On drums...

I shop at a suburban GC here often since a old friend is the sales manager, a newer friend (who is quite the drummer & cool person) works there.
Better yet, another old friend and former bandmate is the regional sales manager and reviews all sales that go through the store.
Bottom line: I get ridiculous prices and no one gets in trouble, any receipt with my name on it gets waved through.

Called the store today looking for some reso heads. Standard ol' clear Ambassadors, 12 13 16". I called first because I also need a 15" & GC is not well known for stocking anything relatively rare.
My friend was off, so another drum guy took the call. I asked for the clear Ambys in the sizes I needed.
He then asked if I was looking for "batters or resos."
"Clear Remo 10mil Ambassadors" I replied.
"Batters or resos?" He re-retorted.
"There is no difference-just clear Ambassadors."
MMMM... OOOOHHHH KAAAYYY... He smugly interjected.
He checked availability. Of course, no 15". It will have to be a special order. Surprise, surprise.
"I'll be in tomorrow. Will Andrew be there?"

Am I missing something?
I think not. Shoot, I KNOW not.
Ambassadors are Ambassadors. Unless something just came out at NAMM, which would have been news last January on the several message boards I frequent (and most likely the recipient of the 'Marketing what? Do we really need Ambassadors labeled Batter & Resonant?' discussions).
The only difference in Ambassadors (outside of color) is the 'Batter' vs the 'Snare Side,' which is obviously a wholly different head.
He may have assumed I was looking for a 15" snare side, but I went into detail about the head thickness.
I guess I may find out his angle tomorrow.

Oh well, funny times at a suburban GC with a drum dept that doubles as a nursery/daycare.

_________________
Chris

Without more information, I'd guess he was getting computer prompts. Ask Cliff how much two five dollar dinners cost.

_________________
Gregory

_________________
Cliff

River City Trio

What if we did all have the same opinions?

Man I hear those GC stories a lot. I never shopped GC's until I moved to Knoxville. NJ has some awesome pro music stores so never needed GC's.
Thankfully the guy in this one by me is a gigging drummer and there 95 percent of the time. He's a little much on the "suggestions" end of it. He's a bit younger and I'm probably correct in guessing I have tried more heads than he's ever sold.
The most annoying is when I bought sticks and he had to suggest others. Um...sticks...they are like the spinal cord. Don't you think I've taken these 40 years to know what's best for me. "Are they thin, light, wood tip etc??? No, they are fat, heavy with a nylon tip, but you should try them anyway"
huh
"Did I mention I play Sonor drums. And we are the most informed, anal, arrogant, borderline psychopathic group of people on the planet?? I know what f'n sticks I want dirt bag, start typing and go frigging get them".

_________________
Cliff

River City Trio

What if we did all have the same opinions?

...

_________________
Gregory

That's it! Upside down packaging!

_________________
Chris

The problem is simple - when I ask for Clear Ambassador here, they always tell me "You mean RESO heads?!?"
Here, they all think they same - if they're coated, they're batter heads. If they're clear, they're reso heads...

So, You can't win with these guys I guess...


The best story I know considering what to use is:
A friend of mine ordered a SONOR 3005 set. He asked for a 20,10,12,14 configuration, in red maple, and payed 30% in advance. They told him the drums would be here in 2 weeks.
The fifth week, he got a call the drums arrived. He went to the store and they showed him what he ordered - a black sparkle 3005 in 22,10,12,14. And, after about half an hour of "kind" discussion, the seller told him "So, it's a 22" bass drum. Like You'll notice the difference?!?"
30 seconds later, he was OUT of the store, with the $$$ in his pocket. And he found a guy who buys them from a store in the neighboring country, and brings them (across the border), for a small refund. He payed 60euro more, BUT the got a 10,12,12,20 F3005 in red maple...

But, the comment of the seller.... Priceless...

_________________
Goki - short from Goran

Let the good drums roll!!!

I get vertigo every time I see your avatar, tone!

_________________
Gregory

So, after going in to get the heads...
My buddy was working. Good.
The guy I talked to wasn't. Darn. Just wanted to pick his brain. My buddy said he is probably the most knowledgeable guy in the dept. Yikes!
They did have the 15" in stock, though I was told that was a special order. Typical.
Got my usual great deal and they threw in a brand new 22" Remo UT version of a Powerstroke 4. This is going on a BD I plan on selling. WIN!

_________________
Chris