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!

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)

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

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!

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.

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.

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. :-`

statistical anomaly.

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.

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.