Gear4Music? Perhaps not!
Hi,
I like to noodle around on an electric guitar ... very much a learner. For those interested, please check out www.justinguitar.com which is an amazing resource for any guitar enthusiast. Highly recommended.
Recently I've been looking to upgrade my amplifier to a combo amp which can emulate the sounds of many different types of amplifiers and effects pedals.
The products I became interested in were ...
A Line 6 Spider V 60 Combo Amp Line 6 PBV 3 Foot Advanced Foot Controller
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Line 6 Relay G10 Digital Wireless Transmitter
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Firstly I'd have to say I'd never buy a stringed instrument from an online retailer as I'd really want to put my hands on the instrument I'm going to buy before I'd part with my cash. However, with digital tech such as this I'm more than happy to buy online. So I started my research for the bundle.
Here's my initial findings with cheapest prices highlighted in green ...
So Gear4Music's only competitive on one product.
But wait it gets worse, whilst browsing the GAK site I found a bundle for the Line 6 Spider V 120 amp (the next model up in the Spider V range) combined with a Line 6 Relay G10 Transmitter for a total price of £269.
Here's a list of prices for the V 120 model across the various sites ...
So it was a no brainer to take the bundle from GAK (including a better amp). Adding the FBV 3 footpedal the total price should be £445. I contacted them via online chat and they went on to give me a reduced bundle price for the Spider V 120, G 10 Transmitter and FBV 3 footpedal for £425 including free delivery!
That's £39 cheaper than the original V 60 bundle from them and £54 cheaper than Gear4Music, plus in both cases I have a much better amp!
Maybe this is just a one off and perhaps amps aren't their speciality, but I'd suggest that anyone looking to buy an expensive amp and associated gear is going to be competent enough to perform the research that I have.
I have no position in £G4M
Best of luck
Phil
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7 comments
Thanks for the comparison post Phil. I am a music gear enthusiast and I bought most of my gear from GAK, initially because it's main shop was close to me in Brighton but I went on to buy almost all subsequent equipment from GAK because their online prices were so good and their range is massive.
I have spent many hours researching and comparing gear online over the years, admittedly less so these days. So I was intrigued by G4M and considering buying speakers I included their website in comparisons on several occasions.
In agreement with your findings, I could find no real incentive to switch to buying from G4M. I found better or comparable deals elsewhere.
Hi Phil,
Firstly, let me say I have no interest whatsoever in Gear4Music as an investment!
However, I'm a guitar player too and used to record and gig in bands when I was younger. These days my noodling is restricted to an acoustic I keep handy in the spare room to keep my other half, who is allergic to loud noises, happy... Oh how I'd love to get my old Yammie SG1000 and Burman Pro 501 combo out of storage!! :-) because I really love that amp with it's gain stages and good old British Spring reverb unit.
Anyway, thanks for your post, I'm very interested in the Line 6 gear you have highlighted (how things have changed) and will take a look at Justin's site.
All the best, Si
Hi Simoan,
Justin was described as one of the most influential people in music in a recent poll and most people have never heard of him.
He provides free educational videos that must have taken thousands of hours.
He deserves everything that comes to him.
Keep noodling
Phil
Justin was described as one of the most influential people in music in a recent poll and most people have never heard of him.
Well that's the power of the internet, social media etc. for you. Of course, some of the best guitarists are session musicians that most people have never heard of - there's not really any correlation between being famous and being a great guitar player! In my own defence, if Justin's main claim to fame is working with Katie Melua then it's not very surprising I had not heard of him :-)
BTW how have you found the Line 6 set up? Happy with it? I'm interested as I plan to set up a mini studio later this year as I edge nearer retirement and I really like the idea of linking the Line 6 guitar setup with some Focusrite (LON:TUNE) kit e.g. Novation keyboard + Mics + Scarlett I/O + Ableton Live.
All the best, Si
Hehe!
More of a view from a customer really.
It could well be that they are very competitive in other areas of their product range.
What it does show is that it is cut throat out there with online retailers looking to match and beat their competitors to get the customer order.
I'd suggest that they need to get an edge through buying at a good rate in order to be able to offer good deals.
One way to buy at a good price is to buy in bulk but if your warehouse is full then that's not an option!
Some fundamental analysis from Stockopedia's foremost evangelist of data-driven stock selection!
Just joshing with you, Phil. Thank you for the interesting insight.