hollywood and wla GC - lots more combos, lots less cabs

Seems they are catering to the beginner/home player market, as that's what sells the most, so that's what they stock, kinda nowadays, you have to find a store that specializes in bass gear

 

There is four Guitar Centers in my area an all of them only have combos with maybe one 2x10 and one 4x10 and them cabs will only be MarkBass. Fender, Peavey, Ampeg and Acoustic are all combos.

 

Try True Tone in Santa Monica. They used to have a reasonable selection of separate cabs, though haven't been there in awhile.

 

Brick and mortar is going away. Most of the stores are carrying the low end stuff. Any cool gear any more is found on the inter webs. Occasionally one can find a boutique store (but not like it used to be) though usually the selection is fairly slim. My experience on the other coast is GC doesn't carry GK anymore I think GK dropped them and Sam Ash only stock in a distribution warehouse central to multiple stores but don't have a lot of stock.

I kind of liked the old Mesa model where you purchased direct but they did away with that years ago when they went to wave soldering and making smaller less expensive (to manufacture) amps. Eventually the quest for the almighty dollar wins out.

My recent quest to walk in, play, and purchase two new GK CX210 cabs ended in a purchase online from Musicians Friend (cabs due in today).

 

When I was there last they barely had any bass equipment.

 

I noticed this in the new store ad well. It gives them a more flexible layout. Cabs are big and bulky. It is hard to work a layout around them.
But it does stink for real musicians that need substantial gear. Amps and cabs are something you really need to try out before buying, and shipping costs are a real bear.
The music biz is doing everything it can to kill its self. Ain't much to do but watch it burn.

 

Don't blame the stores. They stock what they sell.

 

My local GC is the same way.

 

hi pcake

No!

When they stock expensive gear, the store will be full of people who try that gear and buy it….

somewhere else. com



may the bass be with you

Wise(b)ass

 

Any store can punch a few buttons on the computer and see what is selling retail and what is selling on line. Add in the boutique cab builders to the mix, and I would bet they sell a lot more cheap combos in store (never mind all the people who won't buy something off the floor because it's "used".

 

It is a vicious cycle. People can only buy what they have, so they only stock what people can buy.

But actually I'm talking about the music biz as a whole. We are witnessing the end of a musical epoch. We may be at the end of a species epoch as well. I dunno. Not feeling particularly optimistic about anything these days.

 

I went into one of my local music stores the other day and was saddened to see how much the selection of instruments and music equipment has dwindled. The things that struck me most:

- this shop used to carry separate cabinets and heads, now all they carry is combos;
- they used to stock F bass and some pricier Yamahas, now it's just Fenders and some lower-end basses;
- they used to stock Mo'Perc (locally-made high-end hand drums), now it's just lower-end percussion;
- what's with all the ukuleles?

I've seen similar trends in other shops. Lots of downsizing and switching to lower end products only (to be fair though, this city has never been a good place to shop for boutique basses of any kind).

 

It will be a bit of a trek, but check out Jammin’ Jersey, waaaay out in the west end of the Valley, on Tampa just north of Parthenia(near the Northridge Mall). Yeah, I know, put on your pith helmet and leave a trail of bread crumbs to find your way back. They’ve been having a going out of business sale for months(!), it’s essentially a big garage stuffed full of gear. You should look at their website first, they have most of their stock listed. There’s also the Sherman Oaks GC and whatever’s at Norm’s. Plus GC Pasadena, not too shabby. Future Music in Eagle Rock on York Blvd. is a good vintage/ second hand place as well...owner Jack used to play bass in Green On Red. Have a Huell Howser safari.

 

You might want to check out Mesa Boogie Hollywood. Just west of GC Hollywood and across the street. I got a nice Mesa Subway rig there.

 

Maybe hit The Amp Shop on Ventura.