24th
Music stores yall
Music stores suck. This is a real problem in a town as creative as Athens. If only Zach’s store outside the 40 Watt would open as a full time shop that carried sticks, strings, heads, etc. I am so sick of dealing with Music Exchange, Chick and Musician’s Warehouse - I can’t even imagine how much I would hate them if I was a gal.
I guarantee you that the dudes that work at music stores drool over female musicians but then assume any girl who walks in the door is just some dumb girlfriend. We need Bikini Kill and Bratmobile to come stomp some middle age white dude ass to get our local shops in line!
I went to Music Exchange once when I was hunting down an Iron Cobra. I asked about them and the guy said, “No. Those are made by this brand called Tama. We don’t carry Tama. We’re not a Tama dealer. You’d have to go to somewhere that’s a Tama dealer to find them,” in this condescending tone. I just asked, sheesh. Thought I’d check out the local stores before going elsewhere.
I bought my Paiste 2002 ride at a Guitar Center and the guy wouldn’t let me try it out. I was like, 15 at the time so I didn’t care really. I never had a drum teacher so I didn’t know how imperative it was. I was just stoked that it was $240 off. I’ve been happy with it ever since but still!
These are just a few instances that stick out in my memory right now.
I would love, love, love to support a local music store, but I can’t. I’ll go buy sticks there because it’s convenient but I refuse to endorse any establishment that condones this kind of behavior. I’ve been playing drums for over ten years now. I’m not half-bad. I hate encountering these white middle-aged men that aren’t receptive to a female drummer. It’s really weird because until I moved to Athens I never met people that thought female drummers were cool. It was so wonderful to find a community full of supportive musicians after years of people assuming I was terrible because I was a girl or being surprised to find a female drumline captain. I am a huge supporter of local business but again, I can’t support any of the local stores.
I wonder if Sara Romweber has to deal with this?
I’ve been talked down to at a few music stores before, and I’m a dude. I think that if you’re young and/or can’t buy the $5000 guitars, some stores don’t really give a shit about your money. I went into the Music Exchange one time to ask for a part, got told they don’t carry it, that it sucks, and that I should just go order it online somewhere. The owner/manager dude seems to be a dick.
On the other hand, I’ve had great experiences and customer service at Chick Piano and at Sam Ash. The people there have been really helpful and friendly.
Oh yeah — I know they’re kind of dicks to everyone. But I’ve gotten, “Oh, are these for your boyfriend?” before. I don’t think they’ll ask you if drumsticks are for your girlfriend. I don’t think I’ve ever had a pleasant experience inside of a music store, not even when I was dropping $1,000 on a kit.
Ah, the universal problem.
In Athens I’ve had great experiences with Chick Piano and Musician’s Warehouse but horrible times at Music Exchange. And the chain stores? FORGET ABOUT IT! When I was younger I used to get defensive and nervous about how ignorant I was when I went into music stores looking at amps and effects pedals and stuff. Now, when I go in I’ll say things like “I want the pedal that makes the SWOOOOOOSH sound” or “I dunno. I’m pretty sure Blonde On Blonde used an Akai sampler” or “No one really listens to Buckethead, right?”
Sure, it drives ‘em up the wall but I’ll only do it when they’re being asses and then I feel OK about it.
true. the last time i went into a music store in athens, i got called “jewel.”
