What strings and accessories should my store carry..

[jschwalls]

Thanks to everyone with suggestions about new bass lines for my store to carry, in a previous post.

Now, I would like for you guys to tell me what strings and accessories you would like to see in a store if you were shopping.

We currently have the typical.. DR strings, D'Addario, Ernie Ball, and Dunlop (not bad for the price)..

I would like specific flatwound suggestions...

the store I work at has been around for about 8 years.. it was primarily a Boutique guitar store and drum shop.. When I started shopping there I pushed hard for some bass gear... The store added SWR, Traben, and Lakland.. all of which failed..

Now, I am teaching and working there and I want a bass section to be proud of !

My town is really into Jam Bands and Metal bands (weird combo, i want to start a metal jam band, haha)

Anyway...

we have access to every freakin' pedal made...

So fire away with suggestions..
thanks again guys!

JON

[unbridled]

They've got a good start. If you want to look really good for the owners, check with your wholesalers for deals on different brands and let that be your guide. You're going to get so many different responses from this posting that you'll be buried in a huge selection of strings. For something folks don't see often, a good margin, and a good price point, check out Curt Mangan strings.

[ehque]

Sonic Research Turbo Tuners.

[Falkner]

Originally Posted by jschwalls

I would like specific flatwound suggestions...

GHS Precision Flats and D'Addario Chromes are great flatwound strings, and the Chromes seem especially popular. I can never find any sets in the local shops here.

[steamthief]

DR is good, but I can't find nickel Lo-Riders or Sunbeams anywhere locally. It's always Hi-Beams, and sometimes FatBeams or Lo-Riders, all SS. Nickels for jam bands, SS for metal?

[bongomania]

The full LaBella range (including shortscale, medium scale, and tapewound); TI Jazz flats; Elixirs.

Also offer people discounts on bulk purchases--like 10% off for buying a 5-pack, 20% off for buying a 10-pack, something like that.

[jschwalls]

nice idea on the multi-pack discount..

Originally Posted by bongomania

The full LaBella range (including shortscale, medium scale, and tapewound); TI Jazz flats; Elixirs.

Also offer people discounts on bulk purchases--like 10% off for buying a 5-pack, 20% off for buying a 10-pack, something like that.

[FenderP]

As far as flats: Chromes, Rotosound (both the RS77 and RS88 line), T-I, and LaBella (Both the standard and the nylon tape wound like the RS88 set) are arguably the most popular. But stock a few of the thicker sets (i.e. the RS77LE set) since some folks like 'em.

[Mr. Mig]

Flats: D'Addario Chromes and All of LaBella's flatwounds.

[JTE]

Hey, you're in retail, so the key to success is getting people to come into the store (and to buy stuff, but you gotta get them in first). So, stock some less common strings, like GHS Precison Flats, GHS Brite-Flats, TI flats, some of the Jamerson set, and other LaBella flats. Same with rounds- DR makes more than just Hi-Beams and Lo-Riders so carry some of those too.

But you'll run into problems there- dealer discount won't be very good until you get into rather large orders- so one set of Sunbeams will cost the store about the same as anyone can get them from Juststrings.com so the owner's will have to be willing to invest in some stock. In these time especially, that's gonnna be hard. Especially since Lakland stiffed there. I gotta ask though- why'd Lakland stiff on you (and Traben- I think SWR just ain't that good compared to a lot of other stuff out there in the same price range). Often times good gear doesn't move because the sales people don't know how to SELL! Especially if the store's a Fender dealer. Those places are accustomed to customers coming in knowing they want a Fender Jazz bass or a Strat. Then all the sales clone has to do is to talk them into one that's more profitable than the one they thought they wanted when they came in.

But to sell Laklands, Lulls, Pedullas, etc. the sales force has to spend some time with each customer, and be able to point out the things that make these instruments different, special, "better", etc. And that frequently don't happen...

Here's a good idea for building repeat customers and regular traffic through the store- instead of a bulk discount for buying a whole box of strings at once (that's be five or six sets at one time the way most string makers package), create a "string-club" where you have like a punch card. They join the club, get a small discount on each set, and after buying X number of sets, get a set for free. Keeps 'em coming back- and that's the chance to see new stuff and check out that Fender Custom Shop '64 Jazz bass in CAR with matching headstock the day the tax refund posts to their account...



jte

[waynobass]

My favorite flats are GHS Precision flats, and one of my favorite rounds are GHS Boomers.

(No, I'm not on the GHS payroll!)

[jk3]

Originally Posted by waynobass

My favorite flats are GHS Precision flats, and one of my favorite rounds are GHS Boomers.

(No, I'm not on the GHS payroll!)

+1 for ghs precision flats - the most underrated flat out there. but its not a surprise b/c you cant find regular scale ANYwhere - including online.

[JTE]

Try Lakland Joe Osborne flats- they're indistinquishable to me from GHS Precision Flats.

jte