Sometimes you are better off just ......

[Gibfenderson]

keeping your mouth shut!

I was in Guitar Center just killing some time. I had an hour before meeting a friend for dinner. I go to the bass room. Tell them - I am just killing some time. No problem- they give me a cord and leave me alone. I tried about 10 basses. Some in terrible need of a set up, some not even playable and some that were ok but just not doing it for me.

I came across a used Fender PJ from the 90s. Interesting- small body, shorter scale and light. A few dings in it but no structual damage. Nice neck! Nice sounds from pickups!! versatile!!!only $399. I am tryin to scale back on being a gear whore so I'm not buying but enjoying playing this little PJ.

A nice family comes in and is looking for a bass for thier daughter. She has cheap Ibanez now but wants to leave one at school and have one at home. Sales guy recommends she leave the cheapy at school and upgrade. Showing them a used tobias - out of their price range.

Well, she is petite. I'm thinking. This PJ bass should work for her, it plays well, sounds good and the price seems good for a used American. I ask her if she would like to try this one- it is all hooked up and I'm done .

She snears and says , " I don't like that type of Bass!" Hmm, just trying to be helpful. Maybe she wants humbuckers, maybe she is a Rick fan or just likes traditional basses? So I ask- What type of bass do you like?

" A RED ONE!"

[lowendgenerator]

Hahaha. I've been asked to help a few friends get into playing bass. I gave up on both of them when they ignored my suggestions and bought something rediculous because they 'liked how it looked'. Now I understand just as well as the next gear whore that they eyes are second only to the ears when it comes to what does it for us. But when a beginner asks one in the trades their advice, they would do well to follow it!

[Thor]

Sadly, that is how a lot of people shop for things - not just musical instruments. That being said, if she is more likely to play her bass if she prefers how it looks, then in the big picture "a red one" might actually be the best one for her.

Cheers,

Edward

[Gibfenderson]

Yeah, I guess i take playing a lot more seriously than most... I just should just smile let things ride sometimes.

[bassic83]

My girlfriend said almost that exact thing once...we'd just met and I asked her what she drove. "A car" she said. "What kind of car?" I asked.

Yup. You guessed it. "A red one..." :confused:

[bard2dbone]

I remember a comedian doing a rotine along those lines back in the day.

"I saw a woman come in to the garage where I was picking up my car the other day. She said 'Can you fix my car?I think it's broken.' The mechanic started getting tan right before my eyes. You could see vacation written all over his face before he'd even seen the car. So he asked her what kind of car it was. She answered 'Red.' Mechanics were actually parachuting into the parking lot to get in on this one."

[bassic83]

I remember a comedian doing a rotine along those lines back in the day.

"I saw a woman come in to the garage where I was picking up my car the other day. She said 'Can you fix my car?I think it's broken.' The mechanic started getting tan right before my eyes. You could see vacation written all over his face before he'd even seen the car. So he asked her what kind of car it was. She answered 'Red.' Mechanics were actually parachuting into the parking lot to get in on this one."
I wonder if it was a stuck Fetzer valve...you know how finicky they can be...:rotflmao

[cameron]

My girlfriend said almost that exact thing once...we'd just met and I asked her what she drove. "

On what planet is that an appropriate question to ask a woman you just met?

[bassic83]

On what planet is that an appropriate question to ask a woman you just met?Well, considering we were going to leave and meet up at a different venue, and the fact that I didn't want to have her unescorted in the parking lot there, mmmm...I guess Planet Earth is the answer you're looking for here.