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Just a word of warning, Reverb has been getting a much higher number of fraudulent listings in the last few months compared to the past. Most are easy to spot, as the “seller” usually lists for a price much lower than the going rate, has no feedback, and only accepts PayPal (not Reverb payments.
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01-28-2022 07:33 PM
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You guys are making me thank my lucky stars that the last guitar I bought through eBay was from Matt Cushman, who is a standup person (but apparently out of the guitar biz now- he's stopped posting here and his website is gone). I had no idea that buying a guitar has become such a Wild West gauntlet to run!
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Why is that? I'm under the impression that PayPal is better to buyers than reverb. Not the case?
Originally Posted by ThatRhythmMan
The few transactions I've had on reverb have gone well, I'm lucky I guess, so I can't say from personal experience.
It doesn't surprise me, however, that scammers are coming out of the woodwork though. With the crazy prices guitars are going for these days, it breeds opportunity.
Let's be careful out there.
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I can name 1 dealer that is honest as the day is long with used guitars. Gryphon Stringed Instruments. I have been a satisfied customer since 1973. I have returned guitars to TMZ and CME no questions asked immediate refund also.
I guess if we didn't love archtops we wouldn't have such problems. We would just get a Strat from a local CL seller.
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It’s because “Reverb Protection” won’t apply if you are directed to PayPal for payment and the buyer has a chance of getting the payout without having to actually ship anything. I don’t think Reverb will pay out for a new seller until the item shows as delivered. Originally Posted by furtom
Why is that? I'm under the impression that PayPal is better to buyers than reverb. Not the case?
The few transactions I've had on reverb have gone well, I'm lucky I guess, so I can't say from personal experience.
It doesn't surprise me, however, that scammers are coming out of the woodwork though. With the crazy prices guitars are going for these days, it breeds opportunity.
Let's be careful out there.
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Sorry you’re going through all this crap, Jack. I’ll keep a good thought for a positive outcome. PayPal really aught to take care of you. I hope they do.
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Positive thoughts from a stranger. I got burned by them a couple of times many years ago and stopped transacting through them. Looks like you’re at least maintaining good communication with them. Originally Posted by jzucker
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They actually called me twice yesterday based on comments I wrote in my online message center (although the 2nd call was a repeat of information). They mean well, I just got the impression they are not super organized and are short staffed. Apparently, there's a special division devoted to larger dollar amounts (or so they claim) Originally Posted by osloutah
It's now been 8 days since the seller received my guitar back and thus far, he has my guitar and my money!
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Hopefully the wrath of God will fall on this guy and justice is served.
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In other words, Reverb protection is better than PayPal's? Originally Posted by ThatRhythmMan
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reverb customer service is horrible. Days and days go by hearing nothing from them, no way to call them or contact them through email or chat. If you email or chat with reverb service, you get a generic agent and not someone who's assigned to your case. I bought an amp off reverb 40 days ago and i'm still awaiting their customer support to approve a refund. I get an email about once a week from them saying that they are working hard on it.
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That's the impression I had, which is why I was asking. Originally Posted by jzucker
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This shop has a good reputation. Originally Posted by jzucker
Guitars 'n Jazz - 400 Archtops in stock - choose don't settle
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Yeah, i was an endorser for Lou for a while and did some demos for the store and he's a real class act. But even he doesn't have a retail shop with dozens of archtops hanging on the wall. Last I heard, before covid he had a mall booth with a bunch of guitars (not expensive archtops). I think he just has a bunch of stuff in his house... Originally Posted by 73Fender
And it seems that 75% of his inventory is peerless and eastman.
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Jack, what you say about Lou is revealing - and scary. Entrepreneurs like he are struggling, even fighting for existence. Matt Umanov, Mandolin Brothers, many others - gone. I've e-mailed at least a dozen US retailers (including Lou), suggesting they should get interested in my products (TOOB & Metro cabs). After all, the first question in so may enquiries is: do you have a US retailer? So far, not a single reply. I think this reveals a mix of arrogance and subsistence.
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Lou owns a pharmacy and that's where he keeps his inventory. He's never really had a music store persay. Sort of a call ahead deal. He's an enthusiast much like the people here. He started by representing Palen guitars when he built his first instrument. Lou was (is) a huge believer in Palen. Being an entrepreneur he couldn't help but morph it into a business. With Palen not making guitars any longer, he sells mostly Eastman and Peerless. That's what moves for him. Originally Posted by jzucker
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There are so many guitar builders out there that it has to be very tough to run a well supplied guitar store. How many brands would you stock? Plus half of the purchasers are probably pretty fussy and won't want common instruments. Listen to this dudes. I don't know what they're playing. I do feel it's a shame the Benedetto transaction went south.
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I fear you may be a bit too harsh on them, Markku. I know you built your business from scratch, but what you've accomplished is far different from retailing goods made by others. Your goal has been to create the best product of its kind that you could and sell it on its merits, and you appear to have been quite successful at it. Your product line is easily differentiated from its competitors and substitutes by its unique design and functional features. So your task has been "only" to convince end users of the value and merits of your designs and the quality of your product, and to fill the demand you've created. Originally Posted by Gitterbug
Please understand that I'm not in any way defending or justifying music retailers and their business practices as we experience them. This is purely a business issue, and it centers on economics. They're in one of the most competitive markets in the world, and many (if not most) are in serious financial trouble right now. Tying up their working capital to stock a product that's largely unknown in their market, isn't immediately / clearly / obviously desirable to most musicians, and appeals primarily to a very small segment isn't going to help them with their big problems. You know well that buyers today expect instant delivery, which means stocking multiple models and options of a single product line so they don't lose a sale to the many competitors who are breathing down their necks. GC will get that red one to me tomorrow if SW doesn't have it in stock, and vice versa. And there's little or no loyalty to dealers any more because dealers are little more than sources of goods to most buyers.
Toobs are truly cool, and if I ever need another speaker I'll be joining the happy family of Toobers. But except for niche dealers like Guitars 'n Jazz, the bulk of the retail customer base for musical instruments is not like those of us on JGO. They're looking for mainstream equipment like their idols use, and their idols are in rock, pop, metal, hip hop, blues etc. I suspect that the reason you're not getting interest in potential retailers here is the same reason they don't carry carved archtops any more - the market is too small and they fear that the likely hold time between stocking and selling is too long for their business model. They may be wrong on this one, as Toobs seem to have an inherent appeal - but then again, they may be right.
I'm going to call Lou on Monday and ask him about carrying Toobs. I think he's a reasonable guy who balances business realities with the special nature of our little corner of the music world. And his customer base is a bit more "mature" than that of GC, MF, SA etc - so he must have a lot of long time regulars (like me) who simply don't want to (or physically can't) drag an anvil of a speaker around any more. I'll let you know what I learn.Last edited by nevershouldhavesoldit; 01-30-2022 at 08:25 AM.
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I have not had any experiences like Jack’s, fortunately. I bring a fairly substantial amount of money to Reverb though, and it’s possible I get a different level of service than most. I know that I get a higher level on eBay. Originally Posted by furtom
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Sorry to hear about your difficulties, Jack, but I bet it works out.
Seems like the days of easily exploring different guitars is coming to a close. We have all benefitted from your epic tone chasing (seems like you are always right on the money in your tone assessments of different instruments, to my ears!) Kind of like hearing that National Geographic has had to cut its explorer budget… now what will us basement plebes read about, if you’re not out there, blazing new tone trails and writing home about it?
I’m not selling or looking for anything new for awhile, in part because of your painful experience of late.
Fingers crossed. Keep some faith, most people are fundamentally good.
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Really! Originally Posted by Cunamara
I sure miss Matt Cushman!
Matt made an ebony bridge for my L5P.
He was a pleasure to work with, a true gentleman, and an incredible craftsman and luthier.
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[I'm going to call Lou on Monday and ask him about carrying Toobs. I think he's a reasonable guy who balances business realities with the special nature of our little corner of the music world. And his customer base is a bit more "mature" than that of GC, MF, SA etc - so he must have a lot of long time regulars (like me) who simply don't want to (or physically can't) drag an anvil of a speaker around any more. I'll let you know what I learn.[/QUOTE]
To OP: sorry to have derailed the thread. To Nevershouldhavesoldit: I by and large concur with your analysis. Arrogance is perhaps an unjust description; disillusion and harsh realities are probably closer to the mark. The amp market has been on the decline for years (PA, ear monitors etc.), big operators are cash-strapped and small ones fight for their existence. The whole music gear market globally is smaller than Finland's (under 6 million people) public health care sector, and Covid has shifted demand from backline gear to instruments, desktop stuff and software.
After 2020 NAMM I visited three music stores in the LA area with product samples (one of which ended up with Tim Pierce.) The shop floor people were enthusiastic but management wasn't, or wasn't there. The stores had rooms filled with non-moving used 4x12s and huge bass gear the size of my sauna. Norman's was busy shooting another video - I quietly retreated after buying a t-shirt. Of course, my capacity would be exhausted just producing store samples for the major chains. That's why I've approached smaller specialists, including Lou and George Gruhn, who gave me his card at NAMM and sounded interested. As said, no response. A Japanese dealer said no because he didn't trust Velcro. (In five years, no customer has requested new strips, except for a new amp.) Etc. etc.
Needless to say, I'm grateful for any support you can give. You already have!
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I see a bunch of different archtops on the wall in these pictures (scroll down). Maybe things have changed since. Originally Posted by jzucker
Guitars 'n Jazz - 400 Archtops in stock - choose don't settle
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The photos and video are from ~11 years ago. Several folks have posted here that he keeps most of his instruments at the pharmacy that he owns. Apparently, you can view instruments by appointment. When the pandemic is over, it's certainly worth making a trip there if he shows something on the site that you are interested in. However, I have noticed that the site is often out of date when I periodically email him asking questions about instruments listed on the site which have already been sold. And as I mentioned a couple times, a huge portion of his inventory seems to be eastman and peerless which doesn't appeal to me personally. Originally Posted by Woody Sound
However, yes - he's the biggest archtop dealer I know of. Glad he's still around. He's a great guy, reputable and stands behind his instruments. I wouldn't hesitate to buy from he or gruhn. Other dealers, not so sure...
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Another viable option is Guitar Center Used Gear. Descriptions are vague or non existent but last time I went this route the return policy was 45 days (for non vintage guitars < than 25 years old). Risk free really. I got my Golden Eagle that way (aided by an enabler here on the left coast).
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