Cross country trip- where to buy a new bass?

dkziemann · #1 09-25-2011, 01:36 PM

Hey everyone,

I'm doing a cross-country road trip with some of the guys in my band this winter over a 2 week period (during school break). I've been itching to buy another bass, and figured this would be the perfect opportunity. Right now I have a MM Stingray (beautiful

) and a Fender (mex) Precision Deluxe. I'm trying to unload the Fender and am thinking about getting a 70's jazz bass. I'm planning on going through this trip with about $1500 dedicated to spending on a new bass. With that said....

I will be leaving Rochester NY and stopping in Nasvhille, New Orleans, Austin, San Francisco (possibly LA too), and then stopping at Boulder CO on the way back. What stores should I keep an eye out for? I don't mean GC type either

Ultimately I'd like a place where I know that there is some room to negotiate price wise and that there will be a good selection of instruments. Fortunately the cities we're stopping at are big music cities, so hopefully that should help.

Thanks for any advice you may have!

Killspringer · #2 09-25-2011, 04:09 PM

If you're near San Francisco, Gelb Music in Redwood city (about 30 minutes south) is an amazing shop for bass gear, although $1500 won't fetch much there that you couldn't just find at GC. They have Lull, Lakland, Sadowsky, Roscoe, etc. If you can come up with $2k, the Sadowsky and Mike Lull J-basses there are outstanding. ps - i dont' work for gelb, but i have to say great things about them, since shops with great bass selections are much harder to find than shops with great guitar selections

Grateful · #3 09-25-2011, 05:11 PM

If you get to LA, there is The Bass Exchange/Amp Shop in Sherman Oaks. It's a really small store, but there are all kinds of great basses in there.

Also, try the Carvin Store in Hollywood. Carvin is making amazing basses these days. You can play one there, then order one exactly how you want it...

bassist4dalord · #4 09-25-2011, 05:22 PM

That is, by far, the COOLEST idea for a road trip. I am VERY jealous!

That is all.

Righteous Thunderer · #5 09-25-2011, 05:24 PM

On your way between Nashville and New Orleans, swing through Atlanta and check out The Atlanta Bass Gallery. Fantastic selection of high end basses, I fell in love with some of the Warriors and Alembics they had there when I went last winter!

**nostatic** · #6 09-25-2011, 05:30 PM

Bass San Diego in San Diego (2hrs south of LA on a good day). Truetone Guitars in Santa Monica - more guitar than bass but very cool and more pedals than anywhere else I've seen.

millsbass5 · #7 09-25-2011, 05:34 PM

If it was me,I'd stop at ALL the reputable stores,and take the same route home. That way you can decide which one you like best out of the whole trip. Damn,I'm jealous as hell. Sounds like fun.

millsbass5 · #8 09-25-2011, 05:36 PM

I wouldn't rule out the Guitar Centers,either. They offer some smokin' deals on used gear.

Rockmusician · #9 09-25-2011, 05:38 PM

Gruhn Guitars in Nashville.

Rockmusician · #10 09-25-2011, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millsbass5

I wouldn't rule out the Guitar Centers,either. They offer some smokin' deals on used gear.

True. I just picked up a used Spector Euro 4 LX neck-thru. This bass lists new for $3,000. They took it in trade and had it on their website for $799. I offered them $735 and they took it. It came with a brand new Spector case.

millsbass5 · #11 09-25-2011, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockmusician

True. I just picked up a used Spector Euro 4 LX neck-thru. This bass lists new for $3,000. They took it in trade and had it on their website for $799. I offered them $735 and they took it. It came with a brand new Spector case.

See?!?!? We'll get you on the right track! In reality,I would say the "good/bad experience ratio" isn't really as bad as you think it is. All the posts ragging on GC just tends to stick in your memory,as opposed to the posts where someone got a killer deal. Simply put,I wouldn't just drive past ANY store. Check 'em all out.

**pacojas** · #12 09-25-2011, 06:23 PM

Rockers Guitars on Howard St in SF...

small esoteric killer selection. vintage centric!

Tupac · #13 09-25-2011, 06:24 PM

I have relatives in Rochester NY. Just felt like throwing that out there.

GriffinREX · #14 09-25-2011, 06:33 PM

The Bass Emporium and Austin Vintage guitars in Austin, TX.

ZachM · #15 09-25-2011, 06:35 PM

Nashville: go to Corner Music, Gruhn Guitars, and absolutely be sure to swing down to Murfreesboro to go to the Low End bass shop!

Denver/Boulder: Check out Wildwood guitars in Boulder (not sure if they have much bass stock they have but it's possible), Planet bass in Denver.

Austin: Austin Vintage Guitars.

dkziemann · #16 09-26-2011, 07:45 AM

Thanks! I'm looking forward to the trip. Any other suggestions?

dkziemann · #17 09-27-2011, 07:43 AM

bump!