Chicago Music Exchange Memphis coming to an end:(

**rolijen** · 01-26-2018, 01:54 PM

I just love guitars and the joy the are to play, hear, look at, learn about, bargain for, buy, gush about, complain about, sell, etc. To each his/her own. I also love that one man’s junk is another man’s treasure. I wish I were a more reasonable one-guitar guy, but I’m not. With a passion like this for instruments made from organic materials and built by humans, I expect a little drama, especially buying sight-unseen. Not taking sides, just saying I understand the risk. And the reward. Happy Friday, everyone!

Hey, I’m headed up to CME tomorrow. Anyone want me to take a look at a guitar you’re wondering about? I was told the floor models are not viewable at the customer store (shipped from their warehouse). But, other, non floor models are on display.

Roli

**rpguitar** · 01-26-2018, 02:10 PM

Economics lessons aside, the Internet is the great equalizer in today's world. On the Internet, truth is fiction and fiction is fact, and anyone with a voice can use it. In such a climate, a company skips quality control at its own peril, even if carefully calculated.

For the record, I am not a CME basher and am not generating rhetoric that speaks poorly of myself.

Onward...

**vinnyv1k** · 01-26-2018, 03:38 PM

I don’t do guitar risk. I have never bought a guitar from eBay or Reverb and never will. I buy new with warranty for a reason. I have bought guitars from CL because I can hold them in my hands 1st. I would buy from a trusted member here also. The CME blowout sale was 100% no risk. I liked it I kept it. I didn’t like it I sent it back not out a single penny. Yes 15 minutes to box it back up and 10 minutes to UPS. It was a fun ride for me. Shifting through the Gibson turds to get the Crown Jewels has been a 45 year history for me and when you get that great Gibson it is all worth it IMO.

When this sale started CME was very clear telling me that some of these floor models will have issues and some will be perfect and if you don’t like it just send it back. That to me is no risk and being honest.
This was a very high volume undertaking. I think CME did a darn good job. Great pack jobs too. I did not hear of 1 broken headstock and they shipped hundreds of guitars all over the world. I give a thumbs up to CME.

**lawson-stone** · 01-26-2018, 03:40 PM

I'm sad about the end of the CME sale because I have enjoyed so much seeing the pleasure of people who never thought they'd own an ES175 having the chance to own one and play it. I still wish we'd have a thread of people playing their new guitars just to celebrate. I'm happy for anyone's good fortune, and the CME sale offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a lot of folks on this forum.

**LtKojak** · 01-26-2018, 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

but human nature , dare I say it, takes issue with Socialism

Sorry to say, but such a preposterous statement just tell how very little you know about Socialism and human nature.

**Stringswinger** · 01-26-2018, 07:16 PM

Originally Posted by LtKojak

Sorry to say, but such a preposterous statement just tell how very little you know about Socialism and human nature.

This is not the forum for such a debate, but having visited many Socialist Nations and knowing human nature quite well (you do not get to be as well off as I am (on your own) being a fool in such matters), I stand by my assertion.

People act in their own self interest. It is hard wired in all but a few of us. Even a Priest is acting in his own self interest in that he is seeking approval for his actions (either from his community, his family or his diety) and getting that approval is what drives him.

So we will have to agree to disagree here (feel free to continue the debate by PM if you like).

And Pepe, one thing I have learned about you from your posts on the forum is that you are rarely "sorry" to say anything.

**2bornot2bop** · 01-26-2018, 07:17 PM

"profit is the engine that creates excellence"

And to be entirely truthful for some the pursuit of profit creates pure greed. What good is "profit" for a few when the many are earning the same wages earned in the late 70's. Truth, not fake news.

**mr. beaumont** · 01-26-2018, 07:20 PM

Only on the Internet can we go from "we're running out of guitars on sale" to politics and religion quite so seamlessly. Congrats, gents.

**2bornot2bop** · 01-26-2018, 07:33 PM

"Approval seeking." Really? Any self aware individual is aware that to seek approval, or love, or appreciation from anyone is to live a life filled with disappointment. Many are programmed by their parents to seek approval at a very young age. At what point does one examine themselves within and recognize that approval seeking reflects a life lived in fear. And worse yet seeking approval reflects that one has no integrity towards oneself. Stand in your own truth, and in your own integrity. What others "approve of" is their business, of which you have no control. That is reality. Seeking approval is a choice.

**Stringswinger** · 01-26-2018, 07:58 PM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

Only on the Internet can we go from "we're running out of guitars on sale" to politics and religion quite so seamlessly. Congrats, gents.

Politics and religion simply creates the prism through which all of our views are filtered. It is not the Internet, it is life itself that often creates the "segue".

Having different politics or different religious views will often result in different conclusions about the same thing. Gentlemen (at least those with intelligence ) can agree to disagree. Listening to the opposing views of others can help shape our own views. But the key is "listening". Which BTW, is also a key ingredient of being a good jazz musician.

**QAman** · 01-26-2018, 08:23 PM

Its really disappointing to me how these posts drift off topic
and involve politics and “ after the fact” opinions on the CME blowout sale.

CME clearly disclosed these guitars as “ floor models “ with some issues and were priced accordingly . So you either participated or you didn’t ..... period !

They also have a risk free refund policy that they honored admirably. They certainly cannot be expected to anticipate the subjectivity of every buyer - as it relates to a “floor model” with some issues.

Some of these issues were slight , some more obvious- the later of which should have been caught during pre- delivery inspection and I agree with the overall sentiment regarding those obvious unplayable issues.

Nonetheless - many of us , including myself had to return a guitar for various reasons , but in the end my inconvenience , and participation in this sale was rewarded by the receipt of a gorgeous figured light burst 335 , that plays like butter and screams 60’s Gibson tone . Cost $1600 - well worth it to me.

As for online purchases - get use to it ......local retail stores cannot carry the inventory, or have 5 or 6 of a particular model for the discriminating buyer to sort through to find the perfect guitar.

No complaints here - thank you CME and Gibson for this opportunity.

**ptchristopher3** · 01-26-2018, 08:24 PM

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

Politics and religion simply creates the prism through which all of our views are filtered. It is not the Internet, it is life itself that often creates the "segue".

Hi String,

Any possible chance of taking this offline? It would be a most welcome “segue”.

Chris

**mr. beaumont** · 01-26-2018, 08:32 PM

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

Politics and religion simply creates the prism through which all of our views are filtered. It is not the Internet, it is life itself that often creates the "segue".

Having different politics or different religious views will often result in different conclusions about the same thing. Gentlemen (at least those with intelligence ) can agree to disagree. Listening to the opposing views of others can help shape our own views. But the key is "listening". Which BTW, is also a key ingredient of being a good jazz musician.

Not mine. I don't ever think about religion, and I learned long ago my politics have nothing to do with anybody''s guitar purchases.

**2bornot2bop** · 01-26-2018, 08:44 PM

Visiting a Socialist nation does not give one any more understanding of Socialism. How does visiting anywhere make one an expert on the society of a land their visitig? You're a visitor. Spending a year in Russia allowed me to confidently read and order from a menu, but that didn't make me an expert on all things Russian.

Stringswinger, you protest whenever others express their political views, but today you've only expressed how much you don't know about what you don't know.

Perhaps it's time to end this before it goes any further?

**Stringswinger** · 01-26-2018, 08:59 PM

I am done here. I have defended Gibson and CME, and would do so again. My experience with both companies is quite positive. I have no interest in having a political debate with any of you. I would rather spend the time learning a new tune.

**DMgolf66** · 01-26-2018, 09:05 PM

Wow. I'm starting to feel at home now. This is just like the whiskey groups, the golf groups, the fishing groups, etc, etc.

**mr. beaumont** · 01-26-2018, 09:09 PM

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

I am done here. I have defended Gibson and CME, and would do so again. My experience with both companies is quite positive. I have no interest in having a political debate with any of you. I would rather spend the time learning a new tune.

You have no interest in having a political debate, yet you're the one who brought politics into it in your response to rpguitar.

**Longways to Go** · 01-26-2018, 11:37 PM

Originally Posted by LtKojak

Sorry to say, but such a preposterous statement just tell how very little you know about Socialism and human nature.

Hey Kojak! thanks for your voice!

**LtKojak** · 01-27-2018, 08:10 AM

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

having visited many Socialist Nations

May I ask which nations are you referring to?

**LtKojak** · 01-27-2018, 08:32 AM

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

This is not the forum for such a debate

Yet, you're the one that brought it up as topic.

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

knowing human nature quite well

OK, now tell me what kind of parameters you used as base for this statement. Maybe there's a course you took and test you passed to be able to qualify so you could actually say with certainty what human nature is, other than what you think it is? Please, do tell.

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

People act in their own self interest. It is hard wired in all but a few of us. Even a Priest is acting in his own self interest in that he is seeking approval for his actions (either from his community, his family or his diety) and getting that approval is what drives him

Is this your idea of "human nature"...?

**Mike Anderson** · 01-30-2018, 02:03 PM

I live in Canada. You wait a year to get an MRI, then find out that oops, your cancer has progressed to the point that palliative care is all that's left. We have a severe shortage of doctors (and equipment), because the money just isn't there and they don't get paid decently.

It's true we have fewer guns. We also have a revolving-door prison system, even for repeat violent offenders, because our "leaders" learned long ago that if you keep the population afraid to walk the streets at night they're much tamer and more obedient - easier to ram new taxes down our throats with scarcely a complaint to be heard.

Tell Michael Moore he's a fat ignorant pig for me if you ever meet him. Sorry, I forgot "rich." Fat rich ignorant pig who probably gets all his healthcare taken care of in private clinics. And he's a guy who needs LOTS of healthcare if his appearance is anything to go by. I love watching tools like him defend socialism as if they actually have to live with it.

**rolijen** · 01-31-2018, 12:53 AM

Back to the OP topic, CME still has a few sweet Memphis Gibson ES models in stock. I visited the store this past Saturday to check out a few and had a chance to talk with the general manager. I learned that their ‘floor model’ purchase included literally hundreds of guitars from Gibson Memphis’ inventory. Anyway, there are still opportunities for players to acquire very nice Gibson guitars at basically dealer cost. David A. and Alex C. are helpful, stand-up guys and will make sure you’re a happy customer.

Today, after giving it a couple days of thought, I called and pulled the trigger on one of the guitars I tried out. Should arrive Thursday if they ship tomorrow. I’ll do an NGD post after the wait. Feeling very fortunate (and a little broke).

Roli

**Stringswinger** · 01-31-2018, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by rolijen

Back to the OP topic, CME still has a few sweet Memphis Gibson ES models in stock. I visited the store this past Saturday to check out a few and had a chance to talk with the general manager. I learned that their ‘floor model’ purchase included literally hundreds of guitars from Gibson Memphis’ inventory. Anyway, there are still opportunities for players to acquire very nice Gibson guitars at basically dealer cost. David A. and Alex C. are helpful, stand-up guys and will make sure you’re a happy customer.

Today, after giving it a couple days of thought, I called and pulled the trigger on one of the guitars I tried out. Should arrive Thursday if they ship tomorrow. I’ll do an NGD post after the wait. Feeling very fortunate (and a little broke).

Roli

Looking forward to your NGD Roli. I dropped quite a bit of coin on the 4 new Gibsons I bought from this blowout. I sold my Les Paul last week to offset some of the cash depletion (truth be told, a 10 pound guitar simply will not do anymore. Last year I sold my vintage Deluxe reverb amp as a 45 pound amp will no longer do either) and also to create some room. These new Gibsons are superb guitars and, I suspect they will prove to be a wise financial move as well. Most people lose money on their toys. I am betting that those of us who took advantage of these prices will come out ahead (and I put my money where my mouth is!)

**BillCoplin** · 02-08-2018, 04:35 AM

I just wanted to thank David from Chicago Music Exchange. I’m loving my new Gibson ES-339. It arrive in one day extremely well packed and in perfect condition. It sounds fantastic through my Fender Deluxe Reverb, Boss Katana & the new Quilter 101 Mini Reverb I purchased from you. Thanks again for the “Jazz Guitar Forum Special Discount”.

Bill Coplin