The Basscentre is no longer a shop.

[alexmoore10]

I think his name was Glen

[Gamble]

I never went to the Wapping shop, but the first few times I went to the Bass Centre on Brune St I was served by a Guy called James (I think) and he was a legend. That might have been 'cos I was keen on buying a Thumb bass and he was selling one himself through the shop, but because he was a nice guy and a good salesman I went £400 over buget and got the bass I wanted instead of settling for something I could afford. I bought a little Hartke practice amp from him too after that, but unfortunately he left the shop.
After that I found out a guy who used to work in my local Academy Of Sound had got the job of manager at the Bass Centre, I guy called Deano. I went in and saw him a couple of times but he was mostly upstairs with the skinny stringers. The service and just plain friendliness of the staff in general seemed to have dropped. I tried out a few pretty pricey basses one day and the guy downstairs just didn't seem to be taking me seriously if he was taking an interest at all. I do tend to try out basses that my skill level doesn't warrant, but they shouldn't assume that I wouldn't buy them all the same. Shame, but like others have already said, the variety of stock they were carrying seemed to be diminishing as well as the service.

The Bass Gallery has always had amazing stock, but I've never quite felt comfortable in there. That's not to say that I've been made to feel UN-comfortable by any means though, maybe it's that thing I mentioned before about my playing not being "all that" just lurking at the back of my mind and feeling slightly out of my depth in there. The fact that it's TINY in there makes me feel a bit on display whenever I've tried stuff out too, but I think that's probably in my head. I just get a bit self concious when I know I'm around other bass players I guess!

What about the shop half way down Denmark St? The one next door to a guitar shop that's fronted with the same colours. They've always seemed alright in there to me, anyone else got any experience with them? Is that place even still there?

A friend of mine has recently moved back to Essex so I'm hoping to make a trip to see him and visit the Bass Merchants too, I don't really have anything in mind that I want, but I do enjoy a good days bass shopping! Can't get that online, which I think has been most people's point on this thread so far. I'll stop rambling now.

Cheers!

[Golchen]

To bad that the place shut, but for me someone hit the nail on the head when they said 'indifferent, bordering on rude'. I went to the new shop once and that was exactly my experience.

Personally, if I try a guitar/bass in a shop and really like it I'd rather buy that exact one, rather than did a slightly cheaper one off the internet that could be inferior to play.

[greyparrot]

[quote name='6stringbassist' post='129432' date='Jan 28 2008, 06:18 PM']What a surprise, I phoned them today to enquire about a Markbass F1 head, I really wanted to try one.

Now they only do internet and telephone sales from a warehouse opposite where they had their shop.

So now the only bass shop is the Gallery.[/quote]

HI give bass merchat a call they have mark bass gear in stock, i know i work there!!

[OldGit]

[quote name='greyparrot' post='166719' date='Mar 31 2008, 08:32 AM']HI give bass merchat a call they have mark bass gear in stock, i know i work there!![/quote]

Bassmerchant
[url="http://www.bassmerchant.com/manufacturers.php?manufacturer_id=3"]http://www.bassmerchant.com/manufacturers....nufacturer_id=3[/url]

And from Bassdirect - our very own Poptart
[url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Mark_Bass_Analogue_Heads.html"]http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_sp...ogue_Heads.html[/url]

[cetera]

[quote name='Linus27' post='166447' date='Mar 30 2008, 06:52 PM']Who was the big stocky american with blonde hair that worked at the Bass Centre in the late 90's when it was at Wapping??? Is that Nick or Alex or somebody else??[/quote]

I believe his name was 'Grant' and he [i]may[/i] have been Canadian...

[JJTee]

Well, received my £85 EBS Octabass pedal within 3 days of ordering. Pretty good really.

[dave_bass5]

[quote name='Gamble' post='166469' date='Mar 30 2008, 07:16 PM']The Bass Gallery has always had amazing stock, but I've never quite felt comfortable in there. That's not to say that I've been made to feel UN-comfortable by any means though, maybe it's that thing I mentioned before about my playing not being "all that" just lurking at the back of my mind and feeling slightly out of my depth in there. The fact that it's TINY in there makes me feel a bit on display whenever I've tried stuff out too, but I think that's probably in my head. I just get a bit self concious when I know I'm around other bass players I guess!

What about the shop half way down Denmark St? The one next door to a guitar shop that's fronted with the same colours. They've always seemed alright in there to me, anyone else got any experience with them? Is that place even still there?


Cheers![/quote]

I agree about feeling out of my depth. While i gig every weekend i still feel very nervious picking a bass up in a empty, quiet shop. I can play songs well enough but don't have that "show off" sort of attitude to playing. Never have. Nothing wrong with having it and i wish i did but im just a bit too timid i guess.
Ive been using Thomanns just lately as they have a very good returns policy so i can try stuff out at home or on gigs before i decide to keep it.

The shop you mention in Denmark St is the Bass Cellar. Not many people like using them as they are very overpriced for most of the things they sell although i did get a good deal on a GK head last year.

Edited April 1, 2008 by dave_bass5

[geilerbass]

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='167435' date='Apr 1 2008, 09:35 AM']I agree about feeling out of my depth. While i gig every weekend i still feel very nervious picking a bass up in a empty, quiet shop. I can play songs well enough but don't have that "show off" sort of attitude to playing. Never have. Nothing wrong with having it and i wish i did but im just a bit too timid i guess.
Ive been using Thomanns just lately as they have a very good returns policy so i can try stuff out at home or on gigs before i decide to keep it.

The shop you mention in Denmark St is the Bass Cellar. Not many people like using them as they are very overpriced for most of the things they sell although i did get a good deal on a GK head last year.[/quote]

I've never felt this, because I don't play the bass to show off or impress anyone. I play because I enjoy it. If I'm trying out a bass in a shop, it's to see if it's right for me and my style of playing - if anyone's listening and has an opinion it's theirs and doesn't concern me in any way. And I'm a naturally shy person, so it's nothing to do with confidence. Seriously, you have to go in with the approach that you're testing a product to see if it is what you're looking for. If you see someone else in the shop, loudly ripping through some flash slap and tap licks, blatantly showing off, then ignore them and comfort yourself in the fact that they've probably got confidence issues, hence their need to show off in public.

That said, the home trial policy is probably a far better way of doing it - you can try a bass through your own amp (or vice versa) and spend more time giving it a proper work out.

[BigBeefChief]

But I don't agree with the idea of buying something when you know there is a fair chance you'll return it.

For me, I take online shopping to mean"Buy it Now" and not "Try it now".

If I bought a bass online, I would hope that its new, ie not been in some other blokes house or at his rehearsal.

If have the same issue with my missus. On principle I only return items to shops if they're defective. She buys things with the attitude "its's ok, I'll see what I think when I get home, I can always return it".

If I was a shopkeeper (and the laws were different/sensible/fair), when she strolled in saying she wants to return a perfectly good pair of shoes because they clash with the curtains, I would tell her to f*ck off out of my shop. Indecisive b*tch.

[johnnylager]

[quote name='BigBeefChief' post='168213' date='Apr 2 2008, 09:34 AM']If I bought a bass online, I would hope that its new, ie not been in some other blokes house or at his rehearsal.

I have the same issue with my missus.[/quote]

[dave_bass5]

[quote name='BigBeefChief' post='168213' date='Apr 2 2008, 10:34 AM']But I don't agree with the idea of buying something when you know there is a fair chance you'll return it.

For me, I take online shopping to mean"Buy it Now" and not "Try it now".

If I bought a bass online, I would hope that its new, ie not been in some other blokes house or at his rehearsal.

If have the same issue with my missus. On principle I only return items to shops if they're defective. She buys things with the attitude "its's ok, I'll see what I think when I get home, I can always return it".

If I was a shopkeeper (and the laws were different/sensible/fair), when she strolled in saying she wants to return a perfectly good pair of shoes because they clash with the curtains, I would tell her to f*ck off out of my shop. Indecisive b*tch.[/quote]

I couldn't agree more and i think you sum up the female shopping attitude well.

My point was if you cant try something you can still spend £1000 safe in the knowledge you wont be wasting money on something you are stuck with.
when i got my DD i was disappointed how dirty it was and almost sent it back. I would not want someone else to have a bass turn up used either. But its not my problem if it happens. I dont make a habit of sending things back unless im not happy with it.
Assuming you couldn't get to try out a bass and so had to order it what would you do if you did get a right pig of a bass. A neck for instance that you wasn't comfortable playing. Are you saying you would keep it anyway?

[greyparrot]

[quote name='cetera' post='166890' date='Mar 31 2008, 02:21 PM']I believe his name was 'Grant' and he [i]may[/i] have been Canadian...[/quote]



I know who you mean, i think his name was Chris maybe, and he owned it. It used to be great in wapping, and the guys really cool. I remember they gave me a free t shirt (elites) and a set of bass strings every time i went in. Was great, and the had in house repairs and upgrades. Its a shame to see it go, but it went when it moved from wapping, in my opinion. I think the owner made enough cash and just sold it.

[tauzero]

[quote name='BigBeefChief' post='168213' date='Apr 2 2008, 10:34 AM']If I bought a bass online, I would hope that its new, ie not been in some other blokes house or at his rehearsal.

I have the same issue with my missus.[/quote]
I remember that Diana had to be checked over before marrying Charles for similar reasons.

[quote name='BigBeefChief' post='168213' date='Apr 2 2008, 10:34 AM']On principle I only return items to shops if they're defective. She buys things with the attitude "its's ok, I'll see what I think when I get home, I can always return it".[/quote]
Ah.

[dave_bass5]

[quote name='geilerbass' post='168209' date='Apr 2 2008, 10:27 AM']I've never felt this, because I don't play the bass to show off or impress anyone. I play because I enjoy it. If I'm trying out a bass in a shop, it's to see if it's right for me and my style of playing - if anyone's listening and has an opinion it's theirs and doesn't concern me in any way. And I'm a naturally shy person, so it's nothing to do with confidence. Seriously, you have to go in with the approach that you're testing a product to see if it is what you're looking for. If you see someone else in the shop, loudly ripping through some flash slap and tap licks, blatantly showing off, then ignore them and comfort yourself in the fact that they've probably got confidence issues, hence their need to show off in public.

That said, the home trial policy is probably a far better way of doing it - you can try a bass through your own amp (or vice versa) and spend more time giving it a proper work out.[/quote]

If there is a good chance ill buy something then i will of course try it. Even if i do feel intimidated im not going to part with money unless im happy with the bass.
I can quite easily spend an hour or so in the shop trying a bass or two. I do tend to play mostly unpluged as if i like the feel of the bass im happy to buy it.
Unless i have my rig there i can only get an approximation of how it will sound at gigs anyway.

[Gamble]

I'm pretty much the same, it's not that I wont try stuff out, and it's not that I'm trying to impress anyone in the shop - I just get a bit shy about my playing, even though I'm not usually that shy! I guess I'm your opposite Geilerbass!

[greyparrot]

[quote name='geilerbass' post='168209' date='Apr 2 2008, 10:27 AM']I've never felt this, because I don't play the bass to show off or impress anyone. I play because I enjoy it. If I'm trying out a bass in a shop, it's to see if it's right for me and my style of playing - if anyone's listening and has an opinion it's theirs and doesn't concern me in any way. And I'm a naturally shy person, so it's nothing to do with confidence. Seriously, you have to go in with the approach that you're testing a product to see if it is what you're looking for. If you see someone else in the shop, loudly ripping through some flash slap and tap licks, blatantly showing off, then ignore them and comfort yourself in the fact that they've probably got confidence issues, hence their need to show off in public.

That said, the home trial policy is probably a far better way of doing it - you can try a bass through your own amp (or vice versa) and spend more time giving it a proper work out.[/quote]


BUt why is it showing off to do funky slapping in a shop? just yesterday i was slapping my purchase (levinson blade 5 string) and slap is a style i use alot live, and so needs to be played on the possible purchase, dont you think? I guess anyone can be deemed as showing off, but the guy behind the bass only know s the truth in what they are trying to project, or not as the case may be! Anyway i say live and let live as they say if you've got it flaunt it! ha ha

[OldGit]

Some people only ever play in shops .. They also have a few lines they have learned just to play in shops 'cos that's the only "performance" they ever do.

Edited April 2, 2008 by OldGit

[greyparrot]

[quote name='OldGit' post='168659' date='Apr 2 2008, 06:27 PM']Some people only ever play in shops .. They also have a few lines they have learned just to play in shops 'cos that's the only "performance" they ever do.[/quote]



Really? well i suppose if it gives pleasure to people who do that, why not. Its just music (and egos)

[OldGit]

[quote name='greyparrot' post='168694' date='Apr 2 2008, 07:23 PM']Really? well i suppose if it gives pleasure to people who do that, why not. Its just music (and egos)[/quote]

Ask some shop staff.

[greyparrot]

[quote name='OldGit' post='168698' date='Apr 2 2008, 07:30 PM']Ask some shop staff.
[/quote]



i work in the bass merchant p/t ! but its just my veiw.

[thegallery]

[quote name='greyparrot' post='168222' date='Apr 2 2008, 09:44 AM']I know who you mean, i think his name was Chris maybe, and he owned it. It used to be great in wapping, and the guys really cool. I remember they gave me a free t shirt (elites) and a set of bass strings every time i went in. Was great, and the had in house repairs and upgrades. Its a shame to see it go, but it went when it moved from wapping, in my opinion. I think the owner made enough cash and just sold it.[/quote]


I managed the BC for a few years while it was in Wapping.. Grant was Canadian and general manager... Chris ran the workshop and Barry was the owner...

a

[NAS]

[quote name='thegallery' post='168831' date='Apr 3 2008, 12:34 AM']I managed the BC for a few years while it was in Wapping.. Grant was Canadian and general manager... Chris ran the workshop and Barry was the owner...

a[/quote]
Is that you Alex? I was about to say that the old Wapping BassCentre and The Gallery are about the only music stores I've felt really at home in. Certainly the only ones I've been offered a cup of coffee in when I've been twiddling on basses for about two hours and still not made up my mind! I gather the new extension at the back of The Gallery is working well so there is now even more room to try stuff out without feeling you're taking up all the space.

I'm a crap bass player and have absolutely no "chops", but the guys at The Gallery have never passed adverse comments and cetainly not ignored me. Despite the fact that there are often "high ranking" bassists in there trying to get an emergency fix done before a "proper" gig the guys have never played the "I need to attend to someone more important than you" card and have listened to my amateur queries and given thoughtful answers. A great place - since moving from London I miss it badly.

As to being shy about playing in shops - I think age rubs off some of those edges - I have no doubts about the level of my playing, but if I want to try something to my own satisfaction I can only do what I do and I'm afraid everyone else will have to put up with it - for a while anyway.

I can only hope that the demise of the BassCentre allows Martin to expand The Gallery and that they manage to keep their great customer service going. Nick S

[Mike]

I hope that is Alex from the Gallery. Great guy.

[dave_bass5]

[quote name='NAS' post='168836' date='Apr 3 2008, 01:19 AM']I'm a crap bass player and have absolutely no "chops", but the guys at The Gallery have never passed adverse comments and cetainly not ignored me. Despite the fact that there are often "high ranking" bassists in there trying to get an emergency fix done before a "proper" gig the guys have never played the "I need to attend to someone more important than you" card and have listened to my amateur queries and given thoughtful answers. A great place - since moving from London I miss it badly.[/quote]

Yeah, the Gallery is a very relaxed place. Especially Sat mornings when i have been there. Its like playing in my living room only with better gear.
Not a good place if you suffer GAS easily.

Alex certainly knows his stuff and i have never felt pressure to buy anything.
Not been there since July last year just after the extension opened but plan to this summer.