Pete Academy

[quote name='skychaserhigh' post='1371733' date='Sep 13 2011, 01:27 PM']£27 to watch Marcus Miller going slap slap slap slap slap ? No ta..........[/quote] If you actually know what Marcus does instead of what you've heard or seen on YouTube, £27 is a bargain. Remember to leave your blinkers at home.

I've noticed that beginners sometimes tend to keep buying and changing gear, in the hope that it will improve their playing, instead of just practising. This is a form of procrastination, which is a bit like a writer doing research on a subject instead of just getting down and writing. Like many other players, I have a sound in my head that I want to achieve. I also love beautiful instruments. I'm the closest ever with my Roscoe, but I still think about whether or not a Ken Smith might get me a little closer. I think we're all like that. I just want an instrument that looks good, feels comfortable (probably the most important factor). and gives me the sound in my head. It's a given that the sound we strive for will make us play better.

I think people tend to take the piss out of people who claim they have a bad back, but I reckon there's nothing worse, especially in a bass playing situation.

I pulled my back yesterday while loading gear in. Three hours plus in a cramped minibus. Two hour set set with an 11-pound bass to support. Over three hours back home and unload gear. Agony today. Anyone done a gig with back pain?

Don't like them.

[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).

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='1367445' date='Sep 9 2011, 11:24 AM']Bass Tourette's [/quote] Exactly!

This Saturday. Still some tickets left.

[quote name='Doddy' post='1366444' date='Sep 8 2011, 02:26 PM']I think you're the best judge of that as far as I'm concerned.[/quote] Our takings will plummet when you go on that cruise.

[quote name='icastle' post='1366393' date='Sep 8 2011, 01:51 PM']Don't need them. I'm a bass player not a lead singer... [/quote]

[quote name='icastle' post='1366370' date='Sep 8 2011, 01:36 PM']I'm not 'many people' though (unless I forget to take my medication ) In fairness, I've not experienced this very often in music shops. I 'tried' to buy a vacuum cleaner a few years ago and the girl on the counter insisted on having my name and address citing 'policy' as a reason. I explained that entering into a transaction with me also had a set of 'policies', one of them being that there is no need to be recording my personal details. She wouldn't budge so I put my money back in my pocket and walked out. In order to protect the innocent I shall simply refer to that shop as 'COMET'. I simply went next door to Currys and bought the same item for the same price but without the confrontation. [/quote] Just think about the Viagra and penis enlargement opportunities you miss out on.

[quote name='icastle' post='1366319' date='Sep 8 2011, 12:57 PM']In many respects, I'm the worlds worst customer. After 30 years of playing I'm pretty much done with finding that elusive 'ultimate sound' and the chances of me being open to new ideas on that front are negligible. I'm not going to fiddle about with XYZ strings and ABC pickups with DEF atomic powered and index linked pre amps. I'll have already researched the product and by the time I go into a shop the choice will already have been made - so upselling or downselling will be ignored - carry on doing it after I've said no and I walk out. Extended warranties are not entertained and neither are add on sales - push me with 'cautionary tales' after I say no and I walk out. You do NOT need my name and address 'for the receipt', it is NOT a 'legal requirement' - push me for it after I say no and I put my money back in my pocket and walk out. If I say 'No' then the answer is No - carry on pushing me towards something I have no interest in and I walk out. BUT On the plus side, I don't 'browse' around shops - if I'm in the shop then I have the money in my pocket and I'm buying. The ideal transaction as far as I'm concerned would be: Me: One of those please. Assistant: £399 please. Me: Here you go. Assistant: Cheers. Me: Goodbye. Assistant: Goodbye.[/quote] I can see where you're coming from with not wanting to give the shop your name and address. However, we had a customer that bought a Roland product from us and refused to give his details. We could only give him a till receipt. If he lost that, and forgot to register for his 3-year Roland warranty (and many people do this), we would have no record on our system, as it works by inputting name and address details. Just a thought.

Nearly Dan play The Platform in Morecambe on Saturday 24 September.

All this recent talk about music shops made me think. How would you honestly describe yourself as a customer?

[quote name='chrismuzz' post='1365477' date='Sep 7 2011, 05:14 PM']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![/quote] He brought his own bass in. Can't remember what it was.

I have to agree about couriers. Stuff gets lost, nicked and damaged quite often. We had a delivery of Roland pianos where the boxes had been speared by a forklift truck. On another occasion, a Nightfreight driver delivered some amps, carried them from the back of his truck, and slammed them down as if they were sacks of potatoes.

[quote name='EBS_freak' post='1365416' date='Sep 7 2011, 04:31 PM']"Yeah thanks mate, I know, I know..." (rolls all controls up to 11)[/quote] They usually ignore everything I've said and start slapping mentally.

[quote name='jonno1981' post='1365366' date='Sep 7 2011, 03:25 PM'][url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-xX7iWvzbo&feature=player_embedded"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-xX7iWvzbo...player_embedded[/url] As someone who worked in music retail for 6 years I can really appreciate how difficult it can be to strike a balance between trusting customers enough to hand them high end guitars and protecting your stock from the (unfortunately) many people who will not treat them with any respect. This is especially difficult with commission sales when the seller wants the guitar to be spotless if it is collected as it hasn't sold. Music shops can be real nutter magnets and you never know if who you are talking to is a genuine customer with cash to hand or a time wasting mental health patient on a day off the ward! I have had great service from the gallery before and really look forward to a visit every couple of years when I get the itch (and the funds) to buy something new.[/quote] 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 name='4000' post='1365384' date='Sep 7 2011, 03:56 PM']Personally it's one of my favourite places, sad as that may sound. Never had anything less than stellar service. They must be good to put up with me hanging around for hours whenever I go down! Just to answer something I believe the OP mentioned, Alex always leaves me on my own to try a bass out, but that's what I generally want. If I have questions I'll ask. I personally hate having a salesman stand over me whilst I try something out.[/quote] Once I've gone through the controls on an amp or bass, I generally always leave the customer to it.

I think the bottom line here is that in any form of retail you just can't get it right all the time. What I do see a lot more, especially with younger kids, is a lack of respect for the instruments. The number of them that just grab hold of guitars off the wall without asking seems to have increased over the years. Also, I think it's frustrating for any salesman to give quality time and advice and allow the instruments to be played, only to then be asked to price match another store. It's just that I personally couldn't bring myself to do that, but that's me.

[quote name='fender73' post='1364937' date='Sep 7 2011, 08:42 AM'][b]Off topic a bit but maybe shops should invest in a few of these strectchy guitar/bass body covers (Axe Jackets??) - that way, it allows the potential purchaser to handle the bass and provide the shop with a little more confidence? [/b] Having worked in Music Retail for a year or so, i understand both sides of this situation - the same people came in week in week out trying all different guitars, asking all different questions about 'Could we order a Trini Lopez Gibson in a custom colour...etc..etc) - most never bought so much as a pick...BUT.....a couple of occasions when i thought 'here we go again', i was proved very wrong and the customers made significant purchases (which made the boss very happy). One thing i did notice, it only takes 10 different people to try and guitar/bass and the strings are shot (worse for guitar) - duff strings do not show intruments off to their best, so this then costs the retailer a set of strings which reduces profit on said instrument. I fully support the argument that people need to try the instrument to know if they are interested in said instrument, but this is unfortunately ruined by the try-out brigade who just try out the 'Alembic' just to say that they've played an 'Alembic'. This thread concentrates on the Bass Gallery, but i think it covers all music shops, where you will always find good and bad experiences - based on the attitude of the customer as well as the shop staff. Good for Alex coming on and responding - more power to him. Just my opinion of course Graeme[/quote] That's a very good idea. On the subject of shops selling customers' instruments on commission, I have had a couple of instances whereby the owner has brought in a pristine guitar or bass and has stressed that it must be totally unmarked in case he or she should want it back. This is unreasonable. People will need to try the instrument at some point before they buy it.

[quote name='Johnston' post='1364466' date='Sep 6 2011, 07:19 PM']My Mrs couldn't believe I was going to buy a bass that had "God knows who playing it" when she was having her first experience of buying. you have to admit though what other industry would sell something that would have been well used in a shop as New.[/quote] A brothel?

[quote name='billyapple' post='1364449' date='Sep 6 2011, 07:13 PM']I completely agree, no-one wants stock damaged. To this end, I always remove my watch, rings etc, and roll my sleeves up when trying a Bass. I don't even stand in case my belt damages the back. After all, if I buy the guitar, I don't want her marked either. Plus I'm 44 yrs old, I don't think even with my ego I could pass for a teenager! All the guy had to say was to take extra care, and I would have agreed, but it was all so negative... 'No you can't...etc etc'[/quote] Totally agree.

[quote name='joe_bass' post='1364447' date='Sep 6 2011, 07:12 PM']I thought the reason GAK in Brighton is so successful is because kids get to try instruments as they like, then go back & buy years later when they've got a bit older & have the money.[/quote] I totally agree. However, you have to be there to see how disrespectful some kids are with instruments. What can you do?

[quote name='Darkstrike' post='1364373' date='Sep 6 2011, 06:19 PM']Here's my Koa and Birdseye Maple Century Standard Plus, that arrived today. [/quote] Oh my God... stop this now!