phil_the_bassist Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 ok, Mrs PTB wants to go to Paris for a week with her friend for a wander round the clothes and fabric boutiques and to generally do the "Paris" thang. They want me to go, but I'd rather break my fingers and stick hot pins in my eyes than spend 5 days getting dragged around by my better half. A few hours are fine, but it's NOT what I'd like to be doing with my holiday! Anyone know any good bass/music shops in or near Paris where I can have a bit of a respite from the good ol' "yes you look lovely in that, Dear"? I won't have a car, but I can negotiate Parisian pub.transport and perhaps go slightly further afield! ideally, I'm hoping Vigier have a mahoosive warehouse where dumbass brits can go and noodle for hours on end with beautiful instruments of lowdown lovelyness within spitting distance of Le Champs-Elysées, but I've probably got more luck winning the lottery without actuallt buying a ticket... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obi 2 kenobi Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 Paris is great. Lived there for 10 yrs. Go to rue victor masse in pigalle. Loads of music shops and at least 3 bass only. Better selection than london. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mokl Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 I spent quite a bit of time in Paris last year and was surprised by the lack of impressive music shops. It's quite possible I missed some though - Paris is quite large after all. There seem to be a few centred around the "Pigalle" district, which is neat as you can check out Le Moulin Rouge and numerous other seedy emporiums whilst you are there (at least the exteriors)! The Sacre Couer is just up the hill too, and is worth checking out for the views across Paris if nothing else. I must admit, I was underwhelmed by what I found music-shop wise, I was hoping to stumble across a Parisienne equivalent to The Bass Gallery, but failed miserably Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mokl Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 [quote name='obi 2 kenobi' post='262466' date='Aug 14 2008, 02:48 PM']Paris is great. Lived there for 10 yrs. Go to rue victor masse in pigalle. Loads of music shops and at least 3 bass only. Better selection than london.[/quote] Bugger! How did I miss those?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil_the_bassist Posted August 14, 2008 Author Share Posted August 14, 2008 oooh!! sounds promising, music shops and seedy establishments...RESULT! Thanks lads! If anyone has any more suggestions that's be great, but at least I can book the eurostar safe in the knowledge that I'll be able to endulge myself and my GAS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 OK so let's widen this French thing out a bit I'm near Avignon in the S of France and I'm travelling back to the UK up along the Rhone valley road system later this week... who has something for me to buy and/or somewhere to go (long shot I know)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayfan Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 You might have to go clothes shopping - France isn't great for guitar shops. All the ones I've ever been into seem to have a load of copies and very little in the way of basses. No wonder their music's rubbish! Can't you persuade her that New York's really cheap at the moment? That way you could bring a little something home for yourself at $2 to the £1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 [quote name='stingrayfan' post='262499' date='Aug 14 2008, 03:37 PM']You might have to go clothes shopping - France isn't great for guitar shops. All the ones I've ever been into seem to have a load of copies and very little in the way of basses. No wonder their music's rubbish! Can't you persuade her that New York's really cheap at the moment? That way you could bring a little something home for yourself at $2 to the £1.[/quote] Tell me about it! Unfortunately SWMBO doesn't do flying so the car and ferry are pretty much our mode of holiday transport. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil_the_bassist Posted August 14, 2008 Author Share Posted August 14, 2008 I'd love to goto the US and pick-up-a-ric for next to nuthin, but the friend SWMBO's meeting have a flat in Paris...hence this excursion! BUT judging on the hotel she wants me to book, it'll be cheaper for me to leave her to it, hire concorde outta retirement and goto N.Y. on my tod! I wish I'd never told her my bloody credit limit! lol! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 I found NYC pretty awful bass wise. Only a couple of shops and both were staffed by utter to$$ers. Not sure the French will be any better ;0) Patrice Vigier has his factory just south of Paris, maybe you could visit and take some pictures and earn a Basschat Badge! ped Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayfan Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 [quote name='ped' post='262537' date='Aug 14 2008, 04:22 PM']I found NYC pretty awful bass wise. Only a couple of shops and both were staffed by utter to$$ers.[/quote] LA's the best - as long as you don't mind being called "dude" and "man" by the dudes, er, people who work in Guitar Center and the like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil_the_bassist Posted August 14, 2008 Author Share Posted August 14, 2008 (edited) [quote name='ped' post='262537' date='Aug 14 2008, 04:22 PM']Patrice Vigier has his factory just south of Paris, maybe you could visit and take some pictures and earn a Basschat Badge![/quote] Where? WHERE? GODDAMMIT MAN, TELL ME WHERE!!! I think Vigier's are funking STUNNING! Does the BC badge have the same associated advantages as the Blue Peter badge? *edited for spelling* Edited August 14, 2008 by phil_the_bassist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 [quote name='phil_the_bassist' post='262554' date='Aug 14 2008, 04:40 PM']Where? WHERE? GODDAMMIT MAN, TELL ME WHERE!!! I think Vigier's are funking STUNNING! Does the BC badge have the same associated advantages as the Blue Peter badge? *edited for spelling*[/quote] Hi mate, The address is 10-12 rue de l'abbé Grégoire, Z.A.C. des radars, 91350 Grigny. Probo best to call them on +33 (0)1.69.02.01.01 because I am not sure if they 'do' visits with the public. You can find the place on Google maps and you can see the location - probo time to pop there and play a few basses in the time it will take Miss phil to try a pair of shoez! ped Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doctor_of_the_bass Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 Is Morgan Rousell a member here!? I've been to his flat in Paris and that is the place to go if you want to see some serious bass guitars! Most of MK's basses live there... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil_the_bassist Posted August 15, 2008 Author Share Posted August 15, 2008 [quote name='doctor_of_the_bass' post='262873' date='Aug 15 2008, 01:42 AM']Is Morgan Rousell a member here!? I've been to his flat in Paris and that is the place to go if you want to see some serious bass guitars! Most of MK's basses live there...[/quote] OOOOOHh! I'll happily buy him a bottle of plonk if he wants to show of his collection! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 Am off to Paris tomorrow morning, and am staying near Montemarte, so will be checking out Rue Victor Masse Lovely! Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oversoul Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 Pigalle has some cool shops, the most bass oriented is probably California basses, altough I have an impression they had relocated, not sure. you're lucky your wife doesn't want to go shopping in Lisbon, then you'd really be toasted!! "Good morning, I'd like to try a few basses, do you have any??" " -Oh yes, we have these wonderful SQUIER and IBANEZ here..." enter new store, repeat speech... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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