Hamster Posted July 8, 2007 Share Posted July 8, 2007 (edited) A recurring theme on the forum is "Where can I go to get a good bass"... "Where is a good bass shop to try some out" etc, so maybe it's time for a sticky on the subject. Post away with your recommendations! Please include the: Website address - or street address if they are still pre-computer luddites Phone number Location Perhaps it might be an idea to score the shop? - Give a mark out of 10 for; Range of stock Prices Service Some are happy to pay a little more over a cheaper shop for a better service, some may just be looking for the ultimate deal. Let's keep the list to places where YOU have had dealings, and a polite rule, if you have a shop - High Street or Cyberspace - please don't recommend yourself. Don't be put off if there is already a post for a particular shop - score them with YOUR opinion and experience so we can get a better overall picture. Also, please don't include 'one make' custom builders unless they also stock a wide range of basses. I will add the posts to this first post, and amend their 'marks out of ten scores' as they average out. Hamster Guitarguitar 0131 334 7100 [url="http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/edinburgh_shop.asp"]www.guitarguitar.co.uk[/url] Edinburgh : Stock 7 : Prices 6 : Service 7 Scayles 0131 667 8241 [url="http://www.scayles.co.uk/%5dwww.scayles.co.uk"][url="http://www.scayles.co.uk/"]http://www.scayles.co.uk/[/url]]www.scayles.co.uk[/url] Edinburgh : Stock 4 : Prices 7 : Service 9 Sound Control 0131 557 3986 [url="http://www.soundcontrol.co.uk"]www.soundcontrol.co.uk[/url] (not shop specific) Edinburgh : Stock 5 : Prices 7 : Service 4 Soundslive 0870 757 2360 [url="http://www.soundslive.co.uk/"]www.soundslive.co.uk[/url] Newcastle (&online) : Stock 8 : Prices 9 : Service 9 Promenade Music 01524 410202 [url="http://www.promenademusic.co.uk"]www.promenademusic.co.uk[/url] Morcambe : Stock 9 : Prices 7 : Service 9 Electromusic 01302 369999 [url="http://www.electromusic.co.uk/home.php"]www.electromusic.co.uk[/url] Doncaster : Stock 9 : Prices 8 : Service 9 PMT 0121 359 5056 [url="http://www.pmtonline.co.uk/"]www.pmtonline.co.uk[/url] Birmingham : Stock 9 : Prices 7 : Service 10 PMT 01865 725221 [url="http://www.pmtonline.co.uk/"]www.pmtonline.co.uk[/url] Oxford : Stock 3 : Prices 7 : Service 9 The Oxford Guitar Gallery 01865 553777 [url="http://www.oxfordguitargallery.com/"]www.oxfordguitargallery.com[/url] Oxford : Stock 3 : Prices 6 : Service 10 The Bass Gallery 0207 267 5458 [url="http://www.thebassgallery.com/index2.html"]www.thebassgallery.com[/url] London NW1 : Stock 8 : Prices 8 : Service 10 The Bass Centre 0207 247 7847 [url="http://www.basscentre.com/"]www.basscentre.com[/url] London E1 : Stock 10 : Prices 10 : Service 10 Vintage & Rare Guitars 0207 240 7500 [url="http://www.vintageandrareguitars.com"]www.vintageandrareguitars.com[/url] London WC2 (and Bath) : Stock 10 : Prices 6 : Service 8 Andertons 01483 456777 [url="http://www.andertons.co.uk/"]www.andertons.co.uk[/url] Guildford : Stock 8 : Prices 8 : Service 10 Mansons 01392 496379 [url="http://www.mansons.co.uk"]www.mansons.co.uk[/url] Exeter : Stock 9 : Prices 7 : Service 10 [u][b]European Stores[/b][/u] Thomman [url="http://www.thomann.de"]www.thomann.de[/url]: Stock 9 : Prices 9 : Service 10 Musicstore [url="http://www.musicstore.de/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/MusicStore-MusicStoreShop-Site/en_EN/-/EUR/ViewApplication-DisplayWelcomePage2;pgid=TOZgSIbWhSR.WbURca0000000000zJgBg4Jd;sid=piPYqhaA4D7aql1r5VcOgjpdPJAMA="]www.musicstore.de[/url] : Stock 8 : Prices 10 : Service 8 Station-Music [url="http://www.station-music.de"]www.station-music.de[/url] : Stock 10 :Prices 9 : Service 7 Edited December 23, 2007 by Hamster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigthumb Posted July 8, 2007 Share Posted July 8, 2007 The Gallery in Camden London gets my vote. Bass porn perverts paradise! Seriously, great guys and do pretty good deals. I just wish it was 'round the corner! 10 points for service. 8 points for price (could always be cheaper ) 8 points for stock (dont expect many basses for under £400) [url="http://www.thebassgallery.com/index2.html"]http://www.thebassgallery.com/index2.html[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted July 9, 2007 Author Share Posted July 9, 2007 Cheers bigthumb - added Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 PMT Oxford, Cowley Road Range of stock - 3 Prices - 7 Service - 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted July 9, 2007 Author Share Posted July 9, 2007 Cheers Ped - added Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 The Oxford Guitar Gallery, Summertown, Oxford Range of stock - 3 (Dont think they have basses any more but good range of botique pedals, amplifiers/tubes and general goodness) Prices - 6 Pretty steep to be honest Service - 10 Very helpful and always interested in a chat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elom Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 Mansons in Exeter [url="http://www.mansons.co.uk"]www.mansons.co.uk[/url] Range - 9 Prices - 7 Service - 10 A dedicated bass room, wide range of stock and staff who are both knowledgable and friendly. Stuff is cheaper on the Internet but I'll often pay a few quid more to support a great local store. Well worth a day-trip to Devon. At the end of the day all business is about people. If you get the wrong sort of staff (and music shops often do) then you'll struggle. As a customer I'm not bothered about how good a musician the shop assistant is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted July 10, 2007 Author Share Posted July 10, 2007 Cheers chaps - 2 more added. My brother lives in Exeter so I'll pop into Mansons next time I'm down there. Hamster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toasted Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 I've always enjoyed Vintage and Rare when I've gone in. It suffers a bit from the "old/sage" musicians stood around the counter, but if you can get over that then it's cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted July 10, 2007 Author Share Posted July 10, 2007 [quote name='Toasted' post='29845' date='Jul 10 2007, 04:28 PM']I've always enjoyed Vintage and Rare when I've gone in. It suffers a bit from the "old/sage" musicians stood around the counter, but if you can get over that then it's cool.[/quote] How do you rate the range, prices and service? Hamster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toasted Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 R: 10 (amazing selection of vintage and boutique gear) P: 6 (very expensive, IMO) S: 8 (Helpful + attentive) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted July 10, 2007 Author Share Posted July 10, 2007 [quote name='Toasted' post='30054' date='Jul 10 2007, 11:21 PM']R: 10 (amazing selection of vintage and boutique gear) P: 6 (very expensive, IMO) S: 8 (Helpful + attentive)[/quote] Added Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toasted Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 Look mum! I made a difference! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgauction Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 One of these days I'd like to go to Mansons. I've been a real fan of his basses, especially the ones JPJ is using. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon1964 Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 I have to recommend PMT in Birmingham Range of stock - 9 (Good range of basses. As well as the usual stuff, they have a fantastic range of Sandberg gear) Prices - 7 (pretty reasonable on pricing and always prepared to do a deal) Helpfulness - 10 (the real reason I like PMT. Exceptionally helpful and knowledgeable staff. A real contrast to Sound Control etc) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 Yep I agree with the above on PMT. Dave Sheriff is very knowledgeable and always happy to help you no matter what your budget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Rickwood Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 [The Bass Centre have been good to me for the last 10 years, and Mansons were also very good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umcoo Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 Promenade Music in Morecambe has a great selection of basses...fenders/warwicks/musicman/couple of laklnad skylines/yamaha etc. They have always done good deals with me when I've been and the staff are really friendly (especially Gary!) Thought I'd add one for folks in the North Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted July 12, 2007 Author Share Posted July 12, 2007 Simon - added, cheers. Steve & umcoo - do you want to score your recommendations? Hamster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umcoo Posted July 12, 2007 Share Posted July 12, 2007 Range - 9 - Fenders, Musicman, Overwater, Warwick, Yamaha, had a couple of vintage fenders when I've been Price - 7 - can seem a bit steep, but staff are always willing to do a deal. Helpfulness - 9 - Excellent, they leave you alone if you like, or are very knowledgeable if you have questions. In fact I might be heading there tonight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted July 12, 2007 Author Share Posted July 12, 2007 Thanks umcoo - added Hamster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Rickwood Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 Well, simply put, I've never been comfortable with music shops as there are so many that give 'advice' with commision attached to their motive. And to be fair, it's business. But The Bass Centre have always been quality with advice and response, as were Mansons. I can't say much more than that. I have used the bass centre exclusively since the late 90s, altho I don't get up there much now as I live by the coast. I still order my elites from there tho! Yeah - top marks, thats all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted July 13, 2007 Author Share Posted July 13, 2007 Thanks Steve - added Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ngombe Posted July 14, 2007 Share Posted July 14, 2007 I've spent quite a bit of hard earned at [url="http://www.soundslive.co.uk"]http://www.soundslive.co.uk[/url] They have a shop in Newcastle I believe but I've only ever ordered via the net. I'd rate them as follows: Range 8 - Good coverage of all the big labels. It's an all round music retailer not a bass specialist though so expect Warwick, Fender, Yamaha, Rick and Ernie Ball but not uber brands like Modulus etc. Check stock before ordering though! Price 9 - seldom beaten in my experience. Always great for getting a price to haggle with at your local store. Helpfulness 9 - They've always been great at fixing problems when they've (occasionally) happened and will normally throw in a sweetener if there's any inconvenience. also +1 for PMT in Birmingham and [url="http://www.andertonsonline.co.uk"]http://www.andertonsonline.co.uk[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted July 14, 2007 Author Share Posted July 14, 2007 Chers ngombe - added. Hamster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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