Hello,
Couple weeks ago I visited USA. Besides all my business things I wanted to buy (because of low USD rates) some analog synth(I need it for live performance) - Clavia, Access, MS2000, ION etc. I visited Guitar Center in Modesto, CA. I was shocked by two things - there was NO analog synths (except microKORG) in the store. All approximately 20 synths was mainly KORGs - Tritons A, B, LE, Tritons bla bla. No Clavia, Access, Novation, Alesis, even MS2000!!! Second surprise was salesman. He didn't knew nothing about previous mentioned synths. About MS2000 he said, - hmmm...I don't know this synth. Probably it's very new model, that's why we don't have it...Alesis ION??? Hmm, never didn't heard about it etc...It's common for Guitar Center shops?
o.
some story about Guitar Center
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TechnoWeeniePas TechnoWeeniePas https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=27990
- KVRist
- 411 posts since 2 Jun, 2004 from Colorado
Yes and no. The local Guitar Center doesnt have very knowlageable sales people either but at least they have an IONoverflow wrote:Guitar Center shops?
However I have been to guitar centers all over the country...and prob about half of them have people that know what they are talking about...maybe more...but prob not.As for the equipment there thats prity standard stuff. Most stores only carry what will fly off the shelf easy and will make "special orders" to get anything they dont have. It makes sence if you think about it...dont want to be stuck with some synth gathering dust that you cant sell.
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 358 posts since 19 Feb, 2003
I was thinked that synths under 1000$ (MS2000, ION, some Clavia tabletops) is best selling boxes. Never thinked that all those Tritons Extreme, Pro etc is best selling synths...
peace,
o.
btw., salesman said that "in near neighbourhood" they don't have any virtual analogs...
peace,
o.
btw., salesman said that "in near neighbourhood" they don't have any virtual analogs...
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TechnoWeeniePas TechnoWeeniePas https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=27990
- KVRist
- 411 posts since 2 Jun, 2004 from Colorado
Depends. Most people that go to shops like Guitar Center (rash generilzation ahead) arent the same type that would buy such synths. Alot of the people there are looking for one synth that will cover their needs...enter the giant rompler synths. Most people that want a VA synth are the type that would either special order it or order it from a less expensive mail order company.overflow wrote:I was thinked that synths under 1000$ (MS2000, ION, some Clavia tabletops) is best selling boxes. Never thinked that all those Tritons Extreme, Pro etc is best selling synths...
Please note that that is a personal view and by no means is to be taken as fact
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- KVRAF
- 3745 posts since 29 Sep, 2002 from Killafornia
The GC in Concord CA, and San Francisco CA have Moogs sometimes laying around for people to try. Plus the other synths you mentioned. So I guess it depends what GC you go to.
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Stupid American Pig Stupid American Pig https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=4753 - KVRAF
- 7065 posts since 25 Nov, 2002 from not sure
one thing that I noticed about the couple of guitar centers I have visited, is that they stock on the basis of demand. at my local GC in Houston, they have a very extensive keyboard section, with moogs, old sequential synths, all the korg "analog" synths, along with the tritons and stage pianos. I went to the GC in north houston, where there is not quite as much "culture", and the synth collection is much sparser. it doesnt make sense for store to stock things that will not sell.
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- KVRAF
- 1644 posts since 18 Mar, 2004 from Lincoln, CA
I used to work at Guitar Center in San Francisco back in 1998.
People that work at GC are just like you and me--musicians with a passion for music, and would hope that one day they could get signed and quit that sales job. The only difference between you and a GC salesperson is that the GC sales person chose to work there because:
A)He's not qualified to something that paid better.
B)He really wants that employee discount so he can buy more gear for his music.
C)He actually enjoys being a salesperson and around all that gear all day.
With that said, it's no surprise that some of them don't know the gear they're selling. It could be because:
A)He's new to the job or department. Hasn't had time to do his homework yet.
B)He would rather be in another department, but that department is full. So, he's stuck in pro audio/keyboards, when all he really wants is to be in the guitar department.
C)He really couldn't give a shit. He's there for the paycheck, and would much rather be at home making his own music.
As as far as stocking analog synths--well they just aren't that popular with the mainstream. GC afterall, is a big shopping mall for the general musical public--not a specialty store that deals with specialty instruments.
People that work at GC are just like you and me--musicians with a passion for music, and would hope that one day they could get signed and quit that sales job. The only difference between you and a GC salesperson is that the GC sales person chose to work there because:
A)He's not qualified to something that paid better.
B)He really wants that employee discount so he can buy more gear for his music.
C)He actually enjoys being a salesperson and around all that gear all day.
With that said, it's no surprise that some of them don't know the gear they're selling. It could be because:
A)He's new to the job or department. Hasn't had time to do his homework yet.
B)He would rather be in another department, but that department is full. So, he's stuck in pro audio/keyboards, when all he really wants is to be in the guitar department.
C)He really couldn't give a shit. He's there for the paycheck, and would much rather be at home making his own music.
As as far as stocking analog synths--well they just aren't that popular with the mainstream. GC afterall, is a big shopping mall for the general musical public--not a specialty store that deals with specialty instruments.
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- KVRAF
- 2017 posts since 21 Mar, 2002 from Hutchinson, Kansas
I get at least five calls a week from the local Guitar Center asking me questions about this software or that synthesizer, usually while the customer is standing there waiting for an answer from their "knowledgable" sales staff.
And, truth be told, the guy running the keyboard/software section is more knowledgable than most retail sales staff I have met (at least he has the "knowledge" to call someone who might know the answer
). This fellow actually does know a little something or two about synthesizers, and has railed to me with some frequency how Guitar Center demands that he stock certain keyboards (mostly Roland and Korg wankstations).
I think maybe Guitar Center feel that anyone who wants something more "obscure" will order it from their online "Musician's Friend" catalogue.
And, truth be told, the guy running the keyboard/software section is more knowledgable than most retail sales staff I have met (at least he has the "knowledge" to call someone who might know the answer
). This fellow actually does know a little something or two about synthesizers, and has railed to me with some frequency how Guitar Center demands that he stock certain keyboards (mostly Roland and Korg wankstations). I think maybe Guitar Center feel that anyone who wants something more "obscure" will order it from their online "Musician's Friend" catalogue.
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Stupid American Pig Stupid American Pig https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=4753
- KVRAF
- 7065 posts since 25 Nov, 2002 from not sure
I am of the opinion that the demand for analog type synths is greater in europe, since in general their pop music seems to be slightly more electronic sounding/influenced than the US.