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Bass Direct


jgmh315

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I'm with Chris B on this.

I assume they are the biggest bass specialist in the UK? The most well known? I am not entirely sure.

When you have shops like Andertons releasing very very informative guitar/amp/effects (drums as well) and now a weekly bass video, and very basic home recorded musicians doing a similar (albeit lower budget) versions, it really shows when you see the BD videos.

My input would be:

1. Perhaps employ a really solid player (no offences to the guys who do it now - they can play but it takes more than that) who is not worried about talking on camera to go through a huge amount of stock over a weekend and record it. Talking about the basses is much better than the text appearing. Add some flair and personality to it. Some passion.

2. Less slap. We do need to hear slap, I agree, but less of it. More standard fingerstyle rock playing, pick playing, blues playing. Less jazz. If a player can't play indie/rock with a pick, don't let them try, it is VERY obvious. A lot of the market is rock/blues/indie players.

3. Use one quite clear and clean amp and say what amp it is. Explain the EQ. Explain the cabs. Are we hearing DI only or a mix?

4. Use a set of well known effects for each video an stick to the set. Just basics. E.g. this is the bass with some drive on it, the bass with a little compression and EQ.

5. Price of the bass, what it comes with, what we get for our money, what it is build from, why it is such a good instrument. Comparisons in tone, feel, what do the controls do, weight, etc. Any options? Can we order in?

6. Amp and cab videos - a must.

7. Effects pedals. Drive pedal shootout? Delay shootout? What are the differences? Hundreds to show off and sell! Use a simple P bass/J Bass/Stingray with rounds...nothing too odd.

8, Allow comments as some will be positive and some will be negative. Sometimes you can learn a lot from negative comments.

It needs some flair and fun. Plus, the intro music (might not be on the latest ones) has to go.

The current generation of 15-40+ year old plus musicians rely on Youtube, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for a lot of their communication with companies.

Edited by Musicman20
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I have Just Called Bass Direct to enquire about a bass i may well purchase, i simply asked if the Bass had any marks or Dings etc , as i have found new basses in Guitar Guitar for example Damaged !!! he seemed offended i asked the question and his tone was very brisk and unfriendly, surely it is not such a bad thing to ask if there
are any marks on a bass that is hanging up on a shop wall, that i am about to fork out a lot of money for !!! to be honest he put me off buying the bass, he is not doing himself any favours certainly not with me any way, his manner was a bit too head master for me. shame as there are some lovely Basses on the web site.

Edited by geofio
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To produce some really indepth videos will be very time consuming and a pain - remember it is a shop that is open 6 days a week. They can hardly lock the doors to avoid interruptions.

I think improved sound quality and more typical playing would be enough.

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[quote name='geofio' timestamp='1463053489' post='3048095']
I have Just Called Bass Direct to enquire about a bass i may well purchase, i simply asked if the Bass had any marks or Dings etc , as i have found new basses in Guitar Guitar for example Damaged !!! he seemed offended i asked the question and his tone was very brisk and unfriendly, surely it is not such a bad thing to ask if there
are any marks on a bass that is hanging up on a shop wall, that i am about to fork out a lot of money for !!! to be honest he put me off buying the bass, he is not doing himself any favours certainly not with me any way, his manor was a bit too head master for me. shame as there are some lovely Basses on the web site.
[/quote]

Are you going to spill the beans and tell us what bass it is?

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[quote name='geofio' timestamp='1463053489' post='3048095']
I have Just Called Bass Direct to enquire about a bass i may well purchase, i simply asked if the Bass had any marks or Dings etc , as i have found new basses in Guitar Guitar for example Damaged !!! he seemed offended i asked the question and his tone was very brisk and unfriendly, surely it is not such a bad thing to ask if there
are any marks on a bass that is hanging up on a shop wall, that i am about to fork out a lot of money for !!! to be honest he put me off buying the bass, he is not doing himself any favours certainly not with me any way, his manor was a bit too head master for me. shame as there are some lovely Basses on the web site.
[/quote]

If its a new bass, to be honest I think its a weird question to ask; I would never thing to ask if it was in perfect condition...as its new! It would be sent straight back if it wasn't.

If its a used bass then completely understand the question and surprised at Mark's reaction, although I'm sure he was intended on being rude or anything like that.

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[quote name='Kev' timestamp='1463059900' post='3048189']
If its a new bass, to be honest I think its a weird question to ask; I would never thing to ask if it was in perfect condition...as its new! It would be sent straight back if it wasn't.

If its a used bass then completely understand the question and surprised at Mark's reaction, although I'm sure he was intended on being rude or anything like that.
[/quote]

They're very careful in the shop. Only the staff are allowed to take and return basses to their hangers, plus they're always wiped down with a cloth once you've finished dribbling on them.

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Cannot quote, but I do NOT think it is an odd question to ask. Some players can afford to be collectors or just are collectors due to time not being able to play. It is best to be clear and honest about what you want.

I have asked this question before. Some gear has been on walls for 12 months+, so inevitably things can happen.

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[quote name='Kev' timestamp='1463059900' post='3048189']
If its a new bass, to be honest I think its a weird question to ask; I would never thing to ask if it was in perfect condition...as its new! It would be sent straight back if it wasn't.

If its a used bass then completely understand the question and surprised at Mark's reaction, although I'm sure he was intended on being rude or anything like that.
[/quote]

+1

Very weird question to ask about a new product.


Although I do remember a luthier mate getting a call to "repair" a bass.... it was a relic'd instrument that had a few non-factory dings and the chap wanted them fixed, but leave the "official" dings as they were....

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[quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1463061305' post='3048201']
They're very careful in the shop. Only the staff are allowed to take and return basses to their hangers, plus they're always wiped down with a cloth once you've finished dribbling on them.
[/quote]

I can confirm part 2 of this. I was most offended :lol: ! Regarding part 1, i've never been told off for getting a bass down but consider myself considerably cautious when doing so. I've also been going there since it opened so i'd like to think people know i'm not headstock banger.

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It's an interesting one because I don't really see something as being new unless it's still sealed in its box - musical instruments blur the lines because shops will often take them out to do a set-up which I'm ok with but once it's been out on the shop floor for people to look at/try out then surely it's ex-demo not new?

I've had to learn to let it go with music stuff, you've just got to hope n one has touched your stuff with greasy fingers.

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Surely whether it's a weird question or not is irrelevant?

If a customer phones up and asks a question, it makes sense to just answer them... there is a chance they are going to be buying something from you, so presumably you want to be as accommodating as possible?

Edited by CamdenRob
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[quote name='Machines' timestamp='1463062878' post='3048224']
I've never been told off for getting a bass down but consider myself considerably cautious when doing so. I've also been going there since it opened so i'd like to think people know i'm not headstock banger.
[/quote]

TBH, I might have pulled a bass down, but I'm pretty sure they've always been given to me. I've certainly never been told off and hope that's not what I meant. They've always been wiped and returned by the staff.

Which is how I like it. Staff wiping my things.

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[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1463063296' post='3048229']
Surely whether it's a weird question or not is irrelevant?

If a customer phones up and asks a question, it makes sense to just answer them... there is a chance they are going to be buying something from you, so presumably you want to be as accommodating as possible?
[/quote]

Well, it is difficult to mask a tone of voice that one would naturally have when being asked an odd question. Unless I misread, Mark did answer, but perhaps didn't mask his surprise at being asked all too well.

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[quote name='Kev' timestamp='1463065309' post='3048255']
Well, it is difficult to mask a tone of voice that one would naturally have when being asked an odd question. Unless I misread, Mark did answer, but perhaps didn't mask his surprise at being asked all too well.
[/quote]

yeah fair enough... maybe he was having a s**t day.

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I always find it hard to have principles. If you like the Bass, and it is a good price, then it is always hard for me too cut of my nose to spite my face, so too speak. I can understand it if you feel that strongly, but I would rather give him the money than some box shifters. My first visit he seemed a bit schizophrenic, in that he could be a bit short with you if you ask the `wrong` question then give some great advice and be really helpful. I came away very happy with my purchase and overall experience

Edited by timmo
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[quote name='Kev' timestamp='1463059900' post='3048189']
If its a new bass, to be honest I think its a weird question to ask; I would never thing to ask if it was in perfect condition...as its new! It would be sent straight back if it wasn't.

If its a used bass then completely understand the question and surprised at Mark's reaction, although I'm sure he was intended on being rude or anything like that.
[/quote]

IMO, it's weird that someone would think it's a weird question.

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It's definitely worth asking the question. Especially on their used stock. I ordered a bass listed as immaculate, but when it arrived it wasn't, and it also didn't have the preamp that was listed either, they were very good at taking it back and I didn't have to pay return shipping (obviously). Another time I ordered a bass advertised with a well know quality gig bag, but the zip was broken and torn from the bag, making it unusable. I must admit having a bit of struggle trying to find a solution, they didn't seem to understand that I factored a working gig bag into account of the overall price, they seemed to think it wasn't their issue at it was second hand, I explained I was buying the bass from them and really they should've checked or not listed the gig bag as a feature of the sale. Got there in the end though and I was allowed to buy a new bag at their cost price. Mistakes happen, that's where customer service comes in. Other experiences have been very good. So a bit of a mixed bag from me.

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