Number6

[quote name='Richards Guitars' timestamp='1449406007' post='2923200'] Hi everyone I just found this topic and just felt I should give you my reply. It is such a can of worms to try and explain how or why I behave the way I do but ultimately everything I say or do is driven by "doing the right thing". In life you will never be able to do the right thing by every person and so the best way I can explain this is with way of examples of 2 comments about my business. This will be a brilliant way to demonstrate the frustration of "trying" to do the right thing by everyone... Milky Bar Kid said "[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]The only negative to visiting the shop is that he can't bear to leave a phone ringing even when dealing with a customer, which can be a bit irritating."[/font][/color] [font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][color=#282828]I was aware of this myself so I put in a system where by the phone would ring 4 times and would go to voice mail so I could call the customer back.[/color][/font] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]As a result of this change I then got the following review on Google...[/font][/color] [url="https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/112953112319486779561/reviews/@37.0625,-95.677068,4z"]https://www.google.c...5,-95.677068,4z[/url] Sounds damning - until I did some digging and found this guy runs a business that is literally trashed online for customer service with a 2 star average on Facebook! The Pissed Consumer site charges $1500 PER overview process of false reviews. You will see its been visiting tens of thousands of times and the handful of "complaints" are only there because their website is ranked #2 on Google below mine when you search for my domain name. I think ANY business would be proud of such a tiny ratio of complaints especially as they are completely unsolicited. I sell 2-3 guitars a day, every day, 7 days a week. Every guitar is set up to the customers personal requirement pre sale, I personally play test the guitar and pack it to ensure it arrives how it should. As stated I am immensely passionate about my work. Its my life - why wouldn't I be? Its how I remain so busy! The World of retail works against all my life principals and ethos in life but I have managed to channel a unique way to balance the 2 together in harmony. My business is all about honesty. If that makes me look unprofessional in someones eyes I would be very happy to discuss it on here. The Gordon-Smith scenario is one of many examples I could chat about. There is always a lot more going on behind the scenes that I DONT post in order to protect my working relationship - which in turn makes me feel dishonest to my customers! Hence the balancing act. If I stop selling a product on the grounds of quality it would be ludicrous for me not to demonstrate exactly why I made the decision. Taking Gordon Smith as an example however, 2 years after ceasing the sale of these guitars I have now been invited to be one of just 6 stores in the UK to represent the brand under the new ownership. They came to me BECAUSE of what they read. They realised I was the one and ONLY shop who stuck to my principles and would not sell a product that became more home made than hand made in its latter years. For this reason they knew I was the right person to work with. Life always has balance and for the few I upset there will be many many more who benefit I promise. Regrettably bass is not my main focus in store so I tend to recommend people to alternative sources for bass guitars but thanks for listening and IF you do want to order a bass online from me from the few that I do focus on (G&L, Godin, Cort) you would be in very safe hands. Happy to answer any questions about my business practice if anyone wants to know and happy to chat about any review you have seen on Pissed Consumer - especially the one I wrote about myself locking customers in the basement - I couldn't resist!!! http://www.rguitars.co.uk [/quote] Good reply Richard. I find it refreshing to deal with candid and open people 👍

Not everyone is motivated by earning money. I enjoy playing music with our band i find it motivates me and is therapeutic. It costs me money to go out and visit a theatre or a gig or even to rehearse. If a band play and gig for their own enjoyment too the 40 nicker or thereabouts for the band is good value for me. Some like their £££ / €€€ / $$$ Some aren't too fussed. Must be the Communist in me

What this forum needs is a Band Matters section.....rig, finances, pa etc etc.....

It's not all about money.....if between you 40 quid isn't too much damage go for it. Costs more than that to rehearse and you will get some followers from it.

Angel of Death - Thin Lizzy it's immensely powerful.

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1449238095' post='2921856'] I`ve not read all of the posts on here, but up until recently I was playing bass with a bunch of old mates in a rock type band. they had no intentions of gigging, but were just choosing to meet up once a fortnight, have a laugh and play some songs. I suppose it`s cheaper than a night on the beer, and given our ages - all 40s onwards - probably a lot easier on the next morning as well. I eventually left as am so busy with my actual band I need all the rest I can get, but it was a giggle. [/quote] I can relate to this completely. Our band rehearse fairly regularly, we are mates (drummist is my brother) and we gig as frequently or infrequently as we want and normally just cover our costs.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1449178983' post='2921405'] I play in a bar band, and that is no basis to look down on anyone for any reason. If anything, I say, look down on me because I don't have a family, I don't have a girl friend, I don't have a straight career that I love and I don't have any other interests. Blue [/quote] I would say we all do "Music" and that it is different things for different people. I admire you for working as a musician as much as you do. I admire anyone that learns a skill and is willing to perform. We are all at the top and we are all at the bottom

I have an Epiphone Allen Woody Sig and a Gretsch G2220 Junior Jet. Both very good imho. I have gigged them both and they have not let me down.

[quote name='gsgbass' timestamp='1448942883' post='2919440'] I wish Fender would offer an Am. Std. Jazz in the Sherwood Green Metallic. [/quote] Just stop it now! Lol 😊

I am a happy hobbyist and boys night outist.

Might go and watch that.....we rehearse at Storm Studios in Holloway Rd. Easy ish for me to get to.

You can't beat a Zoom B2 as bit of an all rounder imo.

Surely the Sire is the way to go.....really good reviews and no need to spend 500 quid either.

Stick it on the black one.....Stealth

I voted

I bought a Squier PJ bass in Cash Converters. I then stripped it down to its component parts. Then i replaced the bridge (Gotoh), pups (Entwistle), wiring harness (KiOgon), tuners (Grover) and the knobs (Axesrus). I kept the original colour. Virtually the same as a kit build imho. P.S. the Jazz body is Agathis and is fairly light.

[quote name='ras52' timestamp='1448541995' post='2916273'] In which case there can only be one choice of bass: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TENNESSEE-15-STRING-EXTENDED-RANGE-BASS-/291606350777 [/quote] That is a surfboard right there with no modifications 😮

I appear to have be washed up on a island with a load of music equipment on it. Luckily i brought my wood saw, hammer and wood chisel. Time to start chopping all that old driftwood up and forming it into a raft Hehehe

[quote name='gsgbass' timestamp='1448489049' post='2915930'] That's a nice one. Congrats man! [/quote] Thank you.....that Clayton Jazz is a cool looking bass!

Arrange a local bass jam.....re-invigorate yourself a little. Nothing too strenuous just a bit of a get together. Everyone can have a noodle on each others basses and some ideas can be passed around. (I empathise from experience on the lethargy related to illness btw). 6

This is my newly aquired JB.....not a Fender but a Fame Anyway satin vintage yellow which caught my eye and is unusual. Lovely MoP blocks, Pearl Pickguard and 22 frets. SD Quarter Llbs pups.....i like it and have a smile from ear to ear

My wife bought me this today.....an early Xmas present 👍👍 I wanted a Jazz Bass but wanted to see if i could get something a bit unusual and i think i may have achieved it. This is a Fame Deuce 4 which i believe are made by Mayones in Gdansk. It is an Alder body with maple neck and block inlays, Seymour Duncan pups and 22 frets! The colour is satin canary yellow nitrocellulose. I had a good play of it before i (she) bought it and i love it. The colour is definitely out of the norm and i doubt many people will know anything about Fame as a manufacturer. Anyway i hope it meets with the BC approval.

I think i'm soon to add another.....

Surely the fingers produce the prog metal.....