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Guitar Center Etiquette (Trying out Gear)

#81
Always make sure you come in with absolutely no money to your name, make the employee get the ladder and pull down several high end basses for you, and then go home and complain online that they turned down the volume on the full stack you were slapping through.

EDIT:
Went into GC the other day, some high school kid was playing, badly, on the acoustic drum kit (as opposed to the 6 electric kits they had ready to go with headphones and sticks). He must have played for 45 minutes, jamming to music through earbuds, then had the audacity to 'beach and moan' when the drum dude asked him to stop. Talked under his breath the whole way out.

Pretty much, just don't be that guy.
 
#82
Make sure that when you're done playing you forget to turn down the volume or turn off the amp so that way when you unplug it pops so loud that the entire store turns and looks at you.

(Why, no, I didn't do this a few months ago [and no, I definitely didn't do that more than once in the same trip. I know, stupid mistake. Ever since I got a real amp I haven't done it since])

That and one time my guitard buddy was playing on a Line 6 spyder and he was dinkin around on the insane setting. I don't know why but I turned it up like 1/16 of a nothing and it made the most god awful noise. Like a plane landing.

Everyone looked then, too.

Just be careful with the amps!
 
#83
I don't demo it unless I am actually thinking about buying it. Springfield, Missouri doesn't usually price match Sweetwater, so I buy from Sweetwater online. On a few occasions, GC has matched others and I have bought things from them. I want new items in a new box. I don't want any Guitar Center NEW/USED instrument. I will put on my own scratches. I buy instruments elsewhere. You could play baseball in GC in Springfield lately because it is so empty.

Bottom line to keep with OP. If you have no intention of even thinking about buying it, just leave it alone. Somebody might want to buy it.
 
#84
I went to Guitar Center this weekend. I got to practice the minor pentatonic scale under the kid with a MIA Tele plugged into an Orange Terror or something. He was loud enough that I already know how one of the amps I'm looking to buy will sit in a mix. Thanks mystery GC kid!

They did have a good sale on acoustic guitar strings and a good variety of capos, so my brother is all set for a while.

On another note, this was a new to me GC as I was at my parents house over the weekend. The bass department there had slim pickings. Really disappointed in that.
 
#85
I will say this......in addition to many of the things I read that I personally find applicable.
If its used, CHECK the Truss rod to make sure it functions correctly.
I would suggest asking THEM to get a truss wrench (whichever is correct for that instrument) and show you it works correctly, and YOU ask to see, and try it also.

This one is hard to prove later, and if you live a long drive away, its a PITA driving.

That way - you know it plays the way you want, feels like you want, AND is functional, hoping you have checked for cracks, operational pots, good frets, Nut, jack, etc....
 
#86
If you are looking at a bass, test it on an amp at a respectable volume. You should get a good idea from that. But if you are looking at an amp, there is no reason not to crank it up and play loud for a short and respectable time. I would be quite upset if I only tried it up to 30%, bought it, and took it home to find it sounded like a dying moose at 50% or more.

Don't be afraid to play a slow chromatic scale from open to the top fret on each string.

Don't be afraid to ask for a new unopened unit of the same model if the floor model is not in prime condition (this might sound rude, but you are spending your hard earned money on a NEW piece of equipment)

If someone else just tried out a bass and plays a mediocre version of a song you play well, don't follow them up with your oneupmanship.

Sometimes, if they cant do much in the way of bringing the price down, negotiate for extra goodies such as extra strings, straps, stands etc.

Say please and thank you!

As far as you can, wrap up loaner cords straps etc.

Set the volume on the tester amp to 0 when finished. The active bass the next guy tries on it might be a lot hotter than the passive one you just tested.

The clerk is likely a musician as well. Engage in music talk with them if they seem interested.

If you see a younger or obviously inexperienced person struggling, offer help. (but don't be offended if they refuse it)

Don't hit on the pincushion babe at the counter, she's probably tired of it by now.
 

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