bassbluestew Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 Some great posts on this weekends show so far, big thanks for those What I'd really like to know is, did anybody buy anything, and if so was it a real bargain ?? Even if you just spotted a deal but didn't go for it that would do. Details please. Although i have no doubt it was a fantastic event, from a very mercenary point of view I am wondering if it is worth the expense of a trip from Glasgow. Moochass Grassyass, S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 Two sets of strings - a cheap-ish set of DR Sunbeams and a non-discounted set of the new D'Addario black nylon tapewounds (as I hadn't seen them before). Thats it! Would have been difficult to buy a bass there (at least on the Saturday) as the slapfest din was so deafening it was all but impossible to test drive a bass properly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 BGM subscription (with the free t-shirt/Hercules wall stand/Rotosound strings), and also a Rotosound clip-on tuner (which I thought was a bargain at £5), but it doesn't work ! Have emailed them in disappointment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drewm Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 Yeah, it was far too noisy to buy a bass - and apart from the MusicMan stand, most basses were in booths so small you couldn't really see them anyway. That said, I played a Stingray for the first time in 14 years and I really liked it. Now I'm all confused. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cetera Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 I bought a 'deep fill chicken sandwich', an Aero and a Liptons Iced Tea (Lemon) from the Tesco Metro over the road from the venue... The Aero was a bargain at only 75p! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 I saved myself a massive £81.00 by deciding not to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomBassmonkey Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 There was some good stuff at decent prices there, no doubt some people got very good deals on some stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 I think the days of shows being places to go for bargains have been changed by the combination of the Internet and, to a lesser extent, a recessionary economy. It used to be that retailers put everything up for sale at full list price and then might chuck in a strap, case, strings etc or a small discount to sweeten any potential sale. Nowadays a lot of potential buyers have thoroughly checked the lowest possible price across the web (often from overseas or people who don't actually have any stock) and walk through the door of a retailer with a fixed price in mind. Consequently those retailer margins are squeezed and it's much easier to get a discount in store (or online) by being well prepared. Retailers may still put list prices on ads but everyone knows they will deal on a lot of stock unless it's very rare or they have an exclusive distribution deal. When you look at a show then the dealers have got anywhere from £500 to £1,500 extra costs to run a stand (not sure how many people noticed how dark some of the stands were? Reason being you'd have to pay about £400 to hire the house supplied spot lights for 2 days!). The dealers will all try to re-coup as much of this as possible by knockin out low ticket items like strings, tuners, shirts etc but there's not a huge amount to be gained from selling their core stock of basses at below their regular shop discount prices. Some people will be happier to haggle more towards the end of the last day just because it saves a bit of loading etc and there's always the odd 'show' bass kicking around with the odd ding or scratch but, again, if you came across one of those in a store you'd get an ex demo discount on it. In fact one guy told me he was going to buy serving at the show because it was 20% off (kind of a 'we pay the VAT deal) and i'd actually seen exactly the same bass for less, including delivery, online However - what you do get is a massive room full of different basses so you can touch and feel them and be able to compare prices of many more instruments than you'd ever get in a day's worth of shopping around. Unfortunately the noise levels mean you can't really here them properly but you can get a really good feel for playability. So - my, long winded, summary is - go because you can get to see a huge variety of basses but not because you think you'll get a huge bargain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KERMITNT Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 [quote name='molan' post='1161661' date='Mar 14 2011, 02:43 PM']I think the days of shows being places to go for bargains have been changed by the combination of the Internet and, to a lesser extent, a recessionary economy. It used to be that retailers put everything up for sale at full list price and then might chuck in a strap, case, strings etc or a small discount to sweeten any potential sale. Nowadays a lot of potential buyers have thoroughly checked the lowest possible price across the web (often from overseas or people who don't actually have any stock) and walk through the door of a retailer with a fixed price in mind. Consequently those retailer margins are squeezed and it's much easier to get a discount in store (or online) by being well prepared. Retailers may still put list prices on ads but everyone knows they will deal on a lot of stock unless it's very rare or they have an exclusive distribution deal. When you look at a show then the dealers have got anywhere from £500 to £1,500 extra costs to run a stand (not sure how many people noticed how dark some of the stands were? Reason being you'd have to pay about £400 to hire the house supplied spot lights for 2 days!). The dealers will all try to re-coup as much of this as possible by knockin out low ticket items like strings, tuners, shirts etc but there's not a huge amount to be gained from selling their core stock of basses at below their regular shop discount prices. Some people will be happier to haggle more towards the end of the last day just because it saves a bit of loading etc and there's always the odd 'show' bass kicking around with the odd ding or scratch but, again, if you came across one of those in a store you'd get an ex demo discount on it. In fact one guy told me he was going to buy serving at the show because it was 20% off (kind of a 'we pay the VAT deal) and i'd actually seen exactly the same bass for less, including delivery, online However - what you do get is a massive room full of different basses so you can touch and feel them and be able to compare prices of many more instruments than you'd ever get in a day's worth of shopping around. Unfortunately the noise levels mean you can't really here them properly but you can get a really good feel for playability. So - my, long winded, summary is - go because you can get to see a huge variety of basses but not because you think you'll get a huge bargain [/quote] +1000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 agree..I would have gone just for the simple oppurtunity of seeing so much gear in one place. I didn't go as I was fully booked this weekend and also didn't need the famous slap fest Shame... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbluestew Posted March 14, 2011 Author Share Posted March 14, 2011 Great replies, just what I wanted to know. Obviously the costs coming down from Glasgow are far more than those who live even a few hours drive away. ( The Ritz is bloody expensive these days, and two evenings eating at the Ivy aint cheap neither. ) In summary, lots of lush gear to try, but don't expect either ideal test conditions or best prices. Thangyouverymuch, S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 Although the bargains may not be there (at least not compared to 'shop' prices) it's still a really good day out. For a lot of people just getting to try and feel some of the stuff there is worth the trip. I'm not just talking about rare exotica here too. One person I spoke to had just tried out a Vintage fretless and was raving about it, something he'd probably have walked straight past in a shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drewm Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 [quote name='molan' post='1161806' date='Mar 14 2011, 02:26 PM']I'm not just talking about rare exotica here too. One person I spoke to had just tried out a Vintage fretless and was raving about it, something he'd probably have walked straight past in a shop.[/quote] As I said, I tried out a Stingray after years of deciding I didn't care for them. Could go to almost any good bass shop and do the same, but in the last decade I've not done so. Now I think I may be GASing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MythSte Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 Aye, I didnt buy but because I got to compare and contrast some basses I was interested in buying, I will be soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 I saw it as an opportunity to see everything in one place, chat with other players and see what was new. It was certainly not the place to get an idea if you want to buy something expensive. I tried a few things out (Overwaters, Orange amps, new Yamaha BBs, a Ray34) but not loads. I think in hindsight I wish i'd tried out one of the Foderas on Bass Gear stand simply because it was a rare opportunity to do so. But, if anything, the show made me more content with the gear I already have. Doesn't stop me wanting more though I suppose ! That blue Bongo 6 HH...mmm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 [quote name='Machines' post='1161832' date='Mar 14 2011, 02:53 PM']That blue Bongo 6 HH...mmm.[/quote] Oh yes, everybody I seemed to speak to mentioned that particular Bongo! Looked stunning in that colour with the pearl scratchplate. Lovely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuckedUpFunkies Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 I saved a few £££££. Got a Ampeg B2RE for £300... You could say I rather pleased =) Anyone try the trace elliots? I found them massively disappointing for the massive price tag =/ Foderas were simply delicious =L Was impressed by Shukers new streamline too. Great Jazz for £700 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveB Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 I didn't go, I considered it but just saw it as a massive waste of money. When i've been to shows in the past it's been too loud to appresiate any thing and I find the traders don't have alot of time for you. I'm looking at new basses at the moment but i'd rather spend the petrol money going to bass direct or the gallery knowing i've got time and low volumes to check stuff out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 I bought a mug for three quid from the Orange stand. Sweet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 People who know me will find it difficult to believe that I didn't buy anything!!! Some negative feedback here for what I thought, in general, was a good show..aimed at Bass players rather than just a tag on to a guitar show..I think we should be thankful for that if nothing else!! Also some negative feedback towards the "slapfest" - I found that as much noise was being made by plectrum players as by the slappers - but then I went on Sunday which by all accounts was "less bad"..Mr Clutterbus being the worst offender for slapping but he was, ironically, being paid to do so..seems stall holders were reluctant to rein him in...I thought the standard of the slap was pretty high anyway.. As for bargains - the Overwater/Tanglewood basses looked and felt like excellent value for money - £600 for the bass I tried - sorry can't remember the model(Classic J??)..My only concern would be resale prices and whether these, as "entry models", will be regarded in the same vein as Fender Squiers in years to come. One of my companions tried an EBS combo which would have cost him £210 rather than £299 - unfortunately him testing coincided with the foghorn being sounded for the quiet time..can't really test an amp under those conditions.. Somebody had dropped and scratched a bass which resulted in a £200 reduction - could you live with a scratch knowing you'd saved £200?? The new owner clearly could!! How much is a can of body filler nowadays anyway?? I bumped into Nick (Doctor of the Bass) - former owner of my fretless VC - hadn't spoken to him for a while - nice to see him again.. The stuff I didn't pay for..this months Bass Guitar magazine and several EB stickers..45 mins watching TM Stevens beat up on a Warwick bass with the house band..Stu Hamm's masterclass... Biggest bargain must have been the ticket - am I going again next year?? Try stop me!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 [quote name='Clarky' post='1161423' date='Mar 14 2011, 09:39 AM']... and a non-discounted set of the new D'Addario black nylon tapewounds ...[/quote] Have you tried them yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 (edited) [quote name='EssentialTension' post='1162249' date='Mar 14 2011, 07:57 PM']Have you tried them yet?[/quote] I wrote some comments on your thread Dave - you mean you didn't read my pearls of wisdom? Edit: here you go [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=126139&pid=1159746&st=0&#entry1159746"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...p;#entry1159746[/url] Edited March 14, 2011 by Clarky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBboy Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 [quote name='Clarky' post='1161423' date='Mar 14 2011, 09:39 AM']Two sets of strings - a cheap-ish set of DR Sunbeams and a non-discounted set of the new D'Addario black nylon tapewounds (as I hadn't seen them before). Thats it! Would have been difficult to buy a bass there (at least on the Saturday) as the slapfest din was so deafening it was all but impossible to test drive a bass properly[/quote] The D'addario black nylon tapewounds are great strings but just a word of caution; I had them on my jazz bass for a while, and because they're a pretty hefty gauge they wore the grooves in the nut bigger. When I went back to regular strings my A string was rattling about like buggery in the groove and I had to get a new nut (although I did just play with some card packed underneath it for a couple of years!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 [quote name='TRBboy' post='1162280' date='Mar 14 2011, 08:09 PM']The D'addario black nylon tapewounds are great strings but just a word of caution; I had them on my jazz bass for a while, [b]and because they're a pretty hefty gauge[/b] they wore the grooves in the nut bigger. When I went back to regular strings my A string was rattling about like buggery in the groove and I had to get a new nut (although I did just play with some card packed underneath it for a couple of years!).[/quote] They are only medium gauge? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 (edited) [quote name='TRBboy' post='1162280' date='Mar 14 2011, 08:09 PM']The D'addario black nylon tapewounds are great strings but just a word of caution; I had them on my jazz bass for a while, and because they're a pretty hefty gauge they wore the grooves in the nut bigger. When I went back to regular strings my A string was rattling about like buggery in the groove and I had to get a new nut (although I did just play with some card packed underneath it for a couple of years!).[/quote] I don't think you mean D'Addario's. They are only just launched. And they are 'normal' gauges (50-105). I suspect you mean Roto Tru Bass which are great thick black caterpillars of strings Edited March 14, 2011 by Clarky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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