GC effect experience

Barkless Dog · #1 08-07-2007, 02:10 PM

I went to my GC to see if they have a fulltone GT - 500

They are not busy; it's the middle of the day, a Tuesday.

Anyway I ask if they carry them, they do, but do not stock them.

I see they have a Digitech X-7 effects expression pedal. Having read positive reviews, I figure I would like to try it. They have it permanently mounted on this big rack of pedals of a vertical rack. I ask someone to help me. I tell them I want to try it with a bass. The guy asks why?

Then he tells me guitar pedals do not work well with bass. He proceeds to try to figure out how to get the pedal switched on. Still just the bass sound, no pedal. He gets all frustrated, and tells me, it does not work with bass frequencies, and it’s turned on, in a smart-ass tone. He tells me " These are built for guitars not basses".

I tell him FINE! and he leaves. I ask another guy and he pushes a couple of switches and turns it on. Guess what? It worked fine with bass.

This all took about 15 minutes to get it working between the two of them.

By the time it worked I could careless anymore. I went through the programs and they seemed OK, but nothing special. It was kind of confusing with all the little dials that you could not read very well. It also did not help they had it mounted vertically on the last tier near the floor so to try it you had to sit on the floor to tweak it while you played.

I guess it's just better to buy an effect and try it then sell it if you don't like it instead of going through that again. I got the feeling the last thing anyone wanted to do was help someone with an effect pedal.

The BurgerMeister · #2 08-07-2007, 02:27 PM

you're going to the wrong GC. come to the Sherman Oaks, CA one. i'll take care of you!

plus, some people just aren't that savvy when it comes to this "modern phenomenon" of bassists using effects. it scares their fragile little minds. you have to be a little patient with these silly noooobs, y'know?

also: you ran into a customer service DOOFUS. either that guy as a lot to learn, or he'll be out of that job soon.

alsoalso: those digitech displays are notorious for breaking and sucking. they're supposed to be a simple, plug-in-and-play display (which is a good idea, in theory), but they end up being monoliths of nightmarish frustration for customers and salespeople alike.

i'm sorry you had such a terrible experience.

Joe P · #3 08-07-2007, 02:27 PM

Ohhhh yeah: They can be dandies, all-right.

I have two mega-stores here in Milwaukee - Guitar Center and Interstate Music. Y'know: actually - For the last year-or-so, Milwaukee GC has been getting BETTER, and Interstate WORSE.

I was asking GC once recently about a DOD passive mixer. and my Salesman called me back to ask if I had any more questions, or if I'd like for him to order one for me - I thought that was pretty cool.

Interstate is rediculous; just rediculous. UN-helpful MAXIMUS!

Joe

McHaven · #4 08-07-2007, 02:33 PM

I bought my Big Muff at GC and they were very wary of me walking over to the bass department with it.

"What are you doing?"
"I was going to try the pedal out with the Geddy Lee. I got the pedal from the guy at the counter"
"No, no you can't do that! This is a bass!"
"Yeah and so was the thing Cliff Burton played, now F off"

They also had the Digitech Looper on a big vertical rack. I really wanted to play it but couldn't wire it up, because all the cables were too short.

And another note,
Any of the GCs you go to keep all their pedals in the display case plugged in? Every pedal I've ever tried at GC has had a dead battery cause they chain every pedal in the case.

The BurgerMeister · #5 08-07-2007, 02:38 PM

the pedal displays need constant upkeep. kids are always unplugging things and trying to fix what isn't broken... it can be frustrating. but the pedals on the displays are run from power supplies and daisy chains. any time a customer wants to check out a pedal or three, i hook them up with cables and all the correct power supplies (unless there is a fresh battery).

also: i've hooked pedals up for guitarists, bassists, percussionists, keyboardists, trumpeters, violinists, cellists, flautists.... effects are for everyone.

Barkless Dog · #6 08-07-2007, 02:42 PM

One would think they should be "aware" that bass players can and do use guitar pedals and they might sell a few if they opened their minds & eyes just a little bit.

You would also think they might actually train people that you can?

it's not like something new?

The complicated Digitech display was right out of the movie "Brazil"

The BurgerMeister · #7 08-07-2007, 02:48 PM

one would think that, yes. but many people live very sheltered lives. especially guitarists living in glass houses.

it would be awesome to train GC employees on everything they need to answer every question and solve EVERY problem and be generally knowledgeable on EVERY subject that's brought up to them by EVERY customer.... but that would take forever. times infinity. all we can do is hope that that guy learned something from his experience with you.

no, it's not something new... but not everyone listens to the same music you do. and, believe it or not, not that many people really care about the bass. they SHOULD, but they don't.

and.... "Brazil" is a great movie.

JanusZarate · #8 08-07-2007, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McHaven

"What are you doing?"
"I was going to try the pedal out with the Geddy Lee. I got the pedal from the guy at the counter"
"No, no you can't do that! This is a bass!"
"Yeah and so was the thing Cliff Burton played, now F off"

Interestingly enough, when I had first started playing bass, I went to GC and asked about trying out a few distortion pedals that they thought were cool for bass. The guy behind the counter reached for a Big Muff and smiled, beaming with pure Metallica fandom.

But then again, when you live out here in the SF Bay Area, you quickly become accustomed to expecting the wild and weird from ANY instrument.

syciprider · #9 08-07-2007, 02:57 PM

Ask for one NIB and take it to the floor to test it. That's what I do when I'm there. I ain't got the time to play techie on the displays. JPB is right though, them displays get freaked up from the constant attention they get from walk in traffic.

In passing I noticed that in one or two GCs I visited, they "size you up". If you don't look like you're going to buy, they tend to not help you much. I'm not suggesting that you may look like the average GC wanker killing time after school. It's just my observation. Hasn't even happened to me personally (read, I'm an old geezer who looks like he has a few bucks)

I need to check out GC Sherman Oaks and hook up with JPB. I have family in the Valley who I have to visit anyways.

McHaven · #10 08-07-2007, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticBoo

Interestingly enough, when I had first started playing bass, I went to GC and asked about trying out a few distortion pedals that they thought were cool for bass. The guy behind the counter reached for a Big Muff and smiled, beaming with pure Metallica fandom.

But then again, when you live out here in the SF Bay Area, you quickly become accustomed to expecting the wild and weird from ANY instrument.

Being in Texas, they expect me to grab a Precision with flats, and thump through an Ampeg combo.

Ok maybe thats too big a stereotype, but the GC employees around here still suck.

The BurgerMeister · #11 08-07-2007, 03:04 PM

one of the hardest things to get over as a salesperson is the tendency to "size up" customers. i learned that the hard way!
you see a guy walk in wearing pajamas or really frumpy clothes (rags, almost!) and you ignore him... all of a sudden you see him walking out with a whole bass rig. you find out later that he owns a major studio and is a big-time producer, and payed for all of it with a black Amex card.

it's a tough lesson to learn!

mrokern · #12 08-07-2007, 03:04 PM

Man, we must be lucky here in the Twin Cities. I hit the Edina, MN GC all the time (including lunchtime today), and have had nothing but good experiences. Their pedal setups work and are well-organized; the bass pedals have a bass amp and (gasp) an actual bass at the station for you to try out, and the accessories team even has a couple of bass players on it!

-Mark

The BurgerMeister · #13 08-07-2007, 03:07 PM

oh, and sycip: let me know when you're thinking of stopping by! my days off are (usually) Tuesday and Wednesday, and i'm typically there from about 2 to closing.

hope to see you soon!

Joe P · #14 08-07-2007, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by syciprider

Ask for one NIB and take it to the floor to test it. That's what I do when I'm there...

Yup - they've never given me any trouble about that, and sometimes offer - reminding me that I'm welcome to do that. The other day I was demoing the new Space Echo pedal, trainwrecked a bassline, and mentioned that I'm used to 5-strings; The salesman who was right there said "Oh - let me get you a fiver..." (I declined - that would've just turned me into more of a wanker than I already WAS being...).

The more I think about it: the Milwaukee GC really isn't all-that-bad.

Quote:

Originally Posted by syciprider

...(read, I'm an old geezer who looks like he has a few bucks)

Yeah - me too. I'm sure that helps.

Joe

syciprider · #15 08-07-2007, 03:13 PM

Excellent, I was planning on a weekend visit with the relatives.

I am soooo gunna drop serious coin in your dpeartment!

I need 10 picks....

The BurgerMeister · #16 08-07-2007, 03:16 PM

oooh, sorry. they only come in packs of 12.

i'm actually a manager, so every department is my department, technically. but accessories is where my heart is.

great thing is, too... if you don't like what you buy, you can return it at your hometown GC!

syciprider · #17 08-07-2007, 03:17 PM

I'm a pro at buying somewhere and returning elsewhere..

I do most of my shopping at La Mesa GC (near work) and returns @ Murrieta GC (near home)

Justice · #18 08-07-2007, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McHaven

Being in Texas, they expect me to grab a Precision with flats, and thump through an Ampeg combo.

Ok maybe thats too big a stereotype, but the GC employees around here still suck.

You need to go to the Westheimer store and talk to Jim...

Matt Call · #19 08-07-2007, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrokern

Man, we must be lucky here in the Twin Cities. I hit the Edina, MN GC all the time (including lunchtime today), and have had nothing but good experiences. Their pedal setups work and are well-organized; the bass pedals have a bass amp and (gasp) an actual bass at the station for you to try out, and the accessories team even has a couple of bass players on it!

-Mark

Mark... you're welcome.

Just kidding; but not really. I worked there for a while, and spent some quality time with the pedal displays. Anyways... the Edina GC is top-notch in my opinion. When I started, I was very aware of the bashing that goes on. Sure, there are times when a salesperson might not know what you're talking about - or even be completely baffled. But the truth of the matter is, each person seems to have their own specialties. If you're happy at the end of the day... they've done their job.

This is headed way off-topic. My bad. I'm done.

Jazzdogg · #20 08-07-2007, 03:52 PM

I went to a local GC last week (during mid-morning on a weekday, not many customers in the place) to buy a pair of PA speakers for our band. After looking at them for about ten minutes, I hunted down a sales person to help me; he was BSing with a fellow employee.

When I told him I wanted to listen to the speakers, he replied, "They're not hooked up, man." When I asked if they could be hooked-up so I could listen to them before buying, he shrugged, said "nope," and walked away.

My conga player went there a few days later, ran into the same sales clerk, and received the same treatment.

I can't figure out how these people keep their jobs.