In this issue:  From Bass to Guitar And Back Again: It Feels Like Coming Home | "Yo! He's Got Your Bass!" Bass Specialties' Glenn Marrazzo | Life on the Road: Aaron Watson and the Orphans of the Brazos | The Pentatonic Scale

"Yo! He's Got Your Bass!"

Bass Specialties' Glenn Marrazzo

by S.K. Wallace

Gerald Veasley's Bass BootCamp 2007: Enter "The Gear Room" sponsored, staffed, and stocked by Bass Specialties, Philadelphia's new and first exclusive bass store owned and operated by Glenn Marrazzo. At any given evening during the camp, a half-dozen or more bassists were in there happily jamming away on a diverse assortment of Bass Specialties' instruments in thunderous, polyphonic bass bliss. I was content to keep my Fender in the case and sit on the periphery and just listen to a couple of friends. Then, I was approached by the highly enthusiastic yet businesslike gentleman who seemed to be supervising things. "Don't you want to play, too? Let me get you a bass!" Before I could protest or make excuses, he placed a 5-string Zon Bass in my arms and was setting me up with an amp. I was impressed and touched by this simple, kind gesture of inclusiveness and wanted to ask him his name, but he was already back circulating and overseeing all the activity… So, my first question to Glenn Marrazzo is: Who WAS that guy?

G.M.:That nice fellow was Millard Whatley, a friend/customer and unofficial "Ambassador" for Bass Specialties. Millard has been a customer since day one and volunteered to help me with the hauling and setting up all the "toys" for the gear room at BBC '07.

S.K.:Describe the background and events leading up to the development of Bass Specialties.

G.M.: From the time I was eight or nine, I was, not forced, but expected to work in the family business. It started out as a mom-and-pop grocery store but rapidly evolved into a specialty retail business including fine foods, high-end catering, a deli… On the positive side, I always had money (and that can be very seductive.) I also started playing the guitar at nine. As a child of the Beatles' era, it was only a matter of time before I began playing in a band, but it was the all-too-common story of being "one guitar too many" which led me to take up the bass. I played the bass throughout high school in various bands and took lessons, but there was the ongoing obligation to the family business.

I attended the local community college as a music major and specialized in electric bass, and I really embraced that whole experience. It seemed so easy and came so naturally! My grade point average was close to a 4.0, but after two years, I just lacked the desire to take it to the next step.

I settled into the routine of playing with bands and working in the family business, but I found myself gradually drifting away from the music as my friends and I started getting married, having families of our own, becoming more preoccupied with our jobs… I entered a ten-year state of bassplaying dormancy where I only played the occasional gig or jammed two or three times a year.

In 1995, I started playing on a regular basis again, jamming with a drummer, keyboardist, and guitarist. It was so much fun, we decided to record a CD. That whole experience got the seed germinating: "I'm BACK!" Other opportunities and gigs followed. While all the cool stuff was happening, I realized how much of my life was being sucked away by a business I never liked. I was working 75 hours a week. I was the boss of 40 employees. It was rewarding only in the monetary sense. I was "the guy who owns and runs the food store," but I began to resent that definition. I used to love to fish, to ride my bike, but above all, I was best at my bassplaying! The food business? I never loved it and never would!

Call it a midlife crisis, but as my 45^th birthday approached, I flew down to Tennessee to attend Victor Wooten's 2003 Bass and Nature Camp. On the plane, I found myself thinking, "I'm a husband, a father, a business owner, and, after all that, a bassplayer. Who am I kidding? I'm too old for this!" But, from the minute I stepped off the bus from the airport, when Victor greeted us and handed us over to Anthony Wellington for a tour of the camp, I resonated to the openness and warmth and the energy… There were both spiritual and social aspects that allowed me to relate to everybody. I felt a sense of community and belonging to the extended "bass family." I began a journey of self-discovery. I felt like a certain part of me came out of that camp experience: a person who was connected with a spirituality that had previously been denied.

I wanted to stay connected after I went out there and had the time of my life, but as the bassplaying was skyrocketing, there was a lot of stuff going down in the food business. For every "high" in bass experience, I'd go back to work, and it would be calamity! An employee would cut his hand on a slicer… all the bad stuff that could possibly happen in that business did… almost as if by design!

Finally, on New Year's Day, 2006, on the way home after a daytrip to Philly with my wife and some friends, I had an epiphany: Philadelphia… this town known for all these great bassplayers… doesn't have a bass store! I have retail experience; I could do this. I know the bass… I love the bass… and I know retail! This is my calling!

S.K.: Were there any specific obstacles/challenges you faced in the process of starting your own business, and, if so, how did you overcome them?

G.M.: I had a long history in retail so I had no trouble with the logistics of setting up a new business. I think the first obstacle was that I needed to convince myself that I could make such a dramatic change in my life! With the encouragement and support from my family and dear friends (plus a couple of sessions with a spiritual counselor) I was able to summon up the courage to make a move. My next fear was that someone would beat me to it by opening up a shop before I got the chance. I chose not to dwell on that particular "what if?" After that, I was concerned that there might be a lack of confidence in me from the various manufacturers that I had targeted as desirable brands to represent, either due to my inexperience in the musical merchandise biz or their not actively seeking new retailers in my trade area.

One phone call changed all that. Once my mind was made up, having been a Roscoe player and enthusiast for the past two years, I decided that the first company that I would reach out to would be Roscoe Guitars. My call to Roscoe was answered by Gard Lewis who runs the office for Keith Roscoe. Gard spent at least an hour on the phone with me providing support and encouragement. The next day, I got an e-mail from Gard listing over 30 manufacturers with contact names and phone numbers! I took this as a very positive nudge from the Universe that I was on the right path.

S.K.: How would you describe the current status of Bass Specialties? What's a "typical" day at the store like?

G.M.: Right off the bat, let me say that for the first time in decades, I love coming to work! In my previous business, I needed to get into work by 7:15 a.m. and couldn't wait for 6:00 p.m. to roll around. Now, my business hours are less intense, so I don't even need to use an alarm clock to wake up… VERY liberating. I have time in the morning to ride my bike or just ease into the day. Since I've only been open a little over eight months, I guess it's fair to say that my business is unpredictable: I've had some amazing weeks in terms of overall sales, and there have been some quiet weeks. I am encouraged by the fact that Bass Specialties is still being discovered daily by players near and far.

A typical day at the shop usually features visits by some of the regulars: customers who have supported the business, not only with purchases, but also by lending their spirit to the shop by spreading the word and welcoming newcomers. Many of my repeat customers have taken it upon themselves to act as unofficial "ambassadors" by sharing their knowledge of the instruments and gear, sharing playing tips and techniques, volunteering to assist me in any way, being an "extra pair of eyes" when needed, and (this really blows me away) by reminding guys how valuable a resource to the bass community Bass Specialties is and encouraging them to "at least buy a set of strings to keep this man in business." I knew from my experiences at Victor's and Gerald's camps that there was this incredible fellowship amongst bassplayers, but I'm overwhelmed by the… (loss for words here.)

S.K.: What are some of your favorite highlights (guest appearances, workshops, other special events, etc.) and accomplishments, thus far?

G.M.: I'm very fortunate to have featured some of the world's top bassplayers at Bass Specialties so early in its existence. Gerald Veasley and Anthony Wellington both appeared at my grand opening as well as luthiers Jon Maghini and Tim Cloonan. Victor Wooten stopped by the very next weekend. Since then, I've had appearances by Victor again, Mike Dimin along with Larry Ullman from Euphonic Audio, Jimmy Haslip, and Patrick Pfeiffer. Gerald returned this past March to present a little slice of Bass BootCamp; as a result, we signed up at least six bassplayers for the last camp!

S.K.: Are there any ongoing activities or upcoming special events you'd like to announce?

G.M.: I've got Adam Nitti on June 9 and Bryan Beller on June 22 scheduled to do clinics and have made arrangements for Patrick Pfeiffer to visit again in the summer. Also, Anthony Wellington provides private bass lessons here once a month. I'm working on getting Norm Stockton in the fall.

S.K.: How did you go about getting Anthony Wellington to teach at your store on a monthly basis? [He's actually called me from the road while making the drive to Bass Specialties from Maryland.] Do you have other instructors as well who teach bass at your store?

G.M.: Anthony has been a friend and bass coach since we met at Victor's camp in 2003, and outside of my wife and two close friends, he's the first person that I sought out for insight and guidance as I planned my new venture last year. As the business began to take shape, Anthony would constantly volunteer ideas and suggestions; one of them was the idea that he could arrange to teach here one Sunday out of each month. This provides 16 lucky students one-on-one instruction with the greatest bass teacher on the planet! It's been a tremendous success with lessons being sold out two months ahead. I'm not normally open on Sundays, only when Anthony's here, so there's not a whole lot for me to do. But, I do get a kick out of the look on the faces of the students after they experience the "Anthony Effect"!

Also, I currently have two teachers who provide lessons on a weekly basis. My mission from the beginning was to offer bass students a level of instruction that was a few notches above the average "music store experience" where in many cases, the bass is being taught by someone who might be [primarily] a guitarist who also teaches bass. I'm not saying this has to be a bad thing, but I feel that it's most beneficial when we bassists get the message from instructors whose main instrument is the bass.

S.K.: There are some other well-known entities throughout the country specializing in bass exclusively. How do you feel Bass Specialties compares and/or contrasts? Are there any aspects or features of Bass Specialties that you consider to be unique or to set it apart?

G.M.: It's no secret that my shop is modeled after the other exclusive bass shops that have preceded me, and I am honored to be mentioned in the same breath as many of them. In comparison, my store is similar to some in that it is an actual storefront situated in a shopping center. Some of the other bass-only retailers operate out of offices or industrial parks. I'd like to say that my shop is still evolving in terms of layout and inventory. For example, I am stocking about 80 basses right now. This is a rather impressive number to most people who enter my store for the first time, yet to me, it is only half-full. I look forward to the day when there are 200+ basses hanging on the wall.

S.K.: Given the growing number of bass-only businesses and even your initial concerns that someone else might start a bass store in Philadelphia first, do you feel there is room in the market for everyone? Are you making efforts to carve a niche for yourself?

G.M.: It's too early to tell whether the bass community can support the sudden abundance of bass-only stores. I recognized from the beginning the need to compete nationally/internationally. My initial goal was to establish myself first and foremost in the Philadelphia metropolitan area and to cater to what I perceived to be a strong bass community there. Strategically speaking, my proximity to New Jersey and New York is a plus. What makes my store attractive to potential customers from those regions is that I am easily accessible from many of the main arteries connecting the tri-state area. In addition, having over 2000 square feet of storefront gives visitors the flexibility to move rigs around the sales floor and the resulting ability to demo many combinations of amps, cabinets, and instruments. Another factor is that Pennsylvania currently has a lower state sales tax than New York and New Jersey, and, of course, out-of-state buyers can save that expense by having me ship to their homes. Locally, I also want to be known for my repair work.

Another way to ensure "market share" is to have the right bass at the right time. Many instruments have unique combinations of woods, finishes, and electronics, so even if the other shops are stocking a select model of a specific brand, the customer comes to you for his purchase because you've got the combination that he's looking for. Obviously, you've got to be a bit more seasoned to better anticipate this part of the business.

S.K.: What are your long-term plans and vision for Bass Specialties?

G.M.: I'd like to expand my selection of basses and related gear. I need to be patient though because every dollar goes right back into the business. I'd like to continue to offer as many clinics/guest appearances as possible, hopefully an average of two per month. Building the lessons program is a priority. There is no substitute for the foot traffic created by a roster of 40+ students per week; we're talking impulse sales and built-in customer loyalty. If I'm successful, I'd like to expand to a new building, preferably a stand-alone structure that I could get cheap and rehab if needed. Such a space would allow me to integrate rehearsal/recording studios as a possible source of income. Perhaps, I'll even merge with a "drum shop." It's too early to say whether I can make a living in this new business, but it allows me to feel as if I've got my life back, to remain connected with the bass community, to play live music more often, and therefore, I am healthy and happy. My old business offered me nothing more than financial security, but to quote Groucho Marx: "Money will never make you happy, and happy will never make you money."

Glenn Marrazzo

Visit www.BassSpecialties.com to learn more about Glenn Marrazzo and Bass Specialties.

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About the author:

S.K. Wallace is a bassist, high school chemistry teacher, and in-demand guitar instructor. Her writing has appeared in Mel Bay's Bass Sessions^TM since 2004. She may be reached at SKWBassist@aol.com.