Bass gear stores in Maryland?

grifff · #1 09-06-2009, 08:21 AM

Are there any places that carry a lot of bass specific gear in Maryland? I live 2 minutes from the nearest Guitar Center, but they don't really have all that much stuff for bass. I would love to try out some of the lightweight heads that Markbass makes, as well as the Genz Benz products side by side. They really don't have much of a cabinet selection either. If you could provide a phone number/address for the store that would be really helpful.

Thanks in advance.

gre107 · #2 09-06-2009, 08:24 AM

In Bensalem PA (close to Philly) there is Bass Specialties. I know it's not MD but close enough and well worth the trip! I try to make the pilgrimage as much as possible and it's a 2 hour trip for me!
Check out www.Bassspecialties.com

Peace

Sliderbass · #3 09-06-2009, 08:27 AM

Check out Washington music center in Wheaton. They've been there for years and have gear in stock. Also just about the best prices anywhere

Web site:

www.wmcworld.com

dubstylee · #4 09-06-2009, 08:29 AM

Chuck Levin's - Washington Music Center in Wheaton, MD. They have a lot of stuff there. I don't know where you are in MD, but Chuck's is the place! They have a lot of gear to try, and a lot of basses too. It's located right off the beltway (495). From Baltimore it's probably about 45 minutes.

dubstylee · #5 09-06-2009, 08:29 AM

Ah!! you beat me to it Slider, I was typing that post at the same time!

gre107 · #6 09-06-2009, 08:33 AM

Ahhh... I forgot about Chuck's place but I've never been there with that said. I'll have to make the trip myself one day.

JGR · #7 09-06-2009, 09:15 AM

Don't forget Jive sound in Arlington.

grifff · #8 09-06-2009, 09:23 AM

Hmm Chuck Levin's sounds like I could do that...Philly is a little too far for me to really want to drive. I don't mind going over the PA line but I'd like to keep it as close to home as possible. Thanks for the responses so far! Keep them coming.

Jason P Bass · #9 09-06-2009, 10:04 AM

Chuck Levin's is the best.

Their "Vault" (the basement) is the place of legends.

I'll skip the story, but I now have dreams, crazy dreams, of pulling an Indiana Jones and sneaking into their basement to see what else is down there. They pulled a 15+ year old instrument out of the basement BRAND NEW for me, and it's one of those "check the SN - oh they haven't made these for YEARS" kind of basses. (I should have bought it and flipped it, but ah well...)

Also, prices are good and the sales guys are, in my humble opinion, way more than a step above the guys at Guitar Center.

First time I ever played an 8x10 was at Chuck Levins.

jmain · #10 09-06-2009, 10:09 AM

JiveSound in Alexandria

GC at Seven Corners/Falls Church has some MB gear

GC in Fairfax

grifff · #11 09-06-2009, 10:12 AM

Do you know if Chuck Levin is a Markbass dealer? I looked on his website and all I saw was Genz Benz among others. I'd really like to A/B a Shuttle and a Littlemark.

dubstylee · #12 09-06-2009, 10:21 AM

Griff, Chuck's doesn't carry Markbass gear. Atleast they didn't the last time I was there.

Gintaras · #13 09-06-2009, 10:23 AM

I was in GC in Glen Burnie on friday and it had some markbass gear. At least 3 or 4 heads a few cabs and 2 combos. Some of these were on the list sale going on this week.

Jim C · #14 09-06-2009, 12:10 PM

Think Mark Bass might be exclusive to GC and Musician's Friend

jmain · #15 09-06-2009, 12:14 PM

Believe Jim C is right on that one.

Din Of Win · #16 09-08-2009, 10:32 AM

Woah... how could yall not mention Atomic Music!!!

Strictly used gear, but it's pretty much the only place i buy gear from. Their main location is in Beltsville and they have a smaller satelite location in Rockville. http://www.atomicmusiconline.com/

+1 to Chuck Levins. I haven't been there in a while, but it's a great place.

+1 to Jive Sound. I've drooled over their website for a while now... haven't got the courage to go there. Gear that nice gives me hella-anxiety

You might also like Victor Litz in Rockville. Not a bad place at all. www.victorlitz.com

Good Luck in your search! Seriously try Atomic!

FretFree · #17 09-08-2009, 11:24 AM

OK...

I'll chime in here for an old family friend...

Check out Bill's Music in Catonsville, too! http://www.billsmusiconline.com/

chadds · #18 09-08-2009, 12:39 PM

Chucks is the best. Great prices.
Jive Sound is in Alexandria and is a bass only store.
You can hear players there on Sat that will blow your mind and educate you too. Jong the owner gives great service.

Bills....well they sell at near list. They won't dicker unless it's an old piece. I went in there a while ago needing a set of 5-string D'Addarios. Salesman says $28. I said Chucks is selling them for $14. How about a discount. He said no. I said when I get to Chucks I'm going to buy three sets. Can you do something. He says no. I said you really are going to let me go out the door when I'm a professional and buy a lot of gear. He wouldn't budge. There may not have been much wiggle room on those strings but I think there was. It's better to make $3 bucks each on 3 sets of strings then $5 on one set. Bill makes his money on rentals and lay away and financing.
That's his prerogative. They just don't understand volume or extending that courtesy to a few for instance returning or loyal customers. This happened once before and Bill yelled to the salesman to do the deal. They have a car salesman vibe rather than a specialist helping you find what you need. My 2 cents. So I stay far away.

grifff · #19 09-08-2009, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FretFree

OK...

I'll chime in here for an old family friend...

Check out Bill's Music in Catonsville, too! http://www.billsmusiconline.com/

I hear a lot about Bills having a large selection of guitars, do they also have a lot of bass stock?

father of fires · #20 09-08-2009, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grifff

I hear a lot about Bills having a large selection of guitars, do they also have a lot of bass stock?

Bills is the only place to get Ric's and ESP but, they also have fender, peavey, etc. The amp selection is sub par.

Atomic is fantastic but, being used their selection varies. You can always check their gbase acount.

Chuck levins is cool because the have alembics and at one time they had Glockenlang.

If I ever get off of my lazy ass, Baltimore City will have it's own bass specific store.