Conference napalm::guitar

    Good thought Mark.  I'm all for it.  I'm often appauled by `demos'
    offered at music stores, as well as the quality of service offered
    by salespeople (we've discuissed this in another note!) ;^).
    
    Buck

    I think it's a great idea. I'm always alone when I go to try out
    equipment, and it would be nice to have some knowledgeable company
    (see, even after reading all of your notes I still think some of you
    might be knowledgeable :^). Arranged demos of some things would be
    nice, especially "hi-tech" stuff like effects boxes, guitar synths,
    etc. But it would also be nice just to be able to try out a variety of
    guitars, amps, etc., with friendly people around that you could bounce
    ideas off of. I hate having to make decisions about major investments
    without being able to discuss the pros and cons with anyone (my wife is
    obviously not very sympathetic to this problem - hence, I buy very
    little equipment).
    
    I'm for it.
    
    - ram

    The idea is to beat them at their own game. When a single
    person walks into a store, the sale force can easily gang
    up on you and use intimidation to get you to buy the wrong
    piece of gear just because they are overstocked "take out
    word for it, this is the hottest thing on the market, today!!"
    
    In a group discussion, we can pick their brain, ask all the right
    questions and keep em honest. Make em earn the business by taking
    time to have everything properly set up and running before we
    get there. No saleman wants to look like an idiot in front of
    20+ customers so they tend to prioritise these things. It also
    gives us a chance to cash in on group discount offers. For those
    of us that have a few bucks to spend it makes the money go a 
    little bit further.
    
    Mark Jacques
    

    If the DEC guitarists decide to do this you may want to speak
    with Dave Orin who's done a great job organizing "DECMS" for
    the COMMUSIC crowd.
    
    I would think that if the music stores knew they were dealing
    with a potential customer base that included *many* other
    musicians it would work out better for everyone.
    
    Instead of asking for a demo (or whatever) for the "DEC guitarists"
    or the "DEC synth-oids" it may be more beneficial to ask for a
    "guitar demo for DEC musicians". That way they know they're 
    dealing with a subset of a much bigger base...
    
    Edd 

	Great idea Mark! This could definately give us some
	strong buying leverage, improved treatment, and quality
	demos.
	
	Hey, we might even go as far as asking for a group 
	discount based upon volume of business!

	For instantance, Daddies gives away time in their recording 
	studio for bands that have large yearly purchaces (>$10k i think).
	Now maybe the "DEC musicians cooperative" could pool their combined 
	value of purchaces to be eligiable for this perk! The studio
	time bonus earned could be raffeled off to a member of the
	cooperative. Just a thought. The possibilities seem endless.

	How about "group purchaces"? Think about it, everybody needs things
	like cables, strings. Now, say twice a year, we organize something
	like a mass cable purchace. Have people in the cooperative put in 
	their order for a few cables, and then hit a store for a CASE or two
	of cables, of course at a much reduced volume discount.

	I agree with the previous note that we should consider banding
	togather with the COMMUSIC folks, since many of us have interest
	in common equipment. 

	The more I think about this the more I like the idea. So, count
	me in, to help in any.

Rick

    
    Re: .4
    
    Edd is right.  The COMMUSIC group is called DECMS for DEC Music
    Society or some such....you don't have to be a synth-head to join.
   
    I'm sure Dave Orin would be glad to set up some guitar-oriented
    sessions.  
    
    Now how about a *bass* session   8^)  8^)  8^)  8^)
    
    

    Definitly sounds good to me.   Should be fun, too.
    
    				jb

    Great idea.

    Even us drummers think this is a great idea (and, of course, you
    know that us drummers don't usually think very much).  
    
    	;^)

    

    
    
    Count me in too.
    
    rc
    
    

    Excellent idea!!  How will it be handled?  I mean, I'd like demos
    on a whole bunch of different stuff...  Would folks just send in
    their ideas of what they'd like demo'd and someone [acting as the
    coordinator] sets it up with a particular music store?
    
    joe.

    
    I have been in contact with Dave Orin. He coordinates the DEC Music
    Society, and has set up keyboard demo's at area stores. Anyone that
    would like to be added to the DECMS mailing list, simply send mail 
    to SUBSYS::ORIN. I have volenteered to act as liason between the 
    guitar noters and music stores in the Central Mass area. There are 
    a lot of fine music stores in the Boston area, however I believe it
    would be difficult to organise a demo in a Boston Music store, and
    many people would probably not attend, due to the traffic, parking,
    etc. Therefore, I would prefer to deal with stores in the Central 
    Mass/Southern NH area.
    
    	Dave has stated a few guidelines that we should follow in order
    to establish and maintain a good relationship with the stores. First
    of all, we should not expect unreasonable discounts from the stores
    that provide these demos. These demos represent a considerable amount
    of work on the part of the stores. The stores generally will state
    their lowest prices at the end of the demonstration. Unless someone
    plans on spending mega-bucks, I would not expect them to drop their
    prices much lower than the stated price. Secondly, it is very important
    that we not malign any of these stores in this, or any other note
    conferences. You would be surprised how many of our comments get
    back to the merchants. 
    
    	The stores participating in these demonstrations generally like
    to take full advantage of them as marketing tools. Therefore, they
    tend to present their entire product offering including all of the
    brands that they franchise. What you may want to do is ask the
    sales people if they will honor their stated prices for a few weeks
    so that you can attend a few of these demos, and have time to
    decide which product to buy from which store. 
    
    	I would like to hear some suggestions on which stores to approach
    for demos. I believe we should concentrate on the larger stores
    with the best franchises. The stores I have in mind are:
    
    	Wurlitzers (preferably Worcester) - They carry nearly all of
    the major guitar brands, Fender, Gibson, Ibanez, Guild, PRS,
    Kramer, Hohner, Steinberger, ALverez Yairi, Marshall, Fender, 
    Crate, Rickenbacker, Trace Elliot, Gallien Krueger, Duncan, dbx, 
    Rane, Tascam, Roland, Ibanez, Digitech, Alesis, Lexicon, Carver,
    AB, Casio, Symetrix...to name a few.
    
    	Union Music - They have the Peavey franchise for the Worcester
    area. They also carry Ovations, Martin, Roland, Eastern Acoustics,
    Carver, Alesis, Ibanez, Ensonic, Fostex, SRD ...to name a few.
    
    	Acton Music - I am not familiar with Acton Music, but I have
    heard good things about them. There is an Acton-gig Keyboard demo
    coming up in the near future. Anyone interested in attending, check
    COMMUSIC for details. We may want to organize a Guitar demo with
    them later on. 
    
    	Daddy's Junky Music - They carry many of the same brands as
    Wurlitzers and Union including Peavey, Roland, Fostex, etc.
     
    	Kurlan's - While this store is not known as one of the largest
    in the area, they have the only Yamaha franchise in the Worcester
    area. They also have the only Takamine franchise in Worcester. 
    The store is marginally big enough to accomidate a group of 10-15
    people. 
    
    	I am mainly concentrating on the larger stores. The smaller
    stores tend to carry more used gear, and have very few Franchises.
    They also do not have the floor space to accomidate a large group
    in one sitting. 
    
    	How does this sound for starters ????
    
        Mark Jacques
    

    Bravo Mark!!!  Looks like you've been doing some homework ;^)
    I think your list of "potentials" is good for starters.
    
    joe.

    With the holidays fast approaching, I think we should try to get
    a couple of demos set up before Thanksgiving, Otherwise, we will
    probably have to wait until after the First of the year. The stores
    get busy between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and most of us are
    busy doing our Christmas shopping as well. I will probably be
    shooting for either a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday night
    for a demo. It would be nice if we could get demos with the two
    biggest stores (Wurly and Union) before Thanksgiving.
    
    Please try and check this note every day or so for updates. Once
    I get something definate set up, I will start new notes to announce 
    it in Guitar, Music, amd Commusic conferences.
    
    Mark
    

    I was in Wurlitzers last night. I spoke to Ed about having
    a demo. He said that he would love to get a guy named 
    (Steve? Youngblood) from Roland. He could give a demo
    on the GP8 and the Roland guitar synthesizers the would
    blow us away. Only problem is he is in high demand, and
    we couldn't get him until after the first of the year.
    Another thing is that a demo of this scale might not
    me limited to DEC employess. Wurly might want to reserve
    the right to invite the general public to something like
    this. Ed said he could always throw a demo together for
    us on his own, but highly recommends coming to see
    Youngblood when they do get him scheduled. I will keep
    you posted on anything that I hear from Wurly. Next stop
    Union.
    
    Mark
    

    I am planning to buy an Boss ME-5 (MIDI Multi-effects Pedal).
    
    Actually, I'm planning to buy two, but I'd like to buy more.
    
    Let me explain...
    
    One bargaining tactic I have used with great success is to group
    orders together.  You can get a better price for four units than
    you can for one typically.
    
    If anyone is interested, please let me know ASAP.  My current
    "target" price is around $500-$525.  I haven't done much research.
    This is based mainly on the Daddy's asking price of $600.
    
    I've got a committment from them for $525 if I get 4 units, but that
    doesn't mean we can't do better if we find a better price somewhere.
    (Anyone know of one?)
    
    	db

    Hey, I've been calling the mail order places.  $525 is a damn
    good price turns out.  Mark is right, the quotes range from $600-$700.
    
    This is a real good opportunity to get a great multi-effects pedal
    board at a great price.
    
    Act fast, let's strike while the iron is hot.
    
    	db

    
    I talked with Paul at the musicbox in Fitchburg Ma and he said he
    would definately give group discounts on accesories, strings, cords
    etc. IF anyone is interested please let me know. The bigger the
    bulk the bigger the discount because he mentioned that he would
    get a discount for the order also. As far as demoing equipment he
    said he doesn't really have anything special that we'd be interested
    in. He carries all the usual effect etc. But for equipment disounts
    he said no problem. 
                        
    
    		Brian goss

    
    So, what ever happened to a guitar Wurlygig, did it just fade away?