Music Shop Apprehension
 

Does anyone else get apprehensive when they go into a music shop to buy new gear or check out some instruments? I do. Every time! Maybe it's the pretty instruments everywhere, or the fact that the people who work there are always basically insanely good/ virtuosos, but I am always just really intimidated. Especially when you're trying out instruments in front of their judging eyes... I'm always inferring that they're probably thinking, "Wow, what's this chick doing in here, she can't play bass to save her life..." Haha.

Sorry if this thread is stupid or off-topic but I was just wondering! I have to go back into a shop soon to get my new bass set up and I'm just dreading that feeling of intimidation again... Is anyone else the same or am I just weird? OR are you one of those people who works at a store who I am terrified of? lol.

I don't get apprehensive about entering a music shop, but there are a couple of stores here where the staff work on commission, so when you go inside they're always in your face trying to sell you a guitar or piano or something. I try not to go into those ones! I know they need to get paid, but they don't need to be super annoying at the same time.

If I'm in a store trying out a piano or a guitar and the person next to me plays better or whatever, so be it. 99% of the people in those stores are just there to browse and try stuff out - not to impress somebody! Nor do most of them care if somebody plays the same instrument worse than they do. After all, they once played like that too!

I don't think that's the case. I've never worked in a guitar shop before, but whenever I see a beginner trying out equipment, it makes me smile.. really. It just makes me hope that they keep at it, because they remind me of me when I was younger.

I remember riding my bike about five miles to the music store after school when I was 9 just to play all the expensive-ass basses. Of course, when you're a little kid, they kick you off eventually because they don't want you dropping a $1000 Yamaha John Myung signature 6-string bass. I didn't have any idea how to play a 6-string back then; I was just really excited to see one in person.

So, if I were to work in music store, I would be all about people trying out stuff.

However, there is a music store stigma that just pisses me off. There's a local music store that I no longer shop at because I've spent at the very least $3000 there in the past five years, and they would still look at me like I was going to steal something every time I walked in. Fuck them. They were the kind of store that put "no jamming" signs on the stools in the guitar and bass sections. Uptight pricks.

"No jamming" signs? Seems like that would be counter-productive to actually selling things, but I'm no expert.

I don't play any instruments, but I do frequent music shops quite a bit with a friend of mine who does. As a person just looking around and not actually sitting and playing anything, it seems like the only times I've ever seen the staff get uppity is when there is some kid in there who obviously doesn't know how to play a thing, just messing around and generally being disrespectful of the equipment. But never known them to be judgmental round these parts, in fact, alot of times you can ask them what might seem to be a stupid question and they will stand with you for half an hour patiently explaining things. Like ElephantSack mentioned, I think most of them are just psyched when people are into making music (or at least curious about it) and hope that they can help spur that forward. And of course, it's to their advantage to at least act that way if they want to make a sale.

Yeah, you might think so, but think those assholes sell enough pianos to make up for it. But on the good side, the local musicians and kids who shop there have enough sense to just ignore those signs.

But I did think of something, and that's the face I make sometimes when I'm watching somebody play. If I'm watching their hands intently, it can be mistaken as kind of a scowl. It's really just the face I make when I focus on something. And if I'm smiling at the same time, I imagine that could throw somebody off.

Oh yeah, and they say, "Wanna play and see if you like it.", you're saying, "No thanks, I'm not that good." And then they say, "Are you sure?", and you're thinking, "AWW ****, I'M SCREWED! I CAN'T PLAY ****!", but instead you say, "Why, yes I am, thanks for asking." And the moment of truth: THEY PLAY SO FREAKIN' AWESOME YOU'RE FACE GOES NUMB! Oh yeah, the ending to this is you give a nice smile and say in your tiniest voice, "Yeah... I think I'll go with that one..."

as much as i tell people to go there i personally HATE dealing with people in most music shops hahaha. out here they all seem to be staffed with failed rock stars / local 'legends'. if you're not already part of the clique then you're basically not getting service.

the last big ticket item i purchased $1389.20 (receipt is still on my desk). within a month i was in the same store, standing over the pedal display case with a friend. wallet in one hand, pointing down at the Boss TU-2 in the case with the other and telling my friend it's the one i plan on buying.

4 clerks walked by me in this scene - they were ALL chatting it up with their buddies though. so no sales were made.

that same store changed locations a couple of years ago and was bought by a larger chain. i gave them another chance, was feeling eclectic and wanting a melodica to fool around with. so i'm in the store and the actual manager / guy who runs the whole show is the one dealing with me as a customer that day. come to find out he's been running that store for as long as i've been breathing and knew my old man quite well. laughs his ass OFF when i ask about either having melodicas in stock or ordering one through the store.

he stopped laughing once he noticed that he totally failed at possibly selling me a $300 'kid's toy' (i wouldn't have bought that model but whatever). the arrogance at Long & McQuade is appalling.



i also remember having this conversation at a music store.

Dave - hey there, you guys carry flatwound bass strings right?
Clerk - yup!
D - excellent! can i get a single E please? i've been on the hunt for a replacement forever.
C - sure! here you go - (hands me a regular roundwound E)
D - sorry, i meant a flatwound E
C - we don't sell those individually.

this actually happened to me TWICE while trying to replace that effing string. why the hell would i start specifically talking about flatwound strings and be happy with a roundwound replacement? it's like going to a butcher shop and talking about the awesomeness of steak then having them turn around and try to sell you chicken.

I worked at Long & McQuade for 2 (very long) summers selling flutes!

how fun was that? hehe :p:

though to be honest, i tend to prefer that section of most music stores, it's generally quieter and the kind of people it attracts (both staff and customer) are usually mellower and cooler than the ones still horny for guitars (and calling them axes without a hint of sarcasm).

Nope. When I bought my last guitar, I wanted to show off my guitar skills in front of anyone who'd listen.

On a kind-of related note. I'm playing in a record store on Wednesday. Haven't done that yet. I just looked it up, and it looks pretty sweet. Anyway. Just wanted to share that. Please continue.

To be honest I've never bought an instrument in a music store, but I have felt like kind of a dope buying guitar strings before because I didn't really know what I was looking for besides a new set of strings.

It's interesting that this topic has provoked discussion and that people feel these things too! I thought I was the only weirdo... haha.

But yeah, like mr dave said, there are a lot of shops over here that are filled will failed 'rockstars' or local 'legends' who think they are top **** and better than everyone else. There are a few stores where the clerks are like what ElephantSack would be like - friendly and encouraging, etc. I just get so apprehensive still when I walk into a music store still, mainly because I try to sound like I know what I'm talking about, when really I don't.

Good luck for your in-store, David! :)

Actually, it was a lot of fun. And I ended up getting a high-end flute for a great price and a guitar with a free wah pedal!

From what I experienced working in that section of the store, is that it attracts a more refined clientele, if you know what I mean. Customers who are generally more musically educated than the ones you would see in some random guitar shop, and who really know what they're looking for. Of course there are customers like that in the guitar section as well, probably looking at the classical guitars! And they still try out the instruments, of course - a necessary thing to do before you buy an expensive wind instrument! I used to hear people of all musical abilities trying out flutes, saxes, trumpets, etc. all the time.

I bought a half-stack and head at a music store before, which is practically justified, but never an instrument (besides a synthesizer), like you.
I remember buying guitar strings at a music store for the first time and I was so afraid of asking for the "wrong" ones... There wasn't the prolific internet info-center like there is now and the only thing I could think of to ask for was what I'd heard mentioned most... Ernie Balls.... Horrible disaster. Almost put an eye out with the breakage of those things.

Now, the only thing I use for electric is D'Addario XL NRW reg lights, and Martin phosphor bronze lights for the acoustic.

I go to two music stores: the local one in the next town, and Long & McQuade when I visit the hometown.

The local one is owned by my guitar teacher who opened it this past Christmas. I go there to buy drumsticks, strings, picks, cables, stuff like that. My brother purchased his used Ibanez Artcore guitar through the store as well. My guitar teacher is a genuinely friendly guy who does value his customers so I support him at every chance I get. He's told me that one of his suppliers does Danelectro, so I'll probably be getting my next guitar through him.

Long & McQuade's got a lot of stuff and I bought my first and only guitar there. I go there mainly to browse, but when they have sales, some good bargains are to be had. Only downside about the store is the tendency to attract 30-something wankers who play 19+ shows with their ****ty band at local venues in hopes of some day making it big.

Yeah that describes a lot of the people who work at stores around here, which I hate.

For anyone in Australia (and possibly NZ?) I usually go to Billy Hyde... although I've come across a couple of wankers they are usually really nice, helpful people. Because they stock everything from electric guitars to classical instruments there's always a large range of experts in store who not only know their shit but aren't condescending, intimidating wannabes! I bought my first acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and bass from Billy Hyde music... I didn't buy my new bass from there though because they don't really stock a huge range of Ibanez basses, in particular the one I wanted, so I had to go somewhere else.

For those of you who don't buy your instruments from music stores, where about do you usually get them? Online? I could never buy an instrument online I don't think... I need to feel it in my hands first!

For that, I think it's varied. I've certainly been in multiple scenarios regarding it.
For instance... I played an Ibanez acoustic belonging to a friend, and loved it so much, I bought the same one online. The only difference here is that I made the purchase online and waited a little longer for the delivery.

I also kinda dislike the fact that most of the stuff you buy from the music store is, in a way, used. If it's on display, it's been mishandled by someone for sure. I'd rather buy a pristine version of that, while using the store version simply as a general guide for sound quality. I think the music shop (at the horror of the music shop owners) should only be used as a testing ground.. and when you make your decision, you buy it from the manufacturer online and for cheaper prices because there's no middleman.
I could be wrong about all this, but it's how I've been doing things since the late 90's and it hasn't failed me yet.

Yeah that's fair enough if you've played a model before and know what the deal with it is, and I definitely know what you mean about floor instruments being worn or used - that is definitely something I try to avoid getting into.

But I find with most instruments, even if they are the same model they can be different, in small ways. Like, the Ibanez SR500 I bought is actually lighter than my friend's SR500. I dunno, I just think all instruments are quite individual and I like knowing what I'm buying. When I bought my most recent bass I played their floor instrument in the store but the one that I purchased was from the shame shipment of basses but still sitting in their warehouse so it had never been touched. Actually with most stores here the instrument you purchase is rarely the one on the floor, but instead one in their warehouse. Unless of course it's a rare instrument of some kind.

Oh, and delivery over here is usually quite expensive as Melbourne is a city is quite spread out and sprawled so shipping costs are bitch. And if you're buying something from an international seller then forget about it! Too expensive, and I'm a cheapo.

I think I should give the Internet another chance though when it comes to musical purchases. I think I'm just paranoid and old-fashioned in that sense, especially when I'm spending like $900+.

pawn shops and second hand stores were my business of choice for gear. you can get better deals and at times a wider selection but you kind of need to know what's what about the stuff you're looking at first, especially if you're dealing with a new place or aren't sure how reputable they are.

I used to hear that crap everyday when I was working there, but thankfully I was working in another part of the store for most of the week so it wasn't so bad.

do me a favour and email yourself this for the future :p:

or are we just supposed to stop wanting to make music and get new gear once we hit 29?

also, all ages show are a huge hassle / liability in anything but the biggest Canadian cities. it only takes one butthole to start a garbage can fire or similar to have all subsequent events of that nature completely avoided by organizers for another decade.

@BD - glad to hear you had fun and came out of the experience with new gear as well hehe what kind of staff discount did you get? (if you don't mind / aren't legally prohibited to disclose)

I got a $3000 mostly silver flute for about $2200. They were getting new models in and had to sell the old ones of course, and I needed a new flute at the time. I put the $800 towards a Yamaha acoustic guitar (because I didn't need another electric) and then my boss had given me a Cry Baby wah pedal on my last day.

I would say I've either bought or traded the overwhelming majority of my music equipment from friends. My bass and one of my guitars were gifts from my parents. I've never bought any instruments online.

Yes, I do and it's horrible.
I haven't gotten an electric guitar yet partially because of this. Exchanging knowledge with the vendor and having to play in front of him doesn't make me too comfortable.

that's fair and something i know all too well.

but at the same time it's quite entertaining to do nothing but play an open A chord and just pluck the strings randomly while refusing to plug in before dropping a huge wad of cash on a high end electric guitar. the clerks really don't know how to react when you run counter to their expectations hahaha

after all - the whole point of trying the instrument first is too test out the technical specifications of the instrument for yourself, not to audition or impress the staff.

I hate walking into music shops. I had to replace the "Beater" on my drum set, and I had no idea what it was called. I asked, "I'm missing the ball thing that hits the bass drum...". I felt so out of place.

The guy who I got my guitar from was pretty nice and I got a string unwinder and 3 guitar picks courtesy of him... that's pretty nice of him.

I think you know the kind of musicians I'm referring to. :P

I do too, and I hate them too.

i just call them the staff instead hahaha