I've Never Seen So Many Guitars In One Place!

[GuitarBilly74]

Sounds like Heaven.

Looks like it, too

 

[DrewJD82]

In regard to guitars having shitty setups in stores; in my first couple years of playing I used to get frustrated about that going to stores, this was early/mid 90’s. I was trying to talk my dad into using his former employment at Daddy’s Junky Music to get me a part time job just tuning the guitars and doing basic setups to which he told me, “If you work in a music store and you’re not the tech, your job is to sell guitars, not tune them up”

 

[TSJMajesty]

Looks like it, too

View attachment 34575

That room to the left has acoustics. I didn't even go in there since it was late in the day.

 

[GuitarBilly74]

That room to the left has acoustics. I didn't even go in there since it was late in the day.

There's also a room in the back full of rack gear and another room packed with keyboards, right next to the acoustic room.

Last Saturday, they had a giant cardboard box outside, full of used music stands and guitar stands you could take FOR FREE on your way out.

Just wall to wall awesomeness.

 

[mbenigni]

I average 2 of each a month.

Just 2 weeks ago, they had a 6505+ head for $600, which is already a great deal.

I had some pedals that I wasn't using so I took them there and they gave me $400 for it. I also had a $50 store credit from a previous purchase.
They even adjusted the price so it would be 600 out the door (after tax).
So I walked out of there with a 6505+ for 6 pedals I wasn't using and $150 out of pocket.

2 weeks before that I got a 1987 Charvel Model 6 for $325 because it needed some very simple wiring work.

On the sell side, I had a Les Paul Traditional that I was trying to sell for $1500 on Reverb. It sat there for 2 weeks with nothing but tire kickers messaging low ball offers. Took to Atomic Music and they paid $1200 cash on the spot. Probably about the same I'd have made on Reverb after shipping and their fees.

It's almost like trading with private parties except this private party has a giant warehouse full of stuff and it's a cool guy to boot.

They also have an awesome in-house amp tech that used to work for Mesa Boogie.

Did I mention I love Atomic Music?

OMG a legit Mesa tech. I really wish this place were local.

 

[unix-guy]

Closest was Black Market Music in L.A.

I wasn't aware of that one, but the one in San Francisco was huge with an insane amount of used gear.

I went to the one in Walnut Creek more often because it was much closer but it was also relatively small. They also had a location in Oakland for a while.

Good times... :)

 

[Sascha Franck]

I want that shop here. Now! Possibly even anywhere in central Europe would suffice...

 

[mercifulfuzziness]

On an additional related note; I HATE guitar shopping. I cannot get into the groove of a new guitar because they are never setup worth a damn at any of the (admittedly) GCs I frequent.

On an additional related question: is this also because the store start to get to know you so it would be just weird and awkward if you got there every two weeks because you love guitars but can’t keep buying stuff and often find guitars just expensive and you actually know you don’t really need one but you still go there because the guitar store is the best vibe and you actually just also like to chill there a bit and talk with like minded people?

 

[FuzzyAce]

I want that shop here. Now! Possibly even anywhere in central Europe would suffice...

Yes, but does your wallet want one close by?

 

[Sascha Franck]

Yes, but does your wallet want one close by?

Actually: Yes, given that they'd have the same "we take it back for 80%" police. Buying a guitar for 1k, playing it a year or so, then getting 800 guaranteed, should I not want to keep it, that's just excellent.

 

[Diary Of An Axeman]

Went to Atomic Music yesterday, just outside DC. Some of you probably know of it.

I went to DC for an unrelated reason (to buy something they don't sell in MD, hehe), and since I hadn't been to any music stores in years, I made a slight detour on my way home to try an EBMM Sabre.

The last time I was there was probably 7 years ago to buy a Mesa 4x12, but they didn't have nearly as many guitars as they do now (the store is all used gear only.) Holy smokes! I should've taken a couple pics!

I think there were 6 long rows, double-sided, and double-tiered, just lined with guitars!! It was unbelievable! Plus guitars at end caps, dedicated displays, and on the wall behind the counter. Dude said they were up to about 1500, yet when I checked their Reverb listings, they only have a fraction of that # shown. The only place I saw more guitars in one place was at the PRS experience years ago.

I asked the owner if it was a good thing or a bad thing, and all he told me was him and his partner just reinvest their money back into the business of buying gear.

Well, they may need to spend some of that on the store itself, cuz the amps were no better. Just everywhere, stacked on top of each other, amps behind others, etc. It was like walking into a hoarder's house, if that hoarder was a gear collector!

I was running late, so it was near closing when I got there, so I didn't bother plugging in the Sabre. Oh, and it had new strings, but it was way out of tune. Not just a little bit, but like way way lower than proper pitch. So that took a little time too, especially due to the floating trem.

The guitar felt pretty good, but I honestly felt restricted due to it having 22 frets. I've gotten so used to 24 fret guitars, and having lots of room at those upper frets, that the body of the guitar just seemed to start so much sooner.

I also quickly grabbed an Axis that I'd never tried, and I didn't like that neck at all. Too round. Put it right back. At least it was in tune.

Idk, probably not a great time to try and sell gear, if that store is any clue.

I got Atomic Music on my phone, makes me wish I was on the Eastcoast.
Reminds me of Daddy's Used Music Stores that I used to visit in the New England area in the 1980's.
I really miss Daddy's Used Music store online, best deals on the Planet !!!!

 

[Baba]

I have visited Atomic a couple of times, on my way to D.C. for gigs, GREAT store.

Most of the guitars I've played had older, grimy strings, so they weren't a pleasure to play, but I could get the point of them.

Sadly, I haven't had extra cash to coincide with my visits, so I haven't bought anything, yet.