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Guitar Center Etiquette (Trying out Gear)

organworthyplayer337

organworthyplayer337

Professional Hack
Oct 28, 2014
3,069
3,243
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Charlotte, NC
#1
I say GC but I'm referring to any guitar/bass shop anywhere. This is inspired by the thread about an odd experience when going to try out at bass.

What are the dos and donts of going into a shop to try things out? What is proper guitar-shop etiquette?

When I try a bass out, I like to pick something up at least. Maybe like a pack of strings, but sometimes that's not possible *cough cough* Bass Central :p haha
 
#2
Don't wear shirts with buttons or zippers. Don't play obnoxiously loud. Don't slap the hell out of it unless you are really good at it. Don't play it out of tune. Ask for help getting access to upper level hangers. Don't get pick dust all over the pickups. Don't sit for any longer than it takes to get an honest evaluation of the bass and its features.
 
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#3
lokikallas said:
Don't wear shirts with buttons or zippers. Don't play obnoxiously loud. Don't slap the hell out of it unless you are really good at it. Don't play it out of tune. Ask for help getting access to upper level hangers. Don't get pick dust all over the pickups. Don't sit for any longer than it takes to get an honest evaluation of the bass and its features.
Click to expand...

That pretty darn well covers it. Only thing I would add is make sure your hands are clean (iow - don't come in right after eating a Wendy's double or an order of Buffalo wings)
 
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#7
I think anything you would normally do with a bass is fair game when you're trying one out that you ostensibly intend to buy, anything short of damaging the shop's equipment, that is. When I was shopping for cabs, I brought my bass and head into guitar center and tried them all out with my stuff, and I tried them LOUD.
 
#8
Don't play the most expensive gear, typically placed highest on the wall (or in a special room), unless you are truly serious about possibly purchasing it.

Don't crowd someone who is already trying something out and then compete with volume.

Don't play Stairway to Heav...er, sorry. This is TalkBASS. Don't egg on any guitarists in the store by playing the bass line from Stairway to Heaven.

Put back whatever you took out/down when you're done. To be truly considerate, pull out your lint-free cloth and wipe your goo off of it.

At the most basic level; be courteous...to everyone in the store.
 
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#9
organworthyplayer337 said:
When I try a bass out, I like to pick something up at least. Maybe like a pack of strings, but sometimes that's not possible *cough cough* Bass Central :p haha
Click to expand...

I always try to buy something, too. A set of strings, a book, a tuner...

But I'm also the type who will keep ordering coffee rather than using the free refill if I'm working on my laptop in a coffee shop. ;)
 
#11
i went to a local shop that forbids handling an instrument without assistance. the clerk will take down the bass of your choice, wipe it down with a fine Egyptian cotton cloth, and stand guard (while breathing down your neck) as you attempt to play. then,.. you may be softly criticized with, "oh man,... you should hear the guy that just left play THAT bass"! :(
OKAY,.. so i have to play like him to be worthy of a Roscoe????
OOOOH,... I'M SORRY,.... DID I JUST ACCIDENTALLY BUMP THE ROSCOE BASS AGAINST THE SQUIER,... kind sir?

(i'm sorry)

BUH-BYE!!!!

ETIQUETTE :spit:
 
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#12
StereoPlayer said:
The last time I tried something out, I was looking to buy a marbass cab.

I ask to try out a 102 and a 104.
I asked if I could turn it up. I know it bugged people, but I had to know how well it performed.

Oh well.
Click to expand...

Nothing at all wrong with what you did or why you did it. But everybody isn't there to buy an amp. Many are not buying anything, but still feel the need to push it to 11. That is disrespectful.
 
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#17
I was in a GC tonight, and there were two guys on Strats right beside the check-out counter. They had obviously rehearsed whatever they were playing and just kept getting louder and louder.
The store manager had to ask them to turn it down THREE times, because they were disrupting all transactions at the desk.

What I couldn't figure out is, WHY!?

They're not even checking out the gear. They're just there to jam!
The same thing was going on in the bass corner, so I couldn't even check out the stuff there. It was full up with about 5 guys on basses and guitar playing Reggae licks.
 
#18
Smooth_bass88 said:
Bring cash...don't charge basses on your credit card! Plus you can negotiatiate a better deal with cash.
Click to expand...

I always, and I mean ALWAYS use my card, and I never discuss how I'm going to pay until it's time to make the transaction.

I don't think GC care how you pay, as long as your money is good.

The only time I've used cash for gear is at the local Fender dealer, because he will knock off the taxes if I pay cash.
 
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