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Post by Lesterstrat on May 6, 2020 21:24:30 GMT -5
Ordered a Peavey Bandit 112 for playing around the house. I got it on sale for $383 from GC. It came in yesterday and as soon as I turned it on all I got was a LOUD white noise type sound. Called GC to exchange it and was told they’re not doing exchanges right now and that they would refund and then I’d have to re-order. Well, guess what the price now? Yup, back to $449.99.
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Post by Leftee on May 6, 2020 21:43:07 GMT -5
Bummer!
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Post by Lesterstrat on May 6, 2020 22:04:17 GMT -5
That’s exactly what Master Lebus said when I told him!
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Post by LTB on May 7, 2020 0:58:50 GMT -5
How convenient for Guitar Center. That is crappy of them
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Post by Lesterstrat on May 7, 2020 5:08:46 GMT -5
Yeah, I’m not going to re-order unless they honor the sale price.
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Post by Leftee on May 7, 2020 5:26:13 GMT -5
I didn’t realize they were up to $449 these days. 😮
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Post by Auf Kiltre on May 7, 2020 8:39:03 GMT -5
Well that's some crappy customer service. When I was on the hunt for my new Gretsch I called Guitar Center and pretty much verified they find stock at an available store and have the order shipped from there. Couldn't verify shop wear, how long it may have been wanked on, etc. Turned me off and I looked elsewhere. The only way I'll buy from them is from an in store/hands on purchase.
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Post by funkykikuchiyo on May 7, 2020 11:08:33 GMT -5
Ordered a Peavey Bandit 112 for playing around the house. I got it on sale for $383 from GC. It came in yesterday and as soon as I turned it on all I got was a LOUD white noise type sound. Called GC to exchange it and was told they’re not doing exchanges right now and that they would refund and then I’d have to re-order. Well, guess what the price now? Yup, back to $449.99. .... except, that's not an "exchange", which implies you simply didn't like your purchase and were thinking better of it, or that the "defect" was a matter of opinion, and not pretty obvious. I'd call back and ask to speak to someone else. It is possible whoever you got on the phone didn't realize the price would be different when you go to reorder, too. He/she might not have been the sharpest knife in the drawer, another reason to call again.
The "no exchange" rule is likely implemented to avoid gear boomeranging back to those places as a safety measure due to COVID-19. Some customers exploit return policies like crazy to try to home demo stuff or come up with crazy reasons why instruments need to be returned. You might just need to talk to someone who knows the difference in this case.
If you can't win, then get a refund and buy somewhere else. We get bad customer service when we don't ask for good customer service, and then again when we refuse to vote with our dollars afterward.
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Post by LTB on May 7, 2020 20:17:24 GMT -5
Yeah, I’m not going to re-order unless they honor the sale price. Well splatter your review of guitar center on their site as well as other forums or sites GC might lurk (if there is one)
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Post by Lesterstrat on May 8, 2020 5:53:05 GMT -5
I’ll probably just go back to using Sweetwater. I *generally* have better luck with them. Or, I’ll just wait until the local shops can re-open. I’m in no hurry, I just want to find a decent sounding SS for noodling around at home.
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Post by snakeboy on May 8, 2020 8:10:25 GMT -5
I'd take a Boss Katana over a Bandit every day of the week and twice on Sundays.
Way cheaper.....better sounding (IMO).....all the effects you could want......
And Sweetwater > GC.
Yup.
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Post by Duke on May 8, 2020 8:12:44 GMT -5
I’ll probably just go back to using Sweetwater. I like Sweetwater. I usually "test drive" at GC or somewhere then order from Sweetwater with the extended 2 yr warranty.
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Post by Auf Kiltre on May 8, 2020 10:03:23 GMT -5
I just want to find a decent sounding SS for noodling around at home. I'm trying to remember, weren't you a big fan of the tweed Pro Jr.? Not that even a Pro Jr. can get unruly.
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Post by Lesterstrat on May 8, 2020 21:42:28 GMT -5
I just want to find a decent sounding SS for noodling around at home. I'm trying to remember, weren't you a big fan of the tweed Pro Jr.? Not that even a Pro Jr. can get unruly. Yes, when it comes to tube amps, I’m a Fender guy through and through. I LOVED my Twin Reverb (both of them) and my Pro Juniors (original tweed with the blue frame speaker) (Blonde USA with Eminence).
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Post by Lesterstrat on May 8, 2020 21:47:19 GMT -5
Well, I guess GC did me a favor. I ended up consulting with Sweetwater and they turned me on to the Orange Crush 35RT. After checking out some sound clips and reviews of the amp, I decided to go with that recommendation.
Saved me almost $200 over the Peavey as well. Now, I’ll keep my fingers crossed that I receive a working unit.
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Post by LTB on May 8, 2020 22:26:45 GMT -5
Well, I guess GC did me a favor. I ended up consulting with Sweetwater and they turned me on to the Orange Crush 35RT. After checking out some sound clips and reviews of the amp, I decided to go with that recommendation. Saved me almost $200 over the Peavey as well. Now, I’ll keep my fingers crossed that I receive a working unit. I haven't had one problem with stuff from Sweetwater. I guess it is possible but with them you get a 2 year warranty for free. Don't think they will do you like GC did. If you have an issue they take care of it and not give you money back because the cost of the item has gone up.
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Post by Lesterstrat on May 8, 2020 23:10:01 GMT -5
Well, I guess GC did me a favor. I ended up consulting with Sweetwater and they turned me on to the Orange Crush 35RT. After checking out some sound clips and reviews of the amp, I decided to go with that recommendation. Saved me almost $200 over the Peavey as well. Now, I’ll keep my fingers crossed that I receive a working unit. I haven't had one problem with stuff from Sweetwater. I guess it is possible but with them you get a 2 year warranty for free. Don't think they will do you like GC did. If you have an issue they take care of it and not give you money back because the cost of the item has gone up. I’ve had the same experience as you with Sweetwater in the past. They’re almost always who I deal with if I order online. This GC experience just reaffirms why I’m usually reluctant to deal with them.
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Post by LTB on May 9, 2020 0:12:07 GMT -5
I don't know if they (GC) still do this but it ticked me off when I went to buy a Fender American Bass and they wanted to sell me the case that it comes from the factory in. Even their online sister Musician's Friend doesn't do that! When I complained about it they said well you can have the case (alluding to price going up) but the price we quoted was without a case and I told them I will just order it online from Musician's Friend and get it and the case for the price you want without it. They relented but it still gave me a bad taste for them.
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Post by Lesterstrat on May 9, 2020 23:25:33 GMT -5
Well, I was going to just move on and not worry with GC, but I decided to post my negative experience with the amp, and their customer service. Hopefully, that will warn others from making my mistake of trying to deal with them.
Btw, my Sweetwater rep called to see if I would be interested in the footswitch for the Orange. I realize that’s an upsale tactic, but I was glad. Frankly, I hadn’t given it any thought, but for $35 I’ll take it. Both should be here Wednesday.
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Post by stratcowboy on May 9, 2020 23:32:25 GMT -5
Yeah...it's hard to beat Sweetwater. They have the same prices, but you get to talk with real people. And they go out of their way to make sure things are right. Definitely the go-to place for on-line/mail-order.
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Post by Auf Kiltre on May 10, 2020 19:27:07 GMT -5
Another thing about Sweetwater is being able to see the actual instrument and alternate choices when they have multiple ones available, and the weight. They do sometimes not have stuff in stock that MF and GC have. I like their occasional "Sweetwater Exclusive" like the orange stain G5420T Gretsch with combo nickel and gold hardware. Good outfit.
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Post by LTB on May 10, 2020 22:55:07 GMT -5
Another thing about Sweetwater is being able to see the actual instrument and alternate choices when they have multiple ones available, and the weight. Exactly, That is how I ordered a Gibson SG and Ibanez Artcore Hollowbody archtop! Their photos are professionally done. It is a great service!
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Post by Lesterstrat on May 13, 2020 9:34:17 GMT -5
Well, the Orange and footswitch should be at the house by the time I get home from work. Hopefully, I’ll have a working amp. I only have one other amp. It’s a Peavey Vypyr. I hate that thing. I tried, but I just can’t get on board with the modeling stuff.
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Post by Lesterstrat on May 13, 2020 23:13:31 GMT -5
Pleased to report all is well and I’m pretty happy with it. I’m real surprised with the quality of the clean channel. That’s always been the downfall of SS amps, IMO. This amp is going to fit the bill just fine.
As a bonus, it’s considerably smaller than the Bandit.
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Post by LTB on May 14, 2020 0:00:50 GMT -5
Pleased to report all is well and I’m pretty happy with it. I’m real surprised with the quality of the clean channel. That’s always been the downfall of SS amps, IMO. This amp is going to fit the bill just fine. As a bonus, it’s considerably smaller than the Bandit. While true on many amps it has been true for overdriven tones even more so from my experience.
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Post by Lesterstrat on May 16, 2020 20:58:04 GMT -5
Pleased to report all is well and I’m pretty happy with it. I’m real surprised with the quality of the clean channel. That’s always been the downfall of SS amps, IMO. This amp is going to fit the bill just fine. As a bonus, it’s considerably smaller than the Bandit. While true on many amps it has been true for overdriven tones even more so from my experience. Yeah, they can be lacking when it comes to that slight break (almost to the edge) type tones. This amp does a decent job of clean to mean and everything in between. The buffered effects loop is a nice touch on a practice amp. I quit gigging in 2012, but I bet I could get by with this thing if I needed too. Hell, I used a Pro Jr. my last few years of gigging. Got tired of lugging around Twin Reverbs or Marshall half stacks. lol
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Post by rangercaster on May 21, 2020 22:00:01 GMT -5
They jus' don't make 'em like they use ta...
Them old Meridian MS,USA made boxes would peel the paint off your walls ... for at least 20 or thirty years ... then the pots might get a little scratchy ...
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Post by LTB on May 22, 2020 11:27:38 GMT -5
Yeah, they can be lacking when it comes to that slight break (almost to the edge) type tones. Tube amps sound so good overdriven because Vacuum Tubes and output transformers being so slow compared to Solid State Round off the tips of the signal which are more pleasing to listen to than SS. Solid State components are very fast and when they clip the start going into a Square Wave with the tops of the signal lopped off. This produces 3rd order Harmonics that are unpleasant to the ear. In recent years amp designers seem to be getting better at emulating the tube sounds. Not perfect be much better.
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Post by Lesterstrat on May 22, 2020 14:33:00 GMT -5
Yeah, they can be lacking when it comes to that slight break (almost to the edge) type tones. Tube amps sound so good overdriven because Vacuum Tubes and output transformers being so slow compared to Solid State Round off the tips of the signal which are more pleasing to listen to than SS. Solid State components are very fast and when they clip the start going into a Square Wave with the tops of the signal lopped off. This produces 3rd order Harmonics that are unpleasant to the ear. In recent years amp designers seem to be getting better at emulating the tube sounds. Not perfect be much better. I beg to differ. I have it from a reliable source (that Alexander Dumbbell pilgrim) that they sound better because they crystal lettuce in them.
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Post by Lesterstrat on May 22, 2020 14:35:48 GMT -5
p.s. I was going to try stuffing some in my new Orange SS amp, but I couldn’t find any of that variety of lettuce at the produce market.
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