I just got a gibson faded sg special, off the internet, for $650... and i love it! so I guess not all instruments sent to the online retailers suck. however, just based on what all these other people are saying, maybe i just got lucky, so, I would still go into the shop to try before you buy... I just did the stupid thing. but if I were you, I'd take a musicians friend catalog into the shop, try out the guitar(s) you were looking at, and then when you find one you like, find it in the catalog, point it out, and ask them to match the price. most places probably will, the only thing is you'll still have to pay tax. but, no shipping! (except the insane gas prices)