Combining try-before-you-buy with the luxury rental concept established by companies like Bag Borrow Steal and écurie25 is Guitar Affair, a service that rents out high-end and boutique guitars by the day or week.
Guitar Affair refers to its rentals as ‘affairs’ to reflect the emotional experience that customers have with instruments. Customers pay a one-off USD 50 fee to join and then select and reserve a guitar to be shipped anywhere within the United States. After they’ve had their affair for the agreed time span, they return the guitar in its shipping container with an included UPS label. For those fond enough to commit to a lasting relationship, guitars can be purchased with some (or all) of the affair fee refunded.
All of the guitars are memorable, with a cutaway XOX Handle carbon fibre guitar available for USD 75 a day or USD 300 a week, and a Sandoval Dot V costing USD 125 per day or 400 per week. In addition to guitars, customers can also rent a variety of headphones, amps, cables, straps, instructional items, backing tracks and road cases. The concept is perfect for a studio getaway, travelling musicians with fickle tastes or players who simply wish to experiment. And because the guitars are shipped back to the company, they're always maintained and set-up to professional standards—which can cost a pretty penny on its own.
Our sister-site trendwatching.com published a briefing about transumers back in 2006, focusing on consumers who are more interested in experiences than in ownership. It’s an enduring trend, and one that has extra power in today’s economy. Time to experiment with transient offerings of your own?
Website: www.guitaraffair.com
Contact: www.guitaraffair.com/contactus.php
Spotted by: Raymond Kollau
I've used Guitar Affair a couple of times. They have great guitars and their customer service is over-the-top. I ended up purchasing one of the guitars I rented and they happily refunded my rental fee.
I've rented a number of guitars from Guitar Affair and I must say that each time it has been a wonderful experience. I have played guitars that I didn't even know existed. I currently own and gig with a number of PRSs that I have purchased over the years. Not only does Guitar Affair have a number of manufacturers that are comparable or better (Breedlove, Brazen and St Blues, to name three), but I am able to get guitars that are useful for expanding my sound range when I gig. Without a doubt this a great way to expand your guitar collection (albeit on a temporary basis) but also a way to purchase guitars that you would otherwise never see.
yum yum.
i'm excited by this idea.
musiclover#2
http://www.enjoymusic.com