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Name: George's Music Springfield
Place: Springfield/Morton
State: Pennsylvania, USA (Philly area)
Review: The basses are all extremely low-end; I haven't seen anything better than some Squiers and GSR200s in a long, long time. Rockbasses are a rare sight, and the best thing they've ever had is a mediocre Cirrus. The staff is very biased toward those who spend a large amount of money constantly. They also are very nosey; albeit I can go pick up any bass, a patch cord, and jam (most people need to ask), the employees are still extremely snobby and watch you constanty. The kids aren't too nice either; we get the usual group of 2-5 teens coming in, disrespecting the basses/guitars and playing horribly, and then leaving. The kids that come play guitar usually play the same thing over and over. Seeing the workers (who seem congregated around the center area the whole time) laughing/chuckling/staring at a kid playing (with his/her head facing the wall) is not unseen. The guys also are quick to rip off the stereotypical soccer mom and her would-be guitar son/daughter. Ugh. They're obviously comissioned. One last thing, they don't let people set up anything! I wanted to try a Behringer V-Amp and the one guy insisted on hooking it up (the fact that he took about 5 minutes didn't help). They also like to sell basses "as-is," without any of the tools/wax/etc that normally comes with them. They even keep the soft/hard cases!
On the positive side, anything that other nearby George's stores have can be shipped to the store overnight, with no cost to the consumer. (I think the stock of George's Music stores varies based on the overall welath of the town and people that it is in.) The two bass teachers are also top-notch, and rates aren't too bad; I think I'm paying about $68 a month for lessons, and my teacher sometimes gives me an extra half hour or so.
Overall, if you've got your heart set on a bass and need it soon, George's is quite an OK place. Prices are quite negotiable, and you can get a very good discount my pointing out small cosmetic flaws on a floor model bass. But don't expect to save up your money for half a year and go there expecting to find the perfect bass with that $2k you saved up and leave with that warm feeling you get knowing you were helped to make a good decision and will get excellent support. I've expected it from them. Twice. And both times my hopes were killed. I'd take a trip to King of Prussia or New Jersey for Sam Ash or GC if you want a half-decent buying experience. (I know GC isn't that great, but it's the best we have short of driving 4 hours to Bass Palace or taking a train ride to NYC.) Overall the place just feels gimmicky, from the red and yellow walls to the black pants and polo every staffer has on to the half-broken front sign.
BRANDS: Squier, rarely a MIM Fender, Ibanez galore, some Peavey, but they do have a decent number of order-only brands.
Rating: 4/10 cause I'm feeling good today.
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