Red guitars sell

ONE OF THE many challenges in small retail is selling items in demand. Second String Music has learned through research and trial and error what sells and what doesn't, but sometimes you just never know.

This morning we sold a beautiful dark cherry metallic Gretsch Electromatic to a young man looking to up his game. The list price is more than $600, but we match the internet price of $450 and our new Gretsch owner is thrilled.

This guitar sells like crazy at Fifth and Maine!

It's the third cherry metallic Electromatic we've sold in less than a week. There's no explanation, other than our customers were in the right place and the right time and we had them in stock. We still have a couple of gorgeous metallic gold and metallic green models on the wall and I doubt they last long.

Actually, I want the green one. I asked Sheryl about it the other day. She said, "You already own 49 percent of it, silly." The whole need vs. want argument doesn't always work, sadly. Or thankfully, since we are in business.

Also this morning we helped a young man who is physically challenged with his hands. We explained how pickups on guitars work, and how playing in open tunings can make it easier and fun to learn. The young man was happy somebody took a little time and answered his questions and treated him fairly and with respect. He'll be back and we'll set him up down the road.

It's the nature of small retail - you just never know who will walk in and pull the trigger. Two weeks ago a guy walked in and sat cross-legged on the floor strumming electric guitars. He played for about an hour, then got up and said, "I'm gonna go across the street and get a beer, and I'll be back to get something."

Sure enough, an hour later, he came back and ended up doing major business with us.

Second String Music isn't just a job - it's an adventure, and we're proud to be Quincy's music store!