Buying an acoustic guitar sight unseen/unplayed?

[k4df4l]

I'm really interested in some of the Larrivee models (like the J-03R or OM-03R) but unfortunately there are zero dealers in my area....very hesitant to buy an acoustic guitar with out playing it first; I've found so many from the same MFG with in the same model have varied in tone. I see some places offer returns minus shipping and an undefined restocking/reconditioning fee. What are your thoughts?

[Kerouac]

I've done it before and it's turned out fine. If you're going to do that with a nicer guitar, check several reputable dealers and ask around. Let them know upfront what you're looking for and that if it's not right you WILL be sending it back. Most places are cool with that if you take the time to lay it out on the table for them.

[Help!I'maRock!]

don't buy from a big box store.

[k4df4l]

Correction: there is one dealer in my area....a shop that I have sworn off forever due to a totally shitty deal years ago. So effectively there are no dealers in my area.

I guess my hang up is that I've played two of the same model acoustic in a shop before and had a clear preference for one over the other. Where I buying that day, I would have walked with one but not the other.

[Mark Wein]

I'd have to play an acoustic much more so than an electric before buying. Thats just me, though.

[k4df4l]

I'd have to play an acoustic much more so than an electric before buying. Thats just me, though.

That where I'm at and their only dealer is the guy that burned me on a setup years ago and motivated me to learn how to do it all on my own. I took a guitar in that was tuned to an alt tuning w/ heavy strings on it and asked him to adjust the action/relief and intonation. He did nothing but slip a note in the case about how to tune a guitar properly and charged me $35 bucks for tuning it. Asshole.

[Denverdave]

I agree that it does vary from model to model, but I have in fact bought several acoustics unseen/unplayed. But two of those were custom made guitars ordered from the builder so of course they were outstanding right out of the box. If I can possibly help it I will always play the guitar first - especially an acoustic. I am very picky about them. It would probably be worth a trip to a larger area with more shops and a bigger selection unless that is a long trip. Probably worth the trip into Philly when you are ready to buy....

[k4df4l]

Probably worth the trip into Philly when you are ready to buy....

Believe it or not, outside of the 1 local shop that I won't support, there are no other Larrivee dealers in the Philly metro. The rest of the PA dealers are central/western and the NJ dealers are North Jersey/NY metro...What's up wit dat?

[Denverdave]

Believe it or not, outside of the 1 local shop that I won't support, there are no other Larrivee dealers in the Philly metro. The rest of the PA dealers are central/western and the NJ dealers are North Jersey/NY metro...What's up wit dat?

That is strange....

I really like my Larrivee (OM5).