I went to GC once, asked about a 12 that sounded really nice but the action was really really way too high. So I asked about their service.
The genius took a truss rod wrench and under full tension, just started cranking on it thinking THATS how you do it.
The neck had the proper relief - NOT a truss rod issue at all, it was the bridge that was a mile too high.
After hearing the cracking noises and the Hmmmm ooops noises, I walked out of there never to return.
One guy who worked at a local shop, was fired for drinking and lighting a trash can on fire in the middle of the store, now works there....if THATS any indicator... Oh yeah, he was their tech. Was good once, now he's a fire risk...
Mark, I will only deal with non-box stores. The ma and pa shops. Thats where the knowledge and experience lives.
I will spend more knowing that service is way better... Not just guitar shops, but everything that I can, if I can, goes to smaller more personal shops.
Cause once you own something, you're not buying it again, you already own it. BUT it will need service sooner or later. Big Box shops suck at that.
Hang in there man. Sooner or later, the circle of life will return everybody to wanting smaller ma and pa shops again.
AND then there will be a lot of empty airplane hangers everywhere
