Awesome visit to Music Mate Cresta today

VellaJ

So I've just got back from a regular browsing session at Music Mate Cresta, and have come home sporting 2 new bits of gear. Reason? They're having a small but awesome clearance sale of a bunch of stuff that hasn't moved off the floor in a while.

I came away with a Rocktron Hush (Normally R1,395, now R300) and a Hughes & Kettner Red Box DI box (Normally about R1,600, now R400).

Other items of interest were:
Marshall MG100 - R2,500
Chord Tele (Read below for a bit of info) R900
Vintage Tele Re-issue - R995
Rocktron Third Angel Distortion pedal - R300
Peavey PA (Not sure how extensive the setup was) approximately R2,995

I played the Chord tele, and I was actually amazed. I've looked at Chords before, and thought "Meh, just another Fender copy." But holy cow, that thing had some sounds for an entry-level guitar. And it looked good too; black, white binding, rosewood fretboard. Only gripes were that the frets are a bit thin for me (think they were mediums..?) and the 3-way toggle had a bit of play in it.

(Bad) Picture below; Chord not present, it was being jammed with...

Psean

Cool?
Not a big fan of that particular shop but the clearance seems worth a look

SnapcaseZA

Damn good price for the MG100...

psyx

The Park meadows branch also has some insane specials! I was there over the weekend...among other shiny things, A Dean angel of death for R7500... Not everyone's cup of tea, but still an awesome bargain!

Psean

These Red Box D.I.'s: I had a look and they said they're speaker simulators. Do they have to be used with an amp as the instruction on the box say or can they be used like a conventional D.I. for acoustic too?

VellaJ

Psean wrote: These Red Box D.I.'s: I had a look and they said they're speaker simulators. Do they have to be used with an amp as the instruction on the box say or can they be used like a conventional D.I. for acoustic too?

They can be used as a conventional DI AFAIK. They didn't demo it with an acoustic when I bought it, but he played a Strat through it into a mixing desk without an amp. Was pretty awesome...

The main thing is, don't use it with a valve amp without plugging the amp's speaker(s) in as well. Apparently many bad things will happen...

Psean

Yip. Valve amps need a load. The instructions on the box made it sound like it has to be used in conjunction with an amp. Good to know that it sounds good straight into the desk.

Thanks

Averatu

I walked in there once for strings, and the guy hardly took his eyes of his phone. Decided to skip it and went to Ronnie's Allbang and Strumit instead on the way home.

Psean

Averatu wrote: I walked in there once for strings, and the guy hardly took his eyes of his phone. Decided to skip it and went to Ronnie's Allbang and Strumit instead on the way home.

I've also not had the greatest experience with them. Ronnie's on the other hand...?

VellaJ

Psean wrote:
Averatu wrote: I walked in there once for strings, and the guy hardly took his eyes of his phone. Decided to skip it and went to Ronnie's Allbang and Strumit instead on the way home.
I've also not had the greatest experience with them. Ronnie's on the other hand...?

That's weird... From when they opened there I've had good service from them (apart from a problem with their suppliers importing a cab for me). In fact, being a small shop, I've never had any shortage of service from them. Most of them know be by name now, though. I'm in there rather often... ?

ftcl

Psean wrote:
Averatu wrote: I walked in there once for strings, and the guy hardly took his eyes of his phone. Decided to skip it and went to Ronnie's Allbang and Strumit instead on the way home.
I've also not had the greatest experience with them. Ronnie's on the other hand...?

Ah. Ronnie's... :yup:

Music Mate Cresta is also on my avoid list. The one in Fourways is not too bad though...

DonovanB

VellaJ wrote: That's weird... From when they opened there I've had good service from them (apart from a problem with their suppliers importing a cab for me). In fact, being a small shop, I've never had any shortage of service from them. Most of them know be by name now, though. I'm in there rather often... ?

Must be cos you're a girl. :roflmao:

I try not to write off a store due to a staff issue. Staff changes often and they might improve.

The owner on the other hand can be a problem. I remember meeting an owner and he had a not-so-great attitude to his customers. THAT place I'll avoid.

IceCreamMan

Music mates tend to be expensive ,sometines a lot more so, than other stores so try not to make big purchases from them. having said that the priceing on the specials is good.

i have bought odds and ends from that store before when i am in the area. helpful enough and its nice place to seek refuge while the wife is annihilating the credit card.

Psean

IceCreamMan wrote: Music mates tend to be expensive ,sometines a lot more so, than other stores so try not to make big purchases from them. having said that the priceing on the specials is good.

i have bought odds and ends from that store before when i am in the area.