Single brand guitar store anyone?

[BGS]

Personally I'd love to see a Goodall store :-)

But on a more plausible note, I think a Martin store would be very nice. Playing all the Vintage/GE/Authentic variations side-by-side would be pretty neat.

[Steve DeRosa]

I'd love to see factory stores with not only breadth but depth of line - try a dozen D-28's or J-45's and go home with the one that really speaks to you. Since they'd undoubtedly be selling at MAP or higher, this could also work if they stocked the absolute pick of the litter (face it, the QC people at the factories know when they've got a "good" one) while the run-of-the-mill stuff went to the mass retailers - I'd gladly pay a few bucks more if I knew I was getting the best available example, sold by staff who knew everything there is to know about that make/model (as well as anything else on the floor). In addition, factory stores could serve as "Diamond Level" regional warranty centers, covering everything up to a complete rebuild (no need to send your instrument back to the factory and wait six months or more), outlets for exclusive editions, clinic/roadshow centers, and intimate performing venues for endorsers. Automobile dealers have been doing it for years, with all the attendant product knowledge that single-brand merchandising implies, and Carvin has jumped on the bandwagon with its So-Cal factory stores - why not everybody else...?

[Ted @ LA Guitar Sales]

Originally Posted by HHP

...I doubt many will go that way, infrequent buys, longer sales cycle, lots of customer service inquiries. Why would they want to absorb additional cost of sales versus letting a dealer do it.

They would obviously have to cover the cost of the stores so that brand would only be available at MAP regardless of where you buy it.

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

I'd love to see factory stores with not only breadth but depth of line - try a dozen D-28's or J-45's and go home with the one that really speaks to you...

Wow, that would be something, a hundred stores all with a dozen of each model in stock. Lets see, 180 SKU's x 12 x100 = 216,000 guitars. Sounds good to me.

Since they'd undoubtedly be selling at MAP or higher, this could also work if they stocked the absolute pick of the litter (face it, the QC people at the factories know when they've got a "good" one) while the run-of-the-mill stuff went to the mass retailers...

I'm pretty sure any brand with their own stores would loose all the independent dealers but perhaps the big box stores would stick around. Still, even they wouldn't be satisfied with sloppy seconds. In your scenario they would have to handle all retail sales and open outlet stores for the run-of -the mill stuff.

Hey, I think we're on to something.

[rmyAddison]

The question was phrased "would you be interested....." and not "is it I good business model...".

I would love a Martin only (especially higher end) store, whether it could make it is another question, definitely a big market only idea, places like NYC, LA, Chicago, Dallas, etc.

[fongie]

It's a hard one Ted. As a store owner, I think I will end up broke with one particular brand. As a buyer and a Martin purest, I'd prefer just Martins.

But then again, I would like a mixed store just so I can A/B other brands to my belove Martin. But have more Martin guitars.

[j3ffr0]

If it's a brand I like, I would be interested. I visited Carvin's factory showroom once. I've never been a Fender guy, but if I was looking for a Tele or a Strat I would do it.

[scottishrogue]

I getting hungry for some pizza!

Glen

[franchelB]

HAHA!!! Carvin has Fender beat. Carvin also has/had a store on Sunset, the last time I visited Hollywood.

[sleepjeep]

Babicz guitars opened a guitar store in Ft Wayne, Indiana. Don't think it lasted very long.

The only company that it would work door is a company like Martin. Everyone thought that Apple stores wouldn't work and they are one of the most successful in sales per square foot in the retail world. Martin has the same type of brand name recognition as Apple and has a more complete line of merchandise. (Apple has to bring in lots of other products for its stores). Martin manufactures their own strings. They have the the 1833 shop. So they theoretically could do it. I think it would be neat to have maybe one store in Nazareth, a Mecca for Martin fans. Imagine everything Martin makes or licenses under one roof. That also wouldn't be a big threat to most Brick and Mortar stores.

[brencat]

Originally Posted by Scootch

I'd think this would only work as a "showcase" store in one or two prime locations. I think most buyers want to try different guitars.

This is my view as well.

Would I go out of my way to see one? Depends. If it's within 2 hrs, yes, and probably only for Martin or Gibson. Otherwise, no, I'm just too busy.

The dealers I call upon have always provided excellent service that I don't need to travel cross country to buy a guitar. All have been gracious in describing tone in detail, cherry-picking the best when more than one is in stock, and providing sound samples when requested -- you being one of them, Ted. Keep up the good work!

[woodbox]

Although I have more Martins than any other brand,
I also have Gibson, Taylor, National, Webber, Yamaha, and Alvarez.
And have had a Santa Cruz, Fender and a dozen others.

A dedicated Martin or Gibson store might be fun for an afternoon visit, but I like the brand variety on hand to compare, so I voted no.

[Ted @ LA Guitar Sales]

Thanks B!

Originally Posted by franchelB

HAHA!!! Carvin has Fender beat. Carvin also has/had a store on Sunset, the last time I visited Hollywood.

Actually they recently moved out of that location but I think they have a store in their factory in San Diego.

[SOR]

Originally Posted by billgennaro

What I'd be interested in is a store that had all the models that Martin, Gibson and Taylor had to offer, all under one roof (including lots of each company's custom builds).

I'd also like to see another store with all of the models that SCGC, Goodall, Collings, H&D, Bourgeois, and Froggy Bottom have to offer.

Put these two stores together and you'd basically have Buffalo Bros. (now defunct) from about 10 years ago.

Man, it was fun to go there back then.

Bill

You're right, it really was something.

[franchelB]

I think a single-brand store might be an interesting idea. Gibson would be a perfect example. Not trying to bash on Gibson, but from what I heard a while back, the company has priced themselves out of some "mom-and-pop" stores when it comes to buying Gibson/Epiphone products. Add to the fact that they're also competing with GC's purchasing power...

[Wade Hampton]

Like a lot of the other folks who've responded so far, I think a Martin guitar store with their full product line available would be delightful, but that's a fantasy. I think Fender's proposed opening of such a store says more about their desperation and attempts to stay in business while staggering under crushing amounts of debt than it does about the viability of such a business model.


Wade Hampton Miller