Where you can actually touch them in person and talk to someone who genuinely knows his stuff - at your local independent music store! Some people rush to say "Musician's Friend" or some other catalog/online dealer. Let me ask you one question, what does that guitar feel like in your hands? You don't know because you are basing your purchase off a 2" by 3" stock photograph that isn't even the actual instrument you're buying. Anybody who tells you it isn't important to feel the instrument doesn't have a clue. Within seconds you will know if you like it or not, even if you aren't experienced, you will know. How's the balance, the weight, the neck profile?

The next knee jerk reaction is Guitar Center. True, you can put them in your hands there, I'll give you that. However, and please understand that this is a general statement and not true in every situation, but Guitar Center employee turnover is notoriously high and the training given is not as much based on product education but selling. Large chain stores rarely do repairs or setups and any good player will tell you that setup is very important. Guitars are rarely ready to play their best right out of the box.

But what about price? Won't the internet/catalog/big box discounter be cheaper? Not necessarily! In today's competitive market where anyone within seconds can comparison shop online most retailers are close to the same price on musical instruments. Don't sell out your guitar playing future for a few bucks if they are a little higher, often it doesn't pan out in the long run. A guitar setup before you buy it may save you more money then getting the setup done after the purchase somewhere else.

So what is it about an independent music store that is so special? In most cases they are owner operated. This means that the person who the business's success matters most to is probably in the building, maybe the guy you are talking to. Ever get lousy service at a fast food chain? Of course, we all have! Do you think if the owner (not the manager) was on the premises that you'd get better service? Yep! Secondly, that indie music shop was most likely started by someone who truly cares about music, not someone out for a quick buck. Sure, sales are important but any business owner worth a grain of salt knows that repeat business is where it is at. Third, building a relationship with a store can pay off in the long run. Being taken care of (favorite strings in stock, privy to new gear, setup tweaks, advice) is well worth the effort in the long run.

Yes, there are bad independent dealers out there to which I say 'don't shop there either!' But as I mentioned, an indie store is going to have more incentive to treating you right, cool unique gear and service that the others can never match when you find a good one. Certainly good guitars can be found online, through a catalog or in a big box. Great guitars can be found at a local music store.

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