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Being a female bassist..

#62
krafty said:
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.
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Didn't realize the OP was in GR. If you go to Rit on Plainfield, you'll probably talk to Phil and Lou will do all the work. Lou plays many places including his own band the Rockit King and about a year or so ago got the guitarist spot in the Verve Pipe. Its cut into his teaching, but he still does luthier work. I take all mine to him, just had one done a week ago and have to take my new ATK to him. Because my wife and I support the Rockit King, sometimes he does my setup for free. If he charges though, its usually $25 + strings. they have a few but you might want to call to see if they have your favorites. Here's some facebook pages for you.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

http://www.facebook.com/therockitking

So now I know what GC you are talking about. No one in there is knowledgable. If I go in there for something I know what is I want and don't ask them questions. They don't have the answers.
 
#63
Hello all!

I read each and every post and agree that everyone has some excellent points and suggestions. I'll add my .02 as well. :D

Sex really doesn't have anything to do with it. It's all about attitude. Personally, I would go out of my way to help someone because that's my attitude. I don't shy away for one moment because it truly is "the little details" that make people happy. You might have really wanted that particular bass and might have actually purchased it, just based on the salesperson's disposition towards you.

I have learned over many years of playing and learning that you should never assume anything about anyone. I have been playing guitar for 28 years and bass for 25 years. I have learned from many new kids that play as well as from seasoned players. So, it bears to say that everyday is a learning experience if you are a dedicated musician. :bassist:

Customer service has gotten worse in this country altogether, and that's why many companies have outsourced to foreign countries too. Personally, I think that if you can't handle dealing with people with a friendly attitude, get another job! :scowl:

That being said (to make a point) just because someone comes up to me and asks for my help tuning an instrument, I would just do it. By the same token I would ask how else I could help you. My perception is simple: You're a potential customer. Girl or Guy. It doesn't matter as long as I am going the extra mile for my customer.

There are only two retail chains in this industry, GC and Sam Ash, that dominate the music sales market. I wish that there was more competition to cause them to change their principles when it comes to dealing with customers. When I was a kid, I met real musicians working at the local GC that actually cared about my sale. (Of course, they care MUCH more when you whip out a Visa/MC/or AmEx or a huge wad of CASH! Then, even the bum on the street corner becomes attached to you...) :smug:

I would definitely consider a mom and pop store if you can find one near you. Other than that, use online retail stores to get your gear. Musician's friend usually has some type of free shipping with their promos online.

Best of luck to you Mikaela...and when you become even more successful than you are today...buy the chain you can't stand and change their training policies! You could be the next CEO of GC if you want to!
 
#68
listen, bottom line is GC treats everone like crap and stares down their nose at you. thems the breaks, especially if you dont buy anything that visit. ive found a cure though that works in most GCs..

BYOB
Bring Your Own Bass

i like to bring my wife bass when i really wanna buy an amp or even another bass...good real life face to face compairison (and its saved me form spending cash on basses that i may have bought if i wouldnt have had such an outstanding contrast) and they love to drool over your gear..downside, if its nice theyll try like hell to talk you into letting em have it for some pos and a hundred bucks or so
 
#69
When I'm checking out a bass I de-tune it and re-tune it to inspect how the tuning machines work. I also check all the pots, switches.... you know just inspect the thing in general. As so many have pointed out, learing to tune by ear will help you a great deal in the long run. I realize that not knowing how to tune or by asking the sales person to tune the instrument is something like looking at a car you want to buy and asking if it is an automatic or standard. The sales person will develop an impression of your level of ability and perhaps your intent to make a serious purchase.

A good sales person would notice and just say, hey, would you like me to tune that up for you? Some would find that annoying so it could go either way.

I think the good message to take from this experience is to become as educated about the items you are interested in and more self sufficient so you can make the best decisions for you and not rely on the sales person for too much.

I'm not standing up for GC by any means. Most of the people Ive encountered in the GC here don't know the difference between strings or basses or amps etc... But you know, after 20 plus years in carpentry, I don't go into Lowes and expect the minimum wage employee to perhaps even know much more than where the stuff I'm looking for is located. I wouldn't expect any more out of GC.

Also, welcome to the world of bass. Next time, before you go to GC or any other music store in search of an item, feel free to ask for advice here. There are many bassist willing to offer opinions and advice that may make your experience a more positive one. Best of luck. :)
 
#70
krafty said:
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.
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I work 7 am to 5 pm every week day and I live in Cedar Springs. It takes me about a half hour to get home from work, and then another half hour to 45 minutes to get to plainfield and 4 mile, and I wouldn't be able to make it there on time. Also, I tend to work Saturdays as of late, and because I do dog training after work often, and there just isn't time.
Also, to "Mulebagger", I appreciate the advice. I think I'll just wrok on tuning by ear and do it, myself next time, but I still feel that's besides the point. The point is that he was too lazy to do it, and thought I was too dumb to notice he was BS'ing me.
 
#71
Rit is open till at least 7 on weeknights. I would suggest you do it then. It is going to be the closest store in the area. Lou used to only do luthier stuff on Sat but surprised me last week and got it done on a Thurs. I would drop it off to him midweek as he leaves pretty early on Sat. Usually has some type of musical committment on Sat night.
 
#73
Mikaela Ellinge said:
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:
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Do not spend your hard earned cash at GC.
 
#74
your idol said:
listen, bottom line is GC treats everone like crap and stares down their nose at you. thems the breaks, especially if you dont buy anything that visit. ive found a cure though that works in most GCs..

BYOB
Bring Your Own Bass

i like to bring my wife bass when i really wanna buy an amp or even another bass...good real life face to face compairison (and its saved me form spending cash on basses that i may have bought if i wouldnt have had such an outstanding contrast) and they love to drool over your gear..downside, if its nice theyll try like hell to talk you into letting em have it for some pos and a hundred bucks or so
Click to expand...

That's funny. I stare down my nose at them.
 
#75
Munjibunga said:
That's funny. I stare down my nose at them.
Click to expand...

Man, I feel sorry for all you guys south of the border who don't have Long & Mcquade.

Imagine - a national chain of music shops, staffed almost entirely (on the floor, anyway) by real musicians, with good selections, fair prices, easygoing attitudes, and techs who not only care, but are capable to boot!

They're a little superior when they first meet you - but once you chat with them for a couple of minutes and they come to realize you know what you're talking about, they really warm up, to the point of (in my case) greeting me by name, giving me freebies and discounts, and putting aside products for me that they know I'd like to have.
 
#76
R. Laevinus said:
You're probably absolutely right - but I'd be willing to bet a mint '65 P that he didn't assume you were a moron because of your gender, but simply because he's a tool.
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Perhaps, but I dunno. I went in there with this guitarist chick I jam with and they kept giving us weird looks like, "Who are they with?' and such. Again, the only person who came over and offered to help us out and was kind and respectful was their guitar tech. i can honestly say I've seen maybe 2 chicks in there, other than myself, ever that weren't in the mic section. I guess it's kind of a shock to some people. I dunno. I'm pretty girly looking. Haha. Either way, whatever their reason, they need to step up and do their job, in my opinion.
Also, I will check out RIT when I have money again. Money's tight, right now.
 
#77
In this area GC has the best selection of anyone by far. The next best is probably Firehouse. But if you go into GC know what you are loooking at first. Get your questions answered here before walking into GC because they cannot help you. I was ready to drop $800 on a stingray a couple weeks ago. Had to wait 15 minutes for someone to help me. When he did, it was here's the bass, I'll be back. I knew in 5 minutes it wasn't for me. Played with it for another 5 minutes after that. He never came back, so I set the bass against a cabinet and left.
 
#78
I disagree with everyone saying that she should have tuned the bass herself. I know how to put air in a car tire. However, if I go to a car dealer to test drive a car and a tire looks low I expect the car salesperson to fill it. I don't whip out my portable 12V air compressor.

Thank God there is a bass boutique store near me: Bass Specialties in Bensalem, Pa. I don't have to put up with people of guitar center; both sales and customers.
 

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