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Bass Gallery- Very Dissapointed

Billy Apple

By Billy Apple,
in General Discussion

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chrismuzz Experienced

chrismuzz

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[quote name='Pete Academy' post='1365428' date='Sep 7 2011, 04:37 PM']Talking of nutter magnets, a few years ago when our shop was Sound Control, we had a lad and his dad come in for a live bass rig. The lad had a somewhat unusual playing style. He would play a few random notes and then suddenly smack the strings as hard as he could onto the pickup. The amp went into overload and the speaker was screaming for help. I had to get other members of staff in to witness this. The string smacking had absolutely no relevance to what he was playing, but he kept doing it randomly. I kept plugging him into bigger rigs, but he punished every one. I finally plugged him into an Ampeg and 8 x 10" and even that still couldn't handle it. I ended up having to tell his dad that, due to his unusual playing style, we couldn't guarantee anything he bought. His dad shook his head and apologised, as he was now used to this sort of comment.

That's one band I would love to have seen. :)[/quote]

Wasn't me was it? :)

I would've chucked a passive bass and a ridiculous comp/limiter his way. It's the only thing that worked for me!

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Billy Apple Mentor

Billy Apple

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[quote name='Pete Academy' post='1365490' date='Sep 7 2011, 05:27 PM']He brought his own bass in. Can't remember what it was.[/quote]

I think this chap is maybe Algis Kizys, who I saw playing for the Swans, on the 'Children of God' tour in 1988. The gig was at Newcastle's Riverside, and was without a doubt the loudest I've ever been too, and is legendary with Newcastle taxi drivers who took girls home who were crying from the sonic assault. Algis had an original playing style, from start to finish he punched and grappled his guitar until all four strings were left hanging off it at the end, and his hands were a bloody mess. All the while Michael Gira did forward rolls across the stage dressed only in a loin cloth. Without a doubt, a stand out gig of my life-time.

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daz Community Regular

daz

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[quote name='billyapple' post='1365902' date='Sep 7 2011, 11:06 PM']I think this chap is maybe Algis Kizys, who I saw playing for the Swans, on the 'Children of God' tour in 1988. The gig was at Newcastle's Riverside, and was without a doubt the loudest I've ever been too, and is legendary with Newcastle taxi drivers who took girls home who were crying from the sonic assault. Algis had an original playing style, from start to finish he punched and grappled his guitar until all four strings were left hanging off it at the end, and his hands were a bloody mess. All the while Michael Gira did forward rolls across the stage dressed only in a loin cloth. Without a doubt, a stand out gig of my life-time.[/quote]


Dunno about that, Algis Kizys must be 50 if he's a day, and he came in with his [i]dad[/i] ? (and he's from New York,)

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chardbass Rising Star

chardbass

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Nothing but good things to say about The Gallery- saved my arse on a few occasions and Alex has always bent over backwards to help me from right back in the Wapping Bass Centre days to the present day and I am a regular bass playing nobody.

Everyone has bad days though.

BTW I don't particularly like trying out basses there because he has better chops than me. Scrub that, he HAS chops whereas I am devoid of chops.

He's gonna be a tad surly now and again because he lives and works in London which makes you miserable by default :-)

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redstriper Rising Star

redstriper

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[quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='1365934' date='Sep 7 2011, 11:44 PM']Oh Steve! Harsh tut tut....[/quote]
Sorry Fran - I'm sure you are never surly, I was just trying to give the guy a break, but your right you can't blame a place for the way some of it's people behave.

We've even got some right miserable gits round here :)

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dc2009 Collaborator

dc2009

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I don't know whether or not my post on installments was read, but I don't see why you guys couldn't be a retailer that supports this scheme: [url="http://www.takeitaway.org.uk/"]http://www.takeitaway.org.uk/[/url]
The Bass Merchant do, and based on how Bass Direct do their installments schedule (exactly as said scheme outlines), I think they might well do as well.

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wombatboter Experienced

wombatboter

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I visited a couple of bass-shops in London years ago...in Denmark Street, the Bass Centre in Wapping, etc..
On the whole, I can't really say it was a nice experience..
Especially when they detect through my accent (although it's not too bad :-)) that I'm "foreign" the willingness to help or inform decreases..
It's as if I hear them think "Bloody tourists, just looking...never buying" (although I bought a Jaydee in the Bass-centre but still they treated me as if they were doing mé a favour..) and I can't say I ever met a salesman in those bass-shops who can compete with the polite attitude we have around here in Belgium.
I used to work in a bass-shop myself and whoever the customer was or where he came from (British, German, French) I treated them like I would want to be treated myself..
Depends on the customer of course (some of them can indeed turn out to be pain in the asses) but whenever I detected enthusiasm in their attitude or playing I suggested myself to try out that nice Ken Smith, Wal or Alembic which they were afraid to touch...
Even though I knew sometimes that they didn't have the funds to pay it (but just remember how yoù used to be and could go on dreaming about a certain bass)
It's part of the magic of a shop and sometimes I noticed that those customers came back much later to buy those things I had shown them without being too pushy...

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fingerz Community Regular

fingerz

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[quote name='billyapple' post='1364363' date='Sep 6 2011, 06:11 PM']Hi All,

I had some time on my hands up in London today, so thought I'd go out my way to visit the Bass Gallery in Camden Town. All I hear on BC is good things about this store, so was looking forward to being treated as a like-minded enthusiast instead of a dumb hindrance.

Upon arrival it is apparent that the place is stuffed full of quality gear, both high and low end, and yes, it's in Camden so space is very tight. There were two other punters in, one trying a brand spanker Fender Jazz, the other droning on about DJ Shadow like he was the next big thing. The BG guy did not seem to know who he was, and after all, 'Endtroducing' was only realesed in '96 (sorry, being a bit of a bitch here).

Anyway, after a while these other two Gents left and I was on my own with a man who kept his back to me while I perused the wood. At this point I must point out that there was only one real reason that I went there, and that was to try the Wal Custom 2 Mk 1, as I'd seen it on there site, and at the mo, I've got everything else I need. So, I asked the feller if It would be OK if I tried the Wal... and this was his reply... 'No, I'm sorry we only allow people who are really interested in buying a Wal try a Wal'

I was flabbergasted. I explained to him that I didn't know of any other way to know if I was interested in a bass, than by trying a bass. He then questioned me as to whether I knew the Wal cost £3.5k? Of which of course I know, but it is hardly the point. I always believe that If you know in your heart that you want something, then the price becomes immaterial. My collection of Harley Davidsons is testament to that.

Then in a most weasely manner, He says that it is not their bass, but they were selling on behalf of someone else, and that they did not want any damage to come to it. At this point I was looking behind me to see who he was talking too. Either they are selling this bass or not, and if so any prospective buyer should have a road test, otherwise I'll take my chances on frigging eBay. After all, I'm assuming they are making a cut, so what is their problem?

Anyway, he unhooked her and let me plug her in. But no help or advise as to the circuits was forthcoming, he just turns his back and goes. He may as well have handed me a turd. After a while of plunking I noticed he had disappeared all together. I sat for a bit, then hung the Wal back and exited a completely empty shop.

I was wondering if it was my appearance, short hair, jeans, jacket. Or maybe my age, at 44 maybe I'm on the young side for their prices. I dunno, it beats me, but I could've bought the 4 Wals they have hanging up, and still have change for a Fodera. Anyway, just wanted to vent my spleen. I'd hate to be a young talent turning up there, they probably wouldn't open the door. I hope that the people from the Bass Gallery read this, and I hope it sticks in there throat that they missed out on a £3.5k sale.

I shall not be returning[/quote]



But did you like the bass?! You describe falling in love with something and wanting it... Or is it that you feel your 3.5k deserves a load of attention? Which I completely understand - it's a lot of money and you want to feel reassured in what you're spending on. It's a shame for you to miss out on the Wal of your dreams just because the shop were protective over a valuable instrument...

The thing is. That shop lets you make up your own mind, and leaves you alone to try things for yourself. On the flip side, for me, there's nothing worse than a salesman who talks all over you while you're trying something out. You can come away with something you don't actually like in that case, and in my experience. Some shops you feel like you've made a friend but bought something utterly s**te! I think in the Gallery they have learnt this, and know that there's no point in doing a hard sell with something so personal as it will backfire, maybe with you, they went too far the other way!

They are good guys in the Gallery, Alex would be gutted if he knew your reaction. I see your point mate, but I've always enjoyed the freedom to check out some instruments in my own time, and I've found some gems there over the years. I've always found them supportive and professional, rather than spouting a lot of b.s that some other specialists do. Food for thought perhaps ...

Edited by fingerz
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Pete Academy Experienced

Pete Academy

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[quote name='chrismuzz' post='1367232' date='Sep 9 2011, 02:49 AM']Many many shops have started doing this. Academy Of Sound has done for a while now and it's actually the first place I heard about it :)[/quote]

The Take It Away scheme was originally available to everyone, but now it is only for people between 18 and 25. For anyone over that age, there is a very reasonable 12-month scheme at 4.9% interest (from us, anyway).

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dave_bass5 Grand Master

dave_bass5

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[quote name='Pete Academy' post='1367466' date='Sep 9 2011, 11:41 AM']For anyone over that age, there is a very reasonable 12-month scheme at 4.9% interest (from us, anyway).[/quote]

Oooooo, dont tempt me, im GAS free at the moment and wish to stay that way ;-)

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Gust0o Experienced

Gust0o

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I was mulling this over - but do we not need to be a little bit honest with ourselves when we approach these shops?

I mean, it's alright saying "well, I could have bought it - and everything else on the wall with it"; good for you. And it's right that you should try before you buy.

But, on the day, were you actually buying? And I don't mean the in the process of handing over the cash; but the whole decision-making process that goes with it.

I've slated shops for poor service before - and we should slate poor service. It's unacceptable. But we should also be honest about what we're about - otherwise we're in the same camp as so many others, who head in, expect to try gear, and have no intention of putting any business their way.

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throwoff Proficient

throwoff

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I for one have bought many things on a whim before simply because I played with them and liked them. Just because you walk into a shop with no intention to buy does not mean you cant A afford to or B decide to.

If it means the assistant asks you to empty your pockets and remove your belt before playing then eyes you like a hawk while you do I understand if the bass is valuable.

Why dont shops ask people to put on a dressing gown when they want to play something highly expensive for instance, yes you look silly but the isntrument is then supported on a soft fabric in all contact points. I for one as a customer would completely respect this and being made to look a bit foolish may well put off a lot of window shoppers as well.

Theres ways around the possible damage argument.

A flat buy it or get out attitude wins no sympathy from me.

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algmusic Collaborator

algmusic

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[b]Hats of to The Bass Gallery and much much respect to Alex, as it takes a real gentlemen to deal with a difficult situation to resolve this situation.[/b] Many other companies would have just ignored it.

I've met martin on several occasions an he has been 1st class, fixing both my basses and never making me feel like a tool when it's comes to the ins and out of bass maintenance, of which I know very little. I always felt I could ask even silly questions about my bass, just so I had a better understanding. I just wish I was rich so I could by more gear..

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dave_bass5 Grand Master

dave_bass5

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[quote name='throwoff' post='1367519' date='Sep 9 2011, 12:25 PM']Why dont shops ask people to put on a dressing gown when they want to play something highly expensive for instance,[/quote]

When i used to visit a Chappells in Bond st years ago (when they were a huge store) they used to ask people to take their belts off so the instruments didnt get buckle rash. Good idea IMO



..... although i was playing keyboards at the time......Giggady.

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