Horrorhiker

9 minutes ago, Silvia Bluejay said:

[Off Topic]

Vixen were a good band, but they ended up bankrupt because nobody - rock audiences or record companies - appeared to take them seriously. Things began to change when Courtney Love and Hole crashed on to the scene. Never liked that band, but she was so defiant and in-your-face that, in the end, the music world was forced to get used to female musicians, and from then, there was no stopping the process.

[End of Off topic]

Yeah, there was also Girlschool who should have done better really. Sorry to continue the off topic. ha ha

45 minutes ago, FDC484950 said:

YOU do, but people in general don’t nowadays do they? Good manners aren’t all that common. I agree that we shouldn’t accept poor service, but then some of the examples on this thread are of people expecting, almost demanding good service just because they’re spending money. And that service should be, not too pushy, but don’t ignore me too much either. I must confess to rarely, if ever, experiencing such personally-tailored service. Well-trained, motivated and well-chosen sales staff can make a retail business more successful, but average service in most industries doesn’t stop the money coming in - until you’re undercut by online retailers and you go bust because there’s nothing to differentiate you - see Malplin, Toys R Us, Comet, Woolworth etc etc. It’s a vicious circle.

My perspective comes from working as a care worker to supplement my rock star income. We all get paid nearly minimum wage, but any cutting of slack, undercutting or cutting corners can basically result in the company closing, everyone getting in the news, me going to prison and people I'm caring for getting abused. Because of this, the 'cut them slack as they don't earn much' argument doesn't hold much water for me, and I can't really sympathise much with a similarly paid shop worker unless they have daily contact with other peoples bodily fluids...

Saying that, it is true that a lot of people don't have manners and respect, but if I was an employer I'd try make sure I kept the ones that do. My local shop is quite good actually and their staff turnover is very low for a music shop I suspect. This is from smart employing I'd assume.   

I think you're right by saying its a balancing act, pleasing people though. There are definitely some people that expect a bit of 'arris kissing. Some of it is having the skill of gauging that when you meet someone, which is easier said than done. I must say, I feel very uncomfortable when being given the smarm, and have said before 'please talk to me like a normal human or I'll have to go'. 

I'm not sure about average service keeping a company going. Certainly online, the ones that go beyond the basics seem to do better. With guitar/bass shops, in anything other than bigger places, there is often only one. I suspect if there were two or three, just average service would quickly start to not cut the mustard. 

18 minutes ago, Silvia Bluejay said:

I think it was just a matter of ignorance or mental laziness. Until a few years ago, there were a lot more (musically clueless) mothers of male bassists than there were female bass players, especially middle-aged ones, and sweeping generalisations in shops and society at large were rife.

Yeah I can imagine. 

I was watching a doc about the band Vixen the other day, think it was Bands Reunited. They mentioned that in the late 80s, 90s, they would have the other males on the tour having a look round their stuff and spying on them to make sure it was them playing and not a backing track. 

5 minutes ago, FDC484950 said:

Musical instrument profit margins aren’t exactly massive. How much does  a normal music shop “sales” assistant get paid? Probably nowhere near enough to attract anyone with decent sales skills (or even basic people skills). Thus most people working in shops are either part time musicians doing it for a bit of spare cash or older, unsuccessful musicians trying to stay in the industry. The market has shrunk massively from when I started playing, so think of it as a slightly odd, “specialist” market populated by weirdos (that’s us!), cut the sales people some slack, and if you want something and you like it, buy it instead of cutting off your nose to spite your face because you didn’t get “service”. I’ve definitely noticed that the quality of service across the board is much worse than it used to be - lifted only occasionally by someone who actually cares about what they’re doing. But then, that’s a different debate for a different thread.

I have to disagree there. If people accept bad service it legitimises it. It's then more and more acceptable for other poor practices to creep in, such as hanging onto deposits, repairs being late etc etc. I agree that wages are too low, but you shouldn't have to put a price on good manners and consideration..I let people have mine for free. 

1 hour ago, Silvia Bluejay said:

I had that in my late 20s - early 30s when my normal clothes were jeans, leather jackets and a few studs here and there. At the time I wasn't a musician, just the girlfriend of an equally metalled-up guitarist, but the attitude in those music stores that saw themselves as 'upmarket' was exactly as described above.

(Slightly OT, when I bought my first home in this country, 20-odd years ago, we had to scrub up and look 'smart' to go to the estate agent, even after paying the deposit: they otherwise simply didn't believe a word I said and couldn't take me seriously - and I was a cash buyer!).

After getting into playing an instrument, my main problem used to be sexism in music stores. 'Middle aged female looking at basses' almost always triggered either the dreaded  'Is it for your son? Can I recommend this/that?' or 'That's a *bass* guitar, are you looking for one of those with 6 strings instead?'. Thankfully, I haven't experienced that anywhere in the last few years, and I was never patronised at Wunjos in Denmark Street, for instance.

Oh dear, glad to hear that sort of thing is rarer. That would wind me up no end. There has to be some sort of alpha male thing going on with sales. 

Just now, AndyTravis said:

Ah that shop was full of it. I loved the guys I worked with, but some of the stuff they did and said made my skin crawl. Anything heading towards a sales pitch made me wretch.

I was very much of the opinion that if someone had money to spend or a decent credit rating to get themselves something pretty, they just had to be left to it.

I’ve watched buyers turned into walkers. 

And always treated the kid buying a £19 uke the same as a guy buying a £5000 Les Paul. They always came back. 

But one off day could stop that from happening.

i grew tired of it, and I hated being that guy. It made me depressed - so left after 12 years.

Yeah I can imagine it must get soul destroying. I really hate the sales thing..I imagine its a fine balance to not be in your face while still being available. 

I've definitely been unwittingly talked out of spending money before, both with guitars and other things. I used to have a pretty obvious heavy metal look, for want of a better term, when I was younger. I've twice walked out of car showrooms due to not being taken seriously by the smarmy sales people. Money burning a hole in my pocket and everything. I wish they knew it actually. 

The other complication is that I suppose some people want and expect the smarm to make themselves feel important. 

Just now, AndyTravis said:

I did this with a guy when I worked in a shop. He was frighteningly not good...but he did it all the time.

customers actually had to wrestle the bass or guitar from him.

it was embarrassing as you all get tarred with the same brush.

i didn’t sack him, he sort of sacked himself by being caught writing page after page of dodgy poetry on one of the Work computers in his work time.

Ha ha, dodgy poetry? I can't tell if that's a rock and roll way to get sacked or not! 

Yeah it must be frustrating as one bad experience can make someone never go in the shop again. 

On 2/27/2018 at 16:07, Barking Spiders said:

I love my Cort GB74 and recommend any others in the GB or Artisan ranges. Very easy action, especially for fast finger style , excellent for slapping too.  

I keep ending up back on this thread when I see something mentioned on it. These Cort basses look nice and well spec'd. A very gassy thread this one. 

1 minute ago, PaulWarning said:

because they can't resist showing off, it's the same reason most of us get up on a stage if we're being honest otherwise we'd just be happy rehearsing all the time (nothing wrong with that, some people are), but they really should resist the temptation, if the customer is a beginner they  just intimidate them, if they're experienced they just think what a silly billy

Yes totally. I think it's ok to demonstrate instruments to beginners but it'd be more sensible to show them something dead simple, and better still, teach them to do it, instead of their first impression of a bass in the flesh being.."I'll never be able to do that". 

10 minutes ago, FinnDave said:

I (in a rare spirit of generosity) assume it's because they encounter a lot of customers who have no idea of how to play, and are buying their first instrument, so they demonstrate it for them. The other explanation is that the shop staff are egotistical flip wits, but obviously  that could never be true!

(I'd like to add here that neither the staff in my nearest PMT, in Oxford, nor the guys in my all-time favourite music shop, WM guitars in Ashburton, Devon, have ever behaved in such a way).

 

Yeah at best my guy was a bad listener. I went to PMT in Norwich a couple of times and found the staff to be quite good. I was after an electro acoustic guitar and the only weird thing was when I remarked that I'd need a ladder to get to the fretboard on most of the guitars, and I don't think the guy saw the funny side. Ended up buying one though and was fairly happy overall. 

1 hour ago, discreet said:

 

I don't know what it is. Whenever anyone plays a bass before handing it to me I'm never impressed with their playing.

And potentially I'm going to be playing that bass, not them. What do they think, I'm going to ask them to dep for me or something..?

I know. Do they expect a round of applause? Sometimes I feel myself in the ridiculous position that I dumb my knowledge and playing down a bit to not come off as competitive with them, which I know is pretty stupid. It's a famous, age old, stereotypical problem too. I really wonder why shop owners don't pull their new guys aside on day 1 and say "Don't do X, Y and Z". 

On 16/04/2016 at 22:18, Roger2611 said:

It's funny how many people are attracted to artist signature series basses, I wonder how many of the original basses were the "best of the bunch" basses, in most cases I expect they were the one hanging on the wall of the nearest guitar store to the bank where the record company advance was cashed that the now revered bassist looked at and thought yeah that will look cool.

Fender are offering the Dee Dee Ramone bass

As a huge Ramones fan, I can't remember reading anywhere a credible story where Dee Dee found and fell in love with this truly fantastic example of a Precision bass, from what I have read probably the only reason it wasn't sold to pay for his next fix was because it was locked away in a studio somewhere!

I can't think of any examples where the bass (or any instrument) is more influential than the player, I understand the desire to own a bass that looks like the one your hero played but unless the bass has some very special features that are unavailable on a standard instrument, I can't see the point in paying any more than the standard price for it.

A perfect example would be the Sid Vicious Precision...would Sid really have known a good Precision if it hit him over the head? The guy in the audience in San Francisco who got hit over the head with it would probably be better able to tell you if it was a good bass than Sid would have been.

Your thoughts ladies and gents?

The cynic in me just sees the name as a means to add 20% to the proper price like you. 

Sometimes it works for people, but I myself am put off by signature models. Like 'road wearing' it strikes me as a bit faux and unoriginal, no offence to anyone who likes that stuff. 

I like the Sire/Marcus Miller approach a lot more where the signature is more like a general stamp of approval. 

4 minutes ago, MarkG3 said:

I hate it when people play for you, yea it's a really nice bass. Ok let me decide that. Grrr lol You know it's bad if you feel better when you leave the place

Yeah its ok if you're someone looking for their first instrument but that's the only time you'd want it. I see it as an attempt to assert their dominance from the offset, which is enough on its own to make me go elsewhere. 

After I left it really started to sink in what a poor experience it was more and more throughout the day. 

On 2/12/2018 at 22:44, MarkG3 said:

My local music shop is terrible. Way over priced and has had the a lot of the same stock for about 5 years now.

I simply wanted a pack of strings that I could afford. I was then offered and tried to be sold a set of strings with the G missing for a bargain £15. I laughed and walked out. They aren't very helpful

I honestly don't know what's keeping them open.

What are some of your experiences of fails like this???

I went to Peach Guitars in Colchester the other day after browsing the website a bit. Very impressive complex with lots of guitars, separate rooms for acoustics, a whole floor of custom  stuff, a room full of pedals. First impressions..this will be amazing.

You have to buzz to be let in, like an office block/block of flats intercom thing, which kind of puts you off guard from the off. That may just be me. 

The guy answers the door asks what I was after. I said I was an experienced bass player and was looking at basses £500-700. Leads me to the basses and grabs a MIM precision, explains to me that 'This is a Fender Precision bass', and gives me basic, slightly inaccurate, suitable for a 12 year old beginner, Fender history lesson and promptly sits down on a stool and furnishes me and the wife with samples of his playing.  

He finally hands me the bass that I take out of politeness (I'm not actually interested in a MIM Fender) and the guy disappears for ages. I put the bass I didn't really want to try in the first place back myself after awkwardly sitting there with it for a while thinking he'd soon be back, and looked around the sparse (in comparison to the guitars) bass choice.  Guy eventually comes back, half heartedly asks how I liked the bass literally while checking messages on his phone. I said I was after something passive, but not keen on the P. "Stingrays are popular". Righto thanks. 

I said I'd have a think but will check out the pedals on the way out. (A separate room upstairs). He followed me to the smallish pedal room and stood so close I could literally hear him breathing the whole time I was in there. No talking, just breathing. And It didn't feel like:  'I'm just hanging around in case you want something'. Very much: 'I'm here so you don't nick anything'. I'm not exaggerating that I felt properly tense while in there and tangibly relieved when I got out. 

IMO a potentially great and impressive shop held back by either paranoia or a lack of cctv, and a definite lack of staff interest. Hopefully it was an off day.

I had a look on the site when I got back and they have staff biographies. The guy that saw to me is on there. They make a big joke out of him being an enigma, something about him always wandering around and eating. Quite funny. I even chuckled to myself as I considered where I would go next time instead of back there. 

12 minutes ago, patrikmarky said:

If you need to try one I'm on edge of Suffolk border ...though I have to stress it's not for sale 😀

Ha ha, cheers for that. If anything I'd have to try the Model T to get the gas out of my system first. I'm probably going to try and get somewhere soo  to try one out tbh. 

Just now, patrikmarky said:

Bought blind which is a bad habit of mine but fell for the looks and premier guitar review was a help..it does have a huge tonal range ..looks a little different 

top quality finish 

Superb, cheers for that. £100 less than the session series, passive and great rep online as far as I can see. 

Will have to start calling this thread 'the gasworks'. 

3 minutes ago, patrikmarky said:

Ive got these two bad boys ...the cv has a huge tonal range and looks sexy and t

my sandberg doesn't get look in at the moment 

Ooh I was looking at the natural CV-4 at one point. Did you buy blind or try them out first? I read they come well set up direct from the factory, is that true? 

4 minutes ago, cattytown said:

Could we contact someone like Anderton's and negotiate a group buy?

I wonder if they could sort a voucher code for BC members on certain brands they want to push or something like that. It'd be a good way of generating interest. I'd be much more likely to take a punt if these were a bit less. 

There must be someone from Andertons on here surely? 

Sorry.

Hello!

I'm looking for a band (or two) to join or form in the Suffolk/East Norfolk areas. (Bury St Edmunds, Stowmarket, Newmarket, Thetford etc). 

I currently play with the well respected old school hardcore punk band, Volunteers. This band only gigs two or three times a year now though so I need something more regular to keep the old creative juices moving. 

25+ years experience, (almost 40 years old), with mainly a metal/punk background, but also experienced with function bands, covers and some soul, from my earlier years of playing. I also play guitar to a good standard and do an open mic every now and again.

I am very flexible time wise for rehearsals and gigs am very experienced with writing and recording (can supply links to samples if anyone wants them). Now that I have more free time, I'm hoping to get into music more seriously, whether that be original material or possibly covers/tribute/functions. 

I'm committed, dedicated, have my own transport and always turn up on time. Happy to drive things forward or take a back seat depending on the dynamic.

I'm easy going and like a laugh while taking the music seriously. Anyone knows of a good spot for me, I'd love to hear from you. 

Cheers! 

2 minutes ago, mcnach said:

 

let's keep in touch... and see who blinks first

Yes! Though I've been talking on another thread and now several other possibilities have cropped up. Am going to Bass Direct early April so may well see something there to snap me out of it. I have a feeling that after going there I might be a little 'financially challenged'. 

2 minutes ago, FarFromTheTrees said:

This is way out of my budget but holy stinky poo. My heart skipped a beat O_o

http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/MARUSZCZYK_Paddock_5a_Black.html

Wow. Looks like something Pinhead from Hellraiser would play that if he were a bassist. Looks amazing. 

3 minutes ago, FarFromTheTrees said:

Yeah I think you're right about the budget. Especially if you're only looking at new basses. I've spent more time looking at used options these last  couple of days. Going to have to remember that saying about the wives haha!

I'm on bass direct now as it goes, I really like the look of this Legend Classic 5, and its under my budget too which is nice. Knowing my luck though i'll jump on it and a used Rebop 5 within my price range will appear, so perhaps I should just wait. Aaargh the indecision.

http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Spector_legend_classic_5.html 

Not really my style

Yeah I think everyone is right when they say its worth travelling to try a load out. I'm liking the look of Maruszczyk basses. Watched a few Youtube vids and they look right up my street. 

I think that one you're looking at is on hold? That's someone telling you to wait. 

3 minutes ago, FarFromTheTrees said:

Not at all buddy! Jump on in haha.

I hadnt considered any of those basses you listed as theyre not really the sound and look im going for. That being said the 5 string version of the yamaha you mentioned sure is tasty looking!

 

Cheers! Yes I'm more looking for the vintage, stoner rock style vibe and sound, so it's a bit of a different thing I think. The 5 string Yamaha is getting away from your budget a bit I'm assuming, but I went to a shop and compared the 434 and the 734, completely prepared to get the 434 if it was ok but after playing the 734, I couldn't do it as it was chalk and cheese quality wise. 

£700 is a funny sort of budget I'm finding. It seems to be the point where 'budget' merges into higher end and you face the risk of under buying, if that makes sense. I originally was going to save a bit longer and get an American pro precision, but I just can't buy a bass that's worth more than my car. Plus, playing in a fairly rowdy band, I want something I'm not afraid to slap about a bit. 

As suggested above, I just had a look on the Bass Direct website and there are some amazing looking basses on there. I'm going there at the beginning of April so I'ts entirely possible that my short list will fly out of the window (together with my marriage when I spend the holiday money on a bass twice my budget). But so the old saying goes, wives come and go, but the right bass is a once in a lifetime thing. 

1 minute ago, CameronJ said:

Ha - good luck! In the meantime, check out their website and think of it as “bass foreplay”

..I have had a look just lately but didn't really look to see where they were stupidly. I shall look with a bit more interest now.