Does anyone have any thoughts on why Musicians Friend and Guitar Center do not carry the VG-800? I attempted to buy one from MF/GC and was told that it's only ?available from them as a special order, and because it is a special order, there's a 4 - 6 week wait, the purchase does not include a 45 day return policy because it is a special order. You buy it you keep it, whether you like it or not. My rep asked up the food chain and no one provided an answer. He's also puzzled. I ended up buying one from ZZounds. Seems really weird that GC doesn't carry them. They carry the GM-800, and other Boss/Roland gear. Why no love for the VG-800? Anyone have any thoughts - other than the predictable GC sucks! comments. Which it does, if you don't have a good rep. I do have a good rep, so I like buying gear there.
Why isn't Guitar Center or Musicians Friend selling the VG-800
- Thread starter LScottK
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gonzoknife
Roadie
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- 149
I found that weird too. I have some points I wanted to use on a VG-800 and kept waiting for it to show up on MF. Eventually Sweetwater had an open box for a good price so I bought it from them. Everyone has the VG-800, no idea why MF doesn't.
I just perused this video and I didn't see anything specific about Boss/Roland VG-800. I did skip around instead of watching from beginning to end, so maybe I missed something . . ? Regardless, it is good to see that GC is attempting to improve the shopping experience. I bought my first new guitar (an Applause acoustic - made entirely of plastic and metal, including an aluminum fretboard) in the mid-70s. I still remember the sales guys that I purchased from - smug, treating me like shit because I was a kid with no experience. They also took advantage of me because of my lack of experience. It was definitely a "used car salesman" vibe. At that time GC was a much smaller operation. The "cooler than you" attitude has been in place since, though it's less so in my experience today, if only because I'm an experienced weekend warrior with some knowledge and experience (generally, though not always, more than the sales guy). It seems like GC is trying to change this now - safety for kids, welcoming female musicians instead of making them uncomfortable with leering and misogynistic attitudes, focusing more on supporting creativity rather than egoic "gunslinger" mentality that's prevalent amongst us guitarists. In my opinion, these are welcome changes. Of course, YMMV.
But, it doesn't explain why the VG-800 is only available as a special order at GC/MF. There's got to be a reason for this. It's strange . . .
ragingplatypi
Shredder
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- 1,088
It’s a very interesting interview, but definitely doesn’t address any specific gear. That interview is more a discussion of what GC does and does not do well, and how they’re trying to move forward. I think the most interesting part of that video is the discussion about used gear.
Intimo
Groupie
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- 28
I would ask Gabe:
Message Gabe on linkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieldalporto
Or send him an email - gdalporto@guitarcenter.com
Message Gabe on linkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieldalporto
Or send him an email - gdalporto@guitarcenter.com
paisleywookiee
Rock Star
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Tim? Is that you?
Frodebro
Shredder
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Sounds like GC/MF, for whatever reason, felt that it’s not worth keeping any stock on hand. Maybe they lost their shorts on prior guitar synth systems (getting stuck with stock that doesn’t move) and don’t want to repeat that.
gonzoknife
Roadie
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- 149
Could be the reason but then you gotta ask if happened to other retailers why they're willing to risk it again or was there a reason they didn't sell well at GC/MF?
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