Stores in Nor Cal that actually have inventory

[somebrains]

Go to Subway, don't buy anything.
It's like Arby's, most people have a violent anal reaction 15 minutes later.
Those that become regular customers are straight up weirdos Shattuck sitters can't deal with.
I taught a guy that worked there how to use a strobe tuner around 89, I believe that guy went to work for Dolan not long after. He was the smart one that understood that pole pieces should drop at a given distance on purpose, not by accident.
Fatty used to hit all the swap meets, used, and vintage stores to buy off the stuff we couldn't sell.
Sticking a random neck on a random body may make intonation challenging, I mean a fretless.

 

[el_Bajo_Verde]

Is there any reason why you want to upgrade from the SR705? Do you feel that it's lacking in some way?

 

[imnotded]

Is there any reason why you want to upgrade from the SR705? Do you feel that it's lacking in some way?

I just need a backup. So I am either going to buy something super cheap that would be a backup or buy something really nice and make the 705 my backup.

 

[silvertone]

Tall Toad in Petaluma is a great store with good bass inventory.

Generally I avoid (at all costs) stores like GC and Gelb.

I also have a general, personal policy of trying not to purchase an instrument from online sellers or venders unless they provide a minimum of 3 days evaluation and return (at my expense).

I just take my time, scan CL regularly and try and find gems that need a little work and can get a deal on.
But this would not be possible with some quality local luthiers to help me bring these finds over the goal line.
Historically, I've had several wins (my Q5, Bassstar and Fender J were all obtained via CL and played before purchasing) but I've also bought some instruments I regretted investing in that turned out to have bowed necks or problems having not played them prior to purchase. Be careful out there.

 

[somebrains]

Whatever Zone Music in Cotati is now still does their parking lot sale.
Think flea market for musicians.
I did it as a seller one year and no one even looked at the graphite Cutlass neck I had.

Everyone should hit that sale with a 12-pack and just hang out.

 

[Mustang Surly]

Invalid Link Removed

 

[somebrains]

OP should map out days by county.
Alameda County will be particularly intensive, budget a whole weekend bc pawn shops.
I don't know what it is but pawn shops in Berkeley and Oakland are just better.

 

[JIO]

Go to Subway, don't buy anything.
It's like Arby's, most people have a violent anal reaction 15 minutes later.
Those that become regular customers are straight up weirdos Shattuck sitters can't deal with.
I taught a guy that worked there how to use a strobe tuner around 89, I believe that guy went to work for Dolan not long after. He was the smart one that understood that pole pieces should drop at a given distance on purpose, not by accident.
Fatty used to hit all the swap meets, used, and vintage stores to buy off the stuff we couldn't sell.
Sticking a random neck on a random body may make intonation challenging, I mean a fretless.

That was my impression (of Subway) after my one and only visit there years ago. The lure of past folk-lore weighed heavily in why I went there and reality keeps me from ever considering another visit.

And Real Guitars is definitely worth haunting - 3 separate businesses operate there: Real Guitars - Ben & Chris (used guitars, basses, amps - always something cool), Gary Brawer Repair (Gary is a long time top drawer repair/go-to guy for for the likes of Joe Satriani, Stew Hamm, Steve Miller and many Bay Area heavies and touring bands), and luthier Dan Ransom (a journeyman luthier and all around nice guy) Gary also has a Plek machine which has gotten constant use since they first bought it many years ago.

 

[somebrains]

Real is a throwback to pre-Web.
They run their shop they way it used to be, bc work is just as much of a hangout as it is a business.
People give the shop a life that intentions can't duplicate.

It's an honest dive bar, and we need those in music.

It used to be a normal thing to travel around.
OP, a bunch of guys all over the Bay Area know the same shops I do.
We used to travel a lot, whether gigging or hunting gear.
It used to be the way of it.
There are shadows and echoes of an entire subculture here that span a lot of years and a lot of recorded music.

You should gulp it all down, gives you perspective and relationships.

 

[somebrains]

I just need a backup. So I am either going to buy something super cheap that would be a backup or buy something really nice and make the 705 my backup.

Go play a German Corvette $$, bc I am putting up my beater 2005 Corvette up cheap in the next week or so. I need to throw on a JAN3 and replace the dip switches. The JAN2 is finally toast, and one of the dip switches broke when my gf's kid didn't realize they only go up and down.