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Sam Ash Music Corp
Categories: Musical Instruments & Teachers, Electronics [Edit]
95 Amity RdNew Haven, CT 06515
(203) 389-0500
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
3 reviews for Sam Ash Music Corp
Fantastic selection of new and used musical instruments. They have expanded the store and have a separate guitar room that is great for trying out a new riff.
http://www.samash.com/
I love this music store because not only is it huge, with a great inventory of different instruments and electronics, but they also are very good about letting you try whatever you want. No pressure or funny looks, they answer any questions you might have and then let you play till you get your fill. Add the great prices and knowledgeable staff and this place is about as good as it gets.
At Sam Ash you get to be a "kid in a candy store" and a "bull in a china shop" at the same time.
Just about everything in the store is available for "touchy-feely". Comparison shopping takes on a whole new meaning when you can actually play instruments side by side to compare the sound and feel.
While the selection *is* quite large, they come up a little short on weird, hard-to-find stuff. They offer special orders, but if I'm going to have to buy blind I'm using the internet and saving a few.
They employ, obviously, musicians. Many of them are very knowledgeable. They are, however, paid on commission, and this leads some of them to put "the sale" over "the customer". I suggest going there a few times to "browse" -- get an idea of which employees are the "go-to-guys" and which ones are the "lurkers".
Some of my experiences with different employees...
(a) salesman offers me help but cannot answer any of my questions without checking with another employee; continually tries to "upsell" several hundred dollars worth of equipment; doesn't tell me a power cord is not included.
(b) salesman offers me help in an area of his expertise; I inquire about a sale I had received a notification for, to which he replies, "Oh, that's next weekend"; I decide not to purchase but tell him I will come back; when I return in 1 week, sale was "last weekend".
(c) salesman very knowledgeable in amplifiers and PA speakers, asks me a ton of questions, and plays me several different sets of speakers with several different genres of music; tells me about a set-up the store doesn't currently stock that will save me a ton of money and transfers it from another store, within 72 hours.
As you can see, it can be hit or miss in there. I suggest doing a bit of research before you go into the store for the full experience. Bad experiences aside, I'll still keep on using this place.
