Being a female bassist..

[Radical Edward]

IMHO, yes, that is asking too much.

Lol. Well, admittedly, I'm not so great at tuning by ear. I've only been playing for 4 months, but I'm not "guitard". I've been taking lessons, and practicing every chance I get. I'm not trying to brag, but I'm just trying to say that the questions I ask them are usually just specifics about a particular amp or bass, or whatever. I dunno. It's their stock and their equipment. If I tune it and don't like it, I would feel like I've wasted my time..
that's my opinion, anyway.

 

[R. Laevinus]

...If I tune it and don't like it, I would feel like I've wasted my time..
that's my opinion, anyway.

Well, again, no malice, but I'd cast my vote for it not being their job.

There are a LOT of guitars in any music store, major or minor. The staff tune them when they put them on the floor, but I see it as being the customer's job to tune them inbetween - bear in mind that axes go out of tune by themselves, and there's a lot of morons in there detuning or attempting to do so any day of the week.

When I go to try out a saxophone mouthpiece, I don't expect the sales staff to soak my reed for me, nor to place it on the piece and lig it down. They're also not expected to tune my horn before I try out the piece - in fact, I'd get looked at really funny if i were to request such a service.

With guitars and basses, you have a similar set of customer expectations - for example, you're expected to know how to set the amp, how to plug it in, etc. I would argue - vehemently, in fact - that tuning one's guitar or bass is just as much the player's duty as soaking a sax reed is.

IMHO, YMMV, etc.

 

[edot3021]

GC is d-bag central. They work on commission so if they aren't treating you well then take your business somewhere else whether it is another salesperson or another instrument shop. Honestly, I try to shop at local shops, but I know you can't beat some of the corporate deals.

 

[waleross]

Pocket tuner is a great idea. There is good and bad in most chain stores. I go to Samash mostly and a small music store for lessons (guitar). The local store doesn't want people to bang on the drums and guitars. So, they all go to Samash and bang around over there. this Samash store is good in that the people there know their products in each dept. the bass guy is cool and would have treated you real nice I'm sure. If you are ready to buy and have done your homework, It shouldn't matter whether or not you are a dude, woman or whatever, money always talks and bs walks.....................

 

[Mudfuzz]

Lol. Well, admittedly, I'm not so great at tuning by ear. I've only been playing for 4 months, but I'm not "guitard". I've been taking lessons, and practicing every chance I get. I'm not trying to brag, but I'm just trying to say that the questions I ask them are usually just specifics about a particular amp or bass, or whatever. I dunno. It's their stock and their equipment. If I tune it and don't like it, I would feel like I've wasted my time..
that's my opinion, anyway.

This all just takes time

Question are ALWAYS good! Just think of it as practice... or something nice to do for the next person to pickup that bass.

That said once in the Seattle GC I was looking at a bass trying to see if it was plywood or not [the price just seemed too low...] I asked the "dude" that was "helping" me what he thought and he said " I'm a guitarist, I don't know about basses"

 

[BassLife77]

Okay. Every time I go into GC, I play with a few basses and try to think of a few good questions to bother the staff about.. The thing is, other than the one guy there who knows me becauseI come in so much, the other staff talk to me like I'm a little kid or dumb or something. I'm thinking it's because I'm a girl. When I go in there, the only girls I see are the ones following their boyfriends around looking bored and uninterested. I can understand that they're not used to the idea, but my boyfriend and I have bought over $4,000 worth of equipment there within the past year. Perhaps they think it's all him, but when I'm asking the questions, you'd think they'd catch on that I'm serious about this and am actually looking to buy, and not just browse. I just want a straight forward answer... For instance, I asked one staff person if they could tune this 5 string I was playing with because it was very, very out of tune. He told me, "Oh. It's probably just in a different tuning. A lot of the regulars like to do that."
I know what different tunings sound like, and that crappy wavy sound coming from that guitar was not it. It infuriates me that they would just assume that I'm just some dolt, because I'm a girl. Anyone else have this problem? Anything like it? Someone judging you and your knowledge because of who you are or what you look like?
:scowl:

GC is a joke. I'm a big older 6' 8 guy and those young barely-above-minimum-wage retail workers don't have a clue about any musical instrument. and they have the nerve to be sexist towards women. I always go to a family owned or independent store to try out instruments. I only go to GC to buy guitar strings and thats rarely

 

[fenderfunker]

All respect Mikaela, but it shouldn't take more than 30 seconds to tune the bass (by ear)enough to tell if the bass is worth spending more time on. Also helps to check out the tuners etc...

 

[nickbass79]

I've been playing for 20+ years and every time I go into a large chain music retail store, I get treated the same way. In fact I once got denied the chance to play a high end bass because of this attitude.

That's why I only go to the smaller local shops. Not only are you helping the local economy and small businesses, you will most definitely create a better relationship with the local shop that views you as a very important customer. I will go out of my way for a local shop, than feed the big corporations that only view you as a number.

 

[loopee]

Well, I noticed at the beginning that I was getting the same feedback from the salesperson "why is she asking the questions, where's her boyfriend or husband". But I was asking some pretty serious questions and they realized I knew what I was talking about and that I even taught them a thing or two and over the years they started addressing me by name when I walked in. I was in there almost 3 times a month and bought many thousands of $$$ over the years. I then moved out of town 6 years ago and had to start all over again at the new store but they realized I knew what I was talking about so now they're OK but everytime there is a new salesperson, I have to go through the same problem.......Wake up boys, women ROCK just as well as you do....

 

[Shaun_Bass0]

Thought i's share this story, made me laugh thinking back on it:-

Guitar, Amp and Keyboard centre in Brighton, went there with my wife, who had purposely taken me there to buy the Duff McKagan sig bass (VR did an instore signing and he signed a couple they had in stock). I mentioned that £800 was a bit pricey for an MIM, but that the signature and story that came with the bass was worth it in the end.

Bear in mind that she doesnt play at all, my wife asked the salesman why a MIM was so expensive. He told her "its not an MIM, its an american fender". Her reply was "Really, it says "made in mexico" pretty clearly on the headstock". Look on the guys face was incredible...seems i've taught her well too!!

 

[kaputsport]

I find that when you spend a few grand in the store, you can pretty much get what you want when you want. I only deal with 2 guys at my GC... Store manager Dan and the other Dan.

No one else gets my business, and no one else really answers questions. Sure, I am alienating more than half of the staff, but I don't care. I get treated with respect for who I am and what I do.

The dolt behind the effects counters are all idiots. Expecially when I ask to see a Muff, or Pickle, and go to bass world... I hate those guys.

I brought my Pedulla in once, and a guy said "Nice Jazz bass knock off... Where'd you get that... Taiwan?"

I almost hit him.

Take GC in stride. Some people there are nice and easy going. If you aren't getting service like you want, start taking your business elsewhere.

 

[tycobb73]

They salesmen aren't talking to you like that because they think you are dumb. they are talking to you like that because they are that dumb.

 

[sirmike75]

GC does work on commish ,,,but not the way you think ,,,its a dept total then commish ...not per sale ...but that does not take away the fact that the people that work there ...are IDIOTS CAUSE THEY ARE ...THEY DONT PAY ANYTHING ...did you know about 6 months ago ...guitar center was bought by the company who ownes toys-r-us..that would explain the pallet of guitar hero games i saw there...lol look guitar center is a store that try's to cater to the giging musician ...but they cant because every since that company bought them they cant cut deals anymore ,,,,example..my guitarist ..went in about a week ago and was going to purchase a prs at 2200 dollars then told him i didnt come with a case ...lol WOW ...of course they didnt sell a prs to him...all they had to do is give him a case ..b4 that company bought them ...we could buy a guitar and get 4 sets of strings and strap locks and a strap thrown in ...not anymore ...guitar center is now a place where a mom can go and purchase a guitar for there 10 year old son for there birthday or xmas ...if i dont have to go there i dont ...THEY Su** they dont klnow there product...do people buy new anymore?>??

 

[Lady Kayri]

All these stories about GC make me glad the one nearest me is staffed by some good folk, most of whom are musos themselves. But the first few times I went in, I didn't know much (also didn't ask too many questions...I wasn't ready to buy yet) and got the 'isn't that sweet, the little lady thinks she wants to learn bass...' attitude. So I came back after I'd done a lot more research. I buy stuff there that my local shop doesn't carry, like my GK rig, and I did buy a used P-bass (after having given it a spin for a good half hour.) However, I always have a headstock tuner with me, and either a cheap 6 foot instrument cable or headphone amp & headphones, just in case (lots of room in a purse, thank God!) When I go in, I know what I want to check out and/or buy; I'm not asking a lot of questions about the items in question. I tend to mostly go to the three guys I know the best. (The GC here is also pretty unusual in that it keeps its staff for more than a few months - one guy has been there for the last three years, and the other two I use all the time almost as long.)

It also helps that a few months ago I brought in my new Dingwall Combustion - just about everyone in the store, including the manager, came out to see it! Now when I go up the road and intend to stop there, I usually leave the Dinger in the van, as at least half the time one of the guys I know will say "Hey, Pat! You got that Dingwall along? **** hasn't seen one, and he'd like to get a look at yours!"

But if I'd gone just by first impressions - the attitude of disbelief when told I was interested in bass - I might never have gone back. As several other posters have said, you have to start developing a relationship with one or two of the 'sales associates' who seem to have at least some brains; do research ahead of time, and go from there. It takes a while to build up those connections...

 

[JimmyM]

this is funny...

almost 40 years ago when i first decided to play guitar and bass, do you know what the very first thing i learned was? that's right...how to tune them by ear. didn't have a tuner...electronic tuners either sucked or they were $200. so the only other choice was to tune it by ear. i find it a pretty sad commentary that...

1. you consider yourself pretty decent on bass but can't tune one by yourself

2. you consider it the salesman's job to tune it for you (honestly, i might possibly agree with you considering you bought so much gear, but still, it ain't brain surgery to learn how to tune it yourself)

3. you're blaming this incident on being a girl

had you known how to tune by ear, you could have easily solved this problem. don't make excuses for why you haven't done it or why you thought the salesman should have done it; just do it. learning how to tune by ear is mandatory for anyone who wants to be considered a musician instead of a musical instrument owner. if you don't want to be treated "like a girl," don't be such a girl

trust me...you're mad now, but you'll thank me in a month or two...provided you learn how to tune your instrument on your own.

 

[Radical Edward]

I just wanted to say, people at Gc don't work JUST on commision. They get paid hourly and commision, and I've done that before and trust me, it's not a bad living. Also, how much you're paid shouldn't determine how well you do your job. For instance, wher eI work now, I work 50 hours a week and get paid $300 salary. Sometimes I have to work more hours. That's just life for you. I work my ass off and do the best job I can, because what's the point in doing anything if you're not going to do it right and to the best of your ability?

I'm just saying, I'd pay to do their job, and they get paid for it, and handsomely in my opinion, for where I'm living. I was talking to GC's guitar tech one day and he said they get above minimum wage + commision to start. Considering that minimum wage is $7.45 an hour, they're not making bad money, and they can get off their asses and do their jobs. Customer service isn't that hard. I've been a telemarketer and door-to-door saleman. If they think their job is hard, they should try that.

^ all my opinion, of course.

 

[Radical Edward]

this is funny...

almost 40 years ago when i first decided to play guitar and bass, do you know what the very first thing i learned was? that's right...how to tune them by ear. didn't have a tuner...electronic tuners either sucked or they were $200. so the only other choice was to tune it by ear. i find it a pretty sad commentary that...

1. you consider yourself pretty decent on bass but can't tune one by yourself

2. you consider it the salesman's job to tune it for you (honestly, i might possibly agree with you considering you bought so much gear, but still, it ain't brain surgery to learn how to tune it yourself)

3. you're blaming this incident on being a girl

had you known how to tune by ear, you could have easily solved this problem. don't make excuses for why you haven't done it or why you thought the salesman should have done it; just do it. learning how to tune by ear is mandatory for anyone who wants to be considered a musician instead of a musical instrument owner. if you don't want to be treated "like a girl," don't be such a girl

trust me...you're mad now, but you'll thank me in a month or two...provided you learn how to tune your instrument on your own.

I never said I was a badass at bass and the tuning wasn't the issue. The issue is the way he said it, and the fact that he out-right lied to me. It's not the first time, or the only instance. I've gone there before to buy an amp and had them try to tell me GK was a "horrible amp" and that no one should EVER buy one. I just looked at them and walked away. And all of their staff is male, except a girl who runs the front check-in/out. Like I said, their guitar tech has always been personable and kind, and relatively helpful, but it seems that most of their employees are lazy. The Gc by where I live isn't exactly packed... ever. I go there pretty frequently. They're not running around or anything. I've seen them just standing around goofing off, and playing with ****, almost every time I go in there. If they have time to do that, why don't they have time to help me out?

Also, my boyfriend goes in there and no one talks to him like he's a child or gives him stupid answers. They take him to exactly what he wants and answer him directly. If he wants a cord, regardless if there's one nearby, they get one for him. TI doesn't matter. He's royalty in their eyes. Yes, I'm sure it has to do with the thousands of dollars of gear he's bought there, but I've bought quite a bit myself as well, and I'd like the same respect and recognition. At least don't talk to me like I'm dumb.

 

[CapnSev]

Sounds like you should apply at GC from all your posts. Personally I don't see that as a great living/job (I did the music store employee thing for a while and it suuuuucked), but to each their own.

As for shopping there, I don't take any of those guys seriously. I'm 100% positive that I know more about bass gear (and bass in general) than any of those guys. I've learned (and am still learning) everything I need to know from playing the thing for 14 years, and this handy Talkbass website.

I think GC is as good of a place as any to shop, because I go in there knowing what I'm doing, and ignoring the ridiculous sales staff.

 

[JimmyM]

well i do kind of understand your frustration at that. they are, after all, there to get you to buy stuff, and if they piss you off by not helping, you won't buy. that was a dumb mistake on the salesman's part...but it doesn't have anything to do with being a girl. i used to get the same treatment when i was younger. it's all perception of whether they think you're in there to buy or to kick tires...which they shouldn't do but often do.

there used to be this horrible store near me called Ace Music, and all the salesmen there thought they were hot **** because they were all handpicked from other stores in the area and lured away with money. and they never put the prices on anything and they'd make you ask. i once had a salesman there, this dude named Kevin (whom i knew well from the other store and had actually bought stuff from him in the past) tell me, "come in with the money and i'll tell you how much this bass is." i left, went to a store down the street, bought a bass there, then i came back and told the salesman, "see this bass? when i asked him how much it was, he told me, and i bought it. he didn't pull any stunts like you did." he says, "sorry, man, i would have told you if i thought you were serious." so i said, "well, you gambled and lost, didn't you?"

so i do see your point about that...but still, learn how to tune a bass yourself by ear. it's pretty darn important.

 

[krafty]

You should try RIT up on Plainfield, just north of 4-mile. They've got decent hours (10-9 M-R, 10-6 F, 10-5Sat). If they're like the RIT here in Holland then it's probably THE place to go. It's a bit closer to you than 28th St., but not by much.

Randy, the guitar/bass tech (and owner) of the Holland store is just awesome, and I'm pretty sure the owner of the GR store is a partner in the Holland store. I would much rather leave an instrument in their hands than let some place like GC handle it.