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Told Not to Use a Pick in a Store?

#263
I've had my Jazz for almost 5 years now. Play it almost daily exclusively with a pick , and I don't mean sitting on the couch noodling. Many big outdoors shows with major temperature differences, even a sudden microburst that literally blew us off the stage, and long hours of rehearsals. The only marks are on the back from the belt buckle and minor dings from carelessness.
I guess I'm not playing right if I'm not ruining it with a pick!
 
#264
None of my basses suffer from pick rash and I have had some of them for 20 years. I just about always use a pick. For a shop to say 'don't play a bass how you are going to if you buy it' is merely asking you to go elsewhere. And if a shop doesn't want my money, I will spend it elsewhere.

To be honest, if I was a shop owner, I'd be more worried about belt buckles and zips on clothing.
 
#265
"Can I try that Fender Precision plugged in please?"

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#267
Fat Steve said:
I call BS on someone doing that with a pick or their nails. No way is that wear and tear from playing it super hard or even abusive. That comes from taking keys or a screwdriver to it, not a piece of plastic.
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About 15 years ago a band I was in opened for Willie. Before he went on he was sitting backstage, smokin a fatty and gouging the front of his guitar with a screwdriver and the keys to his bus. :eyebrow:

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#269
I was just recently in a local music store when 3 guys from a young band walked in. I immediately noticed my friends concerned face,the owner of the store, when they ascended to the instrument section. They proceeded to pull down instruments from the wall and , TRY them out. I actually said some things to them before he could . I do shop there a lot . I don't like the attitude that you can do whatever you want. If you show respect for the instrument then play with a pick, slap, but if you and your buddies are there for a good time ,Go Home. If you read the whole thread the drummer actually stole parts from the store for his kit.do you think they were there to buy a bass and parts for his drum kit? After being in retail for a couple of years , I watch groups very closely. If the OP wanted to check out the jazz bass , fine , but by himself with some way of maybe buying something. Would be treated a bit differently in my view.
 
#270
I have just read this whole thread and it did not deliver. I don't understand why there is even an argument.

In my opinion customers should have the opportunity to try a bass the way that they play - personally there is no way that I would buy a new bass without fingering, picking and slapping it to see how it sounded and played using all 3 methods.

At the same time, a store has every right to request customers not to slap or pick or whatever they want. I'm pretty sure that over here, a store can refuse entry or service to anyone, without having to give a reason, so asking you not to use a pick doesn't seem unreasonable.

As a customer, you should respect the store's right to do what they want. If a store wouldn't let me try a bass using a pick or by slapping I would take my business elsewhere. What the hell is there to argue about?
 
#271
Jefff said:
I have never in my whole life met anyone offended by a bass player using a pick. I have met folks unhappy I DIDN'T play with a pick because they preferred the pick attack.
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I have. Several of them. Usually I tell them (if they're guitarists) that guitar wasn't meant to be played with a pick either, or (if he's another bassist), that he's right... it was meant to be played with a bow (yes, I know about pizzicato, but this usually shuts them up).
 
#273
Arnie said:
Its always been an unwritten rule to not use a pick on a new guitar or bass in a music store around here. I always respect it, play with my fingernail.

I thought this was universal in all honesty.
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What? I've never heard of such. If a music store told me not to use a pick when trying out a guitar or a bass, I probably wouldn't go back there. If I'm trying something out, I want to hear how it sounds the way I actually play. I'm not going to play as aggressively as I do when on stage, but if I'm playing a song I use a pick for (or just about anything, on guitar), I'm going to use a pick. I keep my fingernails short and have done so since I picked up the bass.
 
#274
I only play with a pick. I can play with my fingers pretty decently but I heavily prefer pic tone, so that's how I play. If I test a bass I need to know how it sounds with a pick. So if they don't let a bass player use a pick do they let a guitar player test out a guitar with no pick? Most guitar players couldn't play anything creative enough to get the sound they need from a guitar without a pick. Very few guitarists in rock bands I play with use there fingers or nails to play.

What a dumb policy. If someone knows how to pick it doesn't cause scratches as the pick doesn't make contact with the body. I swear most bass players that don't play with a pick don't understand it. I need to make a YouTube tutorial. I have gotten to a point I can sweep pick on a bass which I haven't seen anyone do before.
 

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