Author Topic: Toronto, Ontario, Canada  (Read 349 times)

bassbro

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Toronto, Ontario, Canada
« Reply #15 on: June 20, 2008, 10:53:40 AM »
Hi Keith,
 
I was just pointing out my experiences at Club Bass. There are only two people who really know what went down.  (And I'm not calling Dave up for the details!) I just wanted to offer a perspective on the situation. I was won over because of the great service there. Dave's been in business for over 20 years so he must be doing something right. I absolutely can't stand dealing with the salespeople at Steve's and L&McQuade (basically like Canadian guitar centers.)  I usually get attitude from those guys!  
Anyhow, it looks like they had a bad first experience. Sometimes people just don't gel. I just wanted to offer my experiences dealing with them and let the OP know that it isn't worth writing off CB just yet. There's too much great gear there!

frank

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Toronto, Ontario, Canada
« Reply #16 on: June 20, 2008, 10:56:01 AM »
I have lived in Toronto my whole life and have played bass for 9 years and had never heard of club bass until this summer. I do a lot of research, as probably many of you do, or at least those who sits in front of a computer frequently. Not to say that I know all the music stores in Toronto, because that?s not true and it would be a pretentious assumption, cause it's a big city. But I had never even heard a whisper about club bass. I feel that my question about his technician?s credentials/experience was warranted because I was not aware of his reputation having not even heard about him or his store.
 
In my defence I wasn't standoffish at all. In fact I was EXTREMELY polite! I was sociable and excited to start a friendly relationship with him. I thought we would get along really well as we both appreciate fine instruments and all things relating. I was also really excited to find a boutique bass guitar store in my hometown with ots of sweet equipment. The last thing I expected was to get into an argument about his technician?s credentials/experience. I assumed he would be more than happy to share this information, as most people would be. I mean everyone likes to boast to an extent. I simply wrote to him in an e-mail:
 
?I hope this doesn?t come off the wrong way, but I was wondering what the technicians credentials/experience are who will be doing the set-up on my bass. I?m sure you understand. Thanks, Frank?  
 
His response was:
 
?he has my approval?.  
 
I found this to be an arrogant and pretentious response. I?m not saying he doesn?t know his stuff, but how am I to know if he does or not. Also the fact that I?m 19 and am not an ?A-List Industry Pro? should have no bearing on how he treats me as a customer.  
 
As for what kind of music I play: jazz, funk, blues etc.  
 
Wow, I wrote more in this blog than in my final history paper last semester. At least this isn?t plagiarized. Haha just kidding?this is plagiarized. Haha. Do I need to say ?just kidding? again?
 
(Message edited by frank on June 20, 2008)

dwmark

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Toronto, Ontario, Canada
« Reply #17 on: June 20, 2008, 02:08:43 PM »
Haven't been to Toronto in a while but read this whole thread with interest.  Also liking the civil exchange despite differences of opinion.
 
But, where are our manners?  Welcome to the Club, Randall.
 
dw

bassbro

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Toronto, Ontario, Canada
« Reply #18 on: June 20, 2008, 02:39:36 PM »
Thanks David. I'm not a true club member yet till I get my Alembic pre. I've enjoyed reading the posts though! (I posted here on this thread as I felt I could add a different perspective- hey us Canadians don't get many chances on bass boards!)  
 
Ya, civil is nice. The bass board I normally post at can get a little testy at times!

David Houck

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Toronto, Ontario, Canada
« Reply #19 on: June 20, 2008, 06:22:24 PM »
Hi Randall; welcome to the board!  You don't have to own an Alembic to be a member of the club; an appreciation for the beautiful work Alembic does is the primary qualification for membership!  And thanks for your input on the discussion at hand.

frank

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Toronto, Ontario, Canada
« Reply #20 on: June 21, 2008, 08:38:29 AM »
randall, welcome! You catching any of the toronto jazz fest? I saw Dr. John last night. Susan Tedeschi is playing tonight.
 
Also it's $30 to go see The John Scofield Trio, the Mike Stern Trio and John Abercrombie and organ trio on friday the 27th at Nathan Phillip Square.

pauldo

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Toronto, Ontario, Canada
« Reply #21 on: June 21, 2008, 01:39:58 PM »
I can say that all of the Canadians I know seem to have more respect for others when engaged in conversation.
 
This may very well just be a statistical anomaly, as I know more Americans than Canadians. :-`

frank

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Toronto, Ontario, Canada
« Reply #22 on: June 21, 2008, 03:01:21 PM »
statistical anomaly.

spliffy

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Toronto, Ontario, Canada
« Reply #23 on: June 25, 2008, 10:48:16 AM »
I think the bottom line for me is that if I want to buy a bass cheap, I will go to L&M or Steves. If I want to pay more, but get better service and a bass that is set up to my liking, I would go to 12th fret or Ring, or Club. If I wanted a boutique bass like a Sadowsky or Lakland, I would go to Club..
just my 2cents. Besides Club Bass will not close because a few people do not buy gear from him.

frank

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« Reply #24 on: June 25, 2008, 01:18:01 PM »
I'll probobly end up buying a bergantino cab off him. I just felt he could have been a lot more accomadating in the customer service department. I would buy my whole rig off him if he wasn't as rude as he was. I didn;t post our whole e-mail conversation but he was rude enough to make me want to buy off another dealer. plus musicians friend has a good deal on the Little Mark II head, so why not buy it off them.