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You might have already seen this... (CL Content)
- Thread starter bassman1185
- Start date
Epic. Classic. So very, very real. I actually am Guitar Center phobic because of this- can't get through the door.
Awesome part about bass players. Every time I go in a Guitar Center, someone is showing off with a slap solo in the bass section. Is slap really the best test for how a bass sounds? I can understand if that is what you play all the time, but why not play through some scales or SOMETHING musical to determine the quality of an instrument?
+1 on the bass part. The last few times I went to try out a bass one of the employees regularly either slaps or shreds, no chance of the bass' own resonance and sustain kicking in, no sirree.
No kidding, I'll usually do a couple little slap runs when trying out a bass just to see how it handles it, but it's maybe 10% of my bass tryout procedure.
I really hate trying instruments at music stores and will only give something an amplified spin if I'm in dire need to try/buy it, wich has happened half a dozen time in the last decade. Why ? Because I can't stand the attitude most of the patrons or even the store employees have, all eyeing you, trying to discern mistakes or whispering being your back that they are better than you. Plus, the freaking stools they give you. Is there really anyone who prefers that high stool to a regular four legged-chair ? My right knee meniscus is torn to shreds and I can't stand sitting on this torture tool for more than 15 minutes.
Two funny (pathetic) stories:
a ) I was playing What's Going On and a kid says to me: "Man, what scale is this ? You gotta keep to the scale in order to sound good". Thanks bud.
b) I was trying out every fret by playing the chromatic scale slowly and listening for fret buzz. An employee walks in and says: "So, looking for your first instrument heh ?".
Two funny (pathetic) stories:
a ) I was playing What's Going On and a kid says to me: "Man, what scale is this ? You gotta keep to the scale in order to sound good". Thanks bud.
b) I was trying out every fret by playing the chromatic scale slowly and listening for fret buzz. An employee walks in and says: "So, looking for your first instrument heh ?".
That is incredible! I want to shake that individuals hand. I am going to print this our and post it on the bulletin board at both Atlanta area Guitar Centers!
"So what if these pocket bass players like Adam Clayton are living in mansions and you're working at the mall, you know that slap bass is what's gonna bring in the big bucks. don't worry, you'll get your chance, the world won't know what hit'em."
He's right. I will, and they won't know what hit them.
He's right. I will, and they won't know what hit them.
Reading these experiences, it reminds how sometimes people in the store are snide when I try out effect pedals.
I usually test them out playing the same note over and over again, while tweaking the knobs.
One time a guy came up to me and said arrogant: "Can you play another note?"
I said: "Sorry, I'm not performing for you. You have to come to a show and got to pay for it."
Well, I'm often afraid to test out effect pedals. Especially guitarists look strange at you.
Anyone experience with that?
I usually test them out playing the same note over and over again, while tweaking the knobs.
One time a guy came up to me and said arrogant: "Can you play another note?"
I said: "Sorry, I'm not performing for you. You have to come to a show and got to pay for it."
Well, I'm often afraid to test out effect pedals. Especially guitarists look strange at you.
Anyone experience with that?
I never get my hopes up when I want to try anything out at GC. I'm always assuming that they won't let me try stuff on bass, and when I do see something that I want to test out, half the time it has a dead battery.Reading these experiences, it reminds how sometimes people in the store are snide when I try out effect pedals.
I usually test them out playing the same note over and over again, while tweaking the knobs.
One time a guy came up to me and said arrogant: "Can you play another note?"
I said: "Sorry, I'm not performing for you. You have to come to a show and got to pay for it."
Well, I'm often afraid to test out effect pedals. Especially guitarists look strange at you.
Anyone experience with that?
Sad times.
Here is a good question:
How do you feel when you need to search the whole store to find an instrument cable in order to try out an amp? Or find a strap? One would think those items would be easy to find so a musician can actually test drive the bass.
Seriously, I want straps around to actually feel how heavy a bass is and where I want to wear the height.
I always just go and grab one of the straps that they have on the merch rack, I dont care if its for sale, Im a bass player.
