Bass shopping in L.A.

[Richard Lindsey]

If you're a lefty, you might want to check out the Hollywood Carvin store, since Carvin is one of the manufacturers from whom it's easiest to get a lefty instrument. IIRC it's also on Sunset, not too far from a GC and a Mesa/Boogie store (at least it was a few years ago when I was last there).

 

[steve21]

If you're a lefty, you might want to check out the Hollywood Carvin store, since Carvin is one of the manufacturers from whom it's easiest to get a lefty instrument. IIRC it's also on Sunset, not too far from a GC and a Mesa/Boogie store (at least it was a few years ago when I was last there).

It is two doors down from Boogie and across the street from GC.

It's a pretty kill store, definately.

 

[Peter McFerrin]

I was just at the Carvin store yesterday. It's on Sunset halfway between La Brea and Fairfax. There's parking behind the store, accessible by an alley. This is critical because there's no parking after 4 on weekdays on Sunset.

If you go, say howdy to Moshe. He's a nice dude.

 

[jumbosilverette]

Oh yeah, someone else mentioned West LA Music near Universal City; this is Ventura Blvd when it turns into Cahuenga, on the way to Hollywood, not far from the other joints mentioned and worth checking out.

 

[Peter McFerrin]

In the afternoon, if you're coming from Hollywood it might be faster to go to the WLA Music in West Los Angeles itself, since any and ever route over the Hollywood Hills is a parking lot between 3 and 8. Take Santa Monica Boulevard all the way down through West Hollywood and Beverly Hills, bear right on Wilshire, cross the 405 and the VA hospital complex, and then throw a left on Federal. Don't take SMB through the Century City area because the construction project on it is seriously gumming things up.

 

[RiddimKing]

I'll vouch for Dave at the Sherman Oaks GC. He's a bassplayer and a stand-up guy, and chicks dig him since he cut his hair. Seriously, he'll go out of his way to help you and he'll cut you a great deal.

As for the Bass Xchange / Amp Shop, their set-up/tech person Tina is great, but I wouldn't personally drop a dime on gear there. Gary has a crap attitude and I know several people who intended to buy there who were so turned off they walked out and will never go back.

Norms has bad attitude, but they often have an interesting selection of vintage basses. I was in the other day and they had some nice Rics, a Hoffner club bass and a few MMs (Sterling and Stingrays).

 

[wateroftyne]

+1 for TrueTone. They had my 'second choice' bass in, and I went there when Norm's blew it, so to speak.

They staff at TrueTone were very cool, and they had some great stuff in stock.

 

[Steeltoe]

Mesa Boogie Hollywood, Sunset & Gardner, has a small
but tasty selection of basses and of course bass amps.

 

[pickles]

We went from having one of the best shops on the planet to having about the same scene as any other big city. I really miss the old LA Bass Exchange.

 

[j-raj]

As for the Bass Xchange / Amp Shop, their set-up/tech person Tina is great, but I wouldn't personally drop a dime on gear there. Gary has a crap attitude and I know several people who intended to buy there who were so turned off they walked out and will never go back.

Yeah, Tina is top notch. Definitely worthy of a shout-out on these boards.

RE: Gary... Sorry to hear that about his attitude, he's one of my good friends and a really cool cat. He's never been any but professional to me, then again I'm not one of his customers.

 

[niomosy]

Go talk to William, Justin, or the Russian guy that is either a ninja or a former hockey star on the National team, at the Bass X-Change: http://www.bassexchange.com/catalog/index.php

Lots of cool high-end gear there and a quiet, isolated amp room to demo them in. Metered parking all over the side streets, but yes, it's quite busy around there.

There's some Foderas, Ritters, Sadowskys, Zons, and lots of Fender-style Jazzes there.

I believe he's Armenian Nice guy. Every time I try out a bass there and hand it back it's, "so, you wanna buy it?".

Yeah, the have a pretty good selection given they're such a small shop. They've usually got a USA MTD or two as well. I keep wishing they'd move to a bigger spot and get some more stuff.

As for the old Bass Exchange, I miss it as well. Bit more selection and it was closer to home with much better parking. From what I recall hearing, though, it just wasn't managed very well. For high-end stuff, it's about all we've got since Sam Ash here stopped bothering with Fodera's and Ken Smith's, then took over the Manny's in Hollywood which ruined their inventory as well.

Ass for other stuff.... True Tone in Santa Monica, as others mentioned, is a great place. The Guitar Center in Hollywood isn't too bad, typically. You can actually find some decent basses there most of the time (a few Pedulla's and things like that) along with the typical Warwicks, Fenders and MM's. The Mesa shop down there's usually got a few good basses as well.

 

[maurilio]

Hello,
me too, I've heard mixed stories about Gary.... I moved here in LA a little bit more then 4 years ago and I started to do business with them right away! I never had any problem or complain and they have helped me when needed. Garey, Justin, William and the rest of the gang have always treated me very good!
People seems to forget that this is business... not Santa Klaus giveaway land. For small shops, to survive, they have to be more careful and tight on their business.

...This doesn't mean that a bad attitude is justified!...

I went to the GC in Hollywood the other day to check out a brand new Pedulla Thunderbass..... $3000 (tag) bass. The neck was so much back bowed that it was impossible to play! I spoke with someone, the dude looked at it, tried a couple of slap and hung the bass at the wall... thank you!
In a small shop (the serious one at least) I've never seen things like that!

Peace'n'love

Mo'

 

[Jay Terrien]

Then maybe he has ties to "The Money Train" from the TV show, "THE SHIELD"? Regardless, I think he is still a ninja.

Ninjas rule:
http://www.realultimatepower.net/

Facts:
1. Ninjas are mammals.

2. Ninjas fight ALL the time.

3. The purpose of the ninja is to flip out and kill people.

I believe he's Armenian Nice guy. Every time I try out a bass there and hand it back it's, "so, you wanna buy it?".

Yeah, the have a pretty good selection given they're such a small shop. They've usually got a USA MTD or two as well. I keep wishing they'd move to a bigger spot and get some more stuff.

As for the old Bass Exchange, I miss it as well. Bit more selection and it was closer to home with much better parking. From what I recall hearing, though, it just wasn't managed very well. For high-end stuff, it's about all we've got since Sam Ash here stopped bothering with Fodera's and Ken Smith's, then took over the Manny's in Hollywood which ruined their inventory as well.

Ass for other stuff.... True Tone in Santa Monica, as others mentioned, is a great place. The Guitar Center in Hollywood isn't too bad, typically. You can actually find some decent basses there most of the time (a few Pedulla's and things like that) along with the typical Warwicks, Fenders and MM's. The Mesa shop down there's usually got a few good basses as well.

 

[The BurgerMeister]

I'll vouch for Dave at the Sherman Oaks GC. He's a bassplayer and a stand-up guy, and chicks dig him since he cut his hair. Seriously, he'll go out of his way to help you and he'll cut you a great deal.

thanks, mang!

 

[LeftyJack]

O.K., driving down tomorrow early a.m. and I just wanted to thank everyone for all of the great tips and offers. I'll try to get to (and see) everyplace (and everyone). I'll try to give an update when I get back on Monday. Thanks again TB'ers!

 

[Mike]

i just went to jammin jersey today based on this thread and it was cool. what a damned mess... (in a good way) could barely walk in some places. they have a TON of PA gear, various used bass amps and cabs laying around, as well as some new items. it's a pretty cool place- kind of like a rummage sale. the staff were pretty cool guys too.