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Need an answer from Bbblyd

Right_Butterscotch64

Right_Butterscotch64

Oct 18, 2012
1,763
442
#1
I don't like doing this but during a recent exchange at GC I was refused an exchange after they found out that I like to run my vb-2 with the master wide open and using the gain to control the volume. They said that was misuse of the amp which I find to be pretty BS.

Is that really hurting the amp?
 
#6
Back in the day(like when I could still walk my pet dinosaur) I ran my Yamaha 100 bass amp with the master cranked to 10 and gigged it that way for a couple years. Not too long after that , I started running a Peavey mark 6 with the master all the way open and never had any problems with either amp from running them like that. Upgraded to a Peavey mark 6 XP and ran it the same way (again for a couple years) and never had a problem with that one either. Currently running an SVT classic with the master cranked (oohhhh the tone...the tone) and haven't had any problems with that either. Sounds to me like someone at GC has a bug up their.....oh wait.... I can't say that here.
 
#9
I guess add this to the list of reasons why GC is getting worse and worse. I recently brought in an Aguilar Gs 410 to trade and had the counter person try to tell me they wouldn't give me much for it since it isn't a well known brand or quality cabinet. After rejecting his $50 trade in value I asked for the manager who thankfully corrected the situation and even threw in some free strings as an apology. A plus one for the management but I guess you get terrible employees when everyone works on commission and is only part time.
 
#11
I appreciate this, I figured he was just talking out of his rear. It's going to be taken up with the district manager tomorrow.

The back story behind this:
Been having a few issues with the amp even after sending it in. Peaveys been super cool with it and its been a good experience. But I called GC and was like look I don't want to send it again could I just get an exchange for another one.

Manager told me personally he would make it right and exchange it. So basically they give me a few options while I was in the store. During my visit at the store they had one of the guitar section employees try out my amp and showed him my settings/preferences etc. "I've seen enough to know this one is fried" were his words. Goes back to the manager and comes back and says we can order you a new one once they are back in stock. I think it over and call them back only to get the response, (keep in mind this is 45 minutes later) We have since determined the problems are caused by user error (AFTER THE MANAGER AND EMPLOYEE ALREADY TOLD ME THEY COULD EXCHANGE IT), because of the way you run the master volume all the way up and use the gain knob settings, which was part of me showing them my settings earlier.

The employee did try to show me how I SHOULD try and EQ the amp and what I was doing wrong.....sigh.

EDIT: this original post was on a mobile and not very clear.
 
#12
JellinWellen said:
I don't like doing this but during a recent exchange at GC I was refused an exchange after they found out that I like to run my vb-2 with the master wide open and using the gain to control the volume. They said that was misuse of the amp which I find to be pretty BS.

Is that really hurting the amp?
Click to expand...

No, not at all. That dweeb at Guitar Center doesn't know his arse from a hole in the ground.

Any amp that does not have a separate master and gain (or "volume") has the master set at full by default and you control the loudness of the amp with the gain knob (which might be labeled "volume").

I have three vintage Ampeg all-tube amps, and none of them have a master volume. That means the "master" is set at full on 100% of the time. I actually prefer amps with no master volume because I like to drive the power tubes, not the preamp tubes.
 
#15
Make sure to take the amp in IN PERSON. They don't want to have their roomful of customers hear your complaint and how asinine their excuse is. My dear ole mom was right when she told me, do serious business in person. It's so easy to blow someone off on the phone. No one can hear your side of the story on the other end.

And while you're there, make sure to RAISE YOUR VOICE so others can hear how much frustration you've already had with them. There are other music stores out there, and some young guy getting ready to buy a new amp might say, hey, if that's the way they treat their customers I'm outta here....

Good luck and let us know how it went...
 
#18
So after getting the DM involved the manager did end up making it right. He did however tell me that I will for sure break the next one if I continue to run it like previously stated before as it "makes the tubes hot".

Unfortunately I will be without an amp for a 3rd month because GC says they are out of stock and peavey won't have anymore VB-2s ready until december.
 

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