• 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.

Re: Poor Set-ups in Music stores

#41
Here's an idea:
Why don't the large companies have regional reps/techs that follow their instruments' deliveries and they do the setups at the store. For example, Fender could do a little less of a setup at the factory, but have a guy that covers 10-15 stores in an area and do the setups there. Store X will get him on Monday, store Y would get him on Tuesday, etc...
That way they could ensure that the intruments are well setup when they hit the shelves and existing stock is kept in good shape. It might cost a little more, but if they have decent instruments, then people wouldn't get a bad impression of them.
 
#42
Smallmouth_Bass said:
Here's an idea:
Why don't the large companies have regional reps/techs that follow their instruments' deliveries and they do the setups at the store. For example, Fender could do a little less of a setup at the factory, but have a guy that covers 10-15 stores in an area and do the setups there. Store X will get him on Monday, store Y would get him on Tuesday, etc...
That way they could ensure that the intruments are well setup when they hit the shelves and existing stock is kept in good shape. It might cost a little more, but if they have decent instruments, then people wouldn't get a bad impression of them.
Click to expand...

I so agree with this idea.. I'm sure those companies all have "Reps" anyway.. those reps could either do it themselves, or if their region is to large and their are too many basses to do, they'd hire a Luthier apprentice type to do it on a part time basis. I am willing to be the additional cost of doing this (maybe $40,000/year for a region) would more than come back in improved sales and good will. I can't tell you how many people I've talked to, or how many threads I've read both here and on other forums, and google user groups where people dis Fenders for their crappy feel... all based on their experience at a local music store (usually a Guitar Center or Sam Ash).
 
#43
Well, it's the same thing for a local music store. They have an extensive selection of G&L instruments. I have read so many good things about them and their owners are usually happy and loyal. Everyone that I have tried at this store has been setup so bad that if I didn't know any better, I'd be saying that G&L is a bunch of crap, which I know is not the case.

I have equally seen many higher end instruments setup really poorly. At the very least, you have to have your expensive stock setup well. Do they really think I am going to buy a $2500 bass with action an inch off of the fretboard? :scowl:
 
#44
I have it pretty good here with my local store. They have a dedicated "bass guy", who is actually a hell of a good player, and is very well informed on the gear he is selling. He also makes SURE that every bass has a very good setup done on it prior to hanging it on the wall/putting it on the floor. He seems to actually take pride in what he is doing there, and it shows.

But, I have been to GC's, and several other stores, that have left a lot to be desired.:rolleyes:
 
#45
Ryan L. said:
I have it pretty good here with my local store. They have a dedicated "bass guy", who is actually a hell of a good player, and is very well informed on the gear he is selling. He also makes SURE that every bass has a very good setup done on it prior to hanging it on the wall/putting it on the floor. He seems to actually take pride in what he is doing there, and it shows.
Click to expand...

Every music store needs a "bass guy."

Bass NW here in Seattle has 3-4 employees working at any given time, and every single bass in the store is given a proper setup.

Guitar Center, on the other hand, has 20 or so employees, most of which are standing around harassing customers to spend money, and NONE of the basses are setup.
 
#46
SamJ said:
Well, you like me are probably testing some theories about all of the set up discussion we've all been having, and my theory has so far proven this (anecdotally)..

1)There is always enough staff at music store to do the setups, even if not professionally done, they're better than nothing.

2)The quality of the staff at many stores is high enough, (read they play bass/guitar) that it can be reasonably expected that they would know how to do a basic setup

3)Some stores (Gelb in Redwood City) take the time to do the set up, yet their salesman still seem to have a lot of down time, while other stores (Guitar Center) don't.

4)Fender, due to their design, and the obvious fact that the factory doesn't even attempt to set them up at the point where they are packaged is more prone to fall victim to this, which may lead some (did me for quite a while) to conclude their basses suck! Which can lead to a lot of bad rep, and bad will towards Fender.

I treated the instruments with great respect, and each and every one played nicely, with nice new strings, and a great setup.. Gleb is an example of how to do it. I am sure there are others..
Click to expand...

Re: 1). If it's "better than nothing", that's not saying very much at all! I don't need some snot-nosed kid that can play his butt off trying to set up a bass without any knowlege of the workings of the truss rod or bridge settings!

Re: 2). Refer to #1.

Re" 3). Different stores/chains, different budgets and prioritys...You may have come across a great place to try out basses and has a great staff, but that doesn't wash clear across the country.

Re: 4) ...
Fender, due to their design, and the obvious fact that the factory doesn't even attempt to set them up at the point where they are packaged...
Click to expand...
you just made my point, exactly. It's not the stores, but Fender that takes the responsibility for their product's saleability!

So...I guess it's the manufacturer's responsibility to maintain the product's upkeep so it will sell, huh? :confused:
 
#47
Scissor Man said:
Every music store needs a "bass guy."

Bass NW here in Seattle has 3-4 employees working at any given time, and every single bass in the store is given a proper setup.

Guitar Center, on the other hand, has 20 or so employees, most of which are standing around harassing customers to spend money, and NONE of the basses are setup.
Click to expand...
Just an FYI, since I'm in the area, the Kirkland Guitar Center has a great bass guy that I've worked with and he's been a lot of info and help for me and set up my new Warwick and my own Fender Jazz for me and did a great job. It's all in the personell. Every Shop Is Different...! Just like finding a good mechanic for your car; gotta shop around! Good luck!
 
#48
gottawalk said:
So...I guess it's the manufacturer's responsibility to maintain the product's upkeep so it will sell, huh? :confused:
Click to expand...

you must work in the ONLY industry that I am aware of where the "Dealer" isn't responsible for the salability of his inventory..

I've work in Car, Watches (Jewelry), Model Rail Road, and Clothing retail, and all 3 are required under strict rules issued by the manufacturer to display their products to the standards required to maintain that "Dealership"

The fact is the manufacturer cannot be at every store front to insure that their quality is displayed, which is why he creates a dealer and distribution network.. Therefore YES, I do expect the guitar store to insure that each and every bass is set up.. BUT not only for the sake of the manufacturer, but for their own sake.. Did you not read what JWL wrote about the 1 year old Fender that sat, and sat until a proper setup then it magically sold? Most people don't know that this is all that is wrong with an instrument when they pick it up and it has strings that are dead, or 1/2" above the fretboard, or frets sticking out over the neck.. they think it's a dude and move on to another instrument.. I mean, why even put the bass on display if you're not going to set it up.. what is a person going to get out of trying it out other than frustration with that specific instrument?
 
#49
SamJ said:
you must work in the ONLY industry that I am aware of where the "Dealer" isn't responsible for the salability of his inventory..

I've work in Car, Watches (Jewelry), Model Rail Road, and Clothing retail, and all 3 are required under strict rules issued by the manufacturer to display their products to the standards required to maintain that "Dealership"

The fact is the manufacturer cannot be at every store front to insure that their quality is displayed, which is why he creates a dealer and distribution network.. Therefore YES, I do expect the guitar store to insure that each and every bass is set up.. BUT not only for the sake of the manufacturer, but for their own sake.. Did you not read what JWL wrote about the 1 year old Fender that sat, and sat until a proper setup then it magically sold? Most people don't know that this is all that is wrong with an instrument when they pick it up and it has strings that are dead, or 1/2" above the fretboard, or frets sticking out over the neck.. they think it's a dude and move on to another instrument.. I mean, why even put the bass on display if you're not going to set it up.. what is a person going to get out of trying it out other than frustration with that specific instrument?
Click to expand...
well...I actually work for the US Postal Service, so I guess you could say that we're our own "dealer". 'nuff said about that.

In retrospect, (and a little more sleep), you're absolutely right that it would be in the best interest of the Dealer to keep the inventory up to par or there won't be the sales needed to bring in the profits and keep the Dealership afloat. I guess the responsibility needs to be distributed evenly, then. The manufacturer needs to ship out a "finished" product in such a manner that the quality isn't reduced by the time it reaches the dealer, who is expecting a "sellable" product to reach his/her store. Then, it's the dealer's responsibility to maintain, display and make that product available for the buyer to see and try out and then (hopefully) buy with the confidence that the product is at or close to it's optimum performance.

I actually did work in the fast food industry years back and THAT's a place where the "dealership", (franchise owner), is under the mandate "thumb" of doing things the way that he's told. I've known franchise owners that have totally left the franchise and gone independent because of the restrictions of the corporate office on product handling. That's an extreme, though, and I don't suspect that the "Fender Corporations" out there are quite that bad, but I do understand the aspect of the dealer having demands on them by the manufacturers about display and such.

I guess it all boils down the the dealer's pride in his shop and how the dealer wants his/her reputation as a distributor to come across. I know that the shop that I frequent keeps the inventory in pretty good shape and that makes for repeat customers. That's what it's all about.

Sorry to be so long-winded, but I just wanted to let you know that you've made good points. ;)
 
#50
gottawalk.. Glad the sleep got you to see my points.. I agree however, and I have actually written a letter to Fender that I've posted on a different message board about their lack of attention to this critical detail.
 
#52
:Kapral: said:
You people should be glad to have the possibility to play different Fenders or MusicMans in stores :D. Really. In Wroclaw there are 5 different stores. I've seen three Fenders in'em. You gotta know, that Wroclaw is 700.000 people city :D.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a good business opportunity to me! How much does it cost to lease out a good store front over there in a nice part of town?
 
#53
:cool:
Poor set-ups are the norm.
This sometimes can work In you favor.
I just picked up a Lakland Skyline 44-02.
New,there were two on thr floor.
One sunburst, setup fine.
Another, natural, was unplayable. strings were sitting on the first fret.
I pointed this out to sales person, said the natural bass had a
busted trust rod. He took bass to manager, bass retailed for $1200.00. Had Bart. pickup upgrade. He said make an offer, I walk out with bass for $700.00.
Went home, made trust rod ajustment. and now have perfect playing bass for short money.
 
#54
Mojo-Man said:
:cool:
Poor set-ups are the norm.
This sometimes can work In you favor.
I just picked up a Lakland Skyline 44-02.
New,there were two on thr floor.
One sunburst, setup fine.
Another, natural, was unplayable. strings were sitting on the first fret.
I pointed this out to sales person, said the natural bass had a
busted trust rod. He took bass to manager, bass retailed for $1200.00. Had Bart. pickup upgrade. He said make an offer, I walk out with bass for $700.00.
Went home, made trust rod ajustment. and now have perfect playing bass for short money.
Click to expand...

Gotta love those "Stupidity Discounts" on the part of clueless sales pukes . . . . .

- Tim
 
#59
I have to agree that environment makes the difference, and it can make a difference over time. My Jimmy Page Les Paul guitar came via mail order, and the neck was perfect, action was 'in the dirt,' exactly where I like it. Over the next 3-4 months, I believe as the guitar became more acclimated to the lack of humidty here in the desert, the neck needed considerable truss rod adjustment in order to bring the action back to perfect. I suppose it's just as likely that environment could more rapidly affect the setup of an instrument, such as during shipping.

That said, as the earlier discussion goes over, there's little excuse for instruments that are in a showroom to be poorly set up. Of course, that's just MY tiny little opinion. :D
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back