What I saw at Guitar Center yesterday

[bmb73]

Not earth-shattering, but kind of got my attention. I went to GC yesterday to see if they had any good books(The James Jamerson one to be exact). Needless to say I ended up in the bass section and overheard this kid and his dad looking at basses.

He pointed to a really nice 6 string, cant tell you make or model, but it was about 1200 or so. They grab a salesman, and boom he got the six string. I guess my point is that the kid was definetly a begineer, shouldn't the salesman of pointed him in the direction of a five or four string instead?

[Mikio]

No.

[mrniceguy715]

no. if they are dropping 1200 I am sure they saw a bunch of basses and thats what they wanted. Did you hear the kid play? He could be far from a novice

[kenfxj]

No. I mean why not if his dad has the $1200 to spare? The E, A, D and G strings are still there.

[bmb73]

That is a good point, but just seems like overkill. I don't want to be that person to say if someone sucks or not. Never would because I am not in the position too. Guess it would probably be a little jealousy on my part.

[pstyle]

I used to work at GC for a few years part time back in the day. Around x-mas time it wasn't uncommon for 13-15 y/o kids coming in with their dads and walking out with $3k guitars. High-end PRS's, 8 and 9 series Taylor's and Les Pauls mainly... and I would gladly sell it to them.

[Winnb]

Originally Posted by pstyle

I used to work at GC for a few years part time back in the day. Around x-mas time it wasn't uncommon for 13-15 y/o kids coming in with their dads and walking out with $3k guitars. High-end PRS's, 8 and 9 series Taylor's and Les Pauls mainly... and I would gladly sell it to them.

That's where deals come from later. Buy a kid a $3000 Les Paul and 2 months later he won't touch it and never touches it again. Next thing ya know it's in a shop as a "used" instrument. Or it's on ebay.

[ggunn]

Originally Posted by bmb73

That is a good point, but just seems like overkill. I don't want to be that person to say if someone sucks or not. Never would because I am not in the position too. Guess it would probably be a little jealousy on my part.

I was in the Bass Emporium a while back, just looking around, trying not to drool on anything, when a dad and his about 12 year old son came in. The dad was wearing his grungy city (as in working for the city of Austin) work clothes and the kid was all sagging and gangsta looking. The kid walked over to the wall and pulled down this gorgeous 5 string Elrick, about $5K worth.

Then the kid started to play. Holy crap! I'm glad of a few things, like that I didn't say anything (not that I would have), and that I'm glad I didn't play a note as long as that kid was in the store.

[puddin tame]

shouldn't you have better things to worry about??

[Absentia]

Originally Posted by ggunn

I was in the Bass Emporium a while back, just looking around, trying not to drool on anything, when a dad and his about 12 year old son came in. The dad was wearing his grungy city (as in working for the city of Austin) work clothes and the kid was all sagging and gangsta looking. The kid walked over to the wall and pulled down this gorgeous 5 string Elrick, about $5K worth.

Then the kid started to play. Holy crap! I'm glad of a few things, like that I didn't say anything (not that I would have), and that I'm glad I didn't play a note as long as that kid was in the store.

Was he good?


Really more power to the kid I wish my dad bought me a 1200 dollar bass.

[Rallypoint_1]

I stopped by a GC yesterday as well. What a zoo!!! Thats cool that a dad would spend that much cash. Maybe the kid is good. Who knows. My dad spent $300 for a Yamaha acoustic guitar back in 1984. That was pretty good money back then. Guess what...I still have it and play it from time to time. I never say someone sucks because there is going to be someone better than me and better than him/her etc...

[macribas]

The discussion went another direction. The OP wanted to ask if a beginner should be pointed to a 4 or 5 string first, rather than starting with a 6 string. And if the answer is yes, if a sales man should be giving that advice.
The mention of the price was not relevant to the discussion, but apparently it caused people to focus on that.

[Buslady7803]

The salesman probably doesnt care but to make the sale. Personally i would have made suggestions, cos im that way. I would rather see a kid succeed than buy something overkill, get frustrated, fail and well, the sixer goes up on ebay.

The salesman of course isn't doing an effective job. Because if kid is beginner, with a 6, he might give up....end of story...if he steered them tomthe right direction, set him up with a 4, amp and gear...there's a potential returning customer, and a happy one .

[Kael]

Originally Posted by puddin tame

shouldn't you have better things to worry about??

Most pertinent comment thus far.

[Martin89]

I think a salesman should talk about the different options, gains and drawbacks of extended range basses, etc. But who knows, maybe the kid and dad had been there before and looked and checked stuff out, and were going on the sale day to see what had dropped to make their final decisions?

A side-story that is mildly related: My dad wanted to play saxophone when he was growing up, his mother said he had to learn piano first(an instrument they had). He hated piano and he never got a chance to learn the sax, and lost interest in music other than listening. I'd rather a kid have what he wants and be more willing to make something out of it rather than have it never be because something else was pushed on him.

[Demon_Hunter]

Maybe he was thinking it was just a big guitar and didn't know any better.

[Darkstrike]

Maybe the kid knew what he wanted.


If he plans to play a 6er, he may as well start there and get used to the feel as he learns.

[shaboda]

...the only thing I worried about at GC yesterday was how I was gonna get outta there without punchin' a punk in the face before I left. Note to self: Never go to GC again on black freakin' friday.

[A-Step-Towards]

Guitar center is lame, there are alot of people that dont know anything there. Its been over 2 years since i went to one and i only go to exchange my monster cords i wont even look at the basses.

[ggunn]

Originally Posted by Kael

Most pertinent comment thus far.

Pertinent to what?