American Standard Panic

fretlessspence · #1 09-23-2010, 06:05 PM

I have an opportunity to buy 2 American Standard basses. One in need of some work (quite a bit) and the other in playable but well used condition. I think the price is $1300 for both of them. Problem is, things are tight right now and I can't just toss around 1300 bucks. Panic has set in.

E.P. Miller · #2 09-23-2010, 06:09 PM

A popular radio personality likes to say "a good deal isn't a good deal if you don't need it."

panama · #3 09-23-2010, 06:10 PM

Dude..there will always be Fender Am. Std basses around. Chill out, pay your bills, and wait for better times.

panama · #4 09-23-2010, 06:11 PM

p.s. $650 for an am. std that needs work OR one that is "heavily used" is not that great of a deal.

BigOldHarry · #5 09-23-2010, 06:13 PM

There is NO SUCH THING as a one-time-only good deal.

You don't need the basses, and you don't have the $$?? Don't stress - just don't buy.

Marcus Johnson · #6 09-23-2010, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by panama

Dude..there will always be Fender Am. Std basses around. Chill out, pay your bills, and wait for better times.

Bwahahahahaha....

Oh... were you serious?....

E.P. Miller · #7 09-23-2010, 06:17 PM

Let's set things straight. OP, are we talkin' EB or DB.?

fretlessspence · #8 09-23-2010, 06:18 PM

Not Fender electric basses, American Standards are upright basses built from the 30's through the 60's. The can typically sell for $2000 to well over. Posted in the DB side.

panama · #9 09-23-2010, 06:20 PM

Oh good god I crossed over here without realizing it. Sorry guys! Bye!

fretlessspence · #10 09-23-2010, 06:24 PM

My thought was to buy these two, get them up and going and use them and my kay as bass capital towards a carved bass.

E.P. Miller · #11 09-23-2010, 06:26 PM

Don't let the Fender hit you in the A$$ on the way out.

Couldn't help it. It's always good for a laugh! Thought it was me that got caught on the wrong side of the tracks.

E.P. Miller · #12 09-23-2010, 06:28 PM

American Standards are well loved in many musical circles. Depending on who you trade with, they may be concerned about the over stand issues that are inherent in those basses. I haven't met a luthier yet that didn't have an uncontrollable urge to fix it...

drasticDUB · #13 09-23-2010, 06:30 PM

make it happen!

You can recoup your costs after reselling the beater to someone who needs it.
Since getting my AS, I am no longer "searching" for that sound in my head...I have it in my hands now!

jlilley · #14 09-23-2010, 06:36 PM

It really does seem too good to pass up, you should be able to turn them and make a decent profit.

Cheers,
John

anonymous02282011 · #15 09-23-2010, 06:48 PM

It's really tough to tell with such little information.

Fixing up a double bass could cost anywhere from a few hundred bucks (new strings, setup, maybe a new soundpost) to a thousand or more (new fingerboard, bridge, etc etc)

I think the advice of "if you don't need it it's not a good deal" is pretty good.

E.P. Miller · #16 09-23-2010, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fretlessspence

My thought was to buy these two, get them up and going and use them and my kay as bass capital towards a carved bass.

Could backfire. The best capital for the carved bass is probably going to be a pile of Ben Franklins. Cash gives you the best possible bargaining power.

drurb · #17 09-23-2010, 07:14 PM

I hear this guy has cash to lend:

E.P. Miller · #18 09-23-2010, 07:19 PM

That looks like Sam Giancana. Who is it?

bass_snake · #19 09-23-2010, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trix Miller

A popular radio personality likes to say "a good deal isn't a good deal if you don't need it."

That's a good saying. I like it.

Fred

KUNGfuSHERIFF · #20 09-23-2010, 09:27 PM

Very true. I've done quite well flipping basses. However, flipping a DB is much slower and more difficult, and you are the only party to this discussion that has any idea how much work these basses will need to be saleable. Your call.