Intimidated in the music store.

[dreamadream99]

I tend to find that the really competent players don’t make a habit of showing off; conversely, I tend to find that show offs are simply a one or two trick pony, hoping to convince the unsuspecting that they are fully competent.

On an unrelated tangent, playing something wildly difficult does absolutely nothing to show me what an instrument is capable of. When I test out a new bass, I’m listening to long notes, playing every fret on every string, testing the tone capabilities—really boring stuff. No one stares at me when I test a bass—they ignore me, because real comprehensive testing is mundane, not flashy.

 

[Hundred proof]

I rarely ever plug a bass I’m trying into an amp, occasionally maybe just to make sure it works.

 

[JZQuantum]

I totally get what you mean. On the rare occasions I go to GC, I'll either play acoustically or plug in and play whatever I can make up on the spot...most of the time it ends up being easy pentatonic stuff. Sometimes I can't even remember my own basslines from my albums when I'm there!

A lot of times, a random guitar player will be playing across the room, and I'll start playing root notes along with him without him even noticing.

 

[N4860]

I was at my local big box music store this past Saturday trying out amps and I just happened to pick the P bass with the highest action in the store. What are the odds of that!?! Anyway, I turned up the amp to see if it had any umph and thought it would be a good idea to start slapping. It was not a good idea and actually, it was rather a hot mess. Maybe the worst idea I’ve had in a while LOL but, I heard what I needed to hear during the test drive and that’s all that mattered. There were a few people standing around to witness my amateur slap slaughter. I let it bother me for about 5 seconds and then let it go.

When going to try out amps and/or cabs, I would recommend bringing your own bass. Same goes for pedals.

 

[buldog5151bass]

The audience is naked.

I've played a nudist camp. For the most part, other than the $$$, I'd rather play in GC.

 

[aigman]

Redmond WA GC: a really nice friendly salesperson lady with blazing red hair made me feel right at home and was friendly enough that my guard lowered pretty quick, I started plucking away without regard to anyone’s judgement. Bought a 410 that day.

Roosevelt district GC Seattle: many millennial sales guys. Always cool, and they’ve got my hairstyle beat by virtue of having hair to begin with. Their Rubber-glove tight pants make me a bit leery though.

Trading musician, Roosevelt dist again, two blocks south of GC: old used gear smells musty, like a well-inhabited jam room. Puts me at ease to play. Salesmen act like I’m completely invisible. Love that.

I never ever ever slap/pop. All warm ups, or melodic finger or pick runs.

 

[jdh3000]

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.

That's when I go, 10 am on a Monday... no one in there except one or two staff members and they are busy opening and other stuff.

Nothing like having a store to yourself.

 

[HolmeBass]

You have to be in line at that Chick-fil-a by Sam Ash by 10:00 to get your order by noon.

Haha, I totally know that place!!

Music stores. Yes, they will judge you. The employees have seen and heard it all 10 times over, you will be hard-pressed to impress them.

All all of which leads up to a big “so what?” You do you and ef them. Seriously. Get it while the getting is good.

I find if I really want to derail a loud bassist or guitarist I just jam along with them. Once they realize I am playing along that usually shuts them down quick. Don’t know why - what’s wrong with 2 or 3 minutes of jamming to check out some gear? But seems actually playing music with them often puts a damper on it for them.

 

[micguy]

I tend to find that the really competent players don’t make a habit of showing off; conversely, I tend to find that show offs are simply a one or two trick pony, hoping to convince the unsuspecting that they are fully competent.

I agree. I regularly play to audiences of hundreds of people at church gigs. I don't need to prove anything to half a dozen kids in a music store. I'm there to try something out - the gear, not my chops. I know the feeling of not knowing what to play when it's just you, but after a thousand or so sound checks, you get over that.

 

[N4860]

Haha, I totally know that place!!

Music stores. Yes, they will judge you. The employees have seen and heard it all 10 times over, you will be hard-pressed to impress them.

All all of which leads up to a big “so what?” You do you and ef them. Seriously. Get it while the getting is good.

I find if I really want to derail a loud bassist or guitarist I just jam along with them. Once they realize I am playing along that usually shuts them down quick. Don’t know why - what’s wrong with 2 or 3 minutes of jamming to check out some gear? But seems actually playing music with them often puts a damper on it for them.

I'd bet that would work even better if you choose to play in a key 1 semitone higher than them.

 

[Killing Floor]

The staff is there to help. If you are intimidated by a disinterested salesperson who wants to “perform” for the store just ignore them. If they are in your grill try a little game. You) “what is the slew rate of this amp?” Stu Hamm guy) “uuh yeah this Mark Bass head is the best”. You) “What is slew rate? My roommate said I should ask. What’s that upside down h symbol? Can you get square waves from flat wounds? Can I just use a camera strap?” Or just ask him to demo the equipment you’re interested in and clap every time he stops. If he’s still acting like a jerk go to the counter and buy a single pick.

 

[2112]

... and trying to make eye contact with me.

I typically don't go into music stores, but when I do and I'm serious about buying something, most of the sounds I'm making with a bass sound nothing like coherent music. Don't care what anybody thinks, I've got nothing to prove.

However, in the case of particularly obnoxious show-offs, I have been known to play along using dissonant or off-tune notes, arrhythmic meters, start matching what they're playing note-for-note, solo over their line, and/or whip out some sweet Rush, Tool, or Yes licks for their listening pleasure.

 

[klejst]

Trick is to go in there with a game plan or idea of exactly why you're going in there. Oh, and be sure to make it clear (unless you really do) you do not require assistance.

 

[Depth_Charge]

Last time I was in a music shop it was to try an Ampeg SVT7 Pro through a loud cab. I smashed classic metal covers on about 6 different basses to check the tonality of the amp for about an hour, some badly.

I didn't care one iota what anyone thought about my playing or song/note choices and the only interaction I got from the sales guy once I told him what I would be doing was him coming past to turn the volume up occassionally

You're there to try stuff out before you drop (sometimes big) coin, and you're at the level you're at on the day you're doing it.

Don't sweat anything else. Life's too short. Enjoy the process and if you can't where you are, find a shop you can

 

[retslock]

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.

I hate the “let’s impress everyone” approach so I give the instrument a very good look over first. Then I run up and down each string looking for buzz and dead spots. I might play just a few notes across the neck in different positions but I stay away from recognised bass riffs and I definitely don’t slap. I make it sound very random. Pretty soon nobody’s listening. Just how I like it.

 

[ChrisBowsman]

I play “Fisticuffs” by Primus whenever I check out stuff. It covers a wide range on the neck, and sounds cool but isn’t difficult. If there’s someone who recognizes it’s Primus, I might play a little “American Life,” too. Mostly, though, they’re good parts to tweak knobs and check our tones with.

 

[foolforthecity]

i think some of you are making this into something it's not.

if you make 'checking out stuff' into a 'recital' you'd better know your material --- the wankers are playing their greatest hits. are you actually thinking that you have to play something to impress someone else?

i don't have many reasons to go into the shops in the first place but when i do: the last thing i'm concerned about is what anyone thinks of my thinking/playing/evaluation process. big whup! most of those folks* couldn't say "beans" if they had a mouthful...and that includes a lot of store staff.


* i've met a few good players on occasion: always a treat! but they're few... and far between.

End of story.

 

[Ric5]

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.

you have to go in with the attitude that you don't care what other people think of you as a player or a person …

 

[Ric5]

learn a few hot licks and riffs for showing off

http://www.3dentourage.com/425/pink-s.mp3

 

[Aidenn7]

Naturally we bassist are the back bone.. So start acting like it.. Lol