Viability of Bass Only Retail Store

[Quap]

I realize there are some around the country. But what could the market tolerate? Is it possible to open a store and have it survive?

[bongomania]

The fact that there are some around the country answers your last question. What the market can tolerate depends on how well you design and run the business, along with the severity of recession we're in.

[chicago_mike]

Big Maybe. You could survive online possibly. Keep low inventory and only order stuff when a customer actually orders the unit. Im sure some companies are like this.

Bass specialty stores you'll notice also carry guitars and such. Bass Club Chicago, I have not been to yet, but its parentstore, Make-n-music I have been to dozens of times.

[ggunn]

Originally Posted by chicago_mike

Bass specialty stores you'll notice also carry guitars and such. Bass Club Chicago, I have not been to yet, but its parentstore, Make-n-music I have been to dozens of times.

There aren't any guitars at the Bass Emporium.

[Mudcat35]

Yep, Bass Emporium seems to be able to make a go of it.

[SixString]

Bass Specialties has been around here in Philadelphia for a few years and surviving. They hold clinics and stuff too, its pretty sweet. (and its like 10min from my house)

[mcrracer]

Originally Posted by chicago_mike

Big Maybe. You could survive online possibly. Keep low inventory and only order stuff when a customer actually orders the unit. Im sure some companies are like this.

Bass specialty stores you'll notice also carry guitars and such. Bass Club Chicago, I have not been to yet, but its parentstore, Make-n-music I have been to dozens of times.

Bass Club used to be a stand alone store for several years that I know of. I met quite a few bad a$$ed bass players there. For some reason they chose to move in with Make-N-Music. That may partially answer your question.

[faulknersj]

An on-line presence is crucial. Look up The Bass Place in Arizona as an example of a 'bass only ' shop.

[Philbiker]

There is a fantastic one here in the DC area called "Jive Sound" and the proprietor is a member here and a good friend of mine. Highly recommended!

[bassCanadabass]

Club bass in Toronto is amazing!

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Quap

I realize there are some around the country. But what could the market tolerate? Is it possible to open a store and have it survive?

It would make very little sense to open a 'brick and mortar' bass only store these days. Only the largest markets could support one IMO, and those markets are all pretty well covered.

However, there are many 'boutique bass only' shops that don't have a storefront but have a strong internet presence (for example, Austin Bass Traders, Luthiers Access Group, etc., etc.), and that seems to be doable if you can get your marketing act together and differentiate yourself regarding product offerings and expertise (and decent prices and excellent service).

With my experience with the Low Down Sound retail store in Detroit, 'brick and mortar' is tough for bass only. In order to keep an inventory of high end instruments that makes it interesting for players to come into the store, it costs a FORTUNE. And, if you go too 'low end', you run right up against Guitar Center, which will beat you every time on price and selection. That's a losing game.

[superbassman2000]

there's planet bass around here
http://www.planetbass.com

a storefront is good, but online is crucial. With a specialty store, you need to be able to reach as many customers as you can, and online is the way to go

[Bollenator]

Lest we forget Bass Northwest in Seattle, WA. All bass, all the time.

[thudstaff23]

Originally Posted by Bollenator

Lest we forget Bass Northwest in Seattle, WA. All bass, all the time.

+1 to the greatest bass store in the land. They also have a reputation of doing exceptional bass work, so I'm sure that helps with sustainability.

[notdavey]

I work in the MI (Music Instrument) business as a supplier. In my opinion, Bass only stores pretty much cater to the higher end, interemediate to advanced / pro bass players, with a smattering of beginner instruments (if at all). Yeah any bass player will flock to a store like this like moths to a flame but it's mainly the higher end player that will buy.

The issue with any niche music store is that you have a smaller audience. MI retail stores are hurting big time with competition from online and a lousy economy for the last year+. I agree with everyone else that you'd have to establish yourself online. I'd even recommend starting there and seeing how it goes. A "brick and mortar" retail store has substatial overheard: rent, insurance, start up costs etc. compared to creating an online store. Some vendors and suppliers will even drop ship for you so you never even have to take inventory. If you can make it online, then consider a small store front. Some of the previously mentioned Bass only stores (Bass Northwest is local for me) have been around a long time (pre-internet days) and have established reps locally and now nationally.

My two cents....best of luck.

[lowphatbass]

There use to be a "bass specialty" store around my area. It was somewhat like the opposite of most smaller independent music stores. The had a little bit of guitar stuff, school band/folk stuff, music books, a couple of keyboards, an entry level PA or two. There specialty was high end bass stuff, Modulus, Music Man, Glock, Bag End, EA are a few brands that I remember. Lots of bassists would travel an hour or two from around the Bay Area to try stuff first hand, and they would also pick-up local business for basic musical needs.

[hdracer]

Originally Posted by superbassman2000

there's planet bass around here
http://www.planetbass.com

a storefront is good, but online is crucial. With a specialty store, you need to be able to reach as many customers as you can, and online is the way to go

Have you been there yet? Is it walk in now or do you still have to make a appointment?

[superbassman2000]

i think you still have to make an appointment--at least that's what it says on the website, and that's the reason I am too afraid to go there--is it just some salesperson hanging around you waiting for you to make a purchase? too much pressure lol