Told Not to Use a Pick in a Store?

[derg]

I play with a pick on some songs, and the pick never hits anything but the strings. Even when I play punk aggressively (which is what I usually use a pick on) I still only hit the strings.

I'm not even sure how people hit the pickguard when picking.

I have an '84 Japanese Squier Pbass... it's been played with a pick for 25 years and I've yet to hit anything but the strings with my pick...

 

[stflbn]

Go see some of the other theads here regarding Carvin and other selling basses that have been returned as new. Playing with picks and slapping 'can' give signs of playing use.

So what do people want... "new" basses with signs of playing, or "used" basses hanging on the shelves with new prices.

There's very little middle ground.

 

[emor]

Might as well make people take off their belts too then, because they can and do scratch the back of the bass.

I see nothing wrong with this request.
If someone wants to play my bass, I ask that they remove their belt or untuck their shirt to cover it up.

 

[Quickie]

I see nothing wrong with this request.
If someone wants to play my bass, I ask that they remove their belt or untuck their shirt to cover it up.

I agree. It's called respect.

 

[AltGrendel]

Yep.




Your drummer is a thief. Cool.

Yea, but if you said anything, the drummer'd tell you that he's just "Sticking it to the man." Thieves can rationalize anything.

 

[Quickie]

Yea, but if you said anything, the drummer'd tell you that he's just "Sticking it to the man."

So, if someone stole the drummers girl, who would he be sticking it to?

 

[Gearhead17]

Pick playing with a bass is fine. Sounds like the salesman is annoyed with people beating up the instruments in the store.

Pick guards don't guard against anything on a bass guitar, it's purely for the look of the bass. If you are hitting the pick guard while playing with a pick, your technique is terrible. You are hitting the strings way too hard and/or your wrist needs to not flail around so much. With guitar playing, that is a different story.

I would have argued with the salesman if he complained about me using a pick. If you are picking like a gorilla, and nearly destroying the strings, that is a different story.

For me though, a slightly beat up bass in the store is just fine. As long as it works and sounds good, a few scratches and dents are fine with me. Getting a new bass is a little stressful for me. You have to baby the heck out of it so you do not dent it. Then you finally dent/scratch it and you just feel better! The bass is now a part of you.

 

[Staccato]

Some store owners and employees sure do make it easy to choose not to shop there again!

This response is from someone that has not owned, or managed a music store? It's called responsible ownership/management of instruments, and taking care of inventory (assets). How to approach a prospective buyer involves tact, and some call it the art of salesmanship. It's easy for a shopper to get miffed if he, or she has never gained the experience of dealing with the public on a day-to-day basis in retail stores (and doesn't see the big picture).

 

[georgestrings]

I see nothing wrong with this request.
If someone wants to play my bass, I ask that they remove their belt or untuck their shirt to cover it up.

Was thinking the same exact thing...


- georgestrings

 

[Handyman]

Very silly request. Salesmen often ask if I'd like a pick when demoing a bass.

 

[spade2you]

I agree. It's called respect.

You're assuming people possess common sense and/or respect. I remember a kid about throwing a temper tantrum a few years back because the shop wasn't too keen about him playing a new guitar while covered in spikes. They offered to let him if he removed the belt and gauntlet, but he threw a fit. Kinda entertaining.

 

[Handyman]

You're assuming people possess common sense and/or respect. I remember a kid about throwing a temper tantrum a few years back because the shop wasn't too keen about him playing a new guitar while covered in spikes. They offered to let him if he removed the belt and gauntlet, but he threw a fit. Kinda entertaining.

This, I would have paid to see.

 

[Staccato]

When I read this thread, I'm reminded from my own retail selling experience that some people (not the OP) are like the customer from H***.
The customer knows he is trouble, and as he gets older, and understands himself better-he actually has pity for anyone that is caused to wait on him as a customer.

 

[BBox Bass]

I wonder if they have the same policy on the guitars.

In the 1980s, the only music store in my small town did. They had multiple signs on the walls that read "Please do not use picks on the guitars."

 

[LiamPodmore]

Might as well make people take off their belts too then, because they can and do scratch the back of the bass.

My friend was made to take off his coat and hoody once because they had zips on actually. I understood why though, because from what i've seen Ibanez finishes are quite easily damaged.

Liam

 

[Tommygunn]

I've been asked why I needed one when I requested a pick.

 

[Showdown]

Sort of like sex....you don't realize it while it's going on, but you're frailing all over the place.

If that is happening wih sex or picking you aren't doing it right....

 

[Gougedeye]

I got a good tale about something very similar. Many years ago there was a small shop in my town that had all of their instruments in a locked display case. You had to ask to play them and they they would size you up and either let you play one or not...Well one particular day, a friend of mine went into that store to buy a new Les Paul, something like $3000. He had cash in his pocket. He was buying a guitar that day. The store had a nice black Les Paul in its own display case. My friend, who at the time was living the life of a rock star wannabe, long hair, ripped up jeans, Led Zeppelin T, earrings, they whole nine yards. He asks the sales man to play that guitar and without a moments hesitation, the salesman says, "that instrument is for a professional musician. I think you'd like this one better." And proceeds to guide him to the Peaveys. My friend, pulls out his wad of cash and waves it at the salesman and tells him, "this could have been yours...walked out of the store and never went back. Now he owns the local music store where all the instruments get played all the time.

 

[Quickie]

If that is happening wih sex or picking you aren't doing it right....

Probably.

 

[EtoG]

Using a pick can cause scratching?

I play with a pick 90% of the time, and my pick never comes close to pickguard or the body.

Some stores are a bit strict on their demo-ing in general, which is aboslutely understandable, but to specifically say that playing with a pick turns a new bass into a used bass is ludicrous.