The Rise of Online Guitar Stores and the Closure of Sam Ash

Hey everyone, did you hear the latest? Sam Ash Music, a cornerstone of the American music scene for a whopping 100 years, just announced they’re closing all their physical stores. It’s a bit of a shocker, right? While we all love the convenience of clicking and shopping at online guitar stores, there’s something special about stepping into a shop, surrounded by guitars hanging on every wall—it’s like being a kid in a candy store but for music lovers. As we dive into this, we’re going to chat about not only why this shift is happening but also why places like Sam Ash are irreplaceable parts of our musical journey.

The Unique Value of Physical Guitar Stores Over Online Guitar Stores

More Than Just a Store

Remember the first time you walked into a guitar shop? The smell of new strings and old wood, the sound of someone testing out a riff in the corner—it’s almost magical. Physical guitar stores are more than just places to buy stuff; they’re where we go to feel connected to the music and to each other. They’re where we’ve seen firsthand how a guitar can feel in our hands and the immediate difference between a Strat and a Les Paul.

Stories from the Shop Floor

Think about the legends who’ve walked through those doors—maybe even the same doors we’ve walked through. Legends who’ve picked up their first guitars in these shops, strumming the first chords of what would become iconic tunes. These stories aren’t just fun anecdotes; they’re part of our shared musical heritage which you just would not get via an online guitar store.

The Shift to Online Guitar Stores

Investigating the Shift to Online Guitar Stores: Why Are We Clicking Instead of Visiting?

The move from browsing guitar racks to browsing online guitar store listings has been rapid, and several factors have played pivotal roles. Let’s explore some of the key reasons behind this shift:

1. The Amazon Effect: Online giants like Amazon have transformed consumer expectations. With features like one-day shipping, easy returns, and a vast selection, online shopping offers unparalleled convenience. For many, the ability to quickly compare dozens of guitars, read reviews, and get them delivered fast has made online stores like Amazon a go-to for music gear.
2. The Impact of COVID-19: The pandemic accelerated the transition to online shopping across all sectors, including musical instruments. Lockdowns and social distancing made physical stores inaccessible or less appealing for many, pushing both retailers and consumers to adapt to online shopping. This shift wasn’t just a temporary change; for many, it became the new normal.
3. Economic Pressures: Maintaining a physical store, with rent, staffing, and inventory costs, is significantly more expensive than running an online platform. As profit margins in retail have been squeezed, especially in specialized markets like musical instruments, the lower overhead of online sales became increasingly attractive for retailers.

Online vs. Offline Sales Data

Recent studies shed light on the dramatic shift in consumer behavior to online guitar stores. According to market research from RetailDive, online sales of musical instruments grew by 15% annually over the past five years, while physical store sales saw a modest increase of just 2% annually in the same period. This data not only highlights the growing preference for online shopping but also underscores the challenges that brick-and-mortar stores face in an increasingly digital marketplace.

Get My Guitar: Where Do We Stand?

Embracing Our Roots and Looking Forward

Hey folks, let’s chat about where we at Get My Guitar currently stand and what we envision for the future. As you know, we’re operating as an online guitar store only right now, and while we’re all about the convenience and accessibility that comes with it, we can’t help but dream bigger. We’re not just thinking about selling guitars; we’re imagining a place that brings us all together.

Our Dream Store: More Than Just Sales

Imagine walking into a Get My Guitar store. You’d see guitars hanging on every wall, waiting to be picked up and played. But it’s not just about shopping. We envision a community hub—a place for guitar lovers to meet, share, and inspire each other. A cozy corner where you can strum some chords while chatting about your favorite riffs or the latest pedal that’s rocking your world.

A Space for Inspiration and Innovation

We believe in the power of physically interacting with an instrument—there’s something magical about the first time you pick up a guitar and it just feels right. That’s an experience we want to recreate in our future store. We want to build a place where anyone, from seasoned pros to those just starting out, can come, hang out, and maybe find the guitar that starts their musical journey.

Supporting the Local Music Scene

Our vision extends to more than just commerce. We see our future physical location as a vibrant part of the local music scene. From hosting live gigs and open mic nights to workshops with local artists, we want to foster a thriving community of musicians and music lovers. This is about giving back and growing together—creating a space that celebrates and supports the art of making music.

Conclusion: Online Guitar Store or Offline? What’s Next for Us and Our Guitars?

So, here we are, chatting about the rise of online guitar stores and the slow fade-out of physical ones. It’s bittersweet. As much as we at Get My Guitar champion the online model (and we do love it for many reasons), we dream of one day blending the best of both worlds. Maybe we can find new ways to bring the community together, even online.

With these insights, we turn the floor over to you. What influences your decision when purchasing a guitar? Is it the fast shipping and convenience of an online guitar store, the safety concerns posed by recent global events, or the economic benefits of lower prices online? Or do you still prefer the tangible experience of a physical store? Let’s open up this discussion and dive deeper into how the guitar buying experience is evolving. Your feedback is not just welcome—it’s essential as we dream up new ways to bring us all together over the music we love.