Top 5 "high end" Bass amps for your new store

fishtx · #1 03-04-2011, 11:06 PM

If you could open your own store, and wanted to stock it with high end amp gear...what would be your "5" top amp choices to stock at your dream store?

JimmyM · #2 03-05-2011, 12:50 AM

ampeg, hartke, aggie, genz benz, mesa.

Basshappi · #3 03-05-2011, 01:56 AM

Ampeg, Genz-Benz, EA, GK and Eden

playerunk · #4 03-05-2011, 01:57 AM

i think that store will go out of business after the first month.
but anyway my choice will be:mesa, ampeg, genz benz, GK, mark bass.. even if these aren't the high end..they will sell.

i see high end as epifani, eden, alembic(do they make full amps of just pres ?), glockenklang, aguilar, EA

Munjibunga · #5 03-05-2011, 02:00 AM

Eden, Aguilar, Glockenklang, Mesa, TecAmp. I'd keep an Ampeg in the back room for the tyros.

Sartori · #6 03-05-2011, 02:01 AM

Ampeg, Mesa, GK, Orange, Ashdown or Markbass.

Joe Gress · #7 03-05-2011, 02:02 AM

GK, Ampeg, Mesa, Orange, and one other (haha).

pablomigraine · #8 03-05-2011, 02:16 AM

Genz Benz, Tecamp, Ashdown (the good stuff), EBS, Baer.

............and Bargantino cabs!

naetog · #9 03-05-2011, 02:19 AM

GK, Mesa, Glockenklang, EBS, Aguilar. Probably wouldn't sell a whole lot, but it would be damn fun.

musicserb · #10 03-05-2011, 02:20 AM

Eden, GK, Trace Elliot, Ampeg and Warwick

EdHunter · #11 03-05-2011, 02:42 AM

Nothing but Marshalls.

musicserb · #12 03-05-2011, 03:02 AM

Eden, GK, Trace Elliot, Ampeg and Warwick

canadian*eh · #13 03-05-2011, 08:59 AM

GK, Mesa, Markbass, SWR, Genz Benz!!

ColtBass96 · #14 03-05-2011, 09:37 AM

Mesa, Aguilar, Orange, Ampeg, Ashdown

BurningSkies · #15 03-05-2011, 09:53 AM

Is the point here for everyone to just name off their favorite amp brands, or is it to come up with a coherent product mix that actually provides a wide retail variety to service different types of bassists and their needs?

KJung · #16 03-05-2011, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BurningSkies

Is the point here for everyone to just name off their favorite amp brands, or is it to come up with a coherent product mix that actually provides a wide retail variety to service different types of bassists and their needs?

+1 This is a tough one. He does mention 'high end', but you also have to pay the bills with some sales volume also.

Mesa is a tough one, because they seem to require a retailer to keep a LOT of stuff on the floor.

I think I'd go with Genz to cover the 'lower end of the high end', Bergantino and Aguilar, in the 'middle of the high end', and then possibly Ampeg if you could limit your orders to the higher end stuff. Mesa would be good if you didn't have to order the full line to keep on the floor. TC Electronics is another line that might fit nicely in that mix also.

That would give a nice pricing mix and 'tonal mix' without going to the real low end stuff. And, those brands have relatively high awareness in the bass community, and hence would tend to sell without a ton of marketing or 'explanation'.

IMO. My strongest advice would be to not open a high end bass store... unless you have a lot of money to lose

BurningSkies · #17 03-05-2011, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJung

+1 This is a tough one. He does mention 'high end', but you also have to pay the bills with some sales volume also.

Mesa is a tough one, because they seem to require a retailer to keep a LOT of stuff on the floor.

I think I'd go with Genz to cover the 'lower end of the high end', Bergantino and Aguilar, in the 'middle of the high end', and then possibly Ampeg if you could limit your orders to the higher end stuff. Mesa would be good if you didn't have to order the full line to keep on the floor. TC Electronics is another line that might fit nicely in that mix also.

That would give a nice pricing mix and 'tonal mix' without going to the real low end stuff. And, those brands have relatively high awareness in the bass community, and hence would tend to sell without a ton of marketing or 'explanation'.

IMO. My strongest advice would be to not open a high end bass store... unless you have a lot of money to lose

Exactly...or if you open one, its because you want a very expensive hobby and have lots of money on your hands.

The double edged sword of Mesa is the fact that they've got name recognition and reputation. While they may require you to carry a lot of product, lots of traffic may hit your store because you carry it. Ampeg is sort of that way too. I feel like you're obligated to have them in a bunch of ways, whether I'm interested in them or not.

I also don't think you can survive on 'high end'. I think your product mix needs to have entry and mid range stuff that also calls to the general public if you're making a go of things rather than filling a room with 'standing product'.

When Joe public shops for an amp and looks at your website or calls and he finds out that you carry Glockenklang, Bergantino, TecAmp, EBS and EA, he's going to shake his head and run to the nearest GC because you carry a bunch of 'no name' gear.

Also, I'm guessing that for every 1K+ amp you sell, you're going to sell about 20 sub-500$ amps.

Munjibunga · #18 03-05-2011, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdHunter

Nothing but Marshalls.

What would you have for us bass players?

B'Boom · #19 03-05-2011, 11:44 AM

Alessandro High-End, Hiwatt or Reeves, Ampeg Heritage Series, Aguilar, Glockenklang, and Mesa.

markkoelsch · #20 03-05-2011, 12:09 PM

Mesa, Aquilar, Thunderfunk, Genz Benz, Mark Bass.

I think you might want to consider Ampeg as some folks will buy it just because it says Ampeg on it.

I might also consider throwing in an Alembic preamp or two as they are pretty awesome...same with a Demeter.

For cabs I like Mesa and the Genz Benz Ubers. I am not much for the Mark Bass cabs. Maybe somebody could talk Greenboy into manufacturing or licensing the Fearful cabs. You could also consider a few Accugroove cabs. Bergantino cabs too.