For how long has Sweetwater been pitching used gear as "DiStressed"?

[toomanycats]

That's DisTressed. Get it right, capital "D," capital "T," italic text.

I'm familiar with the financial meaning of distressed. In that context a distressed sale is a transaction that involving the sale of an underlying asset valued below its intrinsic value.

But were talking guitars here, and I don't believe that Sweetwater is using the term in this manner.

I came across this term DiStressed in a listing for a Kramer Pacer Classic. At first I thought they meant relicd by the factory, though this appears not to be the case. From the reduced price I'm thinking this is just a used guitar with a fancy stylized name attached to it.

The DiStressed instrument is $303.20.
The same model without that label attached is $379.00.
Clearly, DisTressed does not add value.

I've bought demo models from Sweetwater before, including a Gibson Les Paul Standard and a Marshall Super Lead head, so I'm in no way averse to the idea of used gear. Sweetwater demo models are a great way to get a substantial discount vs new.

What I'm specifically wondering is whether Sweetwater considers demo, floor model, and DisTressed equivalent and interchangeable terms?

Does Sweetwater sell DisTressed amps?

Does Sweetwater's DisTressed mean the same thing as Kurt's "Neck is stable," meaning, a used guitar with some visible signs of wear, but that is otherwise fully functional?

Is DisTressed a bit of verbal legerdemain being used by Sweetwater that's meant to tacitly imply that an instrument so designated is sorta/kinda like a relicd guitar, without actually saying that word? From a marketing standpoint DisTressed sounds better than "used and in fair condition."

This query is probably best addressed to my Sweetwater rep, but seeing it's 6:10 AM I'm left throwing this question out to other AGF early birds.


https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... KPCRBMCFU1


NEW GUITAR

DiStressed guitar

[toomanycats]

Just noticed something I missed before. They're actually disclosing that the guitar is not playable.

So does DisTressed really mean "wall hanger," or "buy a project," or "C Stock"?

[BatUtilityBelt]

Yeah, if they're calling it "unplayable", it is not even a guitar. It is a guitar shaped object (GSO). Most places making such a determination would sell it for "parts", and give it far more discount than 20%. Hell, if there was nothing wrong with the guitar, many of us could probably have called and reached a 20% discount on it. There is good about the store, but their greed is why I stopped buying instruments at Sweetwater.

[toomanycats]

Most places making such a determination would sell it for "parts", and give it far more discount than 20%.

Yeah, that's gotta be why Rondo has an entire category dedicated to parts, where you can buy pickups, hardware, plastics, etc.

What is an S-Curve in the upper register anyways? I'm familiar with the hump that bolt on neck guitars sometimes get above the 17th fret. I'm wondering if that's what they mean.

Instead of 20% discount, that guitar should be 20% of the new price. I'd give them around $75 for their non playable guitar, but that's about it.

Actually, now that I think about it, I might not even bite at $75. I can buy used, fully functional imports around here all day long for less than that.

But of course this is all hypothetical, as Sweetwater isn't going to sell that guitar to me for $75.

[BatUtilityBelt]

Yeah, that's gotta be why Rondo has an entire category dedicated to parts, where you can buy pickups, hardware, plastics, etc.

What is an S Curve in the lower register anyways? I'm familiar with the hump that bolt on neck guitars sometimes get above the 17th fret. I'm wondering if that's what they mean.

Not sure, but it sounds like a neck twist in more than one direction. If I had to guess, that would be from making necks from improperly dried/cured wood. I have bought a brand new G&L guitar discounted by about 70% from Sam Ash merely because it had a neck twist. They called "parts", even though it was complete. I bought it because it was a bolt-on, so worst case I'd have to source a new neck for it. It turned out I didn't have to after all. Careful truss rod adjustment made it playable without issues.

I also bought a set-neck guitar brand new that came with a twist that rendered it unplayable... That guitar went back to Thomann for a refund. It really is a crap shoot.

[honyock]

Thomann used to sell Deko as in decoration only guitars, but they were just simple repairs most often (like mine needed the screw on the tuner button tightened to allow it to work again...)

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[bc rich]

No worries mate, comes with Free 55 point inspection. Also companies that have a business model of forcing their humble employees to constantly up sell to every customer just irks me.