Update: Guitar Playing

I've been practicing more, not only at the behest of Tom (my guitar mentor), but because I've actually got a bit of a gig coming up (more on that later).

One of the coolest thing I got over the holidays was my amp.  I ended up getting a Peavey Vypyr 15, a modeling amp from a reputable maker.   As for buying the amp, that's an intersting story.

I researched and researched which amp I would purchase.  Tom was invaluable in this endeavor.  We both agreed that I would benefit from a smaller amp and go with modeling to allow for experimentation until I found "my sound".  Between the Peavey and a Line 6 amp, we traveled to a Guitar Center located in the city and compared the two.  In the end the Peavey just played better for us.  Decision made. Christmas money was spent (when I got it).

Now here is where the story got intersting.  My wife and I talked and decided that we should go ahead and make this purchase from a brick & mortar, just in case it's defective.  I decided to go back to the same Guitar Center as before.  Bad mistake.

Now, before I continue, you have to understand something.  I spent two years as a store manager for a major retail chain.  As per my training, I personally believe and appreciate "platinum" customer service.  It's that important to me.  Mess up on that and you've very well lost a customer for life.  I understand having a bad day, but rudeness is inexcusable.

Having said that, went into Guitar Center.  Absolutely busy.  I mean busy.  A shortage of sales clerks didn't help the situation.  My son and I waited behind a man who was chekcing out at the counter in the guitar section.  It took about ten minutes or so (long enough for me to hear how Austin has four or five Goldtop Gibsons lying around and San Antonio can't keep them in-stock), and finally the man was finished.  The clerk promptly rushed to the counter by the entrance/exit and then went behind closed doors.  He came back, ignored me, and went about doing something else.  I attempted to gain one clerk's attention, but he was simply too busy.  I saw the original clerk who helped Tom and me when we compared the two amps previously.  Thinking perhaps I had a rapport, and queried to him, "Excuse me; can I ask you a question?".

His exact response:  [Deeply sighs while rolling eyes, speaks flatly] Yes.  I've only got two other people to help.

Keeping my tone even, I asked if he had this particluar amp in stock as it appeared it was out.  He quickly reponsded no, and took off on his tasks.  Again, I know he was busy.  I know I wasn't about to drop two grand on equipment, but gimme a break.  I've got income to spend.  I've got kids who are musically inclined.  He doesn't know any of this and this warrants a shitty attitude and service?  I so badly wanted to say "F__ you mister; I'm sorry to have bothered you."  I didn't, but I wanted to.

Disappointed, I went home that evening, calmed down, and the following morning placed an order with Sweetwater. 

 I will forever be a customer with them.  Excellent service, continued support by your own pesonal sales technician, and genuine follow-ups.  Case in point, my purchased amp was so popular it was backordered for almost two weeks.  I was disappointed, but eager nonetheless.  The wait was bearable only because Brian, my sales tech, kept me informed and up to 

date as to the progress of my order.  So the lesson is this:  Never ever visit Guitar Center ever again; buy only from Sweetwater.  At least, that's my recommendation.  If you have a great clerk at your Guitar Center, you are lucky; as for me, I will never recommend them EVER!

On a side note, again at the behest of my friend Tom, I actually wrote letters to both Sweetwater and Guitar Center.  Sweetwater was quite happy with the response, but of special interest was Guitar Center's response:

"Im very sorry about what happened to you in one of our store. I what to assure you that that is not the way we normally do business. I have forwarded your email up the chain and to the management of that store directly so they will know what happened.

Once again I am very sorry."

A nice attempt, but sorry dude; the damage has been done.  'Nuff said.

Since I've had my amp, I've been playing a bit more and really experimenting.  I think I've found the sound I like most.  The best way to describe it is by listening to "Yellow Ledbetter" by Pearl Jam.  Lots of reverb, almost as if you're in a big empty hall.  Barre chords are slowly working their way into my repotoire, thanks to some songs that I'm working on (namely Bon Jovi and Nickelback).  Even built me a nice little amp stand.  It's actually not that little, it stands close to two and a half feet tall.  Cheap and effective, it works for me.  Now to paint it with a base of metallic red and black, with an overlay of glow in the dark.  Wowza.

More later.  For now, enjoy some tunes on the side.

Cheers.