noob question: resale of student models

[derridiandrift]

I'm in the market for a student model bass. I've seen a couple on the local craigslist in the last few months selling for around 15% off the new price after tax. One bass was a Strunal Dvorak with "ebonized" fixtures, and the other was a Samuel Eastman model 80. What's the deal with the resale of these basses? Do they really hold their value like that or were these two ads just a case of wishful thinking on the part of the seller?

[Bass Barrister]

Most well made student line basses should hold their value. They do not generally appreciate in value. Serious damage will depreciate the value but upgrades generally do not help very much tp increase it.

Having said that, the value of a bass to any buyer is the amount he or she is willing to pay for it. Location is a big factor as basses are hard and expensive to pack and ship. Also, in a large metro area, there are more basses to choose from so prices can get competetive.

The economy is also another major factor. Right now it's a buyer's market IMHO. Just look at the basses for sale on the classifieds here. But, if you've got the ONLY Shen (or whatever) around for 500 miles, you'll sell it for more than you would the same bass in Chicago or NYC.

[Cody Sisk]

Go with the Eastman

[uprightbass.com]

Originally Posted by DallasStrings

Go with the Eastman

I'd avoid Strunal unless you live in Europe. There are better options for the same price in the U.S.

[derridiandrift]

Just curious, why should I avoid Strunal? A friend of mine tells me that most guys around here play a Dvorak (this is a Strunal, I think). Is it that they don't sound as good as the Eastman, or they're not built as well?

I'm near Toronto, so that's a pretty big market. I'm just surprised that the asking prices of these used basses was so high. Funny thing, I called a couple local stores and they seemed very willing negotiate on the price of a new instrument.

[LouisF]

The stores will negotiate because of retail mark-up (sometimes as much as 50% over their wholesale cost of the bass). Somebody on Craig's list, or even on the TB want ads, is (rightfully) trying to get back as much of the original purchase price as possible in the re-sale. Factors like how much a bass has improved (new tuners, endpin, tailpiece, strings; planed fingerboard etc are common upgrades to a new bass) will often be factored in.

LF

[drurb]

Originally Posted by derridiandrift

Just curious, why should I avoid Strunal?

Because:

Originally Posted by uprightbass.com

There are better options for the same price in the U.S.

Yes, those better options are generally are built better and sound better. What is your budget?

[Bass Barrister]

Strunal (f/k/a Lidl) is a large manufacturer of stringed instruments based in the Czech Republic. They make several grades of basses, ranging from cheap laminates to fully carved. Some are quite decent, some should be avoided.

At the entry-level market, brand names do not make much of a difference. The individual bass does. You need to look at each potential purchase and, if possible, have it checked out by a bass luthier not connected with the seller. If a potential seller balks at this idea, my question is: What do they have to hide?

Moreover, if you want to buy a bass selling at a certain price, don't be afraid to make an offer. The most that can happen is that the selller rejects your offer. You got the moeny - he's got a bass to unload.

[uprightbass.com]

I'm not saying that all Strunals are bad, I'm sure some people own great ones, but in general I would say that they manufacture with the mindset of selling mass quantities of instruments to large music chains and mega music stores. It's just a widget to the company, but there could be a few workers that enjoy making instruments. They have a higher percentage of not so good basses than other makers. I don't know if the U.S. distributor is still run by George Seger, but they did have bad customer service from the top down from my experience.

If you find a fantastic bass and it happens to be a Strunal or any other brand, then buy it, but in general I would say that there are better options from material quality, a consistency of manufacturing and customer support standpoint.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by Bass Barrister

At the entry-level market, brand names do not make much of a difference. The individual bass does.

Actually, I think it's exactly at the entry-level of decent instruments where one finds the greatest homogeneity among specific models and brands. Consider this thread.

[Chasarms]

Comparing new and used DBs is not always an apples to apples kind of thing. Make sure you understand exactly what you are getting in both cases.

Often the "new" price is misleading. If you are buying from a reputible instrument seller and the instruments are set up by a luthier prior to selling, then the new price is fair. These places typically see that the bass is fitted correctly and everything is in order. The good ones will even give you some options on the setup and some selection of the strings that come on it.

But, if you are having a bass drop shipped from some distribution center somewhere, plan on tacking on a few hundred to get it playable. If it ships with junk strings, maybe even more.

So, if the used bass has ready been given the proper attention, the difference in cost may be more attractive than you think. Of course, just because it is used, doesn't mean it has been set up.