Got REALLY lucky @ Guitar Center the other night!!
Had a fortunate turn of events that I thought I'd share with you guys... 8)
I have wanted one of the JS1000 series guitars for at least the last couple of years (my \"dream guitar\"). I really dig Satriani's tone (on just about everything he's done), and know that the build of your guitar is one of the key factors in the final tone (whether you use MFX, tube amps, etc.). I've constantly struggle with lower end guitars, trying to find some of those tones.
I had a feeling the JS1000 was a very fine guitar - but I had no idea how sweet the tone would be on this particular axe. The sustain... it's really FAT and tight tone. It's on a whole new level (for me) - and much better than the other guitars I've owned so far... The problem has been that these guitars are always WAY over my budget ($1300ish retail). So I've never even toyed with affording one.
Then, last week, while I was at the Guitarmageddon Blues event at Guitar Center, they had a used JS1000 hanging on the wall for $849. Argh... still out of my range (about $600ish max). Rats!!!!! :roll:
Eventually it crossed my mind that I could take my GT8 back (I just bought a week ago) and I have this Variax 500 that I got used for $250. I decided that I would take the GT8 and Variax up to that GC and see if they could do me a deal (a really sweet deal). I was not going to spend any extra money... if they wanted to do the deal - it would work out. If not, no biggie.
When I got to GC, luckily the JS1000 was still on the wall. I told the sales guy what I had to trade and what I wanted... he gave me the classic line, \"I'll see what I can do.\" and headed off to talk to the store manager.
He came back and said, \"You'll need about $250 to cover the difference.\" So I said, \"Nope. Can't do that. Can't you give me more value on the Variax?!\"
He left to negotiate... came back, \"How about $150? Can you do that much?\" I said, \"Well, if I can put it on layaway until the 15th, that's fine. I could do that.\"
Well... he paused, then said - \"let me go ask my manager if this is a 'tonight only deal'.\"
He came back and said, \"I can get it down to only a $45 difference!\" He was pretty surprised. I told him, \"Things are tight at the moment. I'll have to wait until the 15th. Can you guys still hold it for me?\" I was just being straight up... I am tapped till payday. :?
He left to talk to the manager again... I was ready to just go on home with no deal. He came back and said, \"Tonight is your lucky night - we'll do a straight across trade for it!\"
WOW WOW WOW!!! :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:
So I am absolutely thrilled to say that I have finally acquired an incredibly nice guitar (it needs a little spit and polish in a couple areas, no biggie)... and it came home at a superb price - no more than I'd already spent on other deals! w00t!
Now, I don't have a GT8 again... but I'll manage to get along just fine with my GNX3K and VAP! Sometimes a deal comes along that turns out to be better than you could ever hope for.
I'm totally psyched and just thought I'd share my joy with you!
I have wanted one of the JS1000 series guitars for at least the last couple of years (my \"dream guitar\"). I really dig Satriani's tone (on just about everything he's done), and know that the build of your guitar is one of the key factors in the final tone (whether you use MFX, tube amps, etc.). I've constantly struggle with lower end guitars, trying to find some of those tones.
I had a feeling the JS1000 was a very fine guitar - but I had no idea how sweet the tone would be on this particular axe. The sustain... it's really FAT and tight tone. It's on a whole new level (for me) - and much better than the other guitars I've owned so far... The problem has been that these guitars are always WAY over my budget ($1300ish retail). So I've never even toyed with affording one.
Then, last week, while I was at the Guitarmageddon Blues event at Guitar Center, they had a used JS1000 hanging on the wall for $849. Argh... still out of my range (about $600ish max). Rats!!!!! :roll:
Eventually it crossed my mind that I could take my GT8 back (I just bought a week ago) and I have this Variax 500 that I got used for $250. I decided that I would take the GT8 and Variax up to that GC and see if they could do me a deal (a really sweet deal). I was not going to spend any extra money... if they wanted to do the deal - it would work out. If not, no biggie.
When I got to GC, luckily the JS1000 was still on the wall. I told the sales guy what I had to trade and what I wanted... he gave me the classic line, \"I'll see what I can do.\" and headed off to talk to the store manager.
He came back and said, \"You'll need about $250 to cover the difference.\" So I said, \"Nope. Can't do that. Can't you give me more value on the Variax?!\"
He left to negotiate... came back, \"How about $150? Can you do that much?\" I said, \"Well, if I can put it on layaway until the 15th, that's fine. I could do that.\"
Well... he paused, then said - \"let me go ask my manager if this is a 'tonight only deal'.\"
He came back and said, \"I can get it down to only a $45 difference!\" He was pretty surprised. I told him, \"Things are tight at the moment. I'll have to wait until the 15th. Can you guys still hold it for me?\" I was just being straight up... I am tapped till payday. :?
He left to talk to the manager again... I was ready to just go on home with no deal. He came back and said, \"Tonight is your lucky night - we'll do a straight across trade for it!\"
WOW WOW WOW!!! :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:
So I am absolutely thrilled to say that I have finally acquired an incredibly nice guitar (it needs a little spit and polish in a couple areas, no biggie)... and it came home at a superb price - no more than I'd already spent on other deals! w00t!
Now, I don't have a GT8 again... but I'll manage to get along just fine with my GNX3K and VAP! Sometimes a deal comes along that turns out to be better than you could ever hope for.
I'm totally psyched and just thought I'd share my joy with you!
Comments
i traded a V-ampire LX210 amp, RPX400, BP50 and a BOSS HM3 for my GNX3k and i STILL had to pay £125 on top! (sucka!)
I swapped a Variax 300 and a crafter LJ LP cutaway Copy and £100 notes for my EPI LP Custom = it was worth it, bnut man did i feel dirty and cheap afterwards.
next time im going to think \"what would Kewlpack do?\" and try a little hard ball!
It's nice to get a good deal every once in a while---we pay so much for equip these days
GOOD JOB KEWLPACK
I am no Mr. Big-Bucks by any means, but isn't $600 just being a little cheap? :shock: You nickel and dimed them into submission.
I've got good deals at GC too. Right salesman at the right time... Just remember that guy next time. 8)
Very cool anyhow.
That is awsome Man!!!! I would say praise the Lord!!! He has blessed you Abundately!!! I just got a major blessing as well from an online music store BPM Music I would highly Recommend for those who know what they want and are O.K. with getting something they have not seen or played. They do have return policies within the first month of course shipping is on you, but there prices are awsome they can't even list most because there under Ibanez sugested retail. Anyhow My new guitar looks and sounds awsome!!! It is Team J Craft with Presteige J Craft Case, Just Awsome!!! I was playing an RG470DX, man there is no Comparison: The Warmth, Sustain, Versitiliaty, even more lightweight and comfortable than my RG, Just Awsome. This guitar has not disipointed me and was set up flawlessly from BPM Music Although he said the J Craft guitars are usually a notch above all other Ibanez guitars comming in and out of there shop. God Bless You!!! and enjoy your new Instrument, I know I sure will it truly is awsome!!! I would recommend to anyone that wants a versital and awsome playing & sounding, light weight , awsome loocking guitar, This is it!!!!!!!
I can't get over how much the raw guitar tone sounds like what you hear in a Satch track (like Starry Night)... of course, my technique needs a lot of work to approach the quality of aforementioned virtuoso. :roll:
You gotta love getting a new piece of gear that compels you to play, practice and go for it. 8)
I'm jealous.
So anyway Kewl, I can empathize.. Congrats on your new \"Go To\" guitar...
Take a look at one he had specially painted. Very nice guitar...
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pageartist.cfm?bandID=456434
I've been watching for years for it and hope I'll measure up next time I get the chance. They don't make them anymore and the price has gone up alot, and by the time I can afford one it will be even higher. :shock:
I play a copy now and am content with holding on to one or two of the many characteristics of the original.
I think a dream guitar would have all the qualities at once. I also think that an artists feeling about his instrument can be reflected in its output.
What finish does it have?
I got my black pearl off ebay for $600. It is flawless, looks like it was never played. (I think the original owner was overwhelmed or frustrated by the floyd bridge)
Came with the custom Ibanez case, a great yellow strap...that looks like a \"POLICE LINE DO NOT CROSS POLICE LINE.\" All the original manuel and tools. It took me quite some time and patients to finally get what I wanted. I was willing to bid as high as maybe $650. You gotta set your limits on ebay...or the heat of the moment can make a fool out of you....and you need to keep the shipping and insurance costs in mind. I think my to the door cost was about $645. Took me several months of watching and bidding. Whenever I'd see the price go over $600...I knew my chances were over. But....not from a slim account....I'm just cheap and been a haggler for years...and don't feel satisfied unless I am close to breaking the law. You may have crossed over...yourself now. :shock:
It's the Black Pearl finish. The only part of this one that looked used was the pickup rings and the tremolo bridge - basically the cosmo finish wore off from good old use. Pretty much everything else is fine.
I can't do anything about the tremolo bridge, but I did sand off the badly worn pickup rings (just the very top) to give them a brushed metal look. I put a black trem bar and black knobs on. At some point I'll order some new, black, metal pickup rings (maybe) but for now I kinda like the black/cosmo/brushed metal look on the hardware...
My particular deal didn't come with all the extras that yours did. Just the guitar. But that's okay - I have cases and the necessary accessories.
I just love the way it sounds and plays. I've been building patches on my MFXs with it and then switching to my other guitars to see how they differ. Without a doubt, the JS1000 delivers more punch, articulation, and dimensional tone than the other guitars. Of course, none of the other guitars cost more than around $500 new either! 8)
Oh, how I miss ya, my ol' 355!!!
We'll... let's see it!
DOH... I spaced out posting the pix... LOL. Here's what it looks like before I fixed up the rings and stuff... still quite nice.
and my others... for kicks...
need an lp though
not that im putting ideas in your head or anything....