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Shopping for basses in Denver

#41
RMay said:
There are couple oddity music stores downtown like...

Wedgles Music & Loan, 1122 Broadway, Downtown. The staff seems helpful, sorta knowledgeable with basses and very knowledgeable of six-string guitars. They seem to maintain a rotating selection of used string instruments from the entry level, to vintage and to the top-end. They sell most of their inventory on Ebay.

Music Gear Guys, 220 S Broadway, Downtown.Music Gear Guys - home page I bought an '84 USA BC RICH Mockingbird there, I found it stashed behind a Tama drum set wedged between guitar cases. The owner Gregory enjoys hiding the gems in his store alike an Easter egg hunt deal. If the item stays hidden for too long it goes on display or Ebay.
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Wedgles always has some cool used gear. Right now they have a couple Rics, a 70s Fender Musicmaster and some funky custom hollowbody. Some of their prices are on the high side, but sometimes they have some real gems and they don't know what they have. Go in about a half hour before close and you can talk them down as their locking up.

Music Gear Guys carries Eastwood basses. I think they're pretty cool but maybe not your taste. The owner is a really nice guy. He's got a crappy old Washburn that he installed a Mutron onboard. It's super cool to play and tweak the knob as you go
 
#42
The GCs in town are okay.... but nobody at the big one on Colorado Blvd seems to care much about your presence. I've gone in there to look at amps a couple of times and nobody really wanted to deal with me.

I've been to DrumCity once and was given the "you look like you're too poor to shop here" brushoff. The guy kept trying to push cheap Squiers and Ibanezs off on me even though my budget was well above that threshold.

I had my heart set on a CIJ Jaguar. Oddly enough, Best Buy was the only place in town I could find one, anywhere. They had two left. I didn't get one only because I felt dirty buying a bass at Best Buy. I work at one of the mom and pop's in town so I didn't feel like I could shop there.
 
#43
WoodyG3 said:
If for no other reason, I'd go there just to see all the basses they carry. Roscoe, MTD, Sadowsky, Mike Lull, G&L, Lakland, Reverend and on and on.

Check 'em out! :)
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Of the stuff you just named I have only played instruments from three of those brands so I would love to expand my horizons with this place. I'll have to go next time I head up to Wildwood for something.

Opening day pics have a Rickenbacker on the wall. Are they a RIC dealer too?
 
#44
cassius987 said:
Of the stuff you just named I have only played instruments from three of those brands so I would love to expand my horizons with this place. I'll have to go next time I head up to Wildwood for something.

Opening day pics have a Rickenbacker on the wall. Are they a RIC dealer too?
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The Ric belongs to the owner and is not for sale. That was the only Ric, so I don't think they are a Ric dealer.
 
#45
mixtapelove said:
The GCs in town are okay.... but nobody at the big one on Colorado Blvd seems to care much about your presence. I've gone in there to look at amps a couple of times and nobody really wanted to deal with me.

I've been to DrumCity once and was given the "you look like you're too poor to shop here" brushoff. The guy kept trying to push cheap Squiers and Ibanezs off on me even though my budget was well above that threshold.

I had my heart set on a CIJ Jaguar. Oddly enough, Best Buy was the only place in town I could find one, anywhere. They had two left. I didn't get one only because I felt dirty buying a bass at Best Buy. I work at one of the mom and pop's in town so I didn't feel like I could shop there.
Click to expand...

FYI - Best Buy in Park Meadows stopped selling music gear.
 
#46
WoodyG3 said:
The Ric belongs to the owner and is not for sale. That was the only Ric, so I don't think they are a Ric dealer.
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Woody is correct, Premier Bass Guitars is not a Ric dealer, That's Dan's (the owner of the store) personal Ric that he has for the guys that are in the "I've never played a Ric, but I've got serious GAS for one" camp... you can try that one if you want to see if you actually "like" it.

PBG is a dealer for:
Lakland
Sadowsky
MTD
Roscoe
Reverend
G&L
Villette
Martin Keith
Rick Turner
Mike Lull
Modulus
Boulder Creek Acoustics
Mesa-Boggie
Aguliar
Genz Benz
GK
Phil Jones Bass
... and Bergantino

That's just the start, I know Dan has already talked to some other builders, so that list is likely to expand!
 
#47
funkyebk said:
Woody is correct, Premier Bass Guitars is not a Ric dealer, That's Dan's (the owner of the store) personal Ric that he has for the guys that are in the "I've never played a Ric, but I've got serious GAS for one" camp... you can try that one if you want to see if you actually "like" it.

PBG is a dealer for:
Lakland
Sadowsky
MTD
Roscoe
Reverend
G&L
Villette
Martin Keith
Rick Turner
Mike Lull
Modulus
Boulder Creek Acoustics
Mesa-Boggie
Aguliar
Genz Benz
GK
Phil Jones Bass
... and Bergantino

That's just the start, I know Dan has already talked to some other builders, so that list is likely to expand!
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Hopefully he will add Music Man to the list. I would like to see some at his store.
 
#49
funkyebk said:
Woody is correct, Premier Bass Guitars is not a Ric dealer, That's Dan's (the owner of the store) personal Ric that he has for the guys that are in the "I've never played a Ric, but I've got serious GAS for one" camp... you can try that one if you want to see if you actually "like" it.
!
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He also has an 8-string Hagstrom, a Peavey T40 and an older Modulus available to try, but not for sale.
 
#50
Thanks to those who have stopped by the store, I really appreciate it.

As far as Rickenbacker dealers, Wildwood Guitars in Louisville usually have some Ric basses in stock (if not on display then in the back room). Given that they are only a few miles from me it is not likely that Ric would let me be a dealer.

Anyone wanting to experience a Ric personally is more than welcome to try out mine. They have their quirks, but nothing sounds like a Ric. (Some claim the T-40 comes close, but let your own ears decide).

As far as stocking MusicMan basses, that is not currently on my radar screen as GC carries them and 5 GCs are in an hours drive from me (give or take).
 
#51
Premierbass said:
Thanks to those who have stopped by the store, I really appreciate it.

As far as Rickenbacker dealers, Wildwood Guitars in Louisville usually have some Ric basses in stock (if not on display then in the back room). Given that they are only a few miles from me it is not likely that Ric would let me be a dealer.

Anyone wanting to experience a Ric personally is more than welcome to try out mine. They have their quirks, but nothing sounds like a Ric. (Some claim the T-40 comes close, but let your own ears decide).

As far as stocking MusicMan basses, that is not currently on my radar screen as GC carries them and 5 GCs are in an hours drive from me (give or take).
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With the Music Man basses, I was asking because while GC does carry them, their selection is always poor but also, they pretty much only carry the Stingrays and Sterlings. I would love to find someone close who has the Bongo's, Big Al's, Reflexes and eventual Game Changers when they come out.

If I'm ever in your area, I will check out your store. I wish I lived close because I wanted to be there for the grand opening.
 
#52
Premierbass said:
Thanks to those who have stopped by the store, I really appreciate it.

As far as Rickenbacker dealers, Wildwood Guitars in Louisville usually have some Ric basses in stock (if not on display then in the back room). Given that they are only a few miles from me it is not likely that Ric would let me be a dealer.

Anyone wanting to experience a Ric personally is more than welcome to try out mine. They have their quirks, but nothing sounds like a Ric. (Some claim the T-40 comes close, but let your own ears decide).

As far as stocking MusicMan basses, that is not currently on my radar screen as GC carries them and 5 GCs are in an hours drive from me (give or take).
Click to expand...

I hope to visit your place this weekend! You're right, with Wildwood's proximity and their inventory of 30-something Rics, you being a Ric dealer doesn't make loads of sense. Same for EBMM and GC.

My luthier in MO got his Ric 4002 used from some place that used to be open in Denver, and he has always lamented its closing as he said it was a niche shop for bass. It's nice to see something similar (maybe better!) come back.
 
#54
Hey Dan,

Sorry I haven't been up to the shop yet, the whole getting laid off thing kinda put a damper on things. I've been hard at work getting resume/portfolio stuff together and at the tail end of designing a new website for myself! :)

I hope to get up there soon! On a positive note, now I'll be able to come up whenever, not just on a weekend! lol

5sg.
 
#57
I just got to check this place out and wanted to say thanks to Dan and Rick for their help and conversation. The selection is probably the best I've ever seen for bass guitars, anywhere. I didn't even begin to look at the amps but was impressed by that selection too.

Dan was nice enough to have his Ric out which meant I got to A/B it against a less familiar Mike Lull P4. (I am a Ric guy, but would like to add a P back into the collection some day.) The Lull was sweet, the best P I've played to date, and having a Ric there gave me a good reference to what I'm used to. While I still prefer the Ric sound that Lull sounded really great! When I have more time I'll go back and get a feel for some of their more exotic stuff.

Anyway, if you're on the fence (why would you be at this point though??), check this place out!!
 
#59
I stopped by Premier Bass yesterday and was floored. I'm still spinning. We've never had a bass shop like that in this town. We are going to be hearing better bass tones in this town than ever, better get ready to step up!


First Bass was never close to that in terms of selection, and whole boutique bass/amp making thing was not really where it is today, and customer service was nothing great, unless you were fond of Hawk's dry and sarcastic humor. He did sell me my first bass and a few more, but I also got hosed on some things as a an uninformed young player. Live and learn.

On the other hand, Dan at Premier bass was incredibly knowledgable and passionate about what he had in stock and there wasn't a bass there I couldn't see being perfect for somebody. I'll be going back again, a few hours was not enough time to explore.
I always had good luck with Gary and Guitar X and bought an amp from him this year, he's still around as well.

I usually am not keen on big box any thing, but I met the district manager for GC this week as well and he was really charming. (For some reason he came over and struck up a conversation with me while I was plunking on a squire of all things- maybe he saw my Sadowsky sitting there.) I think they've gotten better in some areas. The Fenders are way better than they were.

While we're talking Denver area, you all should get to know Mark Tenorio at Tenorio Werx for repair. He's fantastic and has taught me tons about setup.

That's my lay of the land right now for the Denver metro area.
 
#60
If you are in NOCO stop by Spotlight and tell them I sent you (great deals). Premier Bass is a great spot I would recommend if you're in denver or if you are not willing to make the drive. Especially if you want to try something out. They have a lot that most GC's and such don't have in stock. They've got enough of the good stuff. I've stopped by incognito before, great place.
 

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