I could be wrong, but I guess this is considered adulting with an adult win. Sorry, for the partial novel and guitar nerd details ahead.
I went to guitar center today to buy some new strings and more picks (I swear picks feel like they always grow feet and walk off.)
I saw a kid with his parents buying him another guitar and amp, so they were asking the staff questions.
A few words were exchanged and they mentioned how someone had robbed them, including the kids setup. So they were on a budget.
But, the kid really loves playing guitar and I know being in sales you have to sell certain items throughout the month to meet the quota,
which the main sales rep was giving them a minimum budget of $2000 for both a guitar along with an amp.
(I know equipment isn't cheap, but Jesus, a bit overboard isn't it?)
I hate being nosy but I saw the disappointment on the kids face when the parents said they couldn't afford it. They didn't know anything when it came to guitars or amps.
I ended up walking over to the kid and parents before they were about to leave, the sales rep ended up being busy with someone else at this stage, trying to sell the
same thing. To which that also failed. Issue was the fact he was trying to sell to a well known guitarist here in town
.
The kid is just 12 years old and had more of a sense of maturity than the sales rep.
Asked him what gear he had before, my experiences playing guitar and what would be best to have on a budget (have been for 10 years, not trying to boast or rub it in.)
I asked him what style and sound he's looking for - Metal\Hard Rock was his response. Also mentioned what tuning he really likes.
I eventually showed him what guitars are best for that sound along with the combo amps displayed. The sales rep was showing him guitars around $900
and amps around $1000 or so. This kid isn't wanting to go around gigging, he's been playing for only a year and a half.
So I saw a few Schecter's and LTD's around that were below $400, and spent time with the kid.
Even tuned down his guitars for him and taught him a few things on techniques, jammed out with him. The sales rep dude was trying to I'm assuming, one up
me trying to "teach the kid from afar." Don't get me wrong, he's really good, better than I could play on certain types of fast paced solos with no emotion
. (Again, I'm not trying to come across as seeming conceited or a know it all. I can't get the fact of how the sales rep attitude was towards the kid and his parents. I sincerely am trying to help them out here.)
Seemed like he was just showing off than actually trying to teach someone, just going about it made him look like an asshat to me. The kid still stuck with me.
He eventually got a Schecter Diamond series they had for roughly around $300 (was like $297). It was used but in good condition.
Then the amp (same model I use for practice.) I had him play on was a Line 6 combo amp spider 4 75 watt, which also was used but was around $150.
Really good combo amp for starters and even used among some guitarists today.
So he got that amp. The total bill was like $497 (gotta have a good cable cord which was like 20 bucks, then of course tax).
The kid and the parents thanked me, and the sales rep guy seemed a bit pissed off. All in all, if you're going to adult, don't be a dick about it.
"Go to Heaven for the Climate, Hell for the company." - Mark Twain