buying in the USA

[Stevepage]

Hey guys I'll be in Florida for my 22nd birthday this year (July) and because it might be the last family holiday my parents are thinking of getting me a guitar whilst in Florida. So I have two questions.

1. Are there any good guitar store in Florida, near the Disney Land resort?

2. Will I have to pay anything to get the guitar with me on the Plane and back home?

[TwilightOdyssey]

Florida is taken up by two industries -- Disney and NASA.

You will probably have to leave Orlando to find a decent music store. Not from Florida, so I can't advise you further.

[kellar]

Most definitely. The largest music store chain in America is called GuitarCenter and there is one in Orlando, as well as many other locations in Florida. If you want a guitar or anything to do with guitars, go there. Check out there website, www.guitarcenter.com.

[PhilKing]

Whether you have to pay to bring it back depends on the airline and your ticket.  You might have to pay import duty too.  Customs are likely to notice a nice new guitar.

Personally I am not a guitar center fan as I find them overpriced (especially on secondhand gear), and they have the large shop mentality.  However they do have a large selection of gear and the prices will be way less than the UK.  Just remember though that if you do end up paying duty and VAT, it could add up to 25% to your price.

[Dakine]

I am in Texas not Florida but do some web searching before you go as there should be alot of shops. Some will depend upon brand you are looking for. Use manufacturers websites to give dealer names in Florida then check their respective sites.
As for coming back.
I usually have to check my guitars (all dependant on flight/carrier/crew etc.) but if ya bank on putting it in the hold then anything else is GRAVY! Therefore a hardcase is a MUST!
Also, if ya can, scuff the case abit or buy used. I have not once been stopped by Customs in UK (not that it would do em any good as am UK Citizen and US resident but still).

I too am not a Guitar Center fan, or any big chain ala Sam Ash, but doubtless they are worth a look as are very big and good to browse.
Alot depends on what you are looking for. GC carries some main brands (alot dependant on location as some have Bogner/Diezel etc.) like Schecter,Fender,Gibson,Jackson etc. But many have been handled by countless 13yo snotty Greenday humping teens with ginormous belt buckles and such aka are fecked!

Any specific info. post/pm and will try and help a little if can.

[keith]

Hi check out Georges Music 6817 Visitors Circle on or near Internatinal Drive.
cheers
keith

[hunter]

On my holidays I went to http://www.mae-music.com/

Very nice shop, cool dudes too!

Get that Lenny Kravitz autographed '74 Flying V  :P

[kevin]

Personally I am not a guitar center fan as I find them overpriced (especially on secondhand gear), and they have the large shop mentality.

I find that they usually sell pretty cheap since they buy in such large quantities that they are able to go well below the MSRP. I know a lot of "mom and pop" will sell at the MSRP, which is usually pretty high compared to Guitar Center's prices. But, you're probably right on the used aspect.

In response to the original poster, I think if you search around the web you might find some good shops that will carry the more interesting (read: non-name brand) products. Stuff you might be hard pressed to find in your country of origin. So, definitely do some research. If you're on a budge, Guitar Center won't be too bad and they do have a fairly large selection of name-brand products.

[mikeluke]

Speaking from experience of buying from Guitar Center - make sure that you look VERY CAREFULLY at the guitar before you buy it - I looked at 3 Les Pauls before I found one that did not have some sort of flaw in it.

In terms of bringing in back to the UK - I have brought back about 4 or 5 guitars and never had an issue - my advice would be to ensure that the music store gives you the box as well as the case, get some bubble wrap and a big roll of tape from Office Center (Staples or similar) and take a couple of large, pre-printed home address labels with you. Stick large amounts of tape around the box, plus the labels, to make it look at least a little used and head through security with your fingers crossed!  

Also - make sure that you remove all tags, etc from the guitar bag or case, so that you can at least argue that it is not brand new....

[PhilKing]

Personally I am not a guitar center fan as I find them overpriced (especially on secondhand gear), and they have the large shop mentality.

I find that they usually sell pretty cheap since they buy in such large quantities that they are able to go well below the MSRP. I know a lot of "mom and pop" will sell at the MSRP, which is usually pretty high compared to Guitar Center's prices. But, you're probably right on the used aspect.

I guess they are cheap on new stuff compared to some small shops.  My local shop tries to come in around Musicians Friend price which is usually less than Cuitar Center.  In the used gear, they seem to price everything as top quiality collectable vintage, whether or not it really is.  

The good thing there is that you are usually left alone to browse as the staff are hanging about talking to each other.

[TwilightOdyssey]

Guitar Center is teh suxx0rz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!