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

[TSJMajesty]

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.

 

[JiveTurkey]

Oddly timely thread They have a Mark III head and combo I was stalking out yesterday I have heard they have an insane selection there so your story certainly checks out

 

[JiveTurkey]

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.

 

[TSJMajesty]

Oddly timely thread They have a Mark III head and combo I was stalking out yesterday I have heard they have an insane selection there so your story certainly checks out

Oddly timed response, in that the only time I actually played a Mark III was at that store when I bought that 4x12 cab. And that amp was a beast! Raw and aggressive like none I'd ever played!

And yeah, it was kind of a drag, because it took them like 20 minutes to get me set up to even play the damn thing! And that was back when they had more room!

I was only looking for the 4-over-2 headstock, meaning I didn't even have an eye out for amps (meaning Mesas, lol), but I STILL saw at least 3 Recto heads!

 

[JiveTurkey]

Goddammit TSJ

 

[JiveTurkey]

I should message back "That head's been there for 7 years! Bring that price down!"

 

[TSJMajesty]

I was wondering if it was the same head!

 

[JiveTurkey]

There's a combo there too I am stalking. They don't ship officially but I have been working it

 

[TSJMajesty]

There's a combo there too I am stalking. They don't ship officially but I have been working it

Based on what I saw, I'd say you're in a good position. (Unless they only care about making the rent, and enjoy having that much inventory. Which could be... )

 

[laxu]

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.

That's probably more a GC issue. I have visited only a few like a decade ago, and was left with the impression that even back then they were really poorly run.

 

[Warmart]

That's probably more a GC issue. I have visited only a few like a decade ago, and was left with the impression that even back then they were really poorly run.

Some of them are run much much better than others.

They all have the problem of guitars so far out of a good setup ,that you may as well never really try to play one.

Most stores have that though, too hard to keep up with. Shit, I've done more truss rod tweaks the last 2 weeks than I can stand. One morning, 14 degrees and 25% humidity. Next 35 and 90%, next 62 and 100%, etc. etc. etc.

 

[Byrdman]

Seems like a great time to buy gear, especially used. I have been looking through FB marketplace for Telecasters and PRS's, and they seem to be everywhere.

I know, 2 completely differently types of guitars, but I'm hoping I can get close to a singlecoil sound out of a PRS HB guitar. That DGT SE seems to get close with the coil split on some of the videos I have seen. If in the ballpark, I should be able to dial in something on my Stomp XL to get even closer.

 

[Warmart]

I have eyed up Atomic's Reverb page, def would like to go sometime when I'm up there!

 

[GuitarBilly74]

Atomic Music is my 2nd home lol
I'm there pretty much every weekend and I've done a ton of business with them.

They don't have a lot of guitars because they're "stuck" with them, it's because they sell and buy a ton of used instruments from the local music community. They're not struggling to move inventory, go there on a Saturday afternoon and see how many instruments come and go through the door. The place is always packed on the weekends.

Also, their policy is if you buy gear from them you can return it for 80% of what you paid - for life!!

I've gotten some crazy deals from them over the years and I also sold them a bunch of stuff as they pay VERY well for used stuff.

They're my favorite guitar store, out of all places I've lived in. The owners and staff are great people and really flexible with their deals. Just a great store all around, the opposite of the cookie cutter GC nonsense.

 

[TSJMajesty]

Atomic Music is my 2nd home lol
I'm there pretty much every weekend and I've done a ton of business with them.

They don't have a lot of guitars because they're "stuck" with them, it's because they sell and buy a ton of used instruments from the local music community. They're not struggling to move inventory, go there on a Saturday afternoon and see how many instruments come and go through the door. The place is always packed on the weekends.

Also, their policy is if you buy gear from them you can return it for 80% of what you paid - for life!!

I've gotten some crazy deals from them over the years and I also sold them a bunch of stuff as they pay VERY well for used stuff.

They're my favorite guitar store, out of all places I've lived in. The owners and staff are great people and really flexible with their deals. Just a great store all around, the opposite of the cookie cutter GC nonsense.

That's all good to know. If they weren't so far away from me, I'd go there more often. But I have to travel the beltway, which I avoid as much as possible.

 

[mbenigni]

Also, their policy is if you buy gear from them you can return it for 80% of what you paid - for life!!

This is amazing.

 

[GuitarBilly74]

This is amazing.

Yeah they're awesome.
You get a guitar from them for $1k, use it for a couple of years, take it back and as long as it's in the same general condition (they're not picky, it's all used gear to begin with) , you get $800 back trade value or even cash!! (I think for cashout is 70%, but that's still not bad).

I've lived in several major music scenes and never seen a store as flexible and supportive as Atomic Music. I even had some of their staff come to my shows lol

Closest was Black Market Music in L.A. but they've been out of business for decades.

But Atomic is doing well, they're actually building a second floor to have even more gear in 2025 lol

 

[mbenigni]

Yeah they're awesome.
You get a guitar from them for $1k, use it for a couple of years, take it back and as long as it's in the same general condition (they're not picky, it's all used gear to begin with) , you get $800 back trade value or even cash!! (I think for cashout is 70%, but that's still not bad).

I've lived in several major music scenes and never seen a store as flexible and supportive as Atomic Music. I even had some of their staff come to my shows lol

Closest was Black Market Music in L.A. but they've out of business for decades.

But Atomic is doing well, they're actually building a second floor to have even more gear in 2025 lol

I’d probably average a new (to me) guitar or amp a month if I lived nearby. Which works out well for both the customer and the vendor, of course. Trying new gear is a blast, but I’ve grown gunshy because selling/ shipping is such a drag. This would definitely take the edge off.

 

[la szum]

Sounds like Heaven.

 

[GuitarBilly74]

I’d probably average a new (to me) guitar or amp a month if I lived nearby.

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?