At Rudy's in New York today...

scubaduba · #1 10-01-2012, 06:26 PM

...not impressed with the setups on basses in the shop. Seriously nice basses hanging on the wall... but a $9000 Ritter with strings well over 1/4" off the fretboard and electronics humming and buzzing? MTD 635 with action about the same. Multiple Sukops with too much neck relief. Never been to the shop before but is this common for that place?

bassgod0dmw · #2 10-01-2012, 06:35 PM

Rudy's = Meh. Very meh. I hope you went to Sam Ash across the street, I like it better for the most part.

I did get to play through the Berg HD212 with a Streamliner the other day at Rudy's, it was pretty sweet.

scubaduba · #3 10-01-2012, 06:40 PM

I definitely felt like I was a "nuisance" at Rudy's. Like I was inconveniencing them by being there.

I went to Sam Ash too. Nobody said a word to me the whole time I was at Sam Ash (except for another customer who was being ignored too).

Not impressed with either store. Lots of inventory but horrible service and terrible prices.

bassgod0dmw · #4 10-01-2012, 06:49 PM

You need to ask if you want something usually. Personally, I'd rather not be asked if I need anything because I usually don't. Both stores are pretty helpful when you need it though.

I don't like how everything is locked onto the wall, but I guess when you have $10K+ instruments hanging on the wall you don't want everyone just grabbing at them.

millsbass5 · #5 10-01-2012, 06:52 PM

You'd thin that a big-name store with with a longstanding reputation would have their in-stock basses properly set-up. Seriously, what's 15-20min. to the repair guy out of an 8 hour shift? Instead, he's probably chokin' his chicken in a bathroom stall........ Sad, sad, sad.

bassman10096 · #6 10-01-2012, 06:55 PM

Quote:

I definitely felt like I was a "nuisance" at Rudy's. Like I was inconveniencing them by being there.

I don't mind being left alone, but the vibe was pretty unmistakably "don't bother me". I'm a native New Yorker, so it wasn't culture shock - just poor customer relations. Pretty surprising, if you were to look at the dozens of basses I've bought (many new) over they years. Come to think of it, when many TB's walk into a music store there's a real opportunity to make some salesperson's day.

bassgod0dmw · #7 10-01-2012, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millsbass5

You'd thin that a big-name store with with a longstanding reputation would have their in-stock basses properly set-up. Seriously, what's 15-20min. to the repair guy out of an 8 hour shift? Instead, he's probably chokin' his chicken in a bathroom stall........ Sad, sad, sad.

You know how busy the repair guys are at these shops?

30th Street Guitars has so many guitars and amps to repair that they are basically sitting out in the main floor of the store. They have more in for repair than most stores have inventory.

I'm not saying they shouldn't get a setup every once in a while, but the season just changed and the temperature dropped. They are usually set up fairly well, so I'm thinking that might have something to do with it.

scubaduba · #8 10-01-2012, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

You know how busy the repair guys are at these shops?

30th Street Guitars has so many guitars and amps to repair that they are basically sitting out in the main floor of the store. They have more in for repair than most stores have inventory.

I'm not saying they shouldn't get a setup every once in a while, but the season just changed and the temperature dropped. They are usually set up fairly well, so I'm thinking that might have something to do with it.

You're kidding right?

bassgod0dmw · #9 10-01-2012, 07:05 PM

About what part?

57pbass · #10 10-01-2012, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

I'm not saying they shouldn't get a setup every once in a while, but the season just changed and the temperature dropped. They are usually set up fairly well, so I'm thinking that might have something to do with it.

I agree with this ...Rudy's is a good shop..a bit overpriced but the guys in the store are cool...especially Dean..he is great to deal with and is very helpful.

BillyIVbass · #11 10-01-2012, 07:23 PM

I definitely have felt like a nuisance going into Rudy's. Sam Ash much friendlier, but I'm the kind of forward guy who will seek out help either by asking or by taking my short self over to the nearest expensive bass just out of reach and seeing if I can't get it down myself!

Larry Hartke is at Sam Ash some days too. If he's there he'll show you around...just don't ask him about test-driving an Eden!

daveman50 · #12 10-01-2012, 08:01 PM

I think Rudy's prices are high because they get a steady stream of touring acts who can spend the coin. I've seen it. It's like anything else in NYC -- you have to exhibit some balls and confidence, and if you can play, and know what you're talking about, you will get good service.

Hotblack · #13 10-01-2012, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 57pbass

I agree with this ...Rudy's is a good shop..a bit overpriced but the guys in the store are cool...especially the African American guy..he is great to deal with and is very helpful.

That would be Dean. He's a good dude.

scubaduba · #14 10-01-2012, 08:03 PM

So where else should I hit while in New York?

Hotblack · #15 10-01-2012, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scubaduba

So where else should I hit while in New York?

Call up Fodera and Sadowsky. See if you can get a tour. They are not on the island of Manhattan, but you can get on the subway and they are only a few stops away.

In Manhattan, there is Matt Umanov's and GC on 14th Street.
Stop into Veselka on 2nd Avenue for a great burger and some perogis.

Hotblack · #16 10-01-2012, 08:11 PM

If you get a move on now, you can catch the second set of Mike Stern and Tom Kennedy at 55 bar.

millsbass5 · #17 10-01-2012, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

You know how busy the repair guys are at these shops?

30th Street Guitars has so many guitars and amps to repair that they are basically sitting out in the main floor of the store. They have more in for repair than most stores have inventory.

I'm not saying they shouldn't get a setup every once in a while, but the season just changed and the temperature dropped. They are usually set up fairly well, so I'm thinking that might have something to do with it.

Well, as long as he ain't in the bathroom stall.

57pbass · #18 10-01-2012, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hotblack

That would be Dean. He's a good dude.

Thank you..I could not remember his name...

57pbass · #19 10-01-2012, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hotblack

Stop into Veselka on 2nd Avenue for a great burger and some perogis.

Take his advice and get there for some grub..this place is amazing.

I think it's Second Ave around 9th Street??

hemmerlinj · #20 10-01-2012, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 57pbass

Take his advice and get there for some grub..this place is amazing.

I think it's Second Ave around 9th Street??

Agreed Viselka is great. Perogies!

And I just bought an Elrick at Rudys last week. I was very happy with the service. Went in the day before and was nicely asked if I wanted to play anything. Was just looking went to Samash played the Fodera NYC Empire basses. Really liked them, but couldn't justify the cost for a Fodera made in Japan.

Went back to Rudys the next day and tried a bunch of basses and walked out with an Elrick.