Guitar shop manners. What is okay to try out...

[metallicarocks]

Often times I go into a guitar shop but can't buy anything big from them. Usually it's just something small like picks strings, and on rare occasion a pickup. Is it really okay to try out a few guitars and amps? I plan on buying that later when I get some money saved, and I've been told it's a good idea to try out the amps. (That's just common sense there) Is it polite to try out different guitar and amps when you can't buy for a long time?

[mhalsey]

Re: Guitar shop manners. What is okay to try out...

Absolutely! You should be treated the same whether you're a prospective customer or someone who they know is going to buy something. Problem is, if a young gun walks in they won't get taken seriously like someone older.

[Soloist1]

Re: Guitar shop manners. What is okay to try out...

Just go in there and beat it like it had red hair!

[ejpii]

Re: Guitar shop manners. What is okay to try out...

[ QUOTE ]
Just go in there and beat it like it had red hair!

[/ QUOTE ] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Tetsuo]

Re: Guitar shop manners. What is okay to try out...

Yeah and if it makes you feel better let them know You are planning in the future to buy some of this stuff and you are cheking it out now...

[IrfaanSE801]

Re: Guitar shop manners. What is okay to try out.

[ QUOTE ]
Just go in there and beat it like it had red hair!

[/ QUOTE ] [img]/images/graemlins/notworthy.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/headbang.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img]

Dude, go in, fuck around, and more importantly: Get to know the owners. If your good with them, can drop in to say hi without buying something, you won't feel wierd about trying things out. But like the dude above said, let em know that you intend to buy in the future. Let em know what kind of music you play, what you own, and what you intend to own. That way it's more like stopping in on a friend rather than buying something pricey from a stranger and having that wierd feeling.

[Ace]

Re: Guitar shop manners. What is okay to try out.

Working in a music store, I deal with this subject all the time. Here's a few guidelines:

If you go in there and try everything out, try to at least buy SOMETHING, especially if it's the first time you've been in there. Some picks, strings, whatever. Let whoever is working there know that you really do want to bring business to their shop.

DO NOT try and use gear that you are not familiar with!! If you have a question about something you've never seen before, ask someone about it before you touch it, especially if it's valuable!! My store stocks some pretty cool vintage stuff, but if you're a 16 year old who is looking to buy a $300 guitar, don't pull down a 1964 SG and start fiddling around with it like it's your buddy's Squier Strat. Likewise, if you are not familiar with vintage tube amps, don't just go turning stuff on, stop and ask.

DO NOT play too loud. You are not going to impress anyone at the shop by butchering Fade To Black with the volume knob at 11 or doing arpeggios . We are working there. We have to awnser the phones, deal with other customers, and be in that store all day. I usually have the amp loud enough so that I can hear myself, and no one else can. If I want to hear the way the power tubes distort, or get an idea of how loud an amp is, I'll ask "Is it okay if I turn this up for half a second?" and if they say yes, I turn the VU up loud, but of course not deafening loud, and play one or two open chords, and then maybe one or two licks, and then turn back down. The MOST annoying thing in the world is someone who comes into the store, acts like they know everything(even if they really do), and plugs in and turns the VU up so loud that we can't talk, then spends 45 minutes jerking off on a fretboard. Like I said, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO IMPRESS ANYONE IN THERE!! We are all musicians, most of us damn good ones, and we've heard it all.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. We work there because we love playing music just as much as you do. I love talking about guitars and other instruments. I have had great hour-long conversations with 4-year-olds about how guitars work and stuff. Go ahead and introduce yourself, don't be intimidated if you don't know what you are talking about, we are there to help you. If someone in a store is rude to you because "You don't know shit", that's their problem, not yours. As long as you are polite and friendly, I will more than happy to help you out. We have people that come into the shop of ALL playing levels, from dads buying their kids their first guitars to famous musicians and 50-year veterans of the business. They are ALL our valued customers.

Music stores should be a fun place to escape to the world of rock 'n roll. They should have a fun vibe and friendly people. Making friends with the guys in your local music store will get you the best prices and free advice on everything from gear to repairs to playing. Asking a question about guitar store etiquette shows that you care and that's a good sign!!!

[img]/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img]

[MBreinin]

Re: Guitar shop manners. What is okay to try out.

One of my favorite afternoon activities used to be going to Southworth Vintage guitars, when it was still on McArthur Blvd. in DC, and sit all day and play the guitars I couldn't afford. Gill had a pretty open policy....you could play just about anything that wasn't behind the counter. Just walk in, grab a guitar, plug it and play. I did this many times before I bought anything from him. Of course, a little down the road he cleaned me out on a '63 Strat...so I guess we were even after that! [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Mike

[Reverend Timmy]

Re: Guitar shop manners. What is okay to try out.

Very well put,Ace! [img]/images/graemlins/headbang.gif[/img]........

[busdriver]

Re: Guitar shop manners. What is okay to try out.

..... and most important: Watch out that you don't play "Stairway to Heaven" [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[toejam]

Re: Guitar shop manners. What is okay to try out.

Stairway... denied! [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Tetsuo]

Re: Guitar shop manners. What is okay to try out.

[ QUOTE ]
Working in a music store, I deal with this subject all the time. Here's a few guidelines:

If you go in there and try everything out, try to at least buy SOMETHING, especially if it's the first time you've been in there. Some picks, strings, whatever. Let whoever is working there know that you really do want to bring business to their shop.

DO NOT try and use gear that you are not familiar with!! If you have a question about something you've never seen before, ask someone about it before you touch it, especially if it's valuable!! My store stocks some pretty cool vintage stuff, but if you're a 16 year old who is looking to buy a $300 guitar, don't pull down a 1964 SG and start fiddling around with it like it's your buddy's Squier Strat. Likewise, if you are not familiar with vintage tube amps, don't just go turning stuff on, stop and ask.

DO NOT play too loud. You are not going to impress anyone at the shop by butchering Fade To Black with the volume knob at 11 or doing arpeggios . We are working there. We have to awnser the phones, deal with other customers, and be in that store all day. I usually have the amp loud enough so that I can hear myself, and no one else can. If I want to hear the way the power tubes distort, or get an idea of how loud an amp is, I'll ask "Is it okay if I turn this up for half a second?" and if they say yes, I turn the VU up loud, but of course not deafening loud, and play one or two open chords, and then maybe one or two licks, and then turn back down. The MOST annoying thing in the world is someone who comes into the store, acts like they know everything(even if they really do), and plugs in and turns the VU up so loud that we can't talk, then spends 45 minutes jerking off on a fretboard. Like I said, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO IMPRESS ANYONE IN THERE!! We are all musicians, most of us damn good ones, and we've heard it all.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. We work there because we love playing music just as much as you do. I love talking about guitars and other instruments. I have had great hour-long conversations with 4-year-olds about how guitars work and stuff. Go ahead and introduce yourself, don't be intimidated if you don't know what you are talking about, we are there to help you. If someone in a store is rude to you because "You don't know shit", that's their problem, not yours. As long as you are polite and friendly, I will more than happy to help you out. We have people that come into the shop of ALL playing levels, from dads buying their kids their first guitars to famous musicians and 50-year veterans of the business. They are ALL our valued customers.

Music stores should be a fun place to escape to the world of rock 'n roll. They should have a fun vibe and friendly people. Making friends with the guys in your local music store will get you the best prices and free advice on everything from gear to repairs to playing. Asking a question about guitar store etiquette shows that you care and that's a good sign!!!

[img]/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

Great post espescially about Volume.... One thing I take exception to though is most (not all) employees in the chains do not know much about gear to be honest..... I have had to set quite a few straight never or rarely is that the case in small shops though small shops seem to know their stuff!

[dinkyjacksonman]

Re: Guitar shop manners. What is okay to try out.

Just make sure to bring your own pick and maybe a Strap too.
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[img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[sully]

Re: Guitar shop manners. What is okay to try out.

[ QUOTE ]

DO NOT play too loud. You are not going to impress anyone at the shop by butchering

[/ QUOTE ]

my god... truer words have never been spoken. ace, i salute you!

sully

[Ace]

Re: Guitar shop manners. What is okay to try out.

I work in a small shop that deals almost exclusively in vintage gear called Primitive Sound (yes, that's a link) in Burbank. Everyone there is experienced, professional musicians with years in the business under their belts. I am the young guy there, and while I know the most about guitar repairs, my knowledge of vintage gear pales in comparison with the guys around me(all veterans of Black Market RIP). I learn a lot working there. Due to our close proximity to Hollywood(about 6 miles), and the fact that real musicians can't AFFORD to live in Hollywood, we get a LOT of pros in. I learn as much from some of our customers as they learn from me. The other day I was talking to one of the tech's for King Crimson and The Who!! I love working there, small shops kick so much ass over major chains.