Coda, Peach or other?

kswilson89

For a while now I've been in the vicious cycle of buying a guitar online, getting bored with it within a week or so and then flipping it on eBay/Reverb/Gumtree. I gave this scenario some good thought yesterday whilst watching England snoozefest - I mean football match -and came to the conclusion that, for me at least, trying a number of guitars before buying one is an essential part of the buying experience... Rather than choosing one somewhat arbitrarily online and clicking 'checkout'...

So that leads me to my question... I've always spent around the £1500 mark or less on a guitar as I've been too eager to make the purchase instead of actually saving for what I really want. Well I've managed to save up a decent wedge and I'm going to travel to either Peach or Coda and try out a whole host of guitars, most probably custom shop or alteenative-brand equivalent. Which store would you suggest I go to? Peach, Coda or other?

Thanks

Gassage

Honestly- both are fantastic stores run by fantastic people.

not_the_dj

If you're based in Liverpool and heading that way then Colechester and Stevenage are "relatively" close together...so both.

I've been to Coda and they're great, never tried Peach.

Wazmeister

Both are great, but I have slight bias towards Coda as Doug is especially fantastic.

@not_the_dj is bang on though... both relatively close

impmann

I've only ever been to Coda - great place.

meltedbuzzbox

impmann said:

I've only ever been to Coda - great place.

same as that. Its lethal for your wallet though!

Jack_

If you go to Peach you can visit their new lesbian bar.

axisus

I only know Coda (excellent shop) but if it was me I'd go to both.

SimonC

From Liverpool, Sound Affects Premier in Ormskirk would be my first stop.

JerkMoans

Although I live within 30 mins of Coda I’ve always avoided crossing the threshold. It’d be like a gambling addict walking into a Vegas casino...

terada

Everyone always says great things about coda. But my last experience there was less than great. Was looking to spend a sizeable chunk of cash on a decent amp, and the guys in there openly lied to me about a number of things regarding the amp.

To be honest when I bought my 335 they weren't super great either, just about the same as other shops I've been to.

meltedbuzzbox

terada said:

Everyone always says great things about coda. But my last experience there was less than great. Was looking to spend a sizeable chunk of cash on a decent amp, and the guys in there openly lied to me about a number of things regarding the amp.

To be honest when I bought my 335 they weren't super great either, just about the same as other shops I've been to.

I've always had great dealings in the shop. All the staff have been super helpful, even carrying stuff between the shops for me. 
You are left to freely grab and play whatever you want and no one bothers you. 
Doug is also an absolute gent and always does something on the price

Wazmeister

terada said:

Everyone always says great things about coda. But my last experience there was less than great. Was looking to spend a sizeable chunk of cash on a decent amp, and the guys in there openly lied to me about a number of things regarding the amp.

To be honest when I bought my 335 they weren't super great either, just about the same as other shops I've been to.

I guess everyone has different experiences, but Ive driven the considerable way to Coda many times, and the service has always been superb.

But more importantly, the after sales when things go wrong is un-matched by anyone, imho.

Strat54

Coda seem to be doing some good reductions on Custom Shop guitars at the moment so now might be the time to go and get a good deal. July is often a quiet month for retail sales with everyone spending on summer hols etc so I'd go and have a look. I've had a good few guitars off Doug over the years and he's willing to deal rather than many who think the price tag is the price you should pay....stuff that. 

Phil_aka_Pip

PMT are also good, IME

BluesyDave

Been to both and bought from both.  If you can visit both, that would be ideal.  Not sure there's anywhere that has the choice that these two excellent stores have.  Staff at both have always been very helpful.

slacker

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slacker

Mistyped 

Coda is great and I've been buying stuff for years. Don't go at the weekend and. Call first to check stock. 

wesker123

Both very good. I have slight bias towards Coda because they have Novo's and Doug is a top bloke

Teyeplayer

Bought an ok amp from coda that neeeded some work and I should have made more of it but didn’t. Equally, bought a guitar that turned up in a shocking state from peach that needed work (but was blamed on transit).  Andertons’s did what they said in the box, GAK were average. Guitarguitar strangely have always gone out of there way to make sure I’m happy. Music street were stunnning. 

Moral of of the story -visit them if at all possible. 

Brocco

World guitars (J14 of the M5 south of Cheltenham) might also be worth a visit. They focus on high end guitars - Tom Anderson, PRS, Nic Huber, Kna ggs, Fender CS, Gibson CS, etc). I've always had good service thete.