Intimidated in the music store.

[gln1955]

I can relate to the OP. I need to buy a new washing machine. I can barely use they one we have. I have no idea what most of the buttons are for. I just throw some detergent in hopefully the right chute and pust "start". If my clothes come out somewhat cleaner and the same color they went in, I call it a win. I'm afraid the washer saleman at Lowe's will laugh at me behind my back, or even to my face, for my ignorance.

 

[Mosfed]

why? because i'm not you?

I didn't like the vibe of the store or the help. I left.

It's your problem if that bothers you.

You drove an hour and you are a paying customer. Freaking grow a pair

 

[RustyAxe]

Hoo boy ... It’s a retail shop. They sell stuff. People buy stuff. It is not a freekin’ concert venue.

 

[FlyingPigSound]

My shop of choice is Chicago Music Exchange...which has all the basses in the "bassment" and a couple individual practice rooms with a decent amp selection. The only issue is scheduling my visits on weekday mornings, so it's easier to get into the city from the 'burbs, park, and get back home w/ out crazy city traffic

 

[Dreig]

I can relate to the OP. I need to buy a new washing machine. I can barely use they one we have. I have no idea what most of the buttons are for. I just throw some detergent in hopefully the right chute and pust "start". If my clothes come out somewhat cleaner and the same color they went in, I call it a win. I'm afraid the washer saleman at Lowe's will laugh at me behind my back, or even to my face, for my ignorance.

 

[bassicmike]

why? because i'm not you?

You drove an hour and you are a paying customer. Freaking grow a pair

I had no intention of buying anything. what gave you that idea?

And why do my choices offend you so?

 

[TuneIn]

Someone needs a participation trophy....

 

[matty1039]

I just take the Ron Swanson approach:



Seriously though. I usually will play unplugged to see how a bass feels in my hands and then if I like it I'll plug it in to an amp. When I am plugged in I truly don't care what people think of my playing. They have no idea what type of music I play or what type of band I'm in. I can play whatever I want.

 

[Kriegs]

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.

Was it in Mass? Which store (so that I know not to go there)?

 

[wncBass]

It's hard for me to make a rational decision in a music store. I like places with good return policies, then I can take my time to check out a bass.

 

[sears]

Walking into a den of aggression can be a little stressful. If you don't detect it, it's because you're more naturally comfortable with it, it's not because it doesn't exist. You will probably be lied to. It's the same reason people don't like shopping for cars.

 

[azureblue]

ignore them. The wankers are there to wank. You are there to buy / try a bass.

 

[azureblue]

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.

Same here - The guy was all "I'm a bad szz, so go away." I plugged in and played some jazz heads - Oleo, Joy Spring, and the classic Donna Lee, put the bass back on the wall and looked at him with a smile. Guy quit playing. Store salesman came over and said "thanks for shutting him up".

 

[brianrost]

If you're uncomfortable in a music store, I hope you aren't planning to gig any time soon. Demoing gear is not the same as doing an audition or performing to an indifferent audience.

I know some people like to rip through hot licks and such, I don't do that. I like playing songs from the Wizard of Oz, actually, or walking blues and rhythm changes. I also just play up and down each string fret by fret checking for buzzing, dead spots, etc. I always start unplugged, too. I never get into weed whacking...

So nobody ever comes over with their eyes bugged out asking me if I will join their band.

 

[DavC]

my excellent credit $$$$ makes me try out whatever i want .. !!

but really ,... it's Not a contest .. !! most Wankers can't even get a gig - because they won't stop wanking ...

more importantly ... how does the instrument feel ..?? it'll never sound like you until you bring it home anyways .. your gear, rig , strings , setup, environment , etc ...

 

[Runnerman]

My shop of choice is Chicago Music Exchange...which has all the basses in the "bassment" and a couple individual practice rooms with a decent amp selection. The only issue is scheduling my visits on weekday mornings, so it's easier to get into the city from the 'burbs, park, and get back home w/ out crazy city traffic

Agree 100%. Everything is within reach and playable also. You can just grab a pre-CBS fender and see what all the hype is about. Great selection of vintage stuff. My favorite stop when I'm in town.

As someone already mentioned GC, at least at my location, has moved all the more expensive instruments to the highest part of the wall and frankly it's a pain to be able to try something out.

 

[Gerben]

There's nothing to prove.

THIS. Competitions are for horses. Not for artists.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

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've never heard anything halfway decent being played in a music shop. It's always some dude playing extremely loud and out of time "metal" drums. Who thinks he is absolutely amazing by the way. You can usually hear him talking pompously from the bass section. Then there's a couple beginners looking at things that their idols play, and talking to people about gear. Then there's the father's. They are always giving me dirty looks and scowls because they cant hear their children playing over me jamming cause the only reason I'm in there is to kill time while my wife is shopping somewhere close by. And while I dont get excessively loud, I do like to turn dials respectively to get ideas of what amp and cabs are semi capable of. Clerks have only come over a couple times.

I'm a jerk. But, I dont really care. I'm not window for your benefit. You can continue when I'm done

 

[Kilgore777]

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.

People go to hOOters to eat? Lunch?

 

[rtslinger]

I do not have that problem, but I usually like to check out a bass unplugged first anyway to see how it feels in my hands and its timber qualities. If I like it then I ask to hear it.