View Full Version : Musical Instrument Retailers Arggggghhhh!
jantheman
14-05-2011, 09:08
I aint asking much I dont think, all I want to do is buy a small practice Bass guitar amp. I scour websites, email and phone to confirm they actually do have stock only to be told..'yes sir, we have one on the shop floor'. Excuse me!...'you have one in but thats your demo unit. So how much are you selling that one for'...'oh its retail as advertised'. Mmmm..I make a big mistake and ask for one in an unopened box, one put the phone down on me, another said they only ever keep one in stock at a time and others just didnt seem to comprehend what I was asking for. None offered to order one in for me.
OK...I give up at this point. Maybe I will get one when I'm near a decent shop with adequate stock...that could be a while...until then I think I'll pass.:steam:
I have to admit, when I have every bought anything from a music shop, the one I walked out of the door with is the one I tried out. I hadn't even thought about it, I guess that idea stems from the fact you wouldn't spend a day trying all the guitars in the shop out to find the one that wants you, to then take a unopened box away with a different instrument. I know it makes less sense with electronics, but I guess the same sort of thinking just trickled down.
jantheman
14-05-2011, 09:53
I have to admit, when I have every bought anything from a music shop, the one I walked out of the door with is the one I tried out. I hadn't even thought about it, I guess that idea stems from the fact you wouldn't spend a day trying all the guitars in the shop out to find the one that wants you, to then take a unopened box away with a different instrument. I know it makes less sense with electronics, but I guess the same sort of thinking just trickled down.
Exactly, guitars are entirely different, but electronics........
Would you buy a *new* amp from a hifi shop that wasnt all sealed up. I know I wouldnt.....
I love the phrase...'find the one that wants you'.....by the way.
Yep, I agree with you, but I guess the thinking started with instruments and spread. If it was a valve amp, then yes, maybe I would prefer the one I had tried out. I know they should all sound the same, but Guitar players (in my experience) are even less logical about their kit than HiFi purchasers.
Neil McCauley
16-05-2011, 10:05
I use these people for my bass gear > http://www.electrohill.co.uk/
Friendly, efficient with (a) terrific deals and (b) exceptional trade-in values.
Neil McCauley
16-05-2011, 10:06
I use these people for my bass gear > http://www.electrohill.co.uk/
Friendly, efficient with (a) terrific deals and (b) exceptional trade-in values.
Had excellent service and great prices from these people too > http://www.themusicstop.co.uk/Category-291/Amps
Techno Commander
17-05-2011, 11:53
Thomann (http://www.thomann.de/gb/index.html) are also very good.
I would also recommend that all musicians and technicians avail themselves to the "Special Equipment Case" (http://www.thomann.de/gb/thon_jackycase.htm). Dont leave home without it. :eyebrows:
I have actually walked out out of musical instruments shops in the past due to total lack of respect
When I got back into playing guitar (i had not played in 5 years so playing was very sloppy) I heard one guy make a sarcastic comment I just told him "you attitude just lost you a sell" and just looked him in the eye till he looked away. Just love phasing out sarcastic idiots
Thomann (http://www.thomann.de/gb/index.html) are also very good.
I would also recommend that all musicians and technicians avail themselves to the "Special Equipment Case" (http://www.thomann.de/gb/thon_jackycase.htm). Dont leave home without it. :eyebrows:
Cool! - if a little pricey...
With regards to buying a guitar it would have to be one I enoyed playing and liked its tone an amp I would want a new one thats not been used unless buying 2nd hand
I aint asking much I dont think, all I want to do is buy a small practice Bass guitar amp. I scour websites, email and phone to confirm they actually do have stock only to be told..'yes sir, we have one on the shop floor'. Excuse me!...'you have one in but thats your demo unit. So how much are you selling that one for'...'oh its retail as advertised'. Mmmm..I make a big mistake and ask for one in an unopened box, one put the phone down on me, another said they only ever keep one in stock at a time and others just didnt seem to comprehend what I was asking for. None offered to order one in for me.
OK...I give up at this point. Maybe I will get one when I'm near a decent shop with adequate stock...that could be a while...until then I think I'll pass.:steam:
My mate runs a guitar shop in Cov called Noiseworks but that's a bit of a commute for you...
I have a Samick BA15 on his recommendation, which is perfectly adequate as a practice bass amp, not sure where one can buy one from online however...
This seems to be the best google can offer...
http://sybmac.tripod.com/private/Samick/Catalog/bamp1.htm
jantheman
19-05-2011, 08:04
I have been given the run around the last few days trying to source something decent/suitable. I have now officially given up. I just can't be arsed anymore....
The recommendation to use Thomann is a no go for me. After a bad episode, I swore I wouldnt use them again.
I will try and keep funds available a get something as or if it crops up. May be soon, may not. I'm just too pi$$ed off to care at the moment.
Stratmangler
20-05-2011, 11:29
Marshall stuff is pretty good vfm http://www.dawsons.co.uk/acatalog/Marshall_Bass_Amps.html although you don't get built in talent enhancers ;)
although you don't get built in talent enhancers
Bur reverb is not a big thing for Bass :-)
Stratmangler
20-05-2011, 11:34
Bur reverb is not a big thing for Bass :-)
:D
jantheman
20-05-2011, 12:21
Well....I have a rather lovely Cornell Romany Valve Guitar amp that I use for guitars. I phoned Denis Cornell, the guy who makes them to check on its viability as a bass amp if I was to connect a bass specific speaker. His verdict...go for it....nothing to worry about. The only reservation he had was with the speaker but if a bass specific speaker is used then nowt to worry about.
So, half of my problem is sorted for no cost. All I have to do is find a decent bass cab with good sensitivity and thats it, job done.
The speaker is plugin at the back of the amp so I can swap between bass and guitar as and when.
Seems fair enough, guitar players have been using Fender Bass amps for decades.
Oh, and of course, Chris Squire of Yes used to play his bass through a clean bass amp and a distorted guitar amp then mix the two together.
Stratmangler
20-05-2011, 15:42
Seems fair enough, guitar players have been using Fender Bass amps for decades.
Oh, and of course, Chris Squire of Yes used to play his bass through a clean bass amp and a distorted guitar amp then mix the two together.
Don't forget that the original Marshall amps were copies of the Fender Bassman head.
The components used were from different manufacturers to the ones that Fender used.
Marshall also adopted the use of Celestian drive units quite early on, whereas Fender used Jensen drive units.
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