Are there any stores in the US that have a large selection of basses in stock? I’d like to add an FCS Precision to my collection but buying online has lost its charm.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Largest bass store in the US?
- Thread starter OlyWhite
- Start date
There’s nothing in your area? Seems to me a Custom Shop P Bass wouldn’t be too hard to find. If you don’t mind travelling you can test drive them at Sweetwater and Chicago Music Exchange. Both stores are well stocked.
I live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. I know of one FCS Precision for sale.
Tone Shop has one P and one Jazz.
GC has a ‘54 (?) P but I don’t really want a single-coil P.
Guitar Sanctuary has zero FCS basses.
There is a store in Garland that might have one, but I went there once and the staff talked trash about their customers the entire time. No thanks.
I’ll be traveling to the Austin area later today and the situation seems similar or worse.
I didn’t realize you could demo gear at Sweetwater.
Tone Shop has one P and one Jazz.
GC has a ‘54 (?) P but I don’t really want a single-coil P.
Guitar Sanctuary has zero FCS basses.
There is a store in Garland that might have one, but I went there once and the staff talked trash about their customers the entire time. No thanks.
I’ll be traveling to the Austin area later today and the situation seems similar or worse.
I didn’t realize you could demo gear at Sweetwater.
I always imagined Texas was full of well stocked music stores, I guess that’s not the case!
I know, right?
I was in Houston a few weeks back. Fullers had a decent stock but the examples they had on hand were very “meh.”
I sold a Masterbuilt Strat a few days ago. Reverb fees + shipping was outrageous, so I don’t want to buy something I don’t love. Getting rid of instruments that don’t inspire has gotten too pricey.
Check out Pirate ship if you didn’t already, I just traded with someone on TB and paid about $55 to ship a bass in hard case, boxed and everything.I know, right?
I was in Houston a few weeks back. Fullers had a decent stock but the examples they had on hand were very “meh.”
I sold a Masterbuilt Strat a few days ago. Reverb fees + shipping was outrageous, so I don’t want to buy something I don’t love. Getting rid of instruments that don’t inspire has gotten too pricey.
Wildwood guitars often has a great selection of basses
Two Suggestions:
1. Call Shawn Wainright - bass specialist at Replay Guitar Exchange in Tampa, FL
2. Bass Central, in Orlando. But I'd start with Shawn.
I was gonna suggest Bass Central but I went to their website and there are no Custom Shop basses at all. That's surprising considering they carry high end gear.
I think they’re the largest fender custom shop dealer in the US. 30m outside of Denver.
A road trip/flight may be your best bet.
I don’t know of any bass specialty stores. There are a lot of independent guitar stores for sure, but the bass selections are thin at these places. Guitar Center is the best bet.
It has been mentioned before but Chicago Music Exchange had a basement full of bass guitars. Their selection of vintage basses was amazing!
Check in with Brian at The Low End in Tennessee or Chad at the Bass Shop in Seattle. If they don’t have what you need, they can get it.
Brian Barrett probably has the best online presence as well as boutique and custom basses as well as being accessible to ask and find what you need
Anecdotally it seems like pretty much all of the really big independent stores nationwide are gone, and the remaining ones chiefly cater to high-end clientele OR deal in used gear exclusively.
Maybe the guitar sanctuary in McKinney? There’s a few in Austin with good reputations. Does it need to say Fender on the headstock?
But yeah most you will have to check stock first. Guitar Sanctuary has enough high end stuff on the shelves they should be helpful. I’m sure they could sell it if you pass on it. They draw a wealthy clientele.
If you’re traveling for one, I’ve heard of Nashville’s stores being epic. That’s where I’d go - especially if I wanted vintage.
