New City – Top 15 places for music shops15 recommended music shops in New City

I brought the bass in on September 1st, confirmed with the receiving technician that the bad tuning machine would be covered under warranty, and stated that I wouldn’t want or need a setup, although he wrote “possible setup” on the work order. I was informed that the repair could take a week to a month, depending on how quickly Fender shipped the parts, and all tuners would be replaced.

After a couple weeks of radio silence, I called and was told that they hadn’t gotten a response from Fender and would try again. More weeks passed and eventually I found out, also by having to call them, that the tuners shipped on October 2nd. I waited through a month of silence, trying to give them the benefit of the doubt, before once again contacting them on November 7th only to be told that they had received the wrong tuners from Fender on October 22nd. I let them know that because of the unacceptable wait, I would be picking up the bass and to contact me when the tuners finally came in so I could bring it back. The next day, November 8th, I received a call that the bass had been fixed and was ready for pickup.

When picking the instrument up, it had only one new tuning machine which appeared to be an unbranded Chinese part which can be found cheaply on eBay, rather than a Jackson-branded tuner which would match the other three. The tech which handed me the guitar couldn’t explain what had been done. On top of that, I was handed a $70 bill for a setup which I had refused twice during the time they had the bass but which was performed anyway. (I wouldn’t request a service that costs almost half the price of the bass itself.) I gave two stars for this review because the technician was generous in admitting their mistake and allowing me to leave with the instrument, which still had three janky tuners after almost 10 weeks in the shop.

I believe that a lot of blame lay with Fender for not fulfilling their warranty obligations in a timely or competent manner. However, during the time they had the instrument, the techs at Third Coast were uncommunicative and aloof, and didn’t give me confidence in the quality of their work or their customer service. I will not bring any of my other instruments here for paid repairs or further warranty service.

Brought an amp in too (head and cab) b/c of no output. They called me after two weeks saying it was fixed, but the head was still malfunctioning when I brought it home.

They had me bring it back in and gave me a call two days later to pick it up. They accused me of dropping it after I left.

1. An employee helped me carry my equipment out of the shop and put it in the car
2. I called two hours later after testing the head at home and brought it back the next day
3. At no point did I drop my head or even set it on the ground. Store to car, car to practice space, practice space to car, car to shop

I love the bass setup but do not appreciate being accused of mishandling my own equipment and paying for a repair on an amp that wasn’t done. Third Coast is great for guitars/basses, but bad for amps.

Though I could be wrong, it seems as though the days of finding tons of high-end boutique, FCS, GCS and PRS guitars hanging on the walls is gone. Also gone are the days of 8-10 really cool high-end amp makers being represented, including several products on the floor from builders like Elmwood, Bogner, Matchless, Victoria, Fuchs and on and on. The effects offerings are also a small portion of what they used to be.

Not quite sure what happened to the store the past couple/few years. Used to be, far and away, the finest boutique shop in the country (used to get regular visits from cats like Billy Gibbons, Keith Richards and many others that would fly in just to buy gear).

I wish the current guys the best of luck. And hope they have a long and healthy ride. Would be cool to see the store return to its former glory years, when it was The Grand Daddy of cool gear.