Anybody know Guitar Gallerie in Spokane?
L. Machado
>What does anybody know about Guitar Gallerie in Spokane?
a few months ago, i happened upon GG during a business trip. my friend
persuaded me to go in just to take a look. the guy who helped me, i wish i
could find his business card, could not have been more helpful. i played my
first goodall guitar that day, and i was blown away (by the guitar, not my
playing!). what a beautiful selection of instruments they have there, and a
pleasant staff. WHEN i buy a goodall, it will certainly be from them.
good luck,
Lorene
Michael Neverisky
I know that they have a very innovative, agressive marketing
campaign. As I understand it, if a traveler flies to Spokane and
buys a handmade guitar from Guitar Gallerie, the merchant will
refund 1/2 the air fare. Any takers?
-
Michael Neverisky
KJR...@prodigy.com
CraigM498
Ross Bethel
On 21 Apr 1995, CraigM498 wrote:
> What does anybody know about Guitar Gallerie in Spokane?
>
>
I have been there once last summer. They don't really carry
as many brands as their add says. I asked Jim Olson if they
were a dealer of his guitars. He said in the past they have ordered
a few of his guitars and sold them at a slight mark-up. I think
their main brand is Larrivee, but they also carry Thompson, SCCG,
a few Lowden, and some others. It's a nice store and the owner
is very helpful and informed. I think they also do a fair amount
of mail order, but I'm not sure.
Hope this helps,
JLipman191
though them. He sent them his guitar to trade on another guitar. He
subsequently decided not to get the new guitar and returned it and had
Guitar Gallerie sell his guitar on consignment. He told me that they gave
him a bit of a hard sell to keep the new guitar (which is to expected to
some degree). The problem was that they did not send him his money until
about a month after they sold his guitar and then sent him a bad check.
(according to my friend they said it was an administrative error). When
they sent him another check it was for about $100 less than it should have
been.
This is all what I was told and can't verify any ot it.
Joe
GmagicB
instruments. I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them.
Magic.
DaveWe
helpful over the telephone. The have a pretty interesting brochure you can
get, plus a video that's interesting. They in fact carry quite a few
brands, most notably Goodall, Breedlove, Collings, SCGC, Lowden, Larrivee,
etc.
Dave
Allen Kaatz
The guy who started this shop some years ago was a bona-fide psyco...
carried a gun in his briefcase, was abusive to customers, etc... I
assume the shop now has new management (they relocated from Seattle to
Spokane) ...but until I knew for sure I would stay far, far, away.
Try Elderly in Michigan, they are good people.
--
Allen Kaatz (high...@eskimo.com)
*** "Enjoy yourself - it's later than you think!" (Prince Buster, 1963) ***
Daniel A. Johnson
>What does anybody know about Guitar Gallerie in Spokane?
I've been there about 3 or 4 times. They have a fine collection of hand made
and small production builders. I think Larivee is the highest volume builder
they carry. I won't try to list all the guitars I've seen there, but there are
always several by Collings, Santa Cruz, Breedlove, Webber, a couple of Dobros,
lots of Larivees, and I believe I've seen Goodall, Froggy Bottom, Thompson,
and several other 'boutique types' whose names slip me right now. As you
might be able to tell from this partial list, they
seem to have a good range of prices within this premium line, from [relatively]
affordable to high end.
I recall he told me a couple of years ago that they are trying to have at least
a few instruments on hand that aren't as expensive as the hand made ones, but
still stay within the 'fine guitar' or hand-made niche. You
won't find entry level guitars, but it seems that they try to keep a few
nice used ones and, every once in a while, less expensive new ones from the
higher volume companies. For instance, at one time, he had a few Simon And
Patricks in stock which he felt were an excellent value, but true to their
niche. Haven't seen them there lately though - don't know if it is because
of availability, dissatisfaction, or what. On my last trip, I played a couple
of very nice, used Gibsons, I believe Martin and Guild 12 strings and a couple
of others. I don't recall seeing 'vintage' or collectable guitars.
Most importantly, they have a strictly 'hands-on' policy. Barring any large
belt buckles or hardware on your shirt or jacket, you are made very welcome and
encouraged to roam around their three parlor-style rooms and pick away at
these gems to your heart's content. I've never met the owner, but the
manager, Rick Rubin is very cordial and ÿfree with his advice without sales
pressure.
As for price, I can't really say, since I was not really price shopping
(being from the frozen interior of Alaska, I was just happy to have the
opportunity to shop for fine guitars, I'll admit I wasn't looking to save the
last $50). Rick was quick to discount the Webber I bought a couple of years
ago. I am extremely pleased with the guitar and service first and foremost,
but am also equally happy with what I think is a very fair price. In fact, I'm
more pleased as the years pass and I learn even more what great guitars sound
like and sell for.
Toll free number: 800 346-9042.
Dan Johnson, no affiliation, just a happy customer.
Ken Ewing
>jlipm...@aol.com (JLipman191) writes:
>
>>The only thing I know is from an acquaintance of mine who traded a guitar
>>though them. He sent them his guitar to trade on another guitar. He
>>subsequently decided not to get the new guitar and returned it and had
>>Guitar Gallerie sell his guitar on consignment. He told me that they gave
>>him a bit of a hard sell to keep the new guitar (which is to expected to
>>some degree). The problem was that they did not send him his money until
>>about a month after they sold his guitar and then sent him a bad check.
>>(according to my friend they said it was an administrative error). When
>>they sent him another check it was for about $100 less than it should have
>>been.
>
>The guy who started this shop some years ago was a bona-fide psyco...
>carried a gun in his briefcase, was abusive to customers, etc... I
>assume the shop now has new management (they relocated from Seattle to
>Spokane) ...but until I knew for sure I would stay far, far, away.
>
(Maybe this will turn into another "Podium in Minneapolis" thread...)
I can't speak to the history of of the Guitar Gallerie, but I will say
a word about my two visits there.
I got a rather favorable impression of the store. I don't live in
Spokane, but I pass through Spokane on my visits to north Idaho. Last
summer, after seeing an ad in Fingerstyle Guitar, I decided to check out
the store. On my first visit I met Rick Rubin, who had a column on
guitar construction in the first few editions of Fingerstyle. He was
very pleasant and helpful. He didn't act like a salesman at all, and
we spent an 1.5 hours rapping about guitars. This also was my first
ever exposure to custom-built guitars. I played on quite a few: Lowden,
Goodall, Larivee, Breedlove, Santa Cruz. I was awestruck! The quality
of these instruments compared to my rather nice Alvarez was astounding.
I walked out with an armload of literature and a personal commitment
to own one of these instruments someday.
On my way back through Spokane I stopped again at the store. This time
there was a different guy there (I forget his name). This guy's priority
was clearly "salesman first." He wanted to sell a guitar...today. Of
course, I wasn't looking to buy today, but I still spent another 1.5 hours
playing on guitars again and did answer a bunch of questions I had gestated
since my first visit only a few days earlier.
In my limited experience, I would do business with Guitar Gallery. But
now I am curious to hear other people's experiences.
Ken Ewing
Sequent Computer Systems, Inc.
Beaverton, Oregon
ke...@sequent.com
...!uunet!sequent!kene
dyk...@aa.wl.com
> What does anybody know about Guitar Gallerie in Spokane?
Hummm... curious... As I recall, a Craig Meecham (sp?) used to be the owner
(or manager?) of the Guitar Gallery. Could the Craig M. who posted this
question be one and the same doing some "advertising success" market research???
How 'bout it Craig M.?? What's up??
Jim
(Usual disclaimer about my opinion not representing my employer's...)
GmagicB
regarding Guitar Gallerie took place prior to the current ownership of
thge operation. I've been dealing with these guys fora couple of years
now, and they are among the most knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful
people out there. And with a bias toward the finest instruments, as well.
As I've stated earlier on this thread, I wouldn't hesitate to order an
instrument from them, and frankly those of us who are constantly looking
for that great hadmade instrument are fortunate to have such stores as
Guitar Gallerie, Local Music, etc. out there.
Daniel A. Johnson
a response:
>>The guy who started this shop some years ago was a bona-fide psyco...
>>carried a gun in his briefcase, was abusive to customers, etc... I
>>assume the shop now has new management (they relocated from Seattle to
>>Spokane)
They are. This comment is interesting. I first visited the place in Spokane
in around '90. The guy behind the counter was kind of an asshole. I'm not a
great picker, but when I played a couple of guitars, the guy made comments
about how poor I was and that I wasn't playing the guitar right, etc. Kind of
kept me away from trying out nice guitars for a couple of years, what with
wanting to to embarass myself again. Luckily,
I'm a slow learner, give folks a second chance, etc., so I...
Went back in about '93. Met current manager Rick Rubin. Treated like a king.
I have also talked to the owner a couple of times on the phone. He seemed
really nice to - evidently he only mans the shop when Rick has a day off.
Interestingly, when I mentioned to them that I'd been in before, they made
fairly subtle inquiries into how I'd been treated and seemed to imply that the
previous owner was well known for encounters such that I'd had a few years ago.
One of the other customers wasn't quite so tactful. Said something like "You
met XXX? What a jerk he was. Nearly drove every customer out of the place"
I won't repeat the long gushing post I made last week, but I will repeat my
strong recommendation to check them out either by phone or in person. Was back
this March and found the same great selection and treatment by Rick.
Dan
BAYTRADER
cutaway etc. Also, assmume they ae custom made...true?
regards,
Bay
BAYTRADER
still in biz? They used to make some good ones. What's your recommendation
for the top choice for Acoustic Jazz?
rgds,
Bay
Kurt Listug
selling more guitars than ever. Jim Goodall lives in Hawaii, and
also makes very nice guitars.
Santa Cruz can be reached at (408) 425-0999. Jim Goddall can be
reached at (808) 329-8237.
Kurt Listug
Taylor Guitars