I went to the Guitar Center in Columbus, Ohio today. There was an Ampeg SVT-610HLF I had to have. Anyway, as I was waiting (for a long time, I might add) for the sales guy to process my trades, I took a look around all of the basses and amps that were in stock. My lord, I have never seen basses in such bad shape! About 80% of the basses I picked up (Musicman, Warwick, Fender, Ibanez, Shecter) either had a VERY high action, or were unplayable because the strings were litterally laying on the neck. A battery was even missing out of a Sterling. The only usable bass, and I'm not really that picky about setup, was a used 80's Alembic. What the heck? Isn't GC supposed to be the top dog?
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Another GC complaint
- Thread starter Warpeg
- Start date
I love high action - nothing wrong with it. I can't play basses with low action and I have a hard time auditioning basses in stores like GC because the action is notoriously low.
Having said that, I would agree that I've seen some horrid things in GC. The problem is in many markets, unless you know the little guys, GC is it. Their selection has gotten more generic as the years have gone on and what I generally want these days they don't have in stock. If I wanted to order it, I'll crank up the web browser AND get it cheaper.
Ever try finding an amp that's plugged in at GC? It's usually the worst one of the lot.
Having said that, I would agree that I've seen some horrid things in GC. The problem is in many markets, unless you know the little guys, GC is it. Their selection has gotten more generic as the years have gone on and what I generally want these days they don't have in stock. If I wanted to order it, I'll crank up the web browser AND get it cheaper.
Ever try finding an amp that's plugged in at GC? It's usually the worst one of the lot.
GC is hardly "top dog". That's like saying McDonald's is just because there is one on every corner...doesn't mean that the service is good or the food is good for you.
Sure, you can find good instruments in there every now and than, and you can always pay way less than sticker - even when on sale. Nonetheless, I think that kind of place is best for emergency purchases, accessories sometimes, or things that THEY can't mess with (like a drum machine or software for example).
~mark
Sure, you can find good instruments in there every now and than, and you can always pay way less than sticker - even when on sale. Nonetheless, I think that kind of place is best for emergency purchases, accessories sometimes, or things that THEY can't mess with (like a drum machine or software for example).
~mark
In IMO McDonalds is a classic example of how you can market something that should be classified as pet food and have people waiting to buy it.
Common doesn't mean better but either does exotic.
First off, I'm not a huge fan of Guitar Center... but I'll still do business with them.
For instance: March 1 I bought a MM Jazz. Great bass, needed a setup; but IMO all basses do when you buy them... that's what makes it "yours."
Anyway, after playing it for a while, I decided that it somewhat extraneous. I like my Sadowsky a lot and I just couldn't justify having two ash/maple jazzes, and no cab. Fast forward a bit.
Last week I returned it (post the 30 day period) for store credit and my new cab. No questions asked. In fact, the store I picked the cab up from stayed open late so I could get it.
Yes, I've had some horrible GC experiences; but they're apt to surprise you. Just you wait. It'll happen when you least expect it... maybe.
For instance: March 1 I bought a MM Jazz. Great bass, needed a setup; but IMO all basses do when you buy them... that's what makes it "yours."
Anyway, after playing it for a while, I decided that it somewhat extraneous. I like my Sadowsky a lot and I just couldn't justify having two ash/maple jazzes, and no cab. Fast forward a bit.
Last week I returned it (post the 30 day period) for store credit and my new cab. No questions asked. In fact, the store I picked the cab up from stayed open late so I could get it.
Yes, I've had some horrible GC experiences; but they're apt to surprise you. Just you wait. It'll happen when you least expect it... maybe.
How dare you? There's NO way that I would feed one of my pets that garbage
On another note, I went to GC today (b/c I was on my way somewhere and had to kill 30 minutes) and saw a brand new Aerodyne... I'm thinking SWEET, I haven't had a chance to try one. I've been wondering how well the P pickup really nails that P sound. Well, the P pickup wasn't working. The pot for that pickup was broken. The other pots were so scratchy that it sounded like I was trying to tune in a low-wattage AM station... bummer. I honestly liked the bass tho otherwise (even with the strings being 8 inches off the fretboard)... ok, they weren't THAT bad.
Cheers!
To be fair, I purchased my Geddy Lee from the Columbus GC and it was the setup on it that made me fall in love with it and drop the 650$ on it. I think GC dosen't change anything from the manufacturers.. so if the factory dosen't set up the bass, it's going straight to the shelves as is. My Geddy was factory-setup in Japan apparently.
The GC at Cleveland just got some Pedullas in, a bunch of Thunderbasses. They're the MOST expensive basses in the store at 3,000$, and they are all completely un-setup with ridiculously high action and bent necks. I told the guy I'd set all of them up for him if he'd let me keep one, and he didn't seem to think that was a good deal.
I think bass manufacturers should take more care in prep of their basses. I have found the same thing at GC. High end basses with unplayable necks. I am sure after a good setup they would be fine, but it still leaves a bad taste in your mouth if you are pulling them off the wall to see if you like them. However, it really has nothing to do with GC.
I dont think they understand how much business they lose because of poor setup. People will think that a bass is crap, but really it just needs a setup.
Also, I was at my GC playing a used Squier that was pretty decent and cheap. I looked at the back, and the panel was missing and the wires were exposed. I asked the guy if they'd put a new one on if I bought it and he said no. I dont want to buy anything that is missing parts(no matter how minor the part may be).
Also, I was at my GC playing a used Squier that was pretty decent and cheap. I looked at the back, and the panel was missing and the wires were exposed. I asked the guy if they'd put a new one on if I bought it and he said no. I dont want to buy anything that is missing parts(no matter how minor the part may be).
NicJimBass
Flossin'? I thought your name was Munson!
I went to the same GC a couple weeks ago... fell in love with a Lakland 55-01 they ad then, but most every other bass was set up awful.
As a former GC employee, I can agree that all the things mentioned are true. However...
You will find good and badly maintained bass sections at GC. It all depends on the management of the particular store, and the number of dedicated, and/or bass-interested sales people. If the employees are all young guitarrists, good luck finding a well setup bass in the shop.
For most GC's there is not set asside time or employee for setting up instruments. They are setup, as employees have the inclination, or know-how to do so. There are alot of GC employees that I wouldn't let anywhere near a guitar with a screwdriver and a set of hex wrenches.
In a high volume store, where time on the sales floor is time making money, the impetus just isn't there. It doesn't really make sense, but that is the way that it is. Also, GC doesn't structure it's pay/comission system well enough to attract many high caliber folks. The high quality GC employees I know(there are alot of them out there) are either in management, or they have incredible sales skills and a loyal customer base that will seek them out personally.
GC basically expects customers to either not know the difference, or to know the difference and expect to get a setup. At my GC, we partnered with a reputable area guitar repair shop and offered a deep discounted setup with the purchase of an instrument.
You will find good and badly maintained bass sections at GC. It all depends on the management of the particular store, and the number of dedicated, and/or bass-interested sales people. If the employees are all young guitarrists, good luck finding a well setup bass in the shop.
For most GC's there is not set asside time or employee for setting up instruments. They are setup, as employees have the inclination, or know-how to do so. There are alot of GC employees that I wouldn't let anywhere near a guitar with a screwdriver and a set of hex wrenches.
In a high volume store, where time on the sales floor is time making money, the impetus just isn't there. It doesn't really make sense, but that is the way that it is. Also, GC doesn't structure it's pay/comission system well enough to attract many high caliber folks. The high quality GC employees I know(there are alot of them out there) are either in management, or they have incredible sales skills and a loyal customer base that will seek them out personally.
GC basically expects customers to either not know the difference, or to know the difference and expect to get a setup. At my GC, we partnered with a reputable area guitar repair shop and offered a deep discounted setup with the purchase of an instrument.
Stores that have the inventory GC has available for anybody to pick up and play(with) is going to get their merchandise dinged. The odds that you could sample the average GC cupboard and find fine setups and mint instruments lower just by the selection they offer.
GC appeals to many folks for just as many reasons. But let a bunch of youngin's in a store like that without supervising them individually, (thinkin' labor costs here) is another cost factor that one has to assume GC has worked into their monthly/annual financial stats.
GC serves many needs & wants...but not everybody's.
I kinda dig 'em.
GC appeals to many folks for just as many reasons. But let a bunch of youngin's in a store like that without supervising them individually, (thinkin' labor costs here) is another cost factor that one has to assume GC has worked into their monthly/annual financial stats.
GC serves many needs & wants...but not everybody's.
I kinda dig 'em.
I hate going in GC and there will be like 10 people all on full marshall stacks with them cranked up to 11, most of the time it's kids that are playing Smells Like Teen Spirit, just the intro riff, over and over and over and over and over. Then when you do find a guitar or bass or whatever that you like you have to go hunt down a sales guy. When I bought my Warwick Corvette Standard 5 string I had to go to the front counter and tell the guy that they just lost a sale on that bass because nobody would come by to help me. As soon as I said that the guy got on the phone and I had 3 dudes helping me out. The only other 2 music places around me are a little mom and pop shop that only carries Peavey or Sam Ash which is worse than GC. One time I went into Sam Ash to look for a DBX 160A compressor and the guy in the pro-audio department told me that that model of DBX compressor's doesn't exist because he hasn't heard of it and refused to check his computer. What a douche.
This obviously isn't new news, but I will still buy at GC. I have taken the time to read tech post on bass and guitar forums about set up. I feel very comfortable setting up my stuff on my own, no need for GC to do it if they even can. Some may ask well how do you know how it plays if it's so badly set up in the store? I usually work with the same salesman and have developed a pretty no holds barred relationship over time. I usually go for sound, weight and over all feel in my hands. Once I go through all that I take it home and work it over for a few weeks and play it the full 30 days. If I like it I keep it, if not I take it back for a refund and try another. Now I didn't buy my basses at GC LOL, I got both the 60th Anni P and Roscoe Beck V at guitar trader in San Diego while on vacation to my native city. I didn't really have to do anything to those two. I got my American Deluxe HSS strat guitar at GC and it worked out well after a few weeks of tweaks. I can't complain about GC they have good prices and for a reason they don't set up anything and don't offer it in the sale. Invest in a 6inch rule some allen keys, use common sense and you'll have an instrument for a good price and set up just the way you like it.
haha, stick it to the man... i wish i was there to see the employees come after you..
I also hate it when I go in there to try a piece out but wind up getting approached by a talkative employee who just won't stop YAPPING for a minute. They just keep talking and talking and talking and talking and talking and talking and talking and talking and talking and talking and talking and talking and talking and talking and talking and talking and talking and talking and talking and talking and talking and talking
until all I can think about is how to get out of the store as fast as possible rather than try to continue trying out gear.
Lonnybass
until all I can think about is how to get out of the store as fast as possible rather than try to continue trying out gear.
Lonnybass
It's a similar situation at Sam Ash. It's as if you have to do your own setup on a bass just to try it out.
I think the most irritating thing in GC is not the young kids thinking they can play thrash(I rarely experience this), but all the fat old "blues" guitarists and classic rock guitarists who stumble through whatever they're trying to play, at far too high a volume. When I'm sitting in front of a Mesa stack testing out a Stingray and i have to bring the volume up to an unreasonable level just to hear myself, you have to turn down.
