No, Musicians Friend is not owned by Guitar Center. Musicians Friend is an online musical equipment retail store that has been in operation since 1983. It is now owned and operated by the East Coast music retailer Cascio Interstate Music.
In 2020, Musicians Friend was acquired by the global music instrument company Yamaha Music. Guitar Center, on the other hand, is an American music retail store chain that has been in operation since 1959, owned by private equity firm Bain Capital.
Who is the CEO of musicians friend?
The current CEO of Musician’s Friend is Dave McCready. McCready has served as the company’s CEO since 2018 and he is also the company’s head of global marketing, overseeing all marketing operations and initiatives.
He has held key marketing roles at Musician’s Friend since 2013 and his experience and expertise have helped fuel the company’s continued growth and international expansion. McCready has a strong focus on bottom-line results and an emphasis on supporting customer loyalty and providing a superior customer experience.
He has also championed efforts to develop and implement a long-term growth strategy.
What companies does Guitar Center own?
Guitar Center is the leading retailer of musical instruments and music gear in the United States. Since its inception in 1959, this music instrument and gear retail giant has grown to become one of the largest chains in the world, with more than 250 locations in the US and Puerto Rico.
Guitar Center’s parent company is Bain Capital, which purchased Guitar Center in 2007 from former owners KKR & Co. LP. In the years since, Guitar Center has gone on to acquire several other prominent music retail outlets, including Musician’s Friend, Woodwind & Brasswind, and Music & Arts.
In 2015, Guitar Center also acquired Texas-based private music instrument retailer Connolly Music Company, which had previously acquired a number of smaller retailers after its merger with West Music in 1995.
This made Guitar Center the largest musical instrument retailer in the United States.
More recently, Guitar Center has acquired several audio-related companies, including audiophile retailer A.D.A.M. Audio and low-priced speaker manufacturer Primacoustic.
As a result, Guitar Center now owns a massive portfolio of audio and music equipment retailers, as well as its own retail stores. These include Musician’s Friend, Guitar Center, Woodwind & Brasswind, Music & Arts, Connolly Music Company, A. D.
A. M. Audio and Primacoustic.
Are American Musical Supply and zZounds the same company?
No, American Musical Supply and zZounds are not the same company. American Musical Supply is an online retailer of musical instruments, accessories, and audio equipment while zZounds is a music instrument and gear retailer, offering an extensive selection of electric and acoustic guitars, bass guitars, amps, and other audio equipment.
Both companies have a wide selection of products ranging from affordable beginner options to higher end professional-grade gear, but differ significantly in their pricing, return policies, and additional services.
What is the difference between Guitar Center and Musicians Friend?
Guitar Center and Musicians Friend are two popular music gear retailers that have been around for a long time. Both offer a large selection of instruments, audio gear, parts and accessories and provide customers with professional customer service, quality products and reasonable pricing.
However, they differ in some ways. Guitar Center has more retail stores around the country, so it would be easier to go to one of the stores to physically try and purchase gear. On the other hand, Musicians Friend operates primarily online and offer a larger selection and better prices than Guitar Center.
Musicians Friend also has a loyalty program with rewards for frequent shoppers. In addition, their shipping and return policies are more generous.
So, in conclusion, Guitar Center is a great option for musicians who want to go and physically try out gear before purchasing, whereas Musicians Friend is a better option for online shoppers who can benefit from more expansive selection, better prices and loyalty rewards.
Who is Sweetwater owned by?
Sweetwater was founded in 1979 by Chuck Surack and is an independently owned and operated retailer of music instruments and pro audio gear. Based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Sweetwater is America’s largest online music instrument retailer and the second-largest national retailer of musical instruments.
Surack began his business in 1979 as a one-man operation with a mere $500 investment from his savings. He had the vision to grow Sweetwater into one of the largest retailers of music gear in the world.
Over the years, he has dedicated himself to providing high-quality customer service, unbeatable low prices, and an expansive selection of music gear. Sweetwater now serves thousands of customers worldwide, many of whom have access to technical support, fast delivery, and secure online shopping.
With an experienced team of audio professionals and a comprehensive selection of gear, Sweetwater continues to push the boundaries of innovation to make sure each and every customer will find exactly what they need — and fast.
Can I use my Guitar Center card at Sweetwater?
No, unfortunately you cannot use your Guitar Center card at Sweetwater. Sweetwater is an independent company and does not accept credit cards from other companies. However, Sweetwater does have a variety of payment choices, including financing and layaway plans, as well as credit cards from MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and Visa.
Furthermore, you can use PayPal, gift and store credit, check, money order, and wire transfer options. Sweetwater also offers rent-to-own solutions, which allows you to rent gear and put a portion of your payments towards ownership.
How long does it take for musicians friend to ship?
Generally, it takes 1-3 business days for products to ship after an order is placed with Musician’s Friend. Delivery time depends on the shipping method chosen at checkout. Standard Delivery typically takes 3-7 business days, and orders of $99 or more may qualify for free Standard Delivery.
Expedited Delivery options are also available, and can usually be delivered in 1-3 business days, depending on the destination. Musician’s Friend also offers Express Delivery, which is a 1-2 business day delivery option that is available for an additional charge.
Does Musicians Friend inspect guitars before shipping?
Yes, Musicians Friend inspects their guitars before shipping to ensure the highest quality of their products. Their expert technicians inspect the guitars to make sure they are up to the store’s standards, and they also offer a visual inspection of the instrument, checking for superficial damage and ensuring it is in playable condition.
The experts also check the playability of the instrument, as well as making sure all the parts are included in the shipment. They also give the guitar a tune-up if necessary to make sure the customer is satisfied with their purchase.
Musicians Friend is dedicated to providing the best customer experience with each purchase.
How do I track my package from Musicians Friend?
If you have placed an order with Musicians Friend (MF), you can track your package using the tracking number provided by MF. The tracking number is typically located on your order confirmation email, the My Account section of MF’s website, or in the shipment confirmation email you received once the item shipped.
To track your package, visit the carrier’s website that is listed on your email confirmation. Insert the tracking number and click ‘Track’. If a carrier website is not listed, or if you need further assistance, please contact MF’s customer service at customerservice@musiciansfriend.
com or 1-800-8777-4525.
If the tracking information is not updating, there may be a few reasons:
• The package has not been received yet by the carrier and the tracking information has not begun to update yet.
• The package is within the carrier’s transit system, which can take up to 24 hours for updates.
• The package has been delivered.
If you are still having issues with your tracking information, please contact MF’s customer service for further support.
What shipping carrier does Musicians Friend Use?
Musicians Friend typically uses UPS (United Parcel Service) for shipping services. Depending on the weight, size and destination of your order, UPS Ground, UPS 3-Day Select, UPS 2nd Day Air, or UPS Next Day Air may be used.
If your item is over 70lbs, shipment may be made via truck freight. If coming from a vendor, they may use other carriers such as USPS or FedEx.
Does Guitar Center ship on weekends?
No, Guitar Center does not ship on weekends. All orders are processed during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. Any order placed on the weekend goes into processing on Monday. You can expect most orders to arrive within 2-4 business days depending on location.
However, during periods of high order volume, there may be a delay in processing.
How do you cancel a backorder on musicians friend?
To cancel a backorder on Musicians Friend, please contact customer service via email, phone, or chat. You will likely need to provide your order number and some information about yourself. You may also need to provide a reason for canceling your backorder.
After doing so, customer service will assess the situation and process the cancellation of your order. You may be asked to provide additional information and will be informed of the outcome. Please know that backorders are only canceled if there is no chance that the item you ordered will become available.
We apologize in advance if it’s not possible to cancel your backorder. Thank you for visiting Musicians Friend!.
Does musiciansfriend ship to Canada?
Yes, Musiciansfriend does offer shipping to Canada. When ordering from their website, select Canada as the Country option and enter the complete address to a Canadian address. Customers from Canada may be liable for additional taxes, customs duties, fees, and additional fees (such as brokerage fees) when their order is delivered.
Customers should check with their local customs office for more specific details about these fees. Canadian orders incur a flat rate of $19.95 USD for ups Standard shipping and $99.00 for UPS Worldwide Shipping.
What is the phone number for Musician’s Friend?
The phone number for Musician’s Friend is 1-800-449-9128. This number is available for customers in the United States and Canada. If you are an international customer, please visit the Musician’s Friend website for a list of international customer service telephone numbers.
Additionally, you can contact the Musician’s Friend customer service team via email at info@musiciansfriend. com or by filling out their contact form.
Can you return musicians friend purchases to Guitar Center?
No, you cannot return a purchase made from Musicians Friend to Guitar Center. Each store has its own return policy and Guitar Center does not accept returns from third-party retailers. Any items purchased from Musicians Friend will need to be returned directly to Musicians Friend following their respective return policies.
Musicians Friend offers a 45-day return policy on almost all items, which allows customers to return new instruments and other musical equipment for a full refund if they are not satisfied. If a product was purchased with a promotional discount, Musicians Friend requests that the product be returned with all of its accessories, original packaging, and in the same condition it was originally sold in.
Who bought out Guitar Center?
In 2020, Guitar Center, an American music and sound equipment retailer, was acquired by the private equity firm Ares Management. The Los Angeles-based equity firm acquired 100 percent of the company in November 2020.
Before the acquisition, Guitar Center had filed for bankruptcy due to the COVID-19 pandemic after amassing $1.3 billion in debt. In a press release, Ares Management investment partner Jay Alix stated that they aimed to build Guitar Center into “a world-class multimodal platform” and “capitalize on a larger share of the global music and entertainment market. ”.
It was reported that Stratford Partners, Aurora Capital Group, Apollo Global Management, and TPG Capital were some of the bidders vying against Ares Management for the Guitar Center acquisition but Ares was the successful one.
The deal was approved for nearly $1 billion just one month after the acquisition was proposed.
Additionally, Ares Management announced another division within the company, a wholly owned subsidiary called GC Acquisition Holdings. The subsidiary was created to provide more liquidity and flexibility for the retailer.
Guitar Center is now largely owned by Ares Management, with a smaller portion of equity held by its management team. So far, it appears as though the acquisition is benefiting the retailer, giving it new capital and breathing room during its bankruptcy.
Are Guitar Center and Sweetwater the same company?
No, Guitar Center and Sweetwater are not the same company. Guitar Center is the world’s largest retailer of guitars, amplifiers, and other related music products. Sweetwater is an online music instrument retailer and audio technology dealer.
While both companies specialize in music-related products such as guitars, amplifiers and audio equipment, Guitar Center has physical stores across the United States, while Sweetwater is strictly an online retailer.
Both companies offer deals, sales and discounts, but Sweetwater’s discounts may be more aggressive than Guitar Center due to competition among online music stores. Another key difference is the level of customer service offered by the two; while Guitar Center offers in-store specialists who can help with complex inquiries, Sweetwater offers an around-the-clock live chat, making it more accessible and convenient.
Does Sweetwater really do 55 point inspection?
Yes, Sweetwater does really do a thorough 55-point inspection on every single used item before it ships out to a purchaser. This comprehensive set of checks helps to ensure that the product meets a certain level of quality and reliability.
Sweetwater’s inspection system looks for things like cosmetic blemishes, tuning issues, fret wear, operation, and other critical issues that could determine the sound and playability of a used instrument or piece of equipment.
If anything is found, Sweetwater takes the appropriate measures to ensure that the item is in perfect condition prior to shipping. Sweetwater also provides a generous used gear return policy adding to the confidence that customers will have in their purchase.
Is Sweetwater a reliable company?
Yes, Sweetwater is a reliable company. They have been in business since 1979 and have established a good reputation as an online music store. They have a large selection of products and competitive prices, both new and used.
Sweetwater also offers helpful customer support and knowledgeable Representatives who are committed to helping you choose the right product. Their on-site technicians and certified Sales Engineers are available if you need help deciding what to purchase or have questions about a product.
Sweetwater also provides free shipping and a generous 45-day Satisfaction Guarantee, so you can try out a product before you make a final decision. Furthermore, Sweetwater is committed to creating a safe and secure online shopping experience for customers.
All of these factors make Sweetwater a reliable and trustworthy place to shop for your musical needs.
