Not a huge fan of music stores but it's usually the best option to try out new instruments. Usually I'll walk in and find someone hammering and slapping away on a bass or employees hovering and I just dont get a good vibe like I even want to pick anything up to try out.
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Intimidated in the music store.
- Thread starter protegeV
- Start date
I never sound as bad as when I'm playing an unfamiliar bass, through amps and cabs I've never tried, in front of other musicians.
It's normal. I just tell salesmen "I'll let you know if I have questions" and they buzz off.
It's normal. I just tell salesmen "I'll let you know if I have questions" and they buzz off.
I went to a well-known bass store to check out a bunch of basses.
The lone salesperson was sitting on a stool behind the sales counter slap-wanking away on an Alembic, and never stopped.
I hung around for a minute and left. I got the distinct feeling that I would be judged and found wanting.
I was bummed. I had driven an hour to get there, and went on the store's reputation for having an excellent selection.
The lone salesperson was sitting on a stool behind the sales counter slap-wanking away on an Alembic, and never stopped.
I hung around for a minute and left. I got the distinct feeling that I would be judged and found wanting.
I was bummed. I had driven an hour to get there, and went on the store's reputation for having an excellent selection.
I go to music stores when no one else is around, like on Monday at 10:00.
It's 90 minutes to GC or Sam Ash for me, so if there are people in my way I'll go have lunch at Popeye's or hOOters & come back later.
It's 90 minutes to GC or Sam Ash for me, so if there are people in my way I'll go have lunch at Popeye's or hOOters & come back later.
It's not a talent audition. What I do to try out a bass isn't at all what I would do when I bring it to the first band rehearsal, because I'm first testing the physical and sonic properties of the instrument.
I never ever did go into a music store on the week ends. Not worried about playing in front of people or being judged but there's just too much of a cacophony for me.
I used to go a lot on the way home from my day job since I drove right past one or at lunchtime since I usually had an early lunch and another shop was 5 minutes away in another direction. It was quieter at those times. Now that I'm retired from that job I usually go just as they open on a weekday since I might be the only customer in the shop.
I used to go a lot on the way home from my day job since I drove right past one or at lunchtime since I usually had an early lunch and another shop was 5 minutes away in another direction. It was quieter at those times. Now that I'm retired from that job I usually go just as they open on a weekday since I might be the only customer in the shop.
If someone's looking down at me because of my skill level, then I certainly can't respect them. And I don't care about the opinions of people I can't respect.
You have to be in line at that Chick-fil-a by Sam Ash by 10:00 to get your order by noon.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
I'm in a store for me - I don't care what others think.
I only go in there to use the bathroom when SA & GC aren't open yet, LMAO!
I sold my last guitar in the Chuck E. Cheese parking lot.
Figured if the dude didn't buy it I'd take it to the next shopping-center & get prices from SA/GC.
It's hard, but as has been said, get what you need ad ignore the wankers. When trying out gear, I try to visit in the morning on a weekday (ideally) or be the first guy in the door on a weekends. Most of the wankers are still sleeping off their hangovers.
I don't tend to spend too much time in the store, I just want to get a basic feel and then take it home and give it a thorough inspection with my gear and in private for the final evaluation. I've returned at least as many as I've kept.
I don't tend to spend too much time in the store, I just want to get a basic feel and then take it home and give it a thorough inspection with my gear and in private for the final evaluation. I've returned at least as many as I've kept.
You can't control the patrons of the store but if you play respectfully, I doubt salesmen would give you any guff if you let them know that you're trying things out and not going to buy anything on this visit.
When I worked at GC I would get people like that all the time and I never cared as long as they weren't cranking the amps. Typically I would tell those people that was no problem at all and I'm happy to answer questions or make suggestions should they want them.
If you want to be left alone just say the above and they 99% of the time will. As a salesman, we don't want to waste time or upset later potential buyers when others sales could be made elsewhere in the store.
When I worked at GC I would get people like that all the time and I never cared as long as they weren't cranking the amps. Typically I would tell those people that was no problem at all and I'm happy to answer questions or make suggestions should they want them.
If you want to be left alone just say the above and they 99% of the time will. As a salesman, we don't want to waste time or upset later potential buyers when others sales could be made elsewhere in the store.
Just go to GC and you won't have that problem.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
When you are gigging, you are playing in front of people. What's the difference?
Love to check out new stores and try stuff. I've only been to Sam Ash and guitar center in New Jersey in the US, but yes at GC there is some "shred" happening non stop both on guitar and bass. But like I said before, if you have a chance to try guitar stores in Japan, go for it. Amazing stuff, they let you play what you want and the whole shop is spotless.
I wanted to buy a bass at GC once and some aggressive slap-spazz was convulsing away and trying to make eye contact with me. I went to the dept manager who is also a bass player and just looked at slappy slapperson and shrugged. He ushered me into a small practice room with an amp and a door I could close. Aahhhh...
On the rare occasions that I go to any music store and want to try something I ask for a private room. Some have them, some don't, but if they know you are a serious buyer, it doesn't hurt to ask.
On the rare occasions that I go to any music store and want to try something I ask for a private room. Some have them, some don't, but if they know you are a serious buyer, it doesn't hurt to ask.
