[@just_jarman]

I attempted to purchase a Donner YellowFall delay pedal the other day at a local Guitar Center. They checked the Used system for a price.... and said $60!!! This Donner YellowFall is $28 new from Donner. Wtf

[@billysunshine9100]

You should try to run a guitar shop. Pay top dollar for all the guitars people bring in, watch your profits plummet and your business close. It's called margin, look it up.

[@billysunshine9100]

@Green Mamba Games So GC should pay $600 for that guitar. Then when you buy it you will expect an honest, reasonable price. Without the margin, they would have to mark that guitar around $800 to make a profit (businesses are in business to make profits). Then you bother the sales guy for hours beating him up on the price and they sell it at a discount and make no money. They just moved a guitar in and out their doors for no profit whatsoever and the sales associate made zero comission. Whos the asshole now?

[@grantkoeller8911]

@Green Mamba Games Guitar center is like a modern pawn shop, they have to make profit.

[@mockbear1]

I bought a brand new red roadworn stratocaster from guitarcenter. it arrived this tuesday. They sent me a used guitar in a gibson box that had a damaged pickguard (not worn, obviously damaged from the factory , it was warped and bubbled up.

[@victorquincanon4933]

1st guitar: I'd send back due to untrue advertising. In business deals I do not make excuse for people since it is what enables people to do it on purpose eventually. Send it back and they will learn to get it right. This helps everyone get more fair deals rather than less fair.\ 2nd Guitar: You assumed the management would ignore the 3 day return policy. If you are right, it does not reflect well on the company, but neither does sending you that guitar with an obvious problem like that. They should have known to fix that rod before the sale. 3rd guitar: The results of years of selling guitars like 1 and 2 to people that give them too much of a pass. It is the reason I haven't shopped at guitar center for years.

[@ascari4741]

17:05 anyone else see the names in the control cavity plate?

[@rondobondo6600]

Guitar center really sucks at packing I bought that cheap squire mustang and all they did was throw bubble wrap around it in a big box they didn't even double box it or anything it was moving around like crazy in there

[@billuminati3867]

Yep then it came super damaged and they wouldn't give me a refund with shipping

[@Surge_LaChance]

Good thing it wasn't nitro... Bubble wrap can permanently damage it.

[@rondobondo6600]

Never thought about the nitro bubble wrap

[@beefnacos6258]

It's hit and miss with the packing but more so miss. so many times they have sent me a guitar with no bubble wrap no protection at all no case. It completely pissed me off.

[@xxtwnz2919]

How much effort, and expense do you expect them to put into packaging a “cheap Squire Mustang” that you bought knowing it didn’t come with a case?

[@christopherkelly2]

I buy a lot of vintage gear and Guitar Center is hit or miss - but to your point return policy is good. However - I strongly suggest to anyone buying to take screen shots of your purchase. I’ve had a couple items switched on me. One was a Moog 104-MSD delay which will sell from $2200-3k and was listed at $1800. I bought it and found they switched it out for a Moog 104-M. That at the time was selling for $1000-1500. I took screen shots from some concerns with GC before. Thank god - as soon as I purchased it the pictures disappeared and I’d have had no proof. I think some of their employees also buy items cheap, list them and immediately purchase them - so it’s interesting. I’ve had good deals cancel for no reason and then I see the same item show up on Craigslist or eBay. saw a Roland CR78 for $499 that popped up and disappeared. For me - there are some good stores and I try to deal with a store I know the manager so if I get stuck I can talk to a person. It’s sad - Guitar Center has been around so long I hope they find a way to change their culture and get with the times. As much as I want to complain - I am rooting for them to do a better job for everyone. Sweetwater has them beat. By the way - AltoMusic is amazing one of the best. If only they would fix their website!

[@Posaint]

I ordered an used American Fender Stratocaster from Guitar Center. It was described in excellent condition, all original, only lightest of scratches, etc. It was shipped to me from the Guitar Center in Miami FL. The day after I got the guitar delivered that Guitar Center (as well as most others) closed due to Covid-19 pandemic. This was definitely not an originally equipped American Stratocaster. The electronics and pick-ups had been changed out to EMG pick-ups and electronics. I found out later that this is called a "Roger Waters" setup. Needless to say I tried through emails and phones calls to get them to take this back. No one answered calls and/or voicemails and emails. The electronics stopped working (lots of static) just 5 weeks later. Thankfully, the Guitar Center in Chicago (where I live) gave me a full price exchange for it once the stores started to open again.

[@Djarra]

That natural probably was a victim of the extra heavy string fad.

[@strat0871]

LP with Kahler : Could it be previous owner's sweat that did that peeling ? playing with short sleeves..

[@ChrisTopheRaz]

This was a good video to run into today because I bought a brand new Les Paul studio from guitar Center in the store on Tuesday, and just yesterday I bought a Gibson Les Paul dark fire from the website and I’m waiting for it to show up now. I guess you can say I did buy three guitars from them, well four in the past month considering the Epiphone black beauty Les Paul, and the Jackson Randy Rhodes Flying V ha ha.

[@dondicook212]

That is a Condensation rash. It usually happens when it was shipped and extremely cold weather or in a non- pressurized cargo hold. (Note: This Can occur on any Guitar of subjected to a rapid temperature change from cold to warm that's why it is best not to check guitars into baggage but gate check them so they're handled personally to a stewardess and stored above deck where it's warm and pressurized cold and warm extremes do bad things tonight through solo finishes that's why Chuck Berry always checked his guitar at the counter.

[@mylesberman1639]

Are you doing the fender pro II series instruments? I would love to hear your thoughts on them!

[@Trog]

I don't think so. I'm too backed up with other guitars

[@geralr]

You should! I feel like I rust your judgement more than other reviewers online

[@lichkrieg4898]

I would love to see you do some heritage guitars.

[@evofxrp]

I have a 1984 Les Paul Custom in Pearl White that has the flip out string winders and when I bought it had the same documented factory installed Kahler Flyer tremolo. Of course that was swapped out immediately with a stop bar. Have never had a guitar that sounds like this one since.