Ben Jack's Arkansas Music Center.

[Tibby]

ok, so today, I went shopping for a Fender Squire Stratocaster in Razorback Red in metallic. Passed by Siglar music store, been there before, they're ok, but I thought I'd check out Guitar Center, looked at some guitars, liked a few, but no Razorback Red 'Casters and had poor service mostly because they were busy. so I thought to myself "DJ, how about Ben Jack's?". I've done bussiness with them before with weekly guitar lessons, and thought I'd see what they had, and at the same time, get more guitar lessons. So, right in front of me was this Razorback Red Metallic Fender Squire Stratocaster. Regular price was about $500, they had it on sale for $200. So, my Guitar with my Micro Cube amplifier (VERY good/loud amplifier) was all under $400! Also, for those who've been seeking guitar lessons, go to ben jack's and ask for Mark, he's awesome!

[Triepsyn]

I like this thread.

[00Exploder]

Must say price and customer service are not the best at Ben Jack's; Guitar Center is usually much better and that is why they are more busy most of the time. I'm glad you had a pleasant experience there though!

[DSMer]

LOL

They sell for $199 EVERYWHERE.

[00Exploder]

yea they do... its a squire. I don't know if you were responding to my post DSMer but I didn't mean that particular guitar as I have never looked at Squires; I just meant in general, Guitar Center has better prices and MUCH better staff!

[Tibby]

Everytime I go to ben jack's i've always been helped by the 1st 5 seconds I walk in. I dunno, maybe its just my luck. I waited for someone to help me for 20 minutes at Guitar Center. Seems like they were helping everyone out but me. I'm glad I went to Ben Jack's though. I don't mind dropping down $350 for a good guitar and a good portable amplifier.

Oh, and in case one of you say "well they help you because you do guitar lessons there." here's the spot on that, gosh. I've walked in before with no guitar lesssons trying to compare guitar prices (before guitar center came through) and I've been helped within the 1st 5 seconds then too. Each visit was about 3 months apart from eachother before I did guitar lessons there, so there's no way they could remember if I were a returning customer, and I only visited twice prior to guitar lessons. Just sayin'.

Fin.

[00Exploder]

This is true, they will help quickly but the knowledge is not as good as that of the employees at Guitar Center (for the most part). I have met some ass holes at guitar center in Tulsa though too. Its really just preference, but I was just stating my opinion and experience with Ben Jacks.

[srs14]

i hate it when people come into bestbuy asking witch subs will work good with what amp. i dont know car audio at all , i know how to install it and adjust it but other than that i couldnt give a rats ass if you have alpine type X or jensen subs. i always get these does bragging what they have and im like " cool....whats that?"

[Tibby]

This is true, they will help quickly but the knowledge is not as good as that of the employees at Guitar Center (for the most part). I have met some ass holes at guitar center in Tulsa though too. Its really just preference, but I was just stating my opinion and experience with Ben Jacks.

oh, ok. You're talking about the knowledge. I wouldnt know about that, because I've never asked, but I trust my guitar teacher who sold me the squire saying that this is a good guitar to start out with on electric. Plus, it was the guitar I was looking for.

[00Exploder]

Yea, they are decent guitars for the money; don't know that I would have bought a squier when you could get a mexican strat for a little more, but probably couldn't get one in razorback red. The guys at guitar center just seem to have more APPLICABLE experience in music.

[Tibby]

Oh, I see what you mean now.

[showngo]

i know i'm a little late on this subject but, i bought a b.c. rich acrylic mockingbird like 5 or 6 years ago from ben jacks, and still to this day if i go in and any of the guys that worked there when i bought it is there they say.. hey hows the acrylic holding up or hey its the b.c. rich guy! that is awesome customer service!

Brian

[Tibby]

I got my guitar string replaced for $1.00 the other day because I had no strings. :D

[MaverickA70]

shit, i'll change your string for 99 cents!!

[00Exploder]

it depends on which one you go to... fayetteville is decent; bentonville, BLOWS!

[silverrs]

ey how much are the lessons there?

[daysofreign]

yea they do... its a squire. I don't know if you were responding to my post DSMer but I didn't mean that particular guitar as I have never looked at Squires; I just meant in general, Guitar Center has better prices and MUCH better staff!


this is true but its always good to support the local shops! same with local car/speed shops! ive been in ben and jacks and i liked the store! just my .02

i want some pics of the caster!

[00Exploder]

Theres a reason why Ben Jack's doesn't get the support from everyone... The guys who used to work at the one in Bentonville were jackasses who were stoned/hung over half the time at work and didn't know shit about the gear they had. My friend and i have had far more bad experiences there than good...

[daysofreign]

i understand! im in conway and deal mostly with Conway Music. i have gotten REALLY good deals at that shop bic i use to hang out and talk to the owner alot! but you get what im saying right!

[00Exploder]

yea, I totally agree with supporting local shops for the most part. But they need to get better employees and their sales would go up... I won't even buy a cup of coffee from Starbucks if I have a choice because of local support. I only go to Kennedy when I can!

[daysofreign]

i hear you and i do agree!

[thunderstruck507]

I bought my Epiphone Elite (japanese made) SG from Sigler, everything there was great. My only complaint is they can't sell Epi/Gibson anymore...so I havent been in a looong time.

Ben Jack's in F'ville is good, everyone is friendly and helpful. The B'ville one has sucked every time I've gone...

My other guitar is an Epi Elitist LP standard, but I bought it on ebay because I could get it for $400 less than Ben Jacks.

Guitar center here is a let down to anyone who's been to a REAL guitar center like the larger Dallas area ones. They don't even have the Valvestate series Marshall amps...much less tube ones (outside of the new head). Solid state amps (other than practice amps) = lame.

I wasted time with 2 solid states and almost a third before I manned up and bought a tube marshall from ebay. I'll never touch a solid state again past something like a 15watt practice amp.

I'm so bored...wish it wasn't nearly 2 a.m. so I could play the damn thing.

[00Exploder]

Yea, Fayetteville is decent and the Guitar center here is small but they carry more high end guitars than any other shops. I would never buy a Marshall amp, but I don't play electric, just because I know they are overpriced in many cases because you pay for their name. But good for you for going with a tube amp!

[thunderstruck507]

they're not overpriced when you get them on ebay for less than half price :D

the crate palamino amps at GC are pretty impressive sounding though

the roland cubes are awesome little practice amps as well, the one amp company I can say I would never buy from is Line 6 though, never been impressed with how those sound at all

[00Exploder]

Line 6 amps=shit but their processors are good from what Ive heard...

The REAL way to go with amps is to go with small handmade amps... Also, Bad Cat makes GREAT amps!

[thunderstruck507]

yeah the line 6 processors are pretty good, I don't really give 2 shits about effects though

I'd rather have nice tone than jumble as much noise as I can together and call it great, effects are great when used in moderation though, but still not my cup of tea

just give me a good guitar, a warmed up tube amp, and a little bit of gain, toss on a spinkle of reverb and call it a day

I've heard lots of good things about a small tube head/cab combo called a "Blackheart" though, I think its a hotrodded Epiphone...they at least look similar