Bananas At Large — Local services in San Rafael

Gone are the days of meeting up at a music store, talking shop, testing out gear, making connections. The experience I had has turned me off to ever come back. I've heard that the Santa Rosa location is a bit more friendly, but I don't know if it's worth the drive. Pretty cool location (although parking is terrible) with a medium-large inventory. However, the staff comes across as arrogant and elitist, which was confusing as they weren't able to answer a few basic questions. The biggest bummer was they had a couple of items that I would have picked up (including a cab and a boutique pedal), but the attitude of the sales staff immediately changed my mind. Long story short, if you're thinking of stopping by, just go to Guitar Center. You'll get the same level of service and ineptitude.

Edit: First off, I was the seller, not the buyer. I wanted them to feel safe with the transaction, so I told them to find a local music store. Neither of us had been to Banana’s before. I looked online, and it seemed like a cool shop, and the site said all the right things. Even looked at the inventory to see if there was anything that caught my eye. I’ve done transactions as both seller and buyer, plenty of small music stores around the Bay Area have been accommodating. Most of them know we’re there for 5-10min, and the most important part, we learn about a new shop that supports local musicians. At the time I came in, there were at 3 staff members standing behind registers doing nothing, not to mention 2 more sitting up in what I believe was the keyboard section. When we first came in, my buyer purchased 2 cables, we had already discussed purchasing items to support Bananas. At no point did the staff recommend we come back later, The attitude from what I assume was a Manger, was uncalled-for, as was the “joke” about taking 30% of the sale. Times are incredibly rough, especially for working musicians. I don’t consign my gear because I can’t afford to lose a 30% cut to another greedy business. You also neglect to mention that after the transaction in the parking lot, the buyer and I went back into Banana’s to take a look at the inventory. Strange move for someone who was only “here to test this amp” and "ran outside to write” my review. The fact that you say you reviewed footage, but neglect to mention that we both came back into the store, and walked around for at least 15 min. It’s weird and disturbing you’re exhausting so much energy tearing down another person. The reason we came back in was the buyer had a few questions while we had our transaction, so I wanted to show him a few things. I did have questions about a guitar cab, and a staff member came over. It was a unique piece, I was curious. Your “professional working musicians and producers” salesman had no idea, and did not spend more than 1 min with us before just walking away. (I looked it up, and it is a pretty cool little cab, it’s a pity your staff can't do 5 min of research) The fact that you need to gush about your “over $2.5 million in inventory”, when I stated in my review that you have a “medium-large inventory”, sounds a bit braggadocio. You have a wide variety of stuff, that’s cool. What’s not cool is shunning the musical communities that keep you in business. The last item I pointed out to the buyer was in the used pedal display. I had just gushed over how great they were when used in a signal chain, and the only thing your staff added was “yeah, we’ve got a lot of used pedals”. Didn’t ask if we wanted to test it out, didn’t pull it out to show us, didn’t let us know if it had a cool history, or even the price. I had pushed the buyer that if he saw one, he should pick it up, but at that point the damage was done. Your response oozes of elitism and condescension, I can see where your staff gets it from.

On the parking, there were not 30 spots in the area I parked. If you have additional parking, I did not see or know about it (again first time here) but if you do, I...

It is always a pleasure to do business with people that know their trade-craft inside and out! It is also a bonus when they can respect one’s own level of experiential knowledge, and engage accordingly... That is what puts this shopping experience way up my list! The Bananas staff are a mix of deeply skilled musicians and ‘music sales professionals’ (with related backgrounds). As such -they address customers with a casual but helpful style - ‘recommending’ per one’s comments - but backing off to let you explore, and discover within the store’s amazing soup to nuts inventory… If it’s used in rock ‘n roll (or related genres) - it’s almost always somewhere within their San Rafael store! Wisely - Bananas also takes in a limited amount of higher end gems and ‘interesting’ pre-owned gear that is in good to excellent shape. A friend of mine acquired one of Jorge Santana’s custom modded ‘big stage’ amps (on consignment) from here... And quite a few of Neal Schon’s professionally maintained stage guitars have shown up at the store (over years)... Vintage Fender, Mesa, Ampeg, - or even collector grade Dan-o amps may show up here… Once in a while that ‘fifties’ electric archtop, or luthier built stage guitar may come through. The new inventory is also really comprehensive, and amateurs through professional can find plenty to tempt! But the really big deal is Bananas’ helpful (yet ‘laid back’) shopping experience... Whether you’re in for strings and picks - or just browsing the ‘new arrivals’? There’s a friendly greeting, and attention to your needs of the moment. A bit of respect and some appropriate ‘personal space’ (offered with a scosh of intermittent engagement) can go a long way towards making this world a better place! And this is what most experienced players (like myself) want to find. Especially when considering a new instrument or amp! I want to thank Scott for being the consummate professional that he is (in this role). He made it easy for me to focus my thoughts; lower my pulse; and take a breath - all while finding, testing, and committing to a truly amazing professional grade instrument and combo amp! But be assured - ‘they’re’ just as happy to set up ‘first timers’ at Bananas. There are lots of affordable ‘quality items’ for young people and parents (just getting them started). Do yourself a favor. Get off the web, and come here in person…Allow enough time to explore and ‘discover’… You’ll be glad you did! Highly...

I have been "oogling" musical instruments and accessories at "BANANA'S" many years now...although i lived in Forestville, Windsor and now Santa Rosa, I have shopped at the old location on 5th near the mall in S.R., recently on College Ave. and more than a few times in san Rafael. (Hi Allen!!!) Well, I was looking for a new set of computer speakers/monitors online. my "Klipsch" just quit! so while looking, the PreSonus' I was checking out came up in your store so I dropped the search and called your store on College Ave. I spoke with "Jackson", told him what I was looking for and he was very helpful answering my "Q&A", confirming that they were in stock and the pricing (equal to online $$$) So...I wanted new speakers like a cpl months ago but had to save a bit. I loved the idea that I could pick them up and not have to wait & worry for and about shipping! When I went in, Jackson was off so I spoke with another young man, a bit short, wavy hair-blue eyes. I told him I'd called 'n talked to Jackson 2 days b4. I was on my mission I guess and my fault I didn't get his name, LOl! However, he was in all respects perfect in sales and customer service. Took me right to the units I was interested in, was respectfully patient while I went back n forth a cpl x's. He made dbl sure of the pricing, turning the boxes so see the "tag." Happy? Fer sure! They got connected immediately on my arrival home and they are perfect for me, for my very small section 8 apartment, have the quality sound I demand and more than enough volume for me now...You get an "A+" and Five Stars from this satisfied customer. Thank You All~Allen & Staff for maintaining your "Brick N Mortar" store. PS... although I just purchased my computer stereo monitors from Bananas, the photo is of the "Amber Burst" Fender Deluxe Jazz Bass I purchased from Allen at the store in San Rafael, Ca. Anywhere near marin county, Bananas is the 'Go To" place for musical instruments...Shoot ~ I went there from Sonoma County for both, purchases and the successful consignment sale of my 4x10 Goliath Bass cabinet! Thanx again...