was it a US seller? Not of course to stereotype but they seem to have a more erm "aggresive" style of salesmanship, the hustle and all that, and not getting the deal done is a big cultural no no.
My local is Mansons which for bass is Ok but really great for guitars, Ive never bought new but they have a great pre owned selection, many times popped in for a mooch and ended up walking out with something (Ampeg SVT-CL once, didn't see that one coming!)
Great gig at the Marine in Sidmouth, it was the first night of Folk week so the resort is jammed and the pub was packed, Got fed and free drinks and paid an extra 100 quid of our usual fee, great landlord, great gig!
A pedal will never replace a 2nd guitarist, just enjoy the space you've been given and fill it tastefully, I would never go back to a 4/5 piece band, if its good enough for Cream, Rush, Hendrix...PS the money's better
I use the DI out on my DHA pre amp pedal rather than the ampeg DI as Im paranoid about the valve amp going belly up halfway through a gig and I always have a back up plan!
So I'm on me holibobs this week and a very pleasant week in Italy it is too except we leave Florence Monday morning only to see that Jethro Tull are playing outside around the corner Monday night followed by Chick Corea on Tuesday night with some John Pattagoochie or something similar on bass! What a bummer!!