Interesting trip to a local music store.

[jerimy77]

Last weekend I went to a rather large music store (National chain) near my girlfreind's house. I usually don't shop at the said location as it is on the other side of town, and not as convenient for me. Any how I was just browsing around and went into the bass guitar room to scope out the new basses, and to my dissmay the musicman bass guitars they had on display looked horrible, Grimey, missing knobs, and in need of new strings. I would have figured that a store of that size could have someone working the bass guitar dept. that knew what time it was. High quality instruments should be cared for and displayed properly is what I would think. I mean I would hate to pay $1,500.00 to $1,800.00 for a bass that was missing a knob and in need of new strings and a set-up. Maybe I am just rambling and grumbling....

 

[EBMM7181]

sadly, that sort of thing happens. I would call the store manager and bring it to his attention, and Im sure they will address the problem.

 

[mynan]

I would call the store manager and bring it to his attention, and Im sure they will address the problem.

+1

That's the best thing you could do...

 

[iamcatwarrior]

$20 says that this is about Guitar Center.

I've seen stuff like this myself and I'm none too happy about it, either, but that's the way it goes. Numerous people handle the instruments over long periods of time and they go without finish polish, new strings, etc., for as long as they're up on the walls. Things like this occur as a result.

For my own peace of mind, where instruments are concerned, I've gone to other retailers, where I know what I'm getting and no one has touched what I would like to buy.

 

[five7]

If you are ever in Denver and want to go into a premier store, go to Guitar Land/Drum City on 44th just east of Kipling. Best store I have ever been in. They even have an in store tech that will tune a bass for you to try out. Killer prices and a great website. Check them out.

 

[jlepre]

What I do is try whatever GC has in stock, and then order my BRAND NEW EBMM from my local guitar shop. That way I get the best possible experience, with a FACTORY FRESH ball.

I have seen many balls on the wall with fret sprouts and marks, that I would NEVER buy my bass from their stock. I keep all my basses in their cases, so they are NICER than anything you would find at a local GC.

 

[MrMusashi]

sprouts can be cured so at the right price i could buy. that is if i was in the states....

+1 on calling the manager

MrM

 

[Basscake]

*sigh* You'll find shops like these ar all over the world. Sad....

Sometimes I wonder how they sell any guitar.

If i check out an instrument and it turns out that it has a horrible action or is strung with dead strings, it looses its appeal instantly. Regardless of its potential.
I put it back within the minute.

 

[Big Poppa]

As much as I hate hearing this I must remind you that this chain has a no questions asked policy on playing the guitar. The instruments get beaten up by the customers and knobs get stolen by the customers

Call the manager and if that doesnt work post agian and I will forward it to the appropriate guys at said chain

 

[AtomicPunk]

I will say that I went to a large chain store (I mean the main one) once and they had a bunch of Music Man basses that they were blowing out, right up front. At the time, I had not fallen under the spell, and the price was right, so I plugged them in and tried them out.
The setups were HORRIBLE, strings buzzing all over the place, dead batteries, etc. I was so turned off that I did not buy.
I hate to think that someone else could have the same thing happen to them now that I KNOW what they are SUPPOSED to sound like!!

 

[JustinM]

Before I bought my Stealth Bongo from jlepre, I talked to this same chain locally. It was interesting to say the least. They looked at their nationwide stock and found 6 available. The salesman was nice and wise enough to call each location to find out the condition of the basses. Needless to say - none of them were in good condition. In fact, there was one store that had started selling parts off. When I asked the salesman and who I assumed was the floor manager, if they could do that they both laughed and said they aren't supposed to.
The other weird thing was when my wife asked if they could just order one direct, both guys told us that they weren't being made anymore. Both her and I at the same time said "Oh, but they do." They were both shocked and said they'd have to look into it.

I'm not trying to bash this store - I just wanted to add my 0.02 of experience. Like I said - the salesman really was helpful and he was just as surprised at what the other locations had allowed to happen to these basses.

 

[bizmarckie]

On a lighter note...

I went to my local GC and that's what sealed the deal for me. I went and ordered a Sterling Right away. Of course, it seems that the one here doesn't have as many people thrashing on the instruments... If it's an issue, take it to the management. In retail, they're the ones who can effect change.

 

[syciprider]

OTOH, not many music stores there have the financial wherewithal and liberal showroom policy to let us try anything in the store regardless of how we looked or how old we are. Let's admit it, all of us who have access to their stores went to GC at some point primarily because we like the petting zoo environment and we want to try gear that we probably intend to purchase elsewhere. Having said this, we should understand why the instruments @ GC are the way they are.

 

[balance]

I hate seeing that too, but I've seen it at both big and little shops. It goes with the territory of allowing people to play the instruments. If you don't allow them to play it, then you get the wrap of being the store that is unwelcoming. I do think strings are an easy enough fix however and should be changed when they're falling apart.

 

[five7]

GC could do background checks on anyone trying out an instrument.

 

[iamcatwarrior]

GC could do background checks on anyone trying out an instrument.

LOL!

What's next -- a five-day waiting period?