I think a Bonobos model for instruments and gear for the big retailers would be more sustainable. Quality control for musical instruments has gotten much better

I think a Bonobos model for instruments and gear for the big retailers would be more sustainable. Quality control for musical instruments has gotten much better in the last decade (huge shoutout to World Musical Instruments in Korea) to the point I'm not really afraid of trying the exact guitar I'm buying compared to a floor model (although many GC floor models get beat up). Same goes for all other kinds of gear, except vintage and used. On the opposite end is the Chicago Music Exchange (they own/operate Reverb.com) which is the coolest damn store you'll ever go to if you're a guitar nerd.