Do people not try out instruments before they buy anymore?

well from what I 've seen in shops in Dublin > usually it seems that the shop folks seem very reluctant to let you sit behind a kit *can't speak for you bass/guitar heros! * and try it out and theyll usually try it out for you!,,what bloody use is that??..I bought some gear when I was starting back up 2 years ago in beat it music near drogheda and those lads couldn't be more helpful,,,they let me play as I liked on whatever kit I hoped to buy, so I'll deal with those guys from time to time buy the veryy rare drumhead in music maker to keep the face known etc,,,and thats the lot!!!..
Buying on line from the states was the best thing I ever did never any problems half the price of here and much easier to deal with and folks who KNEW their stuff, not some bluffer over here who's trying to tell you what a kit is made of and you already knowing it yourself?!,sigh I dread dealing with them, it's so embarressing listening to them waffling on about some eegit drummer who can do this or that and who can boil an egg as he does a double stroak rolll,or some guy they saw who could paint a picture doing double bass rolls yawn yawn .

so if ya wana buy in shops,,,make sure the tossers let you try it out,,if not,tell them to shove it and buy online,,,,,,Zildjians never sounded sweeter,,hhhaaha

ciao' amigo Baggio..............

I don't think it's that big a deal, especially when you can save a lot more than a couple of hundred €€€

In my case I wanted a 5 string Ibanez Soundger Prestige 5 string bass. I phoned Musician, the only store at the time which stocked Ibanez which I was aware of, and they quoted me €1900, plus I would have to commit to buying it before they'd get it in. I found it in the states for $1100. When I went to buy it I found a 6 string model of the same instrument which had been a demo model in the store for just over $900, but still with the full warranty. At this point I had never even played a 6 string bass. However, I felt it was a great deal and worth the gamble, I had no qualms about either getting the instrument without having played it or without having played a 6 string. Total cost to me - €1048. I didn't even bother asking Musician how much the 6 string would cost.

You are pretty much assured, when you buy instruments of a higher level, that the instrument will be well made and there will be a consistency through production. With the Ibanez, I wasn't too fond of the pickups so had a custom set specifically made for me for €240. A couple of weeks ago I sold the original pickups for €140 on Ebay.

A friend of mine has bought an Iced Tea burst Les Paul, a Takamine acoustic and an ESP from Chrisguitars in the states, all second hand, all separately, all in mint condition and he's spent about €1800 total. Ask Waltons how much a limited edition finish Les Paul Standard is. His brother bought a Les Paul Classic Goldtop (the goldtop finish is usually an expensive upgrade), cost €1200 total.

I can't understand why anyone would spend insane amounts of money just so they can play the guitar before they buy it. If you buy an Ibanez with a Prestige neck, you are guaranteed top, top quality fretwork and a hand finished neck. Then save 50% on what it'd cost you here. I go through hell to earn money in this job, there's no way I'm just going to throw it away frivolously in overpriced rip-off shops here if I can help it.

Here : €2000 +
Shop Around : €1140

Yup, and I got it half price, which makes it all the sweeter. I mean, I was in a buy-before-try situation with the shops here anyway, Musician would only get one in if I committed to buying it before they got one, so what could I do.

I mean, a new Ric 4003 is €2500 in Waltons and Musician. I got mine for $890 second hand. They're €1500 new on Thomann. Who in their right mind would blow at least a grand just so they could try one out first? In a lot of shops in this country, you aks to play a Ric or other top end instrument and they pretty much tell you to **** off. So **** them. Any top end instrument will be well made and reasonably consistant, even Rics which are largely hand made. Actually, I had put up a few questions about the neck of my Ric on one of the forums and John Hall, the Ric boss, replied to me and said he would be on holiday in Ireland soon and offered to have a look at it for me while he was here. Nice fella.

Fukin A. When the CEO of the company will take time out of his holiday to check out a second hand instrument, it puts the unhelpful staff you frequently find in shops here to shame. When I was getting my Ashdown amp here, I was gonna buy the head and cab together, so I asked the guy if he'd do a deal for both for cash (not an unreasonable request, you might think). He returned with a price which was actually more expensive than if I bought the two separately Seriously, dabhoys was there, he can back me up on this. Suffice to say, I just bought the head. In fairness though, a lot of the staff in music shops here are cool and helpful, but there are some turkeys out there who give the trade a bad name.The price discrepancy at times though is unforgivable.

Yeah, it seems to be an attitude thing with some and a plain old cop on issue with others. Yet some are top blokes who will help you as much as they can. When I go into an instrument shop, if the person who is decent isn't there I just turn around and walk out. Life's too short.

I just can't see how the shops here think they will survive unless they find a way to lower the prices. SD's are actually €140 in shops here. Get them off Thomann for €80. Get them off chrisguitars for $45. I don't mind a minor discrepancy, I appreciate shops are expensive to run, especially in Dublin, but the mark ups are just extortionate at times.

Why should I fund rip-off Ireland? By paying over the odds am I not part of the problem? Prices have to come down and fast or else my business, and the business of anyone I talk to, will continue to go abroad.