anyone else find it really hard to gauge instruments in store?

[xdanxx]

Sometimes while trying out new instruments I feel like im not giving them a fair shake when trying them out at big box stores. Some instruments ill put down because they play terribly, but often I wonder if im not giving them a fair shake because of a terrible setup.

[matti777]

I find that the acoustics are better in the stores than at home so it makes it a bit more difficult.

[ggvicviper]

Sometimes it's the other way around... Something plays great in the store. Then you bring it home and it has problems you didn't notice about it.

[El Beardo]

Originally Posted by xdanxx

Sometimes while trying out new instruments I feel like im not giving them a fair shake when trying them out at big box stores. Some instruments ill put down because they play terribly, but often I wonder if im not giving them a fair shake because of a terrible setup.

I never worry about the in store set up when I'm trying out a bass. I do my set up and repair work myself so I can always adjust that if I want. I'm usually more concerned about things like comfy string spacing, how many different, useable tones I can get out of it, the neck shape etc.

[Art Araya]

Originally Posted by xdanxx

Sometimes while trying out new instruments I feel like im not giving them a fair shake when trying them out at big box stores. Some instruments ill put down because they play terribly, but often I wonder if im not giving them a fair shake because of a terrible setup.

Yes! I am. I like my action SUPER LOW and not all basses can go as low as I like.

Before purchasing my Modulus Q5 I had them adjust the action in the store to as low as they could get it. I felt this was a reasonable request given the price of the bass. The action was great so I bought it.

Conversely, I almost bought a Tobias but the store couldn't get rid of a buzz on the 8th fret of the E string with the action set as low as I wanted. So I walked away from the purchase.

I have since learned to set my own action but still find that not all basses support the type of action I'm after.

You can learn a lot about a bass by researching the Internet and this fine forum also. For example, I bought a Lakland based on research that repeatedly turned up results about how wonderful the neck was and how crazy low the action was. I read enough of these posts to know that it was a characteristic of the basses and company. So I bought one from a fellow TBer and it was wonderful!

[Herrick]

Since I've gotten back into bass playing (summer of 2010), I've yet to try out a bass in a real store. Everything I've gotten has been an online, sight unseen purchase

[MCS4]

Definitely, although it's gotten less pronounced as I've learned how to better spot the things I need to look for. That being said, FWIW, none of my current basses were bought in a store.

I will always remember how I used to tinker with the lone lefty acoustic guitar at one large store, which I (and apparently everyone else) didn't buy despite nice tone and looks because the action was horrible and the strings felt incredibly stiff. Years later I finally bought it when the store went out of business and cut the price in half. A decent setup and some lighter strings later, it plays great and sounds even better. Last I checked, a little company called Martin was still selling these for twice what I paid...