My "smaller local" was Rocket Music. Greg is amazing. I've done a lot of stuff on TB via Classifieds.
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Other: American Musical Supply
They are in NJ, I am in Mass. so the free UPS ground shipping arrives the next day.
I use Sweetwater or MF if AMS doesn't carry something and they do.
They are in NJ, I am in Mass. so the free UPS ground shipping arrives the next day.
I use Sweetwater or MF if AMS doesn't carry something and they do.
If it's smaller items I try to buy from Sweetwater, because I like their customer service. But far and away I have spent more money at zZounds, because most of my purchases are larger, I'm at the lower end of the income chain, and they offer the best payment plans. Bought my Hofner HCT500/1 and my Fender Rumble stack from them.
I visit a local music store frequently by me called Cream City Music to see what they might have on hand in regards to vintage basses/amps. Easily my favorite local store. Then it's Bass Club Chicago for high end/vintage gear that the large retailers may not/do not carry. Then it's Sweetwater, for EVERYTHING else. Best customer service and fastest shipping as far as the large retailers go. I've been dealing with Sweetwater (and the same sales rep) for over 10 years and have NEVER been disappointed.
I have yet to find another place that treats me as well as Sweetwater. It's always a pleasure to drop by and spend the day there. It's a 3 hour trip for me (1 way) but always worth it. I consistently get great help and run into the nicest people doing the same as me. The place just attracts good peeps.
I do wish they would carry some more "high end" bass brands. The trip to Chicago to play fodera, sadowsky, etc. is longer than I wish but otherwise this is my go to vender.
I do wish they would carry some more "high end" bass brands. The trip to Chicago to play fodera, sadowsky, etc. is longer than I wish but otherwise this is my go to vender.
Talkbass & the Lowend bass shop for my basses/amps, usually eBay or musicians friend for my strings.
Yesterday I ordered a Digitech VLFX from Sweetwater. It's my first purchase from them. Sure enough, within an hour or two I received the phone call from their "Sales engineer". Actually a very nice guy, but over talkative. He knew it was the first purchase I'd ever made from them. I told him I'm trying to ween myself from Amazon. I am. I suspect I'll be talking to this guy a lot...
BTW, the place I do the most business with, by far, is MCM electronics. Not on the list. Mostly lighting and individual items (mics, headphones, cables, stuff like that).
That's pretty funny. I've been playing since 1998 and have six basses. I've replaced strings a total of three times, and one was to put flats on my acoustic electric and another was to put black tapewounds on my five string fretless. i.e. I've only replaced "old" strings on any bass one time. It was because I broke a string.
I don't care what they say about bass strings, I'd only use a hefty low B to tow a car. The others just can't take it.
LOL! I don't just buy bass strings from there. They sell all kinds of gear. That's just your preference though. Everyone's tonal goals are different. I like new crisp strings and change mine every couple months.
Yep. I'm with you on the sound of crisp strings. But I'm cheap.
On second thought, I only got 9,000 miles out of my last set of tires, which I bought in November...for $650. The guy at the shop last week said I should take corners a bit easier - which totally ruins the fun of driving!
Shew! That's where we differ. I can stretch a set of tires about 65,000 miles.Yep. I'm with you on the sound of crisp strings. But I'm cheap.
On second thought, I only got 9,000 miles out of my last set of tires, which I bought in November...for $650. The guy at the shop last week said I should take corners a bit easier - which totally ruins the fun of driving!
I'm done buying autocross tires for my FR-S. My commute is 160 miles a day and, thought the twisties of Kentucky are a load of fun at 6 a.m. the whole thing has kind of run its course. It's time to get tires with an actual wear guarantee. I'll also not make myself sick on the switchbacks quite so much...
Talkbass is my go to for sure. However, recently I've punched some basses from sweetwater and they have been nothing short of fantastic. The basses have come to me in great shape and with a decent setup that makes them playable right out of the box. Two thumbs up for sweetwater!
I haven't bought a lot of gear online yet but I have bought several things from Sweetwater and have been very pleased with them so far. The customer service has been excellent and what I've ordered has been shipped promptly and correctly. I've had no problems with stuff that doesn't work as it's supposed to.
Most of the basses I've purchased in the last couple of years were direct from the builder. Great dealing with Bass San Diego. Sweetwater doesn't have the bass gear I've purchased recently but all other band, keyboard, speaker, amp purchases have been through Sweetwater and they are outstanding.
