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So,....If I Were to Ask a SERIOUS Question,.....

#41
I agree with the reasons presented by others: price, selection, ever-changing business model due to ever-changing technology. Customer service only goes so far, and some of the online retailers also have excellent customer service. The example I'll put out there is Sweetwater.

Here's another subset of the above: reviews. In the old-old days I could see a new bass or guitar or amp in the catalog but I couldn't guess if it was right for me unless I laid hands on it personally. With the advent of online reviews, both at online retailers' sites and at independent sources like TB, I can read enough reviews from enough different early adopters to get a consensus of what the new gear is like, what it is similar to, how the owners like it, etc.

Color: none that you presented. I prefer natural or burst, in that order. HOWEVER, if you held one of my children hostage and forced me to choose from your list of linen colors, I would go with light coffee (1006).
 
#42
It boils down to two things for me...

1) Availability
2) Affordability


As much as I would like to champion the plight of local guitar store guys, in the Houston area we have some good ones and we have some that are operated by total jerks. Availability and the ability to PLAY the instrument I would like beforehand is a huge deciding factor for me...but ironically those stores don't stock the instruments I'm looking for or want to play. So I cannot give them my business regardless.

Even if they were offering to order them for me, is this going to be affordable for me? Guitar Center has 18 months no interest financing (not affiliated, not a plug, just referencing as a customer) going on with their card....now it's pretty hard to beat THAT especially when they will bend over backwards at mine to make sure you get hooked up with what you want (working online orders to get them on the credit card financing for you). Sure it isn't a "local mom n pop store", but the guys there have a job and want to get paid and help you out as well. This enables me to get the gear I need AND the gear I WANT with very few exceptions. Not to mention their used section online is amazing.

If mom n pop stores want to start competing they need to think about things that would coax people into seeing the value of shopping with them. A setup done free on a newly purchased bass from them or new bass + new strings and pickups = pickup install is free. Services done by employees who are standing around anyways is just money in your pocket. I think this would turn the tide on a lot of store's fate. I've had good AND bad experiences with Guitar Center, but I do have to say that the one by me has redeemed itself many times over...the guys in there recognize me every time I walk in.

I miss arcades, but with people carrying around smartphones in their pockets they practically have an arcade in their hands at any time. It was nice while it lasted, but things change :(
 
#43
That Color chart was simply a Visual reminder of the question......not a "Chose from the List". :) Why did I ask that question? Because you can tell MUCH about a person/player from the Color of the Instruments they purchase or, to a smaller degree, by the color and type of vehicle they drive. You can also tell much about a MUSIC Store from the Colors they stock. :)
 
#45
I buy specific instruments first and then buy from specific individuals second. Cables, strings, and the like are relatively cheap, whether they are marked up more or not, so I would rather buy them from somebody I already know and like doing business with. That was American Music in Seattle, and still is up to a point. The people there I really liked moved on, and one is at Emerald City Guitars now. So, I got look at stuff there and buy this or that every so often when I need this or that. I buy from Guitar Center when the other places don't have what I'm looking for. Something else to think about is the ability to find a Guitar Center just about anywhere. I was out of town for work a couple weeks ago and couldn't take an instrument with me. So, I found a Guitar Center and spent an hour or so there every night until I got home. Guitar Center has its place, if for that reason alone. Getting into opinions about Bain Capital is probably inappropriate here, so I won't.

Oh, yeah, color. So far, tobascco burst, red, fireglo, and rattle can green sparkle. Next is, I don't know what's next.
 
#46
I find out the best price online and the local music store will usually match it. If I had lots of money, I wouldn't even bother, but I need to watch the bank account. They will usually order anything for me. I recently went through them to buy my Access Stage 3 gig bag, who were nice enough to sell them/me one bag without stocking more (unless they decide to go that route).
 
#47
From what I've noticed, the prices in stores aren't that different than online. The prices for musical gear are pretty set since the market isn't super huge like say books, music or DVD. When I got into paintball I noticed the same thing; the prices are pretty much the same everywhere minus the occasional sale.
Except for strings. Those I buy primarily online not just because of price, but because I do a lot of custom sets and stores won't do that.

Because I'm broke all the time, what I tend to do is try things in a store and then buy it used either from another store, ebay, or Craig's List. The shipping costs of large items tend to eat up any savings, so I tend to buy big items in real stores. But if given the option of having to buy something new at the same price, between the Bass Exchange and GC, I'll pick Bass Exchange.

Most of my basses are either red or black.

Where's my question: what's with the random use of caps in the OP?
 
#50
I only bought one Bass and one Amp new. The rest is used from pawn shops and CL. The Fender Jazz Bass was new I bought it from a box store because the guy at the local music shop acted like he worked at a box store. I asked him for help with deciding what amp would work best for me since it was my initial purchase and wasn't sure exactly what I wanted there. He pointed at the wall and said there is one over there that will work and went back to reading the newspaper. I walked out the door drove an hour to Musicians Friend. The kid that worked there made amp suggestions according to what my basic needs were. I walked out with a new in the box bass a gig bag and a returned Amp with cosmetic damage. My choice was based on if I was going to get crappy customer service I might as well save money in the process. I have been talking to a few small businesses about buying a new high end bass the reason is that I cant afford to pay for one outright and they offer extended purchase plans that I cant get anywhere else. I have worked in retail for several years at a mom and pop hardware store. What keeps customers coming back to those places isn't low prices. It has to do with customer service and knowing the business stands behind the products it sells.

I like the look and feel of natural wood Basses. I have a Blue MIM Jazz Bass, a black Washburn acoustic bass and a natural Warwick 5 string Corvette.
 
#52
I have a good friend in management at the local big box, if I need something he takes care of me. Having been a pro for 40+ years, I learned early that it's important to have a good relationship with someone in the supply end of the business.

However, I am not a wealthy man (like most musicians) and I'm still playing through gear I bought used 30 years ago. So I'm not bringing much of anything to the table for a retailer. I buy strings, cables and the occasional microphone.

I look at the bass section of the store and there's a lot of decent, affordable gear there...but rarely anything I'm even remotely interested in.

I'm surprised they even let me in there.

I also like every color of the rainbow. :D
 

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