Also, L&M here in Canada is like a GC, except the staff aren't vultures and seem to know their stuff at least at the 3 I've been to, even the busy one in the nearest big city. I don't think they work on commission.
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Mom & Pop Shops
- Thread starter beobass
- Start date
That's usually what I run into also, but not this place. I like mine set with the action as low as possible with no fret buzz until I decide. That's how both basses I bought there were handed to me.
Now for the plug since I have no direct relation:
Five Star Guitars
Tanasbourne
West Beaverton, Oregon
I quit using GC, MF, and Music123 after learning who owned them and then discovering Sweetwater.
Probably a good reason South Austin is still kicking while everyone else has left. Nice bunch, always a good selection of used stuff and consignment, and will work with you, no matter who you are - noob, pro, parent, whatever. That was my experience with them. Can't say the same for the others. Plus, location, location, location. I never liked the GCs in Austin, though. I probably bought more new stuff at the Mars the short time it was alive than either of the GCs the entire time I lived there. Glad your experience has been better with GC staff. It was rare I had a good experience with them.
EDIT: ooh just remembered something else about that Mars, RIP. I had an LP studio that I, uh, worked on and severely ruined the frets, with damage to the fretboard. Luthier there fixed it lickety split, and didn't even deride me on the horrible mess I made of it. Totally playable when I got it back. I wouldn't have dared show my face with the LP in one of the GCs. I have a fragile ego.
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If I need something in a hurry, I will stop by GC or Sam Ash instead of waiting for mom and pop to order it.
"Give me convenience or give me death."
"Give me convenience or give me death."
Glad to see some one has luck with the locals. Here's one experience with my local mom & pop last week. Call em up, to see if he has any black knobs, he does, $5-6 is what he tells me over the phone, I get there and he tells me he looked up the msrp and it's a little higher than he said over the phone. HERE WE GO! Now they're 17.99 APIECE!! But " I'll cut you a deal" he says and charged me $8 apiece. I'm a grown ass man, I could have not bought them I know that, but I decided then and there to get those knobs and never go in there again. Everything he has is outdated and over priced, but he'll complain about "how the bottom has fallen out" of the industry. I'm not the only one, all my buddies have some experience with getting overcharged heavily at this place, I'll take my business elsewhere thank you very much.
The last of our small chain, local shops (Buddy Rogers Music) closed last August. They are actually still in business, but now deal strictly with school band rentals- no more guitars, basses, amps, PA, etc.. I bought my first bass there in 1974, and spent thousands over the years. There were a half dozen different M&Ps in the area that had two, three or even four locations around town; all gone now, and we're stuck with Sam Ash and GC.
Pfft. Just be greatful you HAVE options around you. There is no longer a decent Music store in his town. There are 3 independents and none of the three have any type of bass gear and for some reason there is still NO Guitar Center or Sam Ash in the entire county even though we are one of the largest population wise in the state.
I hear you guys complain about GC all the time and I just wish I could as well.
The only saving grace is that I can get over to Orlando and there is a couple of GC's there and better still Bass Central, but those are a day trip basically and not a quick hour drive away.
I hear you guys complain about GC all the time and I just wish I could as well.
The only saving grace is that I can get over to Orlando and there is a couple of GC's there and better still Bass Central, but those are a day trip basically and not a quick hour drive away.
GC makes a good showroom. They let you play anything with minimal bugging. I like that. GC is my go-to time waster if the wife is shopping. Do I buy there? Maybe just strings and picks. The internet has much better options for major purchases, both in terms of selection and price.
As far as service I could care less. If I'm buying something at a brick and mortar store I already did the research don't need the salesman for anything but to swipe my card.
As far as service I could care less. If I'm buying something at a brick and mortar store I already did the research don't need the salesman for anything but to swipe my card.
I misspent my youth in SW Ohio, and recall buying my second bass, a 72 white jazz bass with maple neck and black inlays at Buddy Rogers. I really wanted a precision to replace the one I had with the busted truss rod but they didn't have any in stock. I left SW Ohio two years later and never looked back, but I still fondly remember buying that bass, and even recall the layout of the store. Alas, the memories endured but the bass was gone a few years later, lost during a mugging in Boston.
Guess I'm an odd ball here. 63 years old and I have never set foot in a GC. The only thing I have ever purchased online is a couple of sets of bass strings from Bass Strings Online. Most of my current gear was purchased used. The recent new stuff was bought at one of the two local mom and pops. Years ago I bought a few new guitars from a mom and pop in Wheaton Md. That mom and pop was Chuck Levins' Music Center and is probably bigger than any GC I have ever heard of. Incredible selection , fantastic repair shop , and the most helpful people working there you could ever want to meet , except for Chuck himself who is the epitome of a crotchety old fart , but he sure runs a tight ship. It's a 90 mile trip for me these days and I don't need anything , but if I ever need a new big ticket item , that's where I'm going.
Yup, our local shop has hardly anything worth buying and the owner is a complete tool shed. There was a really cool place that was focused on vintage used instruments and they were a Fender dealer. Sadly, it only lasted a year or two.
I bought my G&L from a Mom & Pop shop - on the other side of the country. Does that count?
I bought my Warmoth bass (parts) directly from Warmoth.
I bought my Fender Rumble amp from the M&P shop. They had it in stock, gave me a chance to compare it to other amps, had the same price as on-line or at GC. No Brainer.
I bought my Warmoth bass (parts) directly from Warmoth.
I bought my Fender Rumble amp from the M&P shop. They had it in stock, gave me a chance to compare it to other amps, had the same price as on-line or at GC. No Brainer.
I can't refer to my local as a mom and pop they are more of a hook and crook so they only see me when I drive by and wave.
Some of the GCs near me will occasionally get some high-end pieces (Alembics, some various customs, Pedullas...), and if it doesn't move after a month, you can wheel and deal with them. They usually will drop 10% off at that point. I'm all about supporting B&Ms, but money talks, and I will ultimately go where the price is best. Luckily, TB is a pretty good place to find gear at a reasonable (depending on the seller) price. Bought my Fodera on the classifieds here and I think the price was very fair.
okcrum
in your chest
There are a few good stores out here, but none local to me. Invalid Link Removed in Tucson, for one. I've also had good luck with Arizona Music Pro in Flagstaff.
For the DB players, there's Invalid Link Removed (also stringemporium.com) in Mesa. Amazing store. The proprietor is the principal bass chair for the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra. No BS, just great instruments at fair prices, similar to KC Strings. You can learn a lot by visiting, but only if you've done your homework. Steve is a busy guy.
For the DB players, there's Invalid Link Removed (also stringemporium.com) in Mesa. Amazing store. The proprietor is the principal bass chair for the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra. No BS, just great instruments at fair prices, similar to KC Strings. You can learn a lot by visiting, but only if you've done your homework. Steve is a busy guy.
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The last purchase I made, I drove about 45 minutes to a local shop. GC has crushed the local shops in the Baltimore area over the past several years. They're like the Walmart of gear. There's really only one shop left in the city that chose to compete with GC instead of going out of business, and so they're pretty much just like GC now.
Our local stores pretty much sell their wares at the same price as the online and GCs, so there is no reason to travel 90 minutes to the nearest GC, or put my financial info on the web, when I can just go to the local store and get it.
Mom & Pop stores are sadly becoming a thing of the past. I spent much quality time finding them, and dealing with them when I was younger. Scored some great deals and made some good friends.
The internet, and big chains like GC have made them few and far between. There use to be a Mom & Pop music store in ever town.
The internet, and big chains like GC have made them few and far between. There use to be a Mom & Pop music store in ever town.
