I was in the Music Emporium on Monday afternoon buying some strings, and decided to check out the Martin 00015-SM I saw on the rack.
I was taken aback by how rich and well-balanced it sounded, and I loved the slotted headstock and simple, classic appointments. I couldn't stop thinking about it, and went back this morning right when they opened, ready to make a deal; I brought with me my '64 Gibson F25 Folksinger for trade-in.
I won't go into the details, but I feel like I got a crackin' good deal from The Music Emporium, and the whole negotiation process was painless and easy. They were willing to give me credit that was about $25 more than I paid for the Gibson last year, plus they knocked $200 off the sticker price advertised on most dealer websites for the 00015-SM. Because my cash outlay was minimal, I didn't have to pay a lot of sales tax either.
At the end of the day, I was able to acquire a brand new Martin for not a whole lot more than what they typically go for on the used market.
Unlike buying sight unseen from an online dealer, I was able to ensure before purchasing that the guitar sounds/looks good and plays well. I was also very happy to support a business located in my home town.
The only downside is I had to go directly from The Music Emporium to work, and the sweet smell of mahogany tormented me all day! But I am now about to shut down my computer, leave the office and head home with my new treasure...
Below are photos from TME's website of the actual guitar that I purchased. She's a beauty!
