Author Topic: Anyone bought a guitar on-line from Turnkey UK ?? (Read 2092 times)

axg20202 · « **on:** April 03, 2008, 07:46:32 PM »

I have never bought a guitar on-line before and really don't like the idea at all, but my work and family life means I just don't have the time to browse shops and try out 20 guitars any more. Has anyone bought a guitar mailorder from Turnkey (Soho Soundhouse) in London sight unseen? If so, what was your experience? I've bought studio kit from them before, but not guitars. What do you reckon my chances are of getting a lemon (I'm buying a new 2008 US strat)? (I'm aware of the remote purchase laws for returns)

Any advice welcome.

Thanks.

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #1 on:** April 03, 2008, 07:53:46 PM »

I bought my '72 Tele Custom from Turnkey while casually browsing round Denmark St. - had them mail it back to my home address in Newcastle, arrived safe and sound. It's a great guitar too, had it about 5+ years.

Antag · « **Reply #2 on:** April 03, 2008, 07:56:56 PM »

I've bought from Turnkey before - they're a well established reliable company, & last time I looked their site shows whether the item is in stock.

However, you've no way of knowing whether the guitar you get will be a "nice" one or a total dud. There's no substitute for going to a shop & playing/inspecting/handling the guitar yourself. If it's a significant/rare/important purchase can you really not spare a half day to dive into London & buy it?

Personally speaking, the only guitar I'd buy unseen would be something with "Jackson (Made in USA)" on the headstock or something that took shape from a custom order form to one of 2 or 3 other companies... :)

Afghan Dave · « **Reply #3 on:** April 03, 2008, 07:59:51 PM »

Sorry I can't fully answer your question but..

I know Turnkey operate a sort of "pile em high" attitude to their products and purchase fast selling lines in bulk. I don't for one minute think that any product is fully set-up prior to dispatch.

The good thing is that on a new 08 USA (upgrade) Strat the quality control should be good straight from the factory so the chance of a lemon is reduced from the off.

My opinion would be that if the Turnkey price is right, go for it but if you can find cheaper online - do that and spend the savings on a quality set-up.

Good luck.

axg20202 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 03, 2008, 08:18:59 PM »

Thanks guys. Yes, it's always preferably to see it and play it and take it home. Price is actually an issue - they price match to anyone who has the item in stock, but will only match on-line prices if you buy on-line. Another reason for wanting to buy this way. As for setup, I don't really care about this because I do my own set ups and happily do pretty much all work apart from broken necks or refrets (I've never had the need or inclination to do either). As long as she plays true, no warped neck or other issues that a full setup can't address, I'll be happy. Still think I should go for it?

Sifu Ben · « **Reply #5 on:** April 03, 2008, 10:44:37 PM »

Quote from: axg20202

, no warped neck or other issues that a full setup can't address,

Surely then the item would be faulty and you would be entitled to just send it back?

bmulroney · « **Reply #6 on:** April 04, 2008, 11:40:35 AM »

I bought my Les Paul Standard from them about three years ago. They spent a bit of time on the phone, ensuring that the one they picked out for me was what I wanted. Very happy with the guitar, price and service throughout. Now that it has zebra mules loaded in, it is a great guitar.

Gary · « **Reply #7 on:** April 04, 2008, 04:55:25 PM »

Bought my US Strat from them in 2004. I tried about a dozen, most were fine and the staff were pretty good but one or two had problems (the guitars, not the sales guys). Got a price match as well with no problems and strap locks thrown in. If I were buying online I'd worry about ending up with one of the dodgy ones.

Dreichlift · « **Reply #8 on:** April 05, 2008, 04:15:02 PM »

I've used Turnkey for a number of items and always been satisfied, also they often offer good advice as they were the ones that turned me on to Feline Guitars and BKP.

axg20202 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 05, 2008, 05:47:53 PM »

Well guys, thanks for the comments. I ended up going into Turnkey today and came away with a brand new 2008 US strat. I just couldn't bare to shop on-line for it. I had the opportunity to compare the rosewood (which is what I originally had my sights set on) and the maple neck, both in the olympic white finish. What can I say - they both looked great and played amazingly - I was blown away by these new strats. Believe me when I say that there is no comparison between these and the 2007 models. Definitely a return to the glory years for Fender here. I was sceptical of the hype but they really are that good. Amazingly resonant and great sustain. I'm so glad I spent the extra and didn't cheap out on the now fairly heavily discounted 2007 US model. I'm also surprised that I'm not in any hurry to replace the stock pickups, which are actually really good. I'm going to hold off for a few months before I decide whether to BKP her up! Will definitely need to add two more trem springs though.

I actually came away with the maple neck version, because it looked so damn sexy against the white body. It was definitely a hair brighter sounding than the rosewood, but I was digging the janglier tone.

Turnkey matched the price to a very good on-line price I found. Couldn't fault the service and it's a pleasure to get guitar sales people that don't have the 'failed rock star' ego and attitude that many seem to have.

Conclusion - I still wont buy a guitar on-line.

Jonny · « **Reply #10 on:** April 05, 2008, 05:56:42 PM »

Pics. Pics. Pics. Pics. Pics. Pics. Pics. Pics.

:)

nfe · « **Reply #11 on:** April 05, 2008, 10:10:29 PM »

Just so folks know, if you buy anything online from Soundcontrol or Turnkey the item could actually be sent out from any branch of either company. It may well have been on the wall for quite some time in a store. Both mail order departments are run from the Soundcontrol Glasgow West store and the guys in there virtually NEVER see the stock they are sending to customers, they basically process the sale, ring another shop and have them do the rest.

Soho Soundhouse, while also part of the Soundcontrol company operates as a seperate entity and I'm not sure exactly how they do stuff.

axg20202 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 07, 2008, 12:06:47 PM »

Yeah, I discovered that the two companies were connected when one of my e-mails bounced because of an automatic (silent) e-mail redirector to an address at Soundcontrol that obviously no longer exists. On-line sales is box moving, nothing more. This is what prompted me to ditch the idea of buying it this way.

I'll post some pics of my new axe when I get a chance. I'm loving it so far though. It was great stock, but I have already swapped the tuners for a set of Fender/Schaller locking tuners and also replaced the nut for a Tusq type because I noticed the stock nut was grabbing the strings slightly when using the trem. The only minor gripe I have of the new strat model is that they still haven't addressed the whammy bar and how it screws into the block. If only they had taken a leaf out of Callaham's book. This design flaw has been with the strat for generations. They designed a new block for this model, but failed to address this simple problem. Not a big deal for me though. Anyway, I'm still loving the sound and playability of this guitar. I just need to decide whether it's really worth swapping the block for a Callaham. Maybe not. I still have no complaints about the stock pickups, which are fine, so I'll wait until I'm GAS'ing to upgrade them just to try something new.