The Monday from heck... maybe not!!

bmi_guy · Post by **bmi_guy** » Tue Feb 22, 2005 3:36 am

Hope your Monday was better than mine... Or as GOOD!!

Here's what happened:

Went to Nashville to pitch songs to a couple of publishers - both were out with the flu and had to reschedule!
Had to wait an hour at BMI to get my roalty check straightened out.
Leaving there, my transmission starts acting up and that really irritates me.

Ok - So here's the fun part that includes Rickenbacker.

I go to lunch at this little pizza place on West End that I like - good food and usually have a jazz ensemble playing there. (I'm not a big jazz guy, but have heard some really good players there) Well - today is Monday and things have changed a bit.
It's now "Karaoke Monday" -
Yeeeeee-Haaaawwwwwwww!!!
The only place left to sit is at a little table in the back next to another table with an Elvis impersonator.
I'll let that sink in...
Yeah, high collar and all. He's talking the talk too - "Hey there li'l darl'n, can I have a refill on ma' coke".
There's a gal singing "Croakie" - doing Patsy Cline (Crazy). I want to tell her not to quit
her day job, but there's some Chris Pappas type guy (big and strong) sit'n there a "swoon'n" over her, so common sense tells me to keep my mouth shut.
Anyway, I look up and Paul Simon comes through the door - no not that one!!
It's a long story but he started a production company and is doing pretty well - got an office over on State St. Any way, he sits down and has some pizza with me 'cause we have't seen each other in a couple of months. After wolf'n down some pizza, I tell him I've gotta go - wanna swing by Gruhn's and have a look before I go down to Brentwood. Besides, I can't take the "croakie" anymore.
Paul says he's got some time to kill so we take off. On the way there he starts talking about these new Gibs** Les Pau** at the Gib** store on 12th Ave. Says he's gonna have a custom one made and wants me to take a look at 'em. I tell him I don't have much time and really want to go to Gruhn's. Finally, I give in.

We go in the place and there's these salesmen, all flit'n around in their Gib** shirts.
I really feel out of place. Anyway, Paul starts talking to one of them and we all go over to a display area. The sales guy puts on these white gloves and picks up a guitar from a stand - all smiles. Pauls starts ponting at the thing, telling me all about the one he
wants built at the Custom Shop - gold this, chrome that, 15 switches, etc.

That's when I get the idea!!!

I stand there, polite and all, listening to him with an eye on the sales guy.
When Paul's done I say, "Yeah, that sounds pretty cool man". Then I turn to the sales guy and say,

"Hey man.... uhhhh... where do ya'keep all your Rickenbackers?"

You should have seen his face!!! The guy actually winced! He says, " Uhhhhh... I'm sorry sir, we don't carry anything but Gib** instruments in this store". I look at him and say,
"Geeeez, that's too bad - C'mon Paul, lets go". Paul's standing there with his mouth open, still pointing at the guitar as I'm going out the door, about to crack up. Paul gets outside and swears he'll never go anywhere with me again!
(We have since, made up)

Guys, I ain't laughed that hard since I saw Junior Banks set his britches on fire at the
FFA weenie roast!

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Tue Feb 22, 2005 8:30 am

Great story!

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Tue Feb 22, 2005 8:34 am

Classic...I love any digs into the Gibson guys we can get!

dave4004 · Post by **dave4004** » Tue Feb 22, 2005 2:18 pm

Oh brother.

Do you really think that one of the world's premier guitar stores is embarrassed not to be carrying Rickenbackers? The only person you embarrassed was yourself, and you apparently can't even see that. If the salesman really did wince, it was only out of misplaced sympathy for you making yourself look foolish.

If someone went into Pick of the Ricks or Mike Parks' The Music Connection and made a big point of asking for the Gibsons in front of the other people, do you think anyone else would consider it a dig against Rickenbackers? Of course not.

It's a reflection on you, not the store.

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Tue Feb 22, 2005 4:27 pm

An analogous situation would be to go into a Hummer dealership, wander around, then ask to see their hybrid models.

To me, that would be humorous (Hummerous?), not embarrassing. Just one opinion among many (all of which can be appreciated!).

325_fan · Post by **325_fan** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 2:30 am

Great story. I've been thrown out of music stores for that. Their loss.

bmi_guy · Post by **bmi_guy** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 3:52 am

Dave,
It's obvious you don't see the humor here.
One of the world's "premier" guitar stores?
If anyone has consistently diappointed people in quality over the years, it's been this company. If you'd compare a 1960's guitar to 2005 model you'd be keenly aware of the lack of personal attention they give their instruments. This company now bases it's prices on a reputation and not what they deliver.
I don't expect them to carry Rickenbackers - which is the whole point of the dig.
Comparatively speaking, Rickenbacker continues to improve on quality and customer service, while the big two, do not. They continue to outsource their instruments for cheap labor and have sold out for the quick dollar. Rickenbacker does not. The quality of Rickenbacker is there. I also own two Gib** guitars. (1964 model and 1973 model) If I can see the difference, anyone should be able to.
Sorry if I offended you...

dave4004 · Post by **dave4004** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 5:46 am

Michael, you didn't offend me in the least. And I do see the humor here. It's at your expense.

I bought my first Gibson 46 years ago and I'm well aware of the company's history and policies. For better or worse, Gibson is enjoying excellent sales. If you think Gruhn isn't proud to be a Gibson dealer, you're mistaken. You didn't make them look bad or feel bad.

bmi_guy · Post by **bmi_guy** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 7:59 am

Hey Dave,
I guess we'll agree to disagree and leave it at that.
I know George - personally...
I know he likes his Gibsons - and others as well. But I wasn't in his shop.

This will be my last reply to this post - I will not cause Peter any grief over something so misunderstood. Peter, thanks for your patience.

dave4004 · Post by **dave4004** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 9:04 am

Michael, Peter would grieve if we didn't have discussions. I'm sure this one is no problem to him at all.

Sorry I misunderstood that you were at another shop and not Gruhn's. But I stand by my comments. I'm still confident that they weren't embarrassed by what they do and don't carry.

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 10:19 am

My comment was meant to point out diplomaticly that there are differences in perspectives and senses of humor. I, like Michael, see the humor one way, Dave sees it another way. It's all a part of our individuality.

jaymi · Post by **jaymi** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 1:01 pm

Michael, I live here in Nashville, have been to Gruhn's TONS of times and it is VERY rare that they have a Rick of any variety. I know one of the guys there personally and he is quick to tell me when one comes in. Let me know when you are here again and I can meet you somewhere for pizza, or if you like, we can have a Rick fest at my house....email me off forum...

bmi_guy · Post by **bmi_guy** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 7:35 am

Check with Gruhns - Paul says they have a '58 Reissue 325 there.

robbie_loud · Post by **robbie_loud** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 9:23 am

Hey Michael!

Aside from all the "controversy" I thought your story was hilarious!

Cheers from Canada

Rob

roadrunners · Post by **roadrunners** » Tue Mar 01, 2005 3:26 am

Very funny, I love doing that to people. and I think if people dis-agree with the story or dont find it in the least bit funny then they shouldnt post....or even read the story. I love when you walk into a guitar store and you ask for something, and they say "no we dont have that, but this roland cube really rocks out"....or something like that.