Members Mr. Botch Posted August 13, 2005 Members Share Posted August 13, 2005 My cover band is working on a medley of "Walking on the Sun" and "Evil Ways". "Walking" has a little castanet buzz at the beginning of the song, and never missing an opportunity to buy another percussion toy, decided to get a set. Went down to the large Guitar Center in Salt Lake City, grabbed an XLR cable that I also needed, and one of the salesman asked me if I needed help. I said, "Just need to grab a set of castanets, they're probably over there in the Percussion room". He walked with me to the room and asked, "You said... castanets? What are they?" Oof-dah, but I didn't say anything. We got to the drum room and the drum specialist wasn't in there, I started looking thru their percussion toys while Salesman #1 paged the drummer specialist. He came in, I told him I was looking for a set of castanets, he said "A set of what? " Damn, those things aren't THAT esoteric, are they??? We couldn't find them anywhere, I tried to describe how they worked and what tunes they were used in, those guys just had never heard of them. Wow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members where02190 Posted August 13, 2005 Members Share Posted August 13, 2005 Another satisfied GC customer!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tedster Posted August 13, 2005 Members Share Posted August 13, 2005 (Bronx accent) I gotcha castanets right heah... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MarkZ Posted August 13, 2005 Members Share Posted August 13, 2005 A GC drum salesman would think a guiro is: a) the latest Beck albumb) a Greek pita sandwichc) a derrogatory term for someone of Italian lineage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members FoxTick Posted August 13, 2005 Members Share Posted August 13, 2005 How many GC sales people does it take to change a light bulb? I don't know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members blue2blue Posted August 13, 2005 Members Share Posted August 13, 2005 Castinet... isn't that a gelded basinet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil O'Keefe Posted August 13, 2005 Share Posted August 13, 2005 Damn, those things aren't THAT esoteric, are they??? Only in Utah... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Jotown Posted August 13, 2005 Members Share Posted August 13, 2005 My girlfriends son just got a job at GC. It's his first job out of high school and he is on cloud 9. I will show him this link. Guitar Center is the Wal Mart of music. You get low, low pricing and zero expertise. Thats why you should frequent your local ma and pa store because they soon will all be out of business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members monstermaker Posted August 13, 2005 Members Share Posted August 13, 2005 What's a light bulb? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fulcrum Posted August 13, 2005 Members Share Posted August 13, 2005 Yes, what you really wanted was a guiro, but the folks at GuiTarget would not have known what one of those were either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fantasticsound Posted August 13, 2005 Members Share Posted August 13, 2005 C'mon, give 'em a break, Botch. I've been familiar with castanets since grade school. (They were among the percussion toys our music classes used from kindergarten or first grade, along with guiros, triangles and maracas.) But castanets are about as esoteric as anything in percussion. I know they have been used for other music, but how many musicians do you know who play Flamenco music let alone work with Flamenco dancer/musicians with castanets? If you said they were unfamiliar with bongos or, perhaps, tablas I could understand. But castanets? I'm not saying GC doesn't have plenty of clueless salespeople, but don't think going to a mom and pop is the catch-all answer to finding knowledgable help. Often they're just as clueless, if not moreso than GC. You have to find knowledgable people no matter where you choose to shop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jahozer Posted August 13, 2005 Members Share Posted August 13, 2005 ugh... I hate music stores...especially the giant ones, or at least music store help (If you work in one, I am sure you are very nice and knowledgable;)) . We have a sam ash here, and not only are they ridiculously expensive, the snooty attitude is just gravy...There is a cool small store that I frequent and dig the guys there, and try to patronize, but I have to admit to being a Musicians Friend customer... cheap and no snickering 18 year old guitar gods to deal with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mr. Botch Posted August 13, 2005 Author Members Share Posted August 13, 2005 Originally posted by Jotown Thats why you should frequent your local ma and pa store because they soon will all be out of business. Believe me, I hit all the Mom & Pop stores here first (all, what, three of them? ). They didn't stock them either, but at least they knew what I was talking about. I've got a "Lark in the Morning" catalog that features all kinds of cool instruments, guess I'll give them a call, and that would allow me to also pick up that nose flute I've always wanted to try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Lee Knight Posted August 13, 2005 Moderators Share Posted August 13, 2005 I was just wanting to get some castanets. There's that part in Supertramp's Logical Song in the intro... bum - bum - clickity clack. A song I'm working (the one with fake accordon) needs a bit like that. Does anyone know where I'll find them?Does anyone have experience on the pros/cons of the classic held held type vs. the kind with a handle the type orchestral guys play? Botch, any luck? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members acousticvoodoo Posted August 13, 2005 Members Share Posted August 13, 2005 Aren't there "samples" of castanets and stuff in your keyboard? michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Perfessor Posted August 13, 2005 Members Share Posted August 13, 2005 Here, let me unzip my pants to give you an idea......oh, castinets! They're over there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GY Posted August 13, 2005 Members Share Posted August 13, 2005 My life is wonderful... I buy from a GC "guitar dept manager" in a LA area store (I won't say which one). When I purchase anything in the store he escorts me to that department. When I'm finished, he makes sure everything is okay with me. When I've purchased guitars or amps, he pulls out every one of that model until I find the one I'm satisfied with. Take advantage of that free shipping while it lasts!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil O'Keefe Posted August 13, 2005 Share Posted August 13, 2005 You know, it's popular to bash various stores... I've read bashes of GC, Sweetwater, MF, Mars, Ash, heck, even Mercenary online before... and to be honest, I have had bad experiences at several of those stores. However, Sweetwater "made it right" by me when I brought the problem to their attention, and has been great ever since (thanks Chuck!). I've never had a single problem with Mercenary (thanks Fletcher!). I never purchased from Mars. MF was good to me the couple of times I've used them, although I got the impression that the person on the phone wouldn't have been very knowledgeable if I didn't know exactly what I wanted - but it's been a while since I purchased through them, so that may have changed. I've never really had a problem with Sam Ash, other than them seeming to be too busy to help me with something. I do have one contact at a local SA who is quite helpful (in the recording department), but the guitar doods always seem to look right past me, if you know what I mean. I had a couple of really bad experiences at a couple of GC's over the years, but I found the trick to dealing with that, and IMO, this applies to any store. I know the managers at a couple of the stores (and I've been through a few "changeovers"), and I established a relationship with the people who knew their stuff. IOW, yes, IMO, there are a lot of clueless sales dudes / dudettes at some of the megastores (and a lot of staff "turnover"), but some people in them do know what's up. Find them and deal with them exclusively. Be fair to them, and expect the same in return. Haggle on price if you want, but don't grind people. When I walk into a store, I know pretty much exactly what I want... I've done my research in advance, and the sales staff doesn't have to spend a lot of time doing the typical sales "needs probe", then telling me about the features and benefits of the products and then trying to "close" the sale... just tell me how much, here's the money and C-Ya! The folks in the local stores know that if I am wandering around browsing the store that I'm not in a rush and they can go ahead and finish closing other sales / helping other people if they need to. They appreciate that. If I'm in a rush, I'll call beforehand and arrange the deal (via a manager or dept. manager) and have it ready for me when I show up - here's the money and I'm out of there... Knowing what you want in advance helps a lot. Being knowledgeable about the type of gear you're looking for, and the specific product you're trying to purchase also establishes you as a different "type" of customer than the typical clueless consumer. It works both ways... while some sales doods are clueless, you have to remember that they (the good AND bad sales doods) have to deal with a LOT of different types of customers, and many of them are clueless as well. If you deal with the knowledgeable and fair people, and they learn that you're reasonable and knowledgeable too, and you can establish a working relationship with them that is fair to all concerned, IMO, you can have a pleasant experience shopping in just about any store... but you have to do a little work on your end to get to that point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members blackpig Posted August 13, 2005 Members Share Posted August 13, 2005 I used to think a bouzouki was a Greek motorbike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil O'Keefe Posted August 13, 2005 Share Posted August 13, 2005 Oh, one last comment - if you go into a store and spend the salesperson's time - getting them to answer a ton of questions, helping you with a demo of several products, and so forth, be fair in return. That sort of service costs time, and time is money... negotiate a fair price and buy the product from them. It is COMPLETELY uncool IMO to go into a local store (megamart OR mom and pop) and get a ton of help, and then go online and buy from someplace else just to shave a couple of bucks off of the deal. Good service (in person or via the phone) takes employee time, and costs the retailer money. IMO, I'd rather pay an extra $50 on a $500 item and get good service than just shop "lowest price is king" on everything. I KNOW that if I have a problem with something after the sale that they'll be more likely to take care of me. And besides, it's just the fair and "right thing to do IMO. Just something to think about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members thesoundsmith Posted August 13, 2005 Members Share Posted August 13, 2005 Originally posted by Jotown Thats why you should frequent your local ma and pa store because they soon will all be out of business. Our local mom and pop store has a full retail plus 10% policy, and doesn't know the difference between a trumpet and a cornet. Truly. Tried to rent one to a friend's son who was starting trumpet lessons. The kwyboad dept. contains: Roland XP80, XP60 and XP10, one Trinity and a Triton. They can 'get it for me,' providing I prepay. wait three weeks and have no return capability. I'm supposed to help them stay in biz? They would know what castanets are, though - they're all from Monterey sardine fishing families who know how to cast a net... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Scodiddly Posted August 13, 2005 Members Share Posted August 13, 2005 Originally posted by Mr. Botch I've got a "Lark in the Morning" catalog that features all kinds of cool instruments, guess I'll give them a call, and that would allow me to also pick up that nose flute I've always wanted to try. I'd been thinking about that place recently, but couldn't think of the name. http://www.larkinthemorning.com They have Stroh violins! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members daklander Posted August 14, 2005 Members Share Posted August 14, 2005 The Knowledgeable Help at Guitar Center... Is an oxymoron. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Dr. Jimmy Posted August 14, 2005 Members Share Posted August 14, 2005 Originally posted by Jotown Thats why you should frequent your local ma and pa store So they can charge you through the nose..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members roland Posted August 15, 2005 Members Share Posted August 15, 2005 I'm a bit ashamed to say that I buy most gear on line nowadays- usually MF, Sweetwater, Mercenary, or ebay. Good prices, free shipping, liberal return policy, and having what I want in stock is tough to beat. There is a local indie recording gear store that I support as much as possible but thats about it. I hate GC and the good local shops that I used to frequent have all shut down. Prices on vintage and semi-vintage gear has skyrocketed so I'm more inclined to buy a new reissue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.