[quote name='ras52' timestamp='1342456692' post='1735431']
I had a very odd trip there. I was the only customer in the shop and the guy just wanted to ignore me completely! I was looking at an active bass, asked him what one of the controls was for: he said "I don't know" and carried on ignoring me.
[/quote]
I had a very similar experience at The American Guitar Centre in Tonbridge.
They had/have a lovely USA Spector in there. I went down with a pocketful of cash to try it, took 30 minutes to get the MarkBass Momark demo thingy to actually work (the guy in the shop didnt know anything about it) so i had an amp to play through and then found the bass didnt actually work either. The guy there was completely uninterested and had a "oh well, never mind" sort of attitude. He didnt even suggest they open it up and have a quick look in case it was an obvious problem that could be quickly resolved. I dont think he was the owner though - there was another chap downstairs who was a bit more helpful (or at least chatty).
I never went back.
I have found DV247, The Bass Gallery in Camden, Gig Gear in Harlow and Bass Central in Florida most excellent though.