1 Topic by rioi (edited by rioi 2012-10-07 10:28:02)

  • rioi
  • rioi
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  • From: Trondheim, Norway
  • Registered: 2012-03-22
  • Posts: 87

Topic: going to San Diego. Need advice on guitar stores.

Hi!
This Christmas, me and 2 fellas are taking vacation in USA. We are going to be at our friends place in San Diego.
I live in Norway and guitar prices are very high, therefore i want to buy a guitar when I'm going over.
I'm OK with a second hand guitar if there is somewhere to get used gear.

Does anyone have advice on where i should go to find lots of guitars to choose between?
We have planned to take a few days in Vegas when we are over. Maybe i should look for a guitar there?

Maybe not relevant but i want a Sunburst with nice top. Long fingers so 50's neck is OK.
Maybe a R8 if the prices are OK. 3000 USD is the highest i can go this time smile

  • From: N.Wales, UK
  • Registered: 2009-03-06
  • Posts: 2,183

Re: going to San Diego. Need advice on guitar stores.

Play absolutely everything.
Something might surprise you.
Go in with a totally open mind.

3 Reply by RickB (edited by RickB 2012-10-07 11:08:24)

  • RickB
  • RickB
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  • From: San Diego
  • Registered: 2009-10-30
  • Posts: 12,198

Re: going to San Diego. Need advice on guitar stores.

Here you go. http://www.bing.com/local/default.aspx? … +san+diego
Taylor's factory is in San Diego's suburb El Cajon. You might want to arrange a tour while you are here. http://www.taylorguitars.com/
If you want more info on San Diego just drop me a line. The weather here in winter is very nice and mild! Like Spring in Norway. Enjoy your stay in our beautiful city. Be sure to visit Balboa Park, the zoo and our world famous beaches, there is lots to do here that is free. The outdoor and athletic lifestyle is one of the city's lesser known features.
Rick

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  • From: The Gates of Delerium
  • Registered: 2008-05-07
  • Posts: 1,412

Re: going to San Diego. Need advice on guitar stores.

Also check out Carvin. You could order a guitar built to your own preferences.

http://www.carvinguitars.com/

Major Tom to ground control...
  • SgtB
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  • Registered: 2009-03-08
  • Posts: 309

Re: going to San Diego. Need advice on guitar stores.

Search guitar centers website for used guitars. You should be able to find a nice burst R8 or R9 at the price range. Also don't forget www.craiglist.com you might find some killer deals on there if you have cash.
California is great. I was stationed out there in the corps. If you make it to San Bernadino area make sure you go to the Branding Iron. It's a great bar and I guarantee you'll have fun. There's a guitar center close too.

Gibson Collectors Choice #6
Joe Bonamassa Custom Shop Goldtop Unaged 1st run
Alvarez Acoustic '95
Gibson Skylark GA5-T '65, Marshall JTM45 Reissue, Fender Princton Reverb '72, Modded Bugera V5, Fender Bandmaster '68, Marshall Silver Jubilee 2558

6 Reply by ZeyerGTR (edited by ZeyerGTR 2012-10-08 16:32:12)

  • From: Orlando, FL
  • Registered: 2010-04-15
  • Posts: 1,374

Re: going to San Diego. Need advice on guitar stores.

RICjunkie wrote:

Also check out Carvin. You could order a guitar built to your own preferences.

http://www.carvinguitars.com/

I was going to suggest that.  Since they sell direct, I haven't had a chance to actually play very many Carvins, but I'd love to go to their showroom and take a bunch for a spin.

I don't know if they're still in business, their site is down, but a friend of mine bought a guitar from Fine Guitar Consultants many years ago and it sounded like an amazing experience.  They basically blindfold you and bring you a bunch of guitars to try out to see what you like, then slowly whittle down your choices to find exactly what grabs you.  They carried all really nice, high-end, custom-built type of stuff.
http://local.yahoo.com/info-20905722-fi … -san-diego

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