jgmh315 Posted January 9, 2014 Posted January 9, 2014 Have a conference in Birmingham next weekend and going to have a look in Bass Direct. Just wondered if people have been in and how they found them to talk to? Quote
Dave_the_bass Posted January 9, 2014 Posted January 9, 2014 The shop was smaller than I expected, but there's lots of beautiful gear in stock and available to play. I got on with Mark really well and spent quite a long time just sat there chatting. I think you'll enjoy your visit; but you may find differently. Quote
peteb Posted January 9, 2014 Posted January 9, 2014 Mark is a really nice guy and can be very talkative when he gets the chance, bearing in mind he is a one man operation and always seems to be really busy. Beware that he is a man with very definite views, which may not be the same as yours! That is not to say that your way of doing things is wrong, but be prepared to be challenged a bit - he never read the memo about the customer always being right!! However, he does know his stuff and he may give you a new perspective on certain types of gear, etc... Quote
hubrad Posted January 9, 2014 Posted January 9, 2014 Well worth a visit if you're nearby anyway. Lots of nice gear, free parking and both guys easy to talk to. Can you go wrong? Quote
jgmh315 Posted January 9, 2014 Author Posted January 9, 2014 I visit the website frequently, always have some lovely basses in there. Might be an expensive trip. Quote
goblin Posted January 9, 2014 Posted January 9, 2014 Never been in but met Mark at LBGS and he's a top guy, bought my Mono M80 from them online last month and it didn't turn up, turns out they hadn't sent it some how. Gave them a quick ring and Mark was super apologetic and it was with me next day. Can't complain with that, we're human - we all make mistakes, and it was the Christmas period too Quote
bartelby Posted January 9, 2014 Posted January 9, 2014 Definitely worth a visit. But.. [quote name='peteb' timestamp='1389289729' post='2332469'] Beware that he is a man with very definite views, which may not be the same as yours! That is not to say that your way of doing things is wrong, but be prepared to be challenged a bit - he never read the memo about the customer always being right!! However, he does know his stuff and he may give you a new perspective on certain types of gear, etc... [/quote] ^^^ That! But he is a friendly guy. Quote
zapp Posted January 9, 2014 Posted January 9, 2014 Bought my EBS Classic Drome from mark recently. Really nice Guy, friendly with some good advice. Quote
jgmh315 Posted January 9, 2014 Author Posted January 9, 2014 [quote name='bartelby' timestamp='1389292068' post='2332511'] Definitely worth a visit. But.. ^^^ That! But he is a friendly guy. [/quote] Intriguing. Quote
BassTractor Posted January 9, 2014 Posted January 9, 2014 (edited) My take is that I believe Mark can be trusted to have your interests at heart, and to sell you the right stuff. He will have strong opinions, yes. I like it that way, and have bought two amps from him as a direct result of it. Will be a returning customer later as well. Though I'm very respectful of a few less than wonderful experiences that some BC members have had with the shop, I think it's best to enter the dialogue with positive expectations. Mark deserves it, I think. I did, and am glad that I did. In general I think it's a good idea to make an appointment, or you risk that he concentrates on another customer who does have an appointment. Edited January 9, 2014 by BassTractor Quote
PTB Posted January 9, 2014 Posted January 9, 2014 (edited) I'm a satisfied customer too. I'd rather have Mark's opinion, even if I don't always agree with it, than someone who didn't know the real world of bass playing. Edited January 9, 2014 by PTB Quote
Jellyfish Posted January 10, 2014 Posted January 10, 2014 He's great and it's definitely worth visiting Bass Direct whenever you get the chance. Although, don't ever ask him how loud something goes, because he [i]will[/i] show you... Quote
chris_b Posted January 10, 2014 Posted January 10, 2014 Bassdirect is an Aladdin's cave of marvellous bass gear. Over the years I've bought various cabs and an amp from Mark and I drop in when passing. IME Mark is a good guy to talk bass to. Quote
jaybass 70 Posted January 10, 2014 Posted January 10, 2014 Leave your Credit Card at home Mark is a lovely bloke, he is very passionate about his business and gives good advice, have fun Quote
ratman Posted January 10, 2014 Posted January 10, 2014 I second a comment made above. As it's a small business, if someone else comes into the shop, the full attention you were getting is suddenly halved. Understandable, but frustrating. Probably best to book your time in advance. But, Mark has lots of great kit, and BD is well worth a visit. Quote
jgmh315 Posted January 10, 2014 Author Posted January 10, 2014 Thanks for the replies, I look forward to next weekend. Quote
Mark Dyer Posted January 10, 2014 Posted January 10, 2014 [quote name='ratman' timestamp='1389345418' post='2333004'] ... Probably best to book your time in advance. But, Mark has lots of great kit, and BD is well worth a visit. [/quote] Good advice. I always call Mark beforehand if I know I'm going to make a purchase and let him know what I want to try out. Mark might not always tell you what you want to hear, but he will help you make the right choice for sure. I've purchased several basses and my current live rig from BD and have no complaints. It's probably the best bass guitar shop we have in the UK tbh. Quote
mrtcat Posted January 10, 2014 Posted January 10, 2014 Only ever had good experiences with bass direct. It's got stuff that'll blow your mind and budget but I think it's definitely worth taking a look. Quote
dannybuoy Posted January 10, 2014 Posted January 10, 2014 Never been to the shop (yet), but interested to know what Mark's 'views' are that everyone keeps hinting at? Judging by the fact he doesn't stock any Fender or Ampeg apart from used stuff, perhaps he's more into modern sounding gear, tweeters, and clackety-clacking? Quote
chris_b Posted January 10, 2014 Posted January 10, 2014 [quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1389361782' post='2333311'] ....Never been to the shop.... [/quote] You're not a million miles away. I'd get over there and find out. Quote
Roger2611 Posted January 10, 2014 Posted January 10, 2014 [quote name='peteb' timestamp='1389289729' post='2332469'] Beware that he is a man with very definite views, which may not be the same as yours! That is not to say that your way of doing things is wrong, but be prepared to be challenged a bit - he never read the memo about the customer always being right!! However, he does know his stuff and he may give you a new perspective on certain types of gear, etc... [/quote] Definitely agree with that, I found some comments rather ill considered in fact damn right rude (I brought a comfort strap and apparently put it on the wrong way round! his comment to someone down the phone " he doesn't even know which way round a comfort strap should go") err actually no and I still put it on which ever way feels best but he does know his stuff and he wants you to buy the right gear for you, enjoy your visit and wear a thick skin in advance Quote
peteb Posted January 10, 2014 Posted January 10, 2014 (edited) [quote name='Roger2611' timestamp='1389382058' post='2333748'] Definitely agree with that, I found some comments rather ill considered in fact damn right rude (I brought a comfort strap and apparently put it on the wrong way round! his comment to someone down the phone " he doesn't even know which way round a comfort strap should go") err actually no and I still put it on which ever way feels best but he does know his stuff and he wants you to buy the right gear for you, enjoy your visit and wear a thick skin in advance [/quote] Actually, I find his approach rather refreshing. Far better than some salesman talking b0110cks trying to tell me that there is no difference between Lakland Skyline basses (which he stocks) and US made Laklands (which he doesn't) except for price! Gimme a break... Edited January 10, 2014 by peteb Quote
TheGreek Posted January 12, 2014 Posted January 12, 2014 (edited) I'v met Mark at the LBGS and had correspondence by text/email on many occasions..I like the fact that he is straight talking...I daren't visit the shop though as I know I would leave with a significantly smaller bank balance... Edited January 12, 2014 by TheGreek Quote
BassTractor Posted January 12, 2014 Posted January 12, 2014 You have a bank balance? Luxury! In MY days... Quote
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