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#1
12-24-2020, 09:11 AM
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How far would you or have you driven to pick up a guitar?
Wondering how far some of you have driven to pick up a guitar? There is a nice Gibson J45 2 hours away from me and I am wondering if I should drive there to pick it up as opposed to having it shipped? That would be 4 hours total driving.
I would also save $100 on the price. Thoughts?
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Gear: PRS Hollowbody II Piezo, Martin HPL 000, PRS Angelus A60E, Martin 000-15M 
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#2
12-24-2020, 09:12 AM
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I've driven a few hours. That's not that big of a deal. Plus you get to try it out and if it sucks you can bail on the deal!
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#3
12-24-2020, 09:16 AM
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I came very close to driving 500 miles to check out a Martin '26 000-21... I think it was $6500, which is a fantastic price as it was in great shape and original finish. In the case of such an instrument, it's not so much the cost of shipping, it's being able to inspect and play it in person as there's a high chance of return, and with insurance the back and forth is rather expensive.
For most instruments probably a 2 hour drive out would be my limit.
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'18 Pre*War 000-28 Braz
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#4
12-24-2020, 09:16 AM
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I'd definitely drive. You'll have it quicker, and there's less chance of something going wrong. Guitars do get damaged in shipping from time to time.
I drove about 3 hours each way to pick up my 000-17sm.
__________________
"What have I learned but the proper use for several tools" -Gary Snyder Bourgeois DR-A / Bowerman "Working Man's" OM / Martin Custom D-18 (adi & flame) / Martin OM-21 / Northwood M70 MJ / 1970s Sigma DR-7 / Eastman E6D / Flatiron Signature A5 / Silverangel Econo A (Call me Dan)
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#6
12-24-2020, 09:26 AM
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I'll drive a long way
All miles are one way. I did return home afterward.
 400+ miles to get the Larrivee OM-40R. 300+ miles to get the Larrivee SD-50. 300+ miles to get the Tama that was gifted me by my friends widow. Yeah, for the right guitar, I'll travel a ways. Each trip was enjoyable and the reward of a nice guitar continues.
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Martins, Taylors, Larrivees (L-05, L-04, D-03R, O-09, OM-40, OM-40R, SD-50), Yamahas, Godins, Gretsch, Horabe, et al
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#7
12-24-2020, 09:27 AM
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There's a guitar here on the classifieds that's two hours away from
me - I fantasize about buying it and would certainly drive to get it. And not to save on shipping, but to protect it from shipping... my two hours would be on low-traffic mountain two-lanes, a two hour drive through some metro heck hole might change my tune... -Mike
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#8
12-24-2020, 09:35 AM
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Go pick up the guitar if the seller won't meet you half way.
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McCollum Grand Auditorum Euro Spruce/Brazilian PRS Hollowbody Spruce PRS SC58 Giffin Vikta Gibson Custom Shop ES 335 '59 Historic RI ‘91 Les Paul Standard ‘52 AVRI Tele - Richie Baxt build Fender American Deluxe Tele Fender Fat Strat
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#9
12-24-2020, 09:36 AM
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Heck, during this pandemic there have been periods where the only thing the Mrs. & I could do was go out for a drive. Make a day of it and enjoy your new guitar!
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Martin D18 Gibson J45 Martin 00015sm Gibson J200 Furch MC Yellow Gc-CR SPA Guild G212 Eastman E2OM-CD
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#10
12-24-2020, 09:37 AM
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Not done for a specific guitar, but I did drive about 130 miles one-way to the Chicago Guitar Show (which is actually held in St. Charles. IL about 60-70 miles west of Chicago), where I bought my old Guild G212, 12-string.
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Play Whatever Brings a Smile To Your Face My Smile Makers: Guild OM-120 Guild F-2512E Deluxe 12-string Eastman E3DE 2013 Ibanez AFJ-95
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#12
12-24-2020, 09:44 AM
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4-5 hours each way several times.
flew from Houston to LA once to pickup a cool old Taylor years ago. 2 hours isn't even a consideration if it is something you want. Make a day of it, stop and play along the way, take a picnic. It adds to the story. So much more fun than waiting on Fed-Ex.
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#13
12-24-2020, 09:52 AM
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Being able to play it and inspect it in person is certainly worth a two hour drive.
Maybe the seller could meet somewhere halfway- as previously mentioned. Add the present shipping situation( delays, etc) I would favor an in person exchange if possible. Good luck, Tom
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#14
12-24-2020, 10:05 AM
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Quote:
__________________
Walker Clark Fork (Adi/Honduran Rosewood) Edmonds OM-28RS - Sunburst (Adi/Old Growth Honduran)
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#15
12-24-2020, 10:06 AM
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Well, I love a road trip (pre Covid) so driving a distance to try out a guitar is not a big issue for me. I was prepared to drive 6 and 1/2 hours down to LA to pick up my custom Wingert in 2004 but Kathy decided to come north to see friends in the area any way so she delivered it to my door. Lucky me. Matt Sarad, a member here on the forum, came with her. It was so nice to meet him and he played my new guitar beautifully that day so a nice treat all around.
I made the 6 hour round trip to Sparky Kramer's shop twice - once to place my order and again, a year and a half later to pick up my new Prairie Grass. A guitar-playing friend went with me both times so that made it even more special. I have tagged along on guitar road trips with friends going to try out guitars and it is always is a fabulous day. One was about 6 hours round trip and was totally worth it as my friend loved the used McCollum she had a chance to try and get for a great price. Best, Jayne Last edited by jaymarsch; 12-24-2020 at 10:16 AM.
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