I was in there before Christmas- it was odd but surprisingly liberating. It was quiet, the assistant was nice enough - I went in to try one jazz bass and ended up trying about six basses I had no intention of buying. I could point at the custom shop P and ask if I could give it a try. It was nice, though not £3k nice! Got to try one of the new rays and a sandberg too as the assistant suggested it and, heck you’re not telling me I can’t afford this then why not. (V nice Ray)
the only odd thing was the lack of nice amps- but anyway...
If I ran a shop that was always going to be undercut, but was the only place to try the real things then you’ll get s load of folk coming in to try and then buy elsewhere. The only difference you have is customer service- and by forcing the conversation about price you start the sales conversation- if I had gone in with money to buy a bass I dare say I would have bought that stingray - because it was nice and the assistant had facilitated a good experience for me...