Seeing any New Hartford F512s in shops? Any you'd recommend?

[devellis]

Hey folks, I'm getting close to the point of being ready to get a new F512. It's pretty hard to tell, for the most part, whether online dealerships actually have this model in stock or are just listing what they can order. In an ideal world, I'd buy locally and get to try out the guitar before committing. In a somewhat-less-than-ideal world, I'd buy a guitar from a an online source after a knowledgeable LTG member could lay on hands and give me an evaluation. In a less desirable world, I'd go with a guitar that no one had actually played but that someone knew was actually in stock at a dealership they knew and trusted. In an undesirable world, I'm stuck with calling a gazillion dealers, trying as best I can to determine whether the guitar is actually in stock; then if it is, having it shipped; and hoping I can reach a reasonable conclusion about it before the evaluation period is up. I'd really like to go for the middle ground(s) here, because the shopping-locally option is pretty much a non-starter as best as I can determine and I'd rather not shoot completely blindly.

So, if anyone has seen a Connecticut F512 in a local shop recently, please let me know. If you have played it (or could play it) and give me an evaluation, even better. If not, your assessment of the dealership would still be helpful.

A couple of online dealers that might have one (haven't called them yet) are Steve's Music Center in Rock Hill, NY and Fuller's Music in Houston, TX. If anyone is nearby and either has experience with those dealers or could perhaps stick a head in, I'd appreciate any information you could send my way, either in response to this thread or by PM/email.

It'll probably be about a month before I get the cash to make this happen but I want to start narrowing down my options now, as it could happen a bit sooner.

Any help (or suggestions for an alternative strategy if I'm not going about this optimally) would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks much.

 

[adorshki]

In an undesirable world, I'm stuck with calling a gazillion dealers, trying as best I can to determine whether the guitar is actually in stock; then if it is, having it shipped; and hoping I can reach a reasonable conclusion about it before the evaluation period is up.
Thanks much.

Welcome to the undesirable world! :lol: But seriously, if you're considering the "pig in a poke" route anyway, what about a local dealer (as opposed to a distant dealer) ordering one for you? If nothing else it would cut down on logistic problems (for you) in case of problems, right? Is the "shopping locally a non-starter" due to lack of authorized merchants? You have my sympathies, I think you saw my observations recently regarding "where ARE the guitars?"

 

[dapmdave]

In an undesirable world, I'm stuck with calling a gazillion dealers, trying as best I can to determine whether the guitar is actually in stock; then if it is, having it shipped; and hoping I can reach a reasonable conclusion about it before the evaluation period is up.
Thanks much.

Welcome to the undesirable world! :lol: But seriously, if you're considering the "pig in a poke" route anyway, what about a local dealer (as opposed to a distant dealer) ordering one for you? If nothing else it would cut down on logistic problems (for you) in case of problems, right? Is the "shopping locally a non-starter" due to lack of authorized merchants? You have my sympathies, I think you saw my observations recently regarding "where ARE the guitars?"

Just something to consider: If you order online, any further issues which may come could easily be difficult to deal with. It's well worth the additional (if any) cost to have a dealer on your side and in your town.

Good luck with the hunt.

Dave

 

[chazmo]

Bob,

Bill Ashton and I were banging around on a new one in Union Music in Worcester. Very, very, very nice. I'll PM you the contact info. If you decide you might want to proceed, I will go back in and have a very close look-see for you.

 

[GardMan]

You also might contact Bing at Guitars of Montana... he's a member here, and other members have glowing reports about his service.

 

[chazmo]

(ditto what GardMan said)

 

[6L6]

You also might contact Bing at Guitars of Montana... he's a member here, and other members have glowing reports about his service.

_________________

+1

 

[jazzmang]

You also might contact Bing at Guitars of Montana... he's a member here, and other members have glowing reports about his service.

+2... because thats how many Guilds I've bought from Bing! He's a great guy to deal with!

 

[Cashdog]

Good luck with the hunt Bob. I'm not too far from Charlotte, so if you find something down this way let me know. I should be able to check it out for you to see if it's worth your drive. I'll keep my eyes open, but as you know they aren't exactly plentiful around here.

Mark

 

[devellis]

Looks like the deal is done. I checked a few of the recommendations folks made and the pieces all came together with the F512 Chazmo tried out in Worcester. It should be here Friday. Details and pictures to,follow if all goes well.

 

[chazmo]

Wow, outstanding, Bob! I'm really glad to hear it. You're gonna' love it.

So... what... I'm not delivering it to you at LMG??