BassApprentice Posted November 17, 2018 Share Posted November 17, 2018 Very quick question. I'll be down at Bass Direct in a few weeks, and obviously they have some very high end stuff - how happy are they for you to have a little noodle on things? Not many shops in the UK has the variety of stock they have so want to make the most of trying things to work out what basses suit me and what don't for future knowledge. Ta! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted November 17, 2018 Share Posted November 17, 2018 (edited) They're only too pleased for you to try basses out. All instruments are fitted with new strings and they're thoroughly wiped down after you've finished playing. It made me feel guilty for causing them work to do. The problem I had was I hate the tinny sound from the new strings they use. So, they all sounded equally awful to my ears. Each to their own. I guess, what matters is the "feel" of the bass, not the sound. But if that's so, why plug into an amp? Edited November 17, 2018 by Grangur Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassApprentice Posted November 17, 2018 Author Share Posted November 17, 2018 At that's good! With the plugging into the amp thing - for me it would be how instinctive and easy it is to get a desired tone. For some having 5 knobs is perfect for the amount of control, for others it might be that passive, two knob control that's easy and 'natural' As you say, each to their own! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted November 17, 2018 Share Posted November 17, 2018 Ask first and they should be happy for you to try the basses. They'll probably want to "supervise" and set up the amps for you. As an older gent, I've noticed that I don't get hassled so much in shops when I pick up a bass. I didn't try any last time I was at BD, but didn't I see some had locks on the hangers? I'll always say Hi first and ask if they mind me trying out the basses. I'll probably play a dozen basses but only plug in 1 or 2, or maybe none. I can tell if I'm interested without an amp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 17, 2018 Share Posted November 17, 2018 The main issue is that 2 customers in the shop made it packed! It’s no fun trying to compete with someone else but at least they have nice headphone amps so you can try a bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barking Spiders Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Yeah Mark'll let you try any bass you fancy even if he thinks you probably won't buy. I've had a go on Ken Smiths and Pedullas and no way had i any intention of buying one. The price tags are way too hefty for me. Indeed three is a crowd in there but as you'll be given headphones it doesn't matter 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 On 17/11/2018 at 09:47, Grangur said: I guess, what matters is the "feel" of the bass, not the sound. But if that's so, why plug into an amp? So you can hear what it feels like, of course! I've only asked to play two basses at BD, and both are now hanging on the wall behind me, at home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 He gave me a bass to try that he was selling for Dave Swift a few years ago. It was up for sale for over £8k. I really didn't want to even touch it, but he insisted, so I did very, very, very, very, very carefully :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmccombe7 Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 I drove down from Glasgow to try out some 5 string basses. I tried the ones i thought i would like and Mark offered the Dingwall NG2 as an option and it was far better than the ones i had in mind incl Sandberg, Spector and few others. I settled on the Dingwall I tried them thru a PJB headphone amp first and when i had narrowed the basses down to 2 he let me try them thru a Vanderkley rig. I found it to be one of the best bass or guitar shops i've visited. Pleasant, helpful and never pushy. All he offered were suggestions on different settings on the bass and his experience of what bass might suit a particular band sound. I really can't fault Bass Direct. I've bought Bergantino cabs, Markbass rig, Jaydee and Dingwall basses plus various accessories over past few yrs. All first class experiences. Listen to Marks advice and use it as you see fit. I found him knowledgeable and very helpful tho. Dave 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatrickJ Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 I recently went to BD to try out some Sandbergs (one of which came home with me) - they were more than happy for me to do so. I asked for some headphones, they set me up in the corner and left me to it. After I finished I had a great chat with who I assume was the infamous Mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 The only thing I'd add is that you should ring ahead imo, I've seen people on here slag them off after arriving out the blue to be stood around as other people were trying stuff out, which is fine but you can't expect a small shop demoing expensive stuff to customers that have effectively made an appointment to be snubbed when you walk in imo. They'll also confirm what you want is in stock and have it ready for you too, so either call ahead or be patient that's all I'm saying. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 11 minutes ago, stingrayPete1977 said: The only thing I'd add is that you should ring ahead imo, I've seen people on here slag them off after arriving out the blue to be stood around as other people were trying stuff out, which is fine but you can't expect a small shop demoing expensive stuff to customers that have effectively made an appointment to be snubbed when you walk in imo. They'll also confirm what you want is in stock and have it ready for you too, so either call ahead or be patient that's all I'm saying. Being left handed if I want to try a particular bass I pretty much make an appointment at the music shop so that I know it's in stock and I will get treated properly and not like an urchin blown indoors by the cold winds. Not been to BD yet but tried one of their basses at LBGS years back and had a very good dialogue with them by email, though I chickened out of the purchase. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edstraker123 Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 If you wouldn't mind and you have time try the LGW Torzal if it's still in l and let us know what it was like to play . I'm really intrigued by the concept of the twisted neck - it makes perfect sense but I'm not sure what it would be like to play in reality. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ern500evo Posted November 20, 2018 Share Posted November 20, 2018 I bought my Dingwall NG2 from them. Had very good communication with them via email beforehand, just to check what they had in stock. Traded my MM Bongo in, and the whole thing was a pleasant transaction. Mark wasn’t there, but the two younger guys were both very friendly and professional. Set me up through a Genzler amp and cab, showed me the various controls on the bass and then left me to it, occasionally popping his head back around the door tomask if I was ok, and did I have any questions. I wouldn’t hesitate using them again, in fact have just ordered some Dingwall strings, but they only had one set in stock (I ordered two sets), had a very prompt email asking if I wanted to cancel the order, take the one set now and wait for the second, or wait and have both at the same time. Very professional in their approach to everything. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edstraker123 Posted November 20, 2018 Share Posted November 20, 2018 I've bought a few sets of strings from BD lately and the service has been excellent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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