In San Diego, CA we are fortunate to have a great store called Guitar Trader. We also have a tiny little store called Moze Guitars. Moze is really small with fantastic personal service and top-notch luthiers. Guitar Trader looks like a little Ma n Pa store, until you go inside. It's respectably big. Guitar Trader gives you warm, personal service. Their prices certainly are competitive. I have never gone in to Guitar Trader when I wasn't immediately greeted and given assistance, advice, or whatever I needed. They beat GC's ass, because you can be lost in GC for a day and a half before somebody helps you.