parker_muse Posted August 23, 2008 Share Posted August 23, 2008 I only ever set foot into Aroundabout Sound in cheltenham, as it is run by two of the nicest people ever. They let me play for hours and i buy a pick, strings, leads, etc. Top people, good range of basses. Talk for hours with the male owner, plays either a Goodfellow or a Jazz from the first month of production (the most mojo'd bass i have laid my eyes on) into an EBS stack. He knows what he's talking about, and just gives plain honest advice to you about every single bass. Even gives you some tips as your playing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exile252 Posted August 23, 2008 Share Posted August 23, 2008 I've had this problem when I was in Liverpool before. There are the three music shops right next to each other, Curlys, Dawsons and Dolphin music. Curlys wouldn't let me try a bass as I wasn't going to by there and then, yet there was a 14 year old emo kid try a rather expensive bass for quite awhile, i mean wtf?. In Dolphin I managed to get the guy to let me have a go on a bass, he was reluctant at first. But at Dawsons let let you try anything, its quite impressive. The best service I've ever had at a guitar shop was in Florida. Shop called Georges Music (its just outside Universal Studios). They let you try anything in anything, whilst my brother was trying a MIA Fender Strat through a normal Fender Amp, I went ahead and tried an Ibanez EW Acoustic Bass and a Ibanez electric guitar through the Joe Satriani sig amp, both head and cab, worth over £2000. It was awsome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted August 23, 2008 Share Posted August 23, 2008 [quote name='molan' post='268628' date='Aug 23 2008, 10:18 PM']However, today every single person I came into contact with could not have been more helpful, friendly and genuinely appeared pleased to serve me with a smile. I have no idea whether this is because they have a really stringent employment policy, a great motivational manager or just that it's a group of people who vaguely enjoy their work.[/quote] I guess that whatever the means, it's irrelevent - the good customer service is extremely important and whatever the means, it's worthwhile! [quote name='s_u_y_*' post='268633' date='Aug 23 2008, 10:37 PM']I hope the Bass Cellar learn this soon, or they might just go the way of the Bass Centre which is bad for choice for bassists in London.[/quote] Part of me couldn't give a sh*t whether they learn this or not. From my experience, they deserve to go out of business. Remember guys - The Bass Merchant! Not far from London, and since being taken over, much more active online! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doctor_of_the_bass Posted August 24, 2008 Share Posted August 24, 2008 [quote name='Exile252' post='268652' date='Aug 23 2008, 11:49 PM']I've had this problem when I was in Liverpool before. There are the three music shops right next to each other, Curlys, Dawsons and Dolphin music. Curlys wouldn't let me try a bass as I wasn't going to by there and then, yet there was a 14 year old emo kid try a rather expensive bass for quite awhile, i mean wtf?. In Dolphin I managed to get the guy to let me have a go on a bass, he was reluctant at first. But at Dawsons let let you try anything, its quite impressive. The best service I've ever had at a guitar shop was in Florida. Shop called Georges Music (its just outside Universal Studios). They let you try anything in anything, whilst my brother was trying a MIA Fender Strat through a normal Fender Amp, I went ahead and tried an Ibanez EW Acoustic Bass and a Ibanez electric guitar through the Joe Satriani sig amp, both head and cab, worth over £2000. It was awsome [/quote] Just to add, I too have been to Georges - they are great guys! Funnily enough, I was not that impressed by Bass Central - Grasshopper was polite but the rest of the staff looked down their noses at me! Maybe because I'm from Peterborough! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexmoore10 Posted August 24, 2008 Share Posted August 24, 2008 I don't mean to sound rude or patronising but if you are in London just go to the Bass Gallery!!!!!!! I have dealt with Alex there for yars (including when he was back in Wapping) and their service is fantastic! Admittedly their range can be limited at times but at least they will make you feel welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Posted August 24, 2008 Share Posted August 24, 2008 [quote name='drgrew' post='268734' date='Aug 24 2008, 09:08 AM']I don't mean to sound rude or patronising but if you are in London just go to the Bass Gallery!!!!!!! I have dealt with Alex there for yars (including when he was back in Wapping) and their service is fantastic! Admittedly their range can be limited at times but at least they will make you feel welcome[/quote] Their range isn't quite so limited since they expanded the shop but they've still managed to pack it wall to wall and floor to ceiling with stock, even with more floor area! I'll put a shout in for one shop where I had great service on Denmark Street and that was the London PA centre. They sorted me out by making me a speakon cable on the spot when I was in a fix for a gig. Funny chaps too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Posted August 24, 2008 Share Posted August 24, 2008 (edited) I've been watching this thread with interest, but haven't really felt the need to contribute as the Bass Cellar lost my custom a long, long time ago. I was expecting a simple plug for their services from BC, and that's exactly we got. I really doubt they care whether a relatively small number of people voice their opinion of them on a forum - after all, despite many other threads along these lines the OP still went in there. And that's the point - Denmark St gets a lot of footfall from all over the world, and clearly enough to keep them in business. They might be doing better with good customer service, but it would appear they don't need to so I don't imagine things are going to change in the near future. I can see a certain logic as to why they would be wary of allowing everyone to pick up and play the basses. Large numbers of people have no intention of buying or just want to try before buying online, the possibility of damage and even the amount of thieving crackheads in the area. But that's really no excuse for sizing up people the moment they walk in the door and deciding whether they're worthy of their attention. Suffice to say that 200,000 (or whatever) customers through the doors is not the same as 200,000 [i]satisfied[/i] customers. I overlooked the appalling service on many occasions, but being asked "what are you doing here" on entering the shop was the final straw. It'll be a cold day in hell before I ever go back. Edited August 24, 2008 by Musky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBus Posted August 24, 2008 Share Posted August 24, 2008 With the mention of that supermarket a thought has just crossed my mind. A quote I heard recently from a friend. This person loves Tesco because it keeps the riff raff out of Waitrose. Maybe there is some reasoning behind the behaviour of the staff in the Bass Cellar after all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted August 24, 2008 Share Posted August 24, 2008 Alright guys - I am reading the latest Bass Guitar Magazine, and have come across the Bass Cellar advertisement. Jesus H Christ - I have never seen such bad spelling, on such a small ad. Here are the mistakes, with smaller errors italicised. [color="#8B0000"] [size=4] Bass Cellar - London's Leading Bass Guitar [b][size=6]Speacialist[/size][/b][/size] Nothing sounds like a hollow body. [b][size=6]Vist us[/size][/b] to find Hofner Violins..... [i]Mark bass[/i] amps are the leaders in [i]light weight[/i] amps which is why we make sure we keep [b][size=6]thier[/size][/b] full range in stock. [size=6][b]Asdown[/b][/size] cover [i]every ones[/i] needs. From [b][size=6]thier[/size][/b] electric blue.... GK - [b][size=6]Vist[/size][/b] us to see [size=6][b]thier[/b][/size] range of versatile amps. Warwick - Handcrafted in Germany using exotic tone woods, these [size=6][b]supperb[/b][/size] basses start at just £599. [/color] Pretty piss-poor, no? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Burpster Posted August 24, 2008 Share Posted August 24, 2008 Sums it up to me.... Too arrogant to use spell check...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimBobTTD Posted August 24, 2008 Share Posted August 24, 2008 200,000 readers don't mind! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizbat Posted August 24, 2008 Share Posted August 24, 2008 I,ve been buying and selling guitars for over twenty years and remember going to denmark st back in the eighties, the situation was the same then. I remember that once i was after a trem for one of my guitars and one store had a gold coloured one for something like 180 and the store over the road (rhodes music I think) had one in chrome that I wanted for 200 so I went in and asked would they match the price of the one over the road, The prick behind the counter phoned the shop over the road and then said " go over and check the price now!" sure enough the other one was priced at 200. If denmark st was bulldozed tomorrow it would not be missed one iota. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted August 24, 2008 Share Posted August 24, 2008 [quote name='Mike' post='268807' date='Aug 24 2008, 11:25 AM']Alright guys - I am reading the latest Bass Guitar Magazine, and have come across the Bass Cellar advertisement. Jesus H Christ - I have never seen such bad spelling, on such a small ad. Here are the mistakes, with smaller errors italicised. [color="#8B0000"] [size=4] Bass Cellar - London's Leading Bass Guitar [b][size=6]Speacialist[/size][/b][/size] Nothing sounds like a hollow body. [b][size=6]Vist us[/size][/b] to find Hofner Violins..... [i]Mark bass[/i] amps are the leaders in [i]light weight[/i] amps which is why we make sure we keep [b][size=6]thier[/size][/b] full range in stock. [size=6][b]Asdown[/b][/size] cover [i]every ones[/i] needs. From [b][size=6]thier[/size][/b] electric blue.... GK - [b][size=6]Vist[/size][/b] us to see [size=6][b]thier[/b][/size] range of versatile amps. Warwick - Handcrafted in Germany using exotic tone woods, these [size=6][b]supperb[/b][/size] basses start at just £599. [/color] Pretty piss-poor, no?[/quote] Yes, I saw that when the magazine first came out and had a bit of a chuckle.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Protium Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 (edited) [quote name='MB1' post='268100' date='Aug 22 2008, 08:46 PM']MB1. Music Ground Oxford Road Manchester!.... I know personally not to be rubbish! as i know the people who work there ,and i have indeed worked there myself. John Rob and Tony will endeavour to obtain whatever your heart may desire at the best price possible ,They will attempt to match Internet prices,and all members of the staff are helpful without being annoying!(theyll usually just plug you in and leave you to it!)as for the Rickenbacker Scenario thats down to Rickenbacker themselves apparently an attempt to clear back orders?.[/quote] How long ago? Maybe you were the cheeky blonde lad who addressed me as "love" and tried to sell me a SUB Stingray ("The last ones for sale in the entire country") when I asked to look at the Fender Jaguars Edited August 25, 2008 by Protium Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 [quote name='yorks5stringer' post='269110' date='Aug 24 2008, 08:50 PM']Yes, I saw that when the magazine first came out and had a bit of a chuckle....[/quote] I mean, it's unbelievable, isn't it? Absolutely astronomically baffling. It's as if they were trying their damndest to look as unprofessional as possible! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blamelouis Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 Is it them or the magazine though ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruztiwarren Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 (edited) Went to the Bass Gallery for a repair, to get a new nut made for a 70's Fender Jazz bass. Was told four days, repair not started 'til nearly two weeks later! Misaligned G string and charged £30. Quick job and sloppy, not impressed. Staff are generally nice and helpful in my experience though. Edited September 2, 2008 by ruztiwarren Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruztiwarren Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 (edited) [quote name='ruztiwarren' post='269691' date='Aug 25 2008, 07:16 PM']Went to the Bass Gallery for a repair, to get a new nut made for a 70's Fender Jazz bass. Was told four days, repair not started 'til nearly two weeks later! Misaligned G string and charged £30. Quick job and sloppy, not impressed. Staff are generally nice and helpful in my experience though.[/quote] On the other hand the repair guy at the now defunk (at least in terms of building) Bass Centre was great. Went for set up, but he ended up sorting out the warps in my neck and sorting out the bridge as extras free of charge! Now that's what I call service. Edited September 2, 2008 by ruztiwarren Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 [quote name='blamelouis' post='269664' date='Aug 25 2008, 06:40 PM']Is it them or the magazine though ?[/quote] The rest of the magazine seemed fine, spelling-wise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Count Bassy Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 [quote name='Mike' post='268807' date='Aug 24 2008, 11:25 AM'][color="#8B0000"] [size=4] Bass Cellar - London's Leading Bass Guitar [b][size=6]Speacialist[/size][/b][/size] Nothing sounds like a hollow body. [b][size=6]Vist us[/size][/b] to find Hofner Violins..... [i]Mark bass[/i] amps are the leaders in [i]light weight[/i] amps which is why we make sure we keep [b][size=6]thier[/size][/b] full range in stock. [size=6][b]Asdown[/b][/size] cover [i]every ones[/i] needs. From [b][size=6]thier[/size][/b] electric blue.... GK - [b][size=6]Vist[/size][/b] us to see [size=6][b]thier[/b][/size] range of versatile amps. Warwick - Handcrafted in Germany using exotic tone woods, these [size=6][b]supperb[/b][/size] basses start at just £599. [/color][/quote] .. and surely "every ones" should be "everyone's" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 [quote name='ruztiwarren' post='269695' date='Aug 25 2008, 07:19 PM']On the other hand the repair guy at the now defunk (at least in terms of building) Bass Centre was great. Went for set up, but he ended up sorting out the warps in my neck and sorting out the bridge as extras free of charge! Now that's what I call service.[/quote] Yeah, Chris was a really great guy to deal with. Had plenty of chats with him about gear in the past. I go him to put a pup in on my Squier JV a few years ago. It started cutting out at gigs just after. I took it back, he said the soldering was fine and suggested i take the pup back to where i got it from. Guess where that was? Yeah, the BS. Anyway , i took the bass in so i could show the guy the problem (it was the little bald guy who i believe is dead now). He said he would get his tech to look at it. Went back latter and he was ranting about my soldering was rubbish and the wires just fell of in his hands. He siad he had to re solder it all back and now its fine. I didnt tell him who did it. Anyway, it never was and i replaced the pup just after and all was fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 [quote name='Clive Thorne' post='270405' date='Aug 26 2008, 04:52 PM'].. and surely "every ones" should be "everyone's"[/quote] Yes, I italicised the smaller, possibly more forgivable mistakes, such as this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynepunkdude Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 If you wanna be really pedantic Markbass is all one word. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashgeezer Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 I've been reading this thread with interest and its blatantly obvious that not many people like this store, i have only ever been to london once and even then i never left the train station so i cant comment personally on their customer service but if i ever did go then i very much doubt i would even entertain the shop and all because of word of mouth from this site. At the other end of the spectrum, i recently bought a MIM Precision from Reidys Music in Blackburn, i went to the store personally which is about 30 miles away from me, i recieved a phone call from the shop while i was on the train to ask me if i needed directions to the shop, not many shops would do that, when i arrived at the shop the bass i had bought online was ready for me to try out, now im pretty new to bass playing so im no john entwhistle but i had a scream trying out the bass through a few amps and the girl (cant remember her name) said to take as long as i liked. There was also a fella in buying a tanglewood acoustic guitar and he sounded a pretty decent player but asked the fella behind the counter could he restring it for him as he couldnt do it, we had a goodl augh with the fella about that and the atmosphere was (pardon the pun) electric. All in all i would certainly buy from them again and im in the market for a new high end bass in the next few weeks sao guess which shop i will be going to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 [quote name='waynepunkdude' post='270481' date='Aug 26 2008, 06:39 PM']If you wanna be really pedantic Markbass is all one word.[/quote] Yes, I did want to be pedantic - and as you can see, it's in [i]italics![/i] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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