The Basscentre is no longer a shop.

[Dood]

I think it's a sad loss, for what ever reason. The Bass Centre has never been a problem for me. It's a shame that others have had a bad experience.

[peteb]

In defence of the Bass Centre can I just say that the service I got from them was always way beyond the call of duty!

Over the years they:
• shipped a SWR amp up to me in Bradford on approval then took it back when I couldn’t get on with it (after about 5 gigs);
• fixed an amp for me free of charge as they used spare parts and I was a regular customer
• advised me on gear I was buying from someone else
• chased up Hipshot when I got a ‘D’ tuner from the states and the company sent me the wrong model and wouldn’t answer my emails
• swapped the aforementioned ‘D’ tuner for the correct model from their own stock and fitted it for nothing when I brought in another bass to be set up
• not to mention that they would generally do deals / discounts and were a laugh to deal with - even gave me free magazines for the train journey back home!

I know that the shop itself was much never the same after they left Wapping, but I seriously could never fault the service / advice!

A sad day

It’s the way the business is going now – lets hope that the Bass Gallery has better luck....

[bass_ferret]

Problem is Pete, your experience is in the minority.

[99ster]

[quote name='sgt-pluck' post='129518' date='Jan 28 2008, 07:31 PM']Well I won't be shedding any tears. Sounds harsh, but the few times I went in there I swore I'd never go back. The service wasn't just indifferent, it was bordering on being rude. As has already been mentioned - if their website doesn't improve pretty sharpish - they'll be finished, which can only be a good thing for all the shops/websites who [u]do[/u] make the extra effort for their customers

Pluck[/quote]

+1
Exactly the experience I always had with them. And their website is rubbish - so good riddance as far as I'm concerned.

[Pbassred]

A bass shop that opens on a Sunday when people with money aren't working would be nice. I did ask them if they ever considdered Opening on a sunday, but the guy said that they mostly dealt with professional musicians who have time during the week. Funny thing is, the last couple of times that I went there during the week, they were empty.

[Hamster]

[quote name='dood' post='129549' date='Jan 28 2008, 08:31 PM']I think it's a sad loss, for what ever reason. The Bass Centre has never been a problem for me. It's a shame that others have had a bad experience.[/quote]

+1 I've been in there loads of times, and when they were at Wapping. I never had a problem with any of the guys in there. A shame its had to close its doors.

Hamster

[s_u_y_*]

[quote name='peteb' post='129560' date='Jan 28 2008, 08:43 PM']It’s the way the business is going now – lets hope that the Bass Gallery has better luck....[/quote]

Let's hope so!

TBH, I had good experiences at the Bass Centre. It is a shame, because between the Gallery and the Cellar (which IS pretty bad) I don't think there are other bass specialists in London. If there are... do let me know!

[MB1]

[quote name='Merton' post='129442' date='Jan 28 2008, 05:24 PM']Blimey. Funny to think about 3 weeks ago I was seriously considering opening a bass shop but decided against looking into it too hard coz I figured everything would go the way of the web and telefunken machine[/quote]

MB1.
Not much point if youve only got 3 basses!

[bassbloke]

[quote name='Thunderthumbs' post='129524' date='Jan 28 2008, 07:37 PM']I got told by Bernie Goodfellow the shop had shut down.

I never actually went to the London shop, as I'm in Manchester. But I can honestly say the branch that was opened in Manchester a few years ago was doomed to failure. The site for the shop itself was right out of the way, couldn't be seen from a street, no parking, was the size of a broom cupboard, etc. etc. etc.

So if the Manchester one was anything to go by, it's hardly surprising the London one's gone the same way.[/quote]

The Wapping Store was right out of the way and that was part of it's charm. You figured that if you were going to visit a shop specialising in bass gear that involved eithera lengthy drive or a complicated trip on public transport, you might as well make a day of it and so you spent hours in the place; time you spent psyching yourself for a big purchase.

There are plenty of other big music shops around. Take Andertons for example. Not that difficult to get to from central London, loads of stuff to try out, 2 hours free parking outside or a full day's cheap parking in the church car park over the road.

[Sean]

I did question the way they operated in a thread months back and wondered why they had a manager that didn't work peak hours and why they toof so damn long to deliver everything and why they never ever once called back after promising to - I really felt that once they had your order and your money they couldn't care less. Major high street retailers might be able to get away with rude or indifferent staff but niche businesses like bass shops need engaging people who are enthusiastic and I never saw this in my dealings with them.

[Mike]

Well, I'm not suprised. The service I've received there has been generally awful, with some pleasant exceptions. The website has always been crap aswell.

I heard from a source very much in the know that the Bass Centre, due to their own buffoonery and poor management, had lost the right to sell so many different brands etc that it was only a matter of time until they went under - I heard that about 6 months ago.

[Paul Cooke]

[quote name='6stringbassist' post='129483' date='Jan 28 2008, 06:38 PM']What he said was that they were getting people going in and trying stuff then buying from the internet.[/quote]

that sort of behaviour does annoy me as well... and people wonder why shops are going under...

It's going to get far worse over the next few months as people pull their spending in... distinct lack of discretionary spending money in the economy...

[stingrayfan]

[quote name='Sean' post='129738' date='Jan 29 2008, 07:45 AM']Major high street retailers might be able to get away with rude or indifferent staff but niche businesses like bass shops need engaging people who are enthusiastic and I never saw this in my dealings with them.[/quote]
Fraid to say I'm a +1. Bought my Profet from them but was left with the impression that they weren't bothered if I did or I didn't buy it!

[Machines]

I invested in a Warwick Infinity (Mousemat) from them, it took a week to come.. though I suppose it was hardly critical equipment.

[OldGit]

[quote name='Paul Cooke' post='129754' date='Jan 29 2008, 08:16 AM']that sort of behaviour does annoy me as well... and people wonder why shops are going under...[/quote]

That's not a new thing or the fault of t'internet.
People have always done that - before the Web we used to try stuff out in one shop then phone round for the best price.
however if you got a rapport and a relationship with the guy who was charging more you'd go back there cos it was worth a few quid to get the service.

I deal with bricks and mortar music shops that have worked this out - you get top flight service AND they will match web prices if asked.
That is the real way forward and the shop people should realise that and stop whining about it.

[Johngh]

Personally I couldn't give a toss. They once tried to rip me off by overcharging by £300 for a new Status 5 string with LEDs. I ended up buying the exact same bass direct from Status for the correct price.

[chris_b]

I had a happy buying/selling relationship with the Bass Centre, starting when they were upstairs in the Wapping building, but in my opinion, they started going downhill when Nick left.
I have got to the point where the high street music shop doesn't cater for me (not even Andertons), so it is a worry that the Gallery is the only "good" bass specialist shop left in London.

Edited January 29, 2008 by chris_b

[Bassmouseman]

Never bought much from them but it was a great place to try out lots of stuff under the same roof! It's going to be much harder to try before you buy now.

I noticed the website has changed, but it was much better before!

[Captain Bassman]

The Wapping shop was the dog's bollox. I bought loads of stuff in there over the years, they were always willing to throw in freebies and the service from Nick Owen and co was always first class and friendly. It was never any trouble for me to drive up there 'cos I knew it was going to be a great experience, even if I didn't spend anything!

Now to the City shop, hmmm. In my experience it was like Jekyll and Hyde. How the same name and logo transported less than 2 miles could result in such a wild difference!

I stopped going in there because the service was indifferent, verging on rude. Stock-wise, it was OK if you wanted Warwick or Fender basses but there was none of the exotica.

Anyway, thumbs up for Alex and co at the Gallery and Mike and co at Iceni Zoot - may they all live long and prosper! Top guys now pretty much alone in a niche market "darn sarf"!

Anyone been down to Bassworld (American Guitar Centre) in Tonbridge?

[synaesthesia]

I for one would like to see an internet only business offer prices where you know you are not paying for the overheads they no longer have for keeping a shop. Five quid less than Soundcontrol or any other other shop retailer with rented premises and staff to pay does not really cut it.....

[Linus27]

I only have experience of the Bass Centre when it was in Wapping. We are going back about 8 or 9 years but they seemed very helpful and friendly. Not sure who he was but once I went in and there was this american guy with blonde hair. He was ok but very OTT and a bit in your face. Still I had good service back then and it was always fun to venture out to wapping to visit the shop and soak up some bass stuff.

[bass_ferret]

I hope they have not got anyone's gear on a commission sale basis. I know Kiwi used to try and sell stuff there.

[crez5150]

[quote name='synaesthesia' post='129956' date='Jan 29 2008, 12:53 PM']I for one would like to see an internet only business offer prices where you know you are not paying for the overheads they no longer have for keeping a shop. Five quid less than Soundcontrol or any other other shop retailer with rented premises and staff to pay does not really cut it.....[/quote]

Give it 5 years.....

[Mike]

[quote name='bass_ferret' post='129963' date='Jan 29 2008, 12:59 PM']I hope they have not got anyone's gear on a commission sale basis. I know Kiwi used to try and sell stuff there.[/quote]

I think he was hugely messed about when he asked for the payment he was owed. Hope that worked out okay.

[LukeFRC]

hmm i went there once, to look for cab that their website said they had. Despite me able to see a pile of stuff made by the same manufacturer i was ignored and when i asked taken to something else and just left there. They had no interest in selling me anything and were rude.
Mike at the Bass merchant/iceni zoot however responded to speculative emails chatted to me for ages, was friendly, offered me a tour of the zoot bass workshop if i ever came down and was generrally ace- even after he had got my money. And sold me a great amp at a silly price.

One is still in business one isn't.