Ugh, Guitar Center...

[blubolt]

***? If you can't tune a freaking bass when you go in = LAME! At the very least it will let you know if it has halfway decent harmonics and intonation - takes all of 30 seconds and also lets you know what kind of shape the tuners, nut and possibly the bridge are in. If you can't be bothered with that then don't go in. I think whoever started this thread was just looking for a reason to B1TCH!!!

 

[SquierBender]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
it's called guitar center for a reason. one of the TB'ers should start a Bass Center.

YES! YES! YES!

 

[g4string]

....My biggest complaint of the Chicagoland Western Burb GC's is that there isn't really anything special. A few years ago it seemed like they always hard something maybe a used Status or Zon, A USA Lakland....

Dude, come to the Rockford store. Your choices are Fender, Squire, OLP, Laguna, Ibanez, EB, and (I think) they have a few of the import MTD's....that is it!!!! And amp selection....non-existent. My GC doesn't even stock the MB line:scowl:!!! It's pretty sad when a store's top-of-the-line bass is no frills EBMM (nothing against EBMM's) and their top amp is new model Ampeg of some sort (nothing against Ampeg). I remember back in the day the Arlington Hgts store always seemed to have some decent boutiqe basses on the wall. However, I feel your pain as I too remember the decent # of quality boutiqe basses the Arlington Hgts store used to have on hand. In the not so distant past, I have walked in the Arlington Hgts store on a few occasions and was real dissapointed in their selection. I think the coolest bass they had was a Q5 or Q6, and that was about it. The most of what they had was all of the same mass-produced nonsense that I can find at my local store in Rockford....very dissapointing to say the least. I can say that I understand why this happening....as one person mentioned before me, its quantity not quality. They are making more money by selling three or four $250-$750 basses than by selling one $2000+ bass (I am assume it is the same for selling amp gear as well).

Since I have found TB, I have no need for GC in reagards to purchasing an insturment (and amplifiaction) since 90% of the basses I have bought/sold over the last 4-5 years have been bought/sold exclusively on TB. Heck, if it wasn't for TB I would have no clue that some of these boutiqe brands even existed!! I admitt to buying some non big ticket misc items from them like mics, rack cases, stands, etc as it is more conveinent than buying some of that stuff on-line. However, it would be nice to have a place to try some of the high-end boutiqe basses before you buy, as this the main downfall of e-shopping for an insturment that is never stocked at your local GC/music store. I case you dont know about Bass Club....they are a music store in the city that has some real nice stuff; Smiths, Zon, Sadowsky, Elrick, Lakland, Sadowsky (they have high ens amps as well). They are in the building that used to be Making Music (IIRC). However, Arlington Hgts is a heck of a lot easier to get to than the city for me, as I am sure it is the same for you. Since I dont make it to the city often, my trips downtown are usually for a specific reason that seldom includes window shopping at the Bass Club. Regardless, if you havent been to the Club yet you should check them out....worth the visit.

PS - if you go, leave your checbook at home!!!!!



Oh yah'....to the OP,

I brought my Low End LEJ to my local GC once....you should have seen the look on the doorman's face when I pulled out a bass that said "Low End" on the headstock. He looked confused. It was funny!!

 

[Headless Llama]

***? If you can't tune a freaking bass when you go in = LAME! At the very least it will let you know if it has halfway decent harmonics and intonation - takes all of 30 seconds and also lets you know what kind of shape the tuners, nut and possibly the bridge are in. If you can't be bothered with that then don't go in. I think whoever started this thread was just looking for a reason to B1TCH!!!

This comment sums up most of the comments about the tuning issue.

First off, I am very capable of tuning a Bass by ear.

Second, the real issue is the playability of the instruments.

I made the comment because I went into the Missouri store to play a used Marcus Miller Jazz. The bass was so badly setup that all of the strings buzzed (yes, even after tuning ) I asked the guy to fix it and he told me that no one knew how to, so I offered to make some adjustments and I was told that I was not allowed to do that either. I am not from that area, I was in Missouri for work, so I couldn't wait for their guy to set it up a week later. I really wanted to buy it, but because I could not even have it set up (or make the adjustments myself) I had to pass on it. There could have been something wrong with it!

There was also a used Bongo, and an Ibanez 6er that I had been looking at. Both of these were actually setup worse than the MM Jazz!

This is usually the case with these stores. I do not think that one guy should be tuning guitars all of the time but the higher end ones should atleast be playable.

I know that I am not being unreasonable. Its like going to the car dealer and not being able to drive it because one of the tires is flat. Sure you could fill it up, but you really shouldn't have to.

 

[slopeshoulder]

All it implies is that it is a corporate policy, and that they want to verify that you are, indeed, the owner of the card.

Do you wear a sign that says "I have $100K of gear in my studio", or is the GC employee left to guess?

Um, er, the corporate policy is what I'm complaining about. The guys working there are fine (if a little excitable). I think it's also corporate policy for them to call me after a few days ansd try to sell me stuff. Also unlike any store I know of.

The only sign I wear is the wear on my face and my chops.

That is, exactly, why they check. Many retailers do the same thing, for the exact same reason.

None I've ever visited, and never for small purchases.

 

[Barnabas]

***? If you can't tune a freaking bass when you go in = LAME! At the very least it will let you know if it has halfway decent harmonics and intonation - takes all of 30 seconds and also lets you know what kind of shape the tuners, nut and possibly the bridge are in. If you can't be bothered with that then don't go in. I think whoever started this thread was just looking for a reason to B1TCH!!!

Jeez, watch it man, you could hurt somebody's feelings.
I was just sharing a story about an experience I had.
Where are these people who refuse to tune the instruments themselves? I'm sure not one of them, and would prefer not to be grouped with them. *I* never complained about out-of-tune guitars.
For me, GC is just a head shaking experience. I know not every employee is a music expert, and that they're just working to pay the bills.
But really? Couldn't read the headstock? Didn't fix the tuners on a $3k+ bass? That's a lack of common sense.
Do I expect them to wait on me hand and foot? Absolutely not. I play bass, not guitar.

 

[bassbenj]

***? If you can't tune a freaking bass when you go in = LAME! At the very least it will let you know if it has halfway decent harmonics and intonation - takes all of 30 seconds and also lets you know what kind of shape the tuners, nut and possibly the bridge are in. If you can't be bothered with that then don't go in. I think whoever started this thread was just looking for a reason to B1TCH!!!

Exactly. Hey, Korg or somebody makes these little tuners the size of a credit card. I've got a couple of them. If you can't shove one in your pocket before a trip to GC then we don't want to hear it! I mean hey, don't you want to KNOW how an instrument tunes? Is it "sticky" does it "drift" etc. Tuning should be one of the first things to try on an instrument if it interests you at all! Why sit there like a baby crying because the GC staff didn't tune all the basses for you to play. Feh.

And I don't get the people who say "never go to GC". Well sure, there are lots of clueless staff there. Hey, dudes, there are LOTS of clueless staff in LIFE! So suck it up, and when you feel the irritation just smile and think to yourself. "Opportunity knocking".

Why should I write off GC because of a couple of clueless dudes? Had I done that I would not now have:

1. OLP MM-2 stingray with flamed maple top. $100 (no problems, just dirt and fingerprints and adjustments from being demonstrator on wall). A good D&C [dustin' and cleanin'] and I've got new bass candy.

2. G&L fretless L-2500 USA used. $600. Knobs and switches all loose and turning. Tried for discount, but sales cat this time WAS NOT clueless. "Can't do it, man" he said. "You know this thing will be gone in a few hours". Yes, I did know it too! Forked over. Sales guy did kick in a really nice braided instrument cable free, though... it always pays to whine a bit. Tightened it all up. I'm in love. (compare to new price)

3. Fender MIM Deluxe V. $300. Now dig. I had been to every bass store in the region looking for either a MIM or MIA. I had very nearly settled on a very nice MIA one at another store and was resisting because of the over a grand price. Whodda thunk that there at GC of all places was a MIM version in pristine like new condition every bit as nice as the jazz I was about to pull the trigger on?

And that's the point. When you are scrounging for that "perfect" bass for you, one can just never tell where you'll be when it appears. Which is why refusing to go to GC because it's "irritating" means that if your dreams happen to show up there you'll never have them. Such is the price of too much sensitivity I guess.

 

[walker rosewood]

I think it's also corporate policy for them to call me after a few days and try to sell me stuff.

Yes it is. The sales staff is required to take "ups". Another quota to reach. In other words, your name, number, and what gear your interested in. When sales are slow for the week/month, they hit the phones.

This is sometimes useful, if you're looking for a specific piece of gear. New gear they can order (sometimes), but if you tell them "i want such and such" they'll 'take the up" and when such and such comes in the store, they'll cross reference their lists and call you.

 

[Lurker79]

One of these days I'm going to get 5k cash and just walk around in the store flashing. Testing everything. And I'm not gonna buy anything.

 

[walker rosewood]

One of these days I'm going to get 5k cash and just walk around in the store flashing. Testing everything. And I'm not gonna buy anything.

^ something else that makes otherwise pleasant employees rather irritable. good luck with that.

 

[jomahu]

it's a corporation. it uses you and you use it.
not good or bad, it just is....

fwiw, i like the GC here in boston. the longtime employees have always been nice to me and my bandmates. try going to the other music store in boston and getting decent service when ur a chick.

plus, GC is now located opposite an adult store and a gay bar - who can complain about that?

 

[GM60466]

I read all 70 post, and all I can say is the GC in Country Club Hills Illinois must be the exception. Dave and the two Mikes have the bass area set up well, and every bass I've ever picked up was in tune or very close. Grant it there are some salespersons who are only there to jam, but I feel lucky after reading some of these posts.
G

 

[Relayer71]

plus, GC is now located opposite an adult store and a gay bar - who can complain about that?

Musicians who are porn addicts and gay, that's who!!!!!!

"So I was buying "The Adventures Of Hung Lo: Volume 17..."

"Mark you dirty thing you! Was it saucy???"

"Forget that, let me tell you, I went in to the new GC across the street to see about a new Music Man... OH! Not THAT kind of Music MAN!!!! A BASS...anyway, can you believe it??? ALL of them were out of tune and had year old strings on! You just wait till I get on Talkbass tonight!"

 

[Relayer71]

I read all 70 post, and all I can say is the GC in Country Club Hills Illinois must be the exception. Dave and the two Mikes have the bass area set up well, and every bass I've ever picked up was in tune or very close. Grant it there are some salespersons who are only there to jam, but I feel lucky after reading some of these posts.
G

I don't know... a place called COUNTRY CLUB HILLS? I'd expect every instrument tuned up, set up, an served to me with fresh linen napkins and a Martini!

 

[Dubista]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
it's called guitar center for a reason. one of the TB'ers should start a Bass Center.

There's a bass centre down here in melbourne I went down with a mate just last week to buy a Jazz.

All these horror stories of guitar centre make me just want to go to america and have a look first hand.

 

[guy n. cognito]

Um, er, the corporate policy is what I'm complaining about. The guys working there are fine (if a little excitable). I think it's also corporate policy for them to call me after a few days ansd try to sell me stuff. Also unlike any store I know of.

The only sign I wear is the wear on my face and my chops.



None I've ever visited, and never for small purchases.

Maybe you look like a crook??? I bought $35 worth of strap locks at GC today and they didn't card me.....

 

[lindseyp]

I can't help but be irritated by the incompetence.

Oh Yeah? How about this story:
The GC near me has a used Yamaha BB615 listed for 599.00

This bass sells new for 499.00. I pointed this out to the salesman who so was standing there. ...
To this day you can still see it listed at that price on their used page. And to this day I will never step foot in that store.

That would not stop me from going there. I would use the store to experiment with instruments I was interested in and buy them from somewhere else.

 

[Gibenbackerbass]

The GC in my town is like any other retail shop. It has it's share of winners and loosers. Some folks are polite and well informed, others not.

I have to say though there were several who really knew their stuff abouts amps and certain strig instruments. It was to the point were I had to wonder what they were doing working at GC. I'm talking very intellegent and articulate people. However, like anything else that's valuable, they are rare.

I do like the way they keep things around the store clean and clutter-free.

I've never purchased any basses there though. Only guitars. They never had any Rics (no longer a dealer), Gibsons, or Hofners. And the Fender basses were the economy models.

They also don't have a good selection of tubes, although they are receptive to order them.

 

[sound of bass]

I don't expect every instrument to be tuned and shiny, that would be ridiculous. I do almost all of my repairs, and paid practically nothing for all of my instruments. (Sales, damaged, etc.) I don't have money to burn either.
But when an employee looks at my headstock for a full minute and fails to read "Jazz Bass" in large letters, I can't help but be irritated by the incompetence.

Im with you.

 

[MiniMoose234]

The guitar center here in northern VA isnt that bad. Ive bought everything ive gotten there from the same guy, since i started electric guitar 4 years ago(back when i was a total poser and got the bc rich to look cool lol) up till now when i was lookingat a warwick. it has its pros and cons, but ive learned that

1. dont EVER go on a weekend or holiday..its filled with 15 year olds who play as loud as possible. and since im 15 i get badgered by all the other staff and people and it just sucks.

and 2. there wontbe many well set up basses. when i went last week, the 62 relic american fender bridge saddles like crashed. one was bent.. but some of the ibanezes and musicmans were set up, and the warwick i loved was set up perfect.. it made me want a warwick bad..

so ill still buy stuff from them, if they have stuff i want. but they are generally ok