Have you purchased a guitar (without trying it first) just for the brand? - Page 6

j3ffr0 · #76 10-30-2020, 10:57 AM

Coming from a small town before the Internet age, I've done this quite a bit over the years even as my musical interests have changed.

Carvin V220 (new)
Carvin LB60 bass (new)
Carvin AE185 (new)
Jimmy Page Signature Les Paul (new)
Alvarez MC90 (new)
Taylor Baritone 8 (used)
Huss and Dalton 00-SP (used)
Timberline T60HGc (new)
Kenny Hill Performance Model (used)

In all cases is was to buy something I could not try locally. I still have every one of them too. The V220 is the only on that doesn't get played... It is pretty much retired.

Buying used is an especially good way to try hard to find boutique brands IMO. My thinking is the shipping and the hassle to resell it isn't as bad or expensive as the hassle of a road trip to go to the nearest place where one of these guitars happen to be sometimes....

Tony Burns · #77 10-30-2020, 11:03 AM

Yes - My AKS Goodall -
No regrets - got a great price on a great guitar.
Goodall's are as good as they say -
wouldn't mind another one ( but a different model ) .

edcmat-l1 · #78 10-30-2020, 11:10 AM

Just got this one in yesterday. Not too shabby for a 40+ year old MIJ.

ChrisE · #79 10-30-2020, 11:12 AM

I bought my Taylor 314ce off eBay several years ago based solely on reviews and testimonials. I still have and and play it at a lot of gigs.

I bought it as a “workhorse” gig guitar and it has done its job well.

DCCougar · #80 10-30-2020, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aeisen93

Have you ever purchased a guitar without trying it first just for the brand / name on headstock?....

I used to be big on Epiphones, particularly Masterbilts, so I guess you could say those purchases were "because of the brand." All of my Epiphone purchases were used and from online sellers. I thought they were great for the very reasonable price tag. Well, they still are, I suppose, but I've moved on.

letterk · #81 10-30-2020, 11:21 AM

Bought my PRS sight unseen. Partly because of the brand. Partly because the color I wanted wasn't standard and I had very limited buying options.

gibpicker · #82 10-30-2020, 12:59 PM

Yep. An Eastman E10M that is a great sounding loud guitar with a nice top for the 500 buck price range, but just not in the ball park tone wise compared to my old Gibson J-30 that I play exclusively and never pick up the Eastman anymore.

Same with my fun Yamaha FS800. So looks like I'm going to be a one guitar guy as nothing I've played from the big box stores compares to what I already have, and It's been that way for many years.

yaharadelta · #83 10-30-2020, 03:56 PM

I've purchased about 7-8 guitars that I didn't have a chance to actually play, the brand name was usually a factor in what i saw as reducing the risk of the purchase if I decided to sell down the road. Several of them were through GC, so the 45 day trial period basically wipes out any real risk, I'm 10 minutes away from a GC so returns are no problem. I've also used Reverb on a few used guitars, I try not to pull the trigger on those until I feel as though I'm getting a better than average price, in case I'm in the situation of wanting to sell. Again, in that case brand name can make a difference in resale value, so it's a consideration. I'm lucky to have a couple of good local shops that usually have good inventories, looking forward to the return of the good old days of pre-Covid guitar shopping/

ChrisE · #84 10-30-2020, 04:05 PM

Not acoustic, but I just remembered that I bought my Telecaster on eBay. I’m pretty sure I’d never even played one before, but I knew the Telecaster is the best electronic guitar ever made, so I went for it.

A worthy $225 investment.

LakewoodM32Fan · #85 10-30-2020, 04:16 PM

Wow, you got the Instagram aged-photo filter *and* the J.J. Abrams lens flare in there!

Brucebubs · #86 10-30-2020, 04:18 PM

Yes .. all of them.

hoosfoos · #87 10-31-2020, 07:51 AM

Back in the late '90s, one of my college roommates had a Taylor. No idea on the specifics, but I know it was a GA. Sounded great to me. 15 years later, when I got serious about learning to play guitar, I bought late '90s Taylor and have been very happy with the 414.

Skip Ellis · #88 10-31-2020, 12:15 PM

Been playing 60 years - started with an inherited Martin and have always had a Martin and have only bought one new ('68 D18). All others have been used online (Reverb and various forums-never ebay) - never had a problem with any of them.

On the other hand, I bought my 2013 Brook Torridge online from a music store in Colorado without ever having played a Brook but I was aware of their reputation and I liked the way they do business so I took a chance - really glad I did - wonderful instrument and thinking of ordering a custom build from them.

Jeff Scott · #89 10-31-2020, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Have you purchased a guitar (without trying it first) just for the brand?

Several times.

A Carvin SC90.

Various Rickenbacker basses and guitars.

As to acoustic guitars, just my Yamamoto Talus VS-12.

Rosette · #90 11-01-2020, 10:30 AM

Both my SCGC and Furch were purchased online. It's hard to find these brand locally. I live in a somewhat geographically isolated city, it's a 5 hour drive to Seattle or Portland to get a better selection of brands to try out in person. So far this has worked well, and I do research the guitars pretty thoroughly beforehand.

A few of my electrics have been purchased online too, never really had an issue buying online. The few times it didn't work out, it was an easy flip.