seeking advice on buying and selling UBs

[MingusAmongUs]

Hi folks,

This is one of my first posts after a while of lurking. I've got something of a conundrum which I'm sure many of you can relate to. I have 2 plywood basses which have served me well lo these many years but for several reasons I want to sell them both and "trade up" for one decent bass.

One is an Epiphone, not sure of the model or the date, but I was told by my local setter-upper it's 1950s-ish and it could fetch as much as $3-$4K, given the right buyer. So I've quietly put out the word and haven't had any bites worth mentioning. Trying to get $3500 for it.

The other is a 1950-something Nurnberger, out of Bohemia. My guy says it should fetch somewhere in the neighborhood of $2K.

So, the question is, what would you all recommend as a plan of action for getting rid of these 2 basses and getting my hands on a replacement, all in roughly the same span of time, so I'm not left without any bass at all for any long period of time (I have regular gigs and practices for which an electric won't do)? Keeping in mind that I really don't have cash on hand to buy a new one outright.

Where should I "advertise" the instruments I want to sell? I know this site has a classifieds section but I don't want to just prematurely post them here because of all the reasons stated above.

It seems like a stupid situation but maybe someone here has good advice, having gone through a similar scenario.

FYI: I play mostly jazz and bluegrass, some arco, so the new bass should be a real all-around, jack-of-all-trades kind of instrument. A hybrid would probably be best, but I am itching for that sweet carved sound.

[Michael Case]

Craigslist is one place. How about trading the two basses in towards the price of a new bass?

[MingusAmongUs]

Originally Posted by Michael Case

Craigslist is one place. How about trading the two basses in towards the price of a new bass?

Thanks, Michael. I've considered both but have always made the assumption that a trade-in would cost me, one way or another. Although it seems DB specialists are a rare and honorable breed, I came up in NYC, where David Gage is the guy to go to. And I can't afford to walk into his shop.

I do plan on stopping in to see the folks at Upton this weekend (I happen to have a gig in Mystic), and II'll bring the Epi and see what they quote me for it.... assuming they do buys/trades.

[MingusAmongUs]

(@MichaelCase) funny, I just checked your site... and I used to study with Buster Williams, who lives (lived?) right near the Big Apple Jazz Cafe.

[Michael Case]

Cool,

I'm going to be there tonight with a singer.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by MingusAmongUs

Hi folks,

This is one of my first posts after a while of lurking. I've got something of a conundrum which I'm sure many of you can relate to. I have 2 plywood basses which have served me well lo these many years but for several reasons I want to sell them both and "trade up" for one decent bass.

One is an Epiphone, not sure of the model or the date, but I was told by my local setter-upper it's 1950s-ish and it could fetch as much as $3-$4K, given the right buyer. So I've quietly put out the word and haven't had any bites worth mentioning. Trying to get $3500 for it.

The other is a 1950-something Nurnberger, out of Bohemia. My guy says it should fetch somewhere in the neighborhood of $2K.

So, the question is, what would you all recommend as a plan of action for getting rid of these 2 basses and getting my hands on a replacement, all in roughly the same span of time, so I'm not left without any bass at all for any long period of time (I have regular gigs and practices for which an electric won't do)? Keeping in mind that I really don't have cash on hand to buy a new one outright.

Where should I "advertise" the instruments I want to sell? I know this site has a classifieds section but I don't want to just prematurely post them here because of all the reasons stated above.

It seems like a stupid situation but maybe someone here has good advice, having gone through a similar scenario.

FYI: I play mostly jazz and bluegrass, some arco, so the new bass should be a real all-around, jack-of-all-trades kind of instrument. A hybrid would probably be best, but I am itching for that sweet carved sound.

You may not want to hear this but I don't see it being likely that you will get $3500 for a ply bass, regardless of its vintage unless there is someone out there that is just itching for that Epiphone. I say this while considering what is available new for substantially less than that.

With regard to the bass you choose next, a really nice hybrid will get you a long, long way toward that sweet carved sound (most of which is a result of the carved top) while being that much more durable.

[Michael Case]

Plus from what I have heard it really isn't a seller's market in the instrument world right now.

[philip sirois]

$3500 does seem ambitious fro the Epi, especially if you want to move it within a reasonable time. Getting an instruments top value often involves waiting a long time for the right buyer to come along. You mention Gage, that place is full of that kind of thing. If you're looking to get cash out in a timely fashion, chances are you're going to have to eat some of that value.
On the bright side, if you got 4500 for both instruments, I bet you could get something that would make the pain go away, hopefully from someone who is also eating a little value so HE can trade up or cash out, so everyone is even.

[MingusAmongUs]

Originally Posted by drurb

You may not want to hear this but I don't see it being likely that you will get $3500 for a ply bass, regardless of its vintage unless there is someone out there that is just itching for that Epiphone. I say this while considering what is available new for substantially less than that.

With regard to the bass you choose next, a really nice hybrid will get you a long, long way toward that sweet carved sound (most of which is a result of the carved top) while being that much more durable.

I appreciate your candor, and while you're right -- I don't like to hear that -- I have begun to suspect as much since I've had no takers in almost a year. I'm certainly not going to insist on it. I'd gladly settle for just enough to cover the cost of the replacement, whatever that may end up being. Which kind of makes me wonder if I shouldn't first go out and figure that part out: which bass do I want, and how much does it cost? Ah but you see, the bass I get kinda depends on how much I can afford to spend.... which depends on how much I can get for the plys. Holy Catch-22 Batman!

[Basicbassist]

Living in CT, why not visit the shops in NY with both of your basses in tow and inquire as to their trade-in value toward your next bass. I'm sure that Kolstein, Schnitzer, Gage and Merchant (not a law firm, rather individuals who make up NY bass luthier royalty) would be happy to appraise their value relative to a trade toward any of their basses.

[MingusAmongUs]

Originally Posted by Basicbassist

I'm sure that Kolstein, Schnitzer, Gage and Merchant (not a law firm, rather individuals who make up NY bass luthier royalty)

ROFL
Thanks... that's probably what I'll have to do. Good thing I drive an Element. I can actually fit 2 basses in it.

[MingusAmongUs]

Does anybody think it's worth putting them up for sale here? Can I do that without being a "supporting member" ?

[philip sirois]

I don't think trades are going to get you anywhere near the money you could get from selling them outright, even at bargain basement price. For instance, gage will put your bass on consingnement and take 20% when it gets sold, which might take a while. Trade in value If I remember correctly is more like 50% of what they would sell it for. Bottom line, you're not walking out of a trade in deal without laying out some cash to trade up.
Merchants want and need cash. Besides they already have stock to move I'm sure. Unless you're trading something very special I would use that as a last resort. A private sale at a reasonable price (read:what the market will bear)is your best bet.

I recently traded up from an upton laminate bass that I paid around 1600+tax+ case

I sold it on craigslist for 1350 in about a week. I took my lumps for $400 but the other guy had some incentive to buy it from me.

[MingusAmongUs]

This might be for another thread in another forum but does anyone know how the Upton Hawkes compares to the Cleveland?

[TheSuzie]

I just sold one of the best playing and sounding plys I have ever encountered, my East German bass totally worked over by John Styklunas, for somewhat south of $2000. It is a better bass than any Kay I have ever met but if it said Kay on the bass and played like my bass it would have brought more money. Unless your bass has collector value and you find the right buyer, 2k is about the upper limit for a ply IMO. I think that both the market and the buyer's psychology kick in right at that price limit.

Peace.
S

[MingusAmongUs]

Originally Posted by TheSuzie

Unless your bass has collector value and you find the right buyer, 2k is about the upper limit for a ply IMO. I think that both the market and the buyer's psychology kick in right at that price limit.

Peace.
S

Thx Suzie,
I believe the Epi does indeed have some collector value, which is why my guy thought it could get that much, again considering I find the right buyer. But nothing like, say, a 1940s Martin guitar, which would have a MUCH BROADER market. Still so few of us DB players out there.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by philip sirois

I don't think trades are going to get you anywhere near the money you could get from selling them outright, even at bargain basement price. For instance, gage will put your bass on consingnement and take 20% when it gets sold, which might take a while. Trade in value If I remember correctly is more like 50% of what they would sell it for. Bottom line, you're not walking out of a trade in deal without laying out some cash to trade up.
Merchants want and need cash. Besides they already have stock to move I'm sure. Unless you're trading something very special I would use that as a last resort. A private sale at a reasonable price (read:what the market will bear)is your best bet.

I recently traded up from an upton laminate bass that I paid around 1600+tax+ case

I sold it on craigslist for 1350 in about a week. I took my lumps for $400 but the other guy had some incentive to buy it from me.

+1

[Michael Case]

Why not put one bass on the market first and save some bread? Then when you have the money and you find a bass that speaks to you, you'll have the bread to at least put a deposit on the instrument while you try and sell the second bass.

You might want to look at Upton Bass since you're in CT. You could get a hybrid or a carved professor for a good price. Plus it takes them a couple of to build the bass, so you could put a deposit down and have time to sell the other bass. I'd assume the New Standards would be a good option too, because there is a wait period for one of those as well.

[Silversorcerer]

Craigs list is a good idea, but I would put the Epi on e-bay. You can put a reserve on it to protect the sale. I think $3500 is pushing it a bit, but you never know. Those are rare and if yours is in really sweet condition it could go at least for more than $2K, but it is most likely to bring the most in an auction. See this? I'll bet that is gone, but they are far rarer than Kay. There is a classified section at Bob Gollihur's site and that would be a good place to list both basses. Ken Smith has a classified section also. And here is not a bad place. Of course you kind of spilled the beans with the post. And it could also be worth more to a rockabilly player that wants the vintage ply mojo. Try the rockabilly bass website.

I'm thinking for general strategy: not being left without a bass and getting something that is an upgrade as well. 1) Sell one of the basses and at the same time figure out what you want as a replacement. 2) After the first sale put down a deposit on the new bass and then 3) sell the other one, with the understanding it can only be delivered and the deal closed at a date certain which is when the new one is finished or ready for delivery. If you choose a bass that is readily available and put a deposit on it, I think most dealers would hold your new bass until you sell the 2nd bass. You should plan on having about $3K on the conservative side. You can get a carved bass with that. You should come out pretty nice on the whole trade up. I'm optimistic.

[MingusAmongUs]

Originally Posted by Silversorcerer

Craigs list is a good idea, but I would put the Epi on e-bay. You can put a reserve on it to protect the sale. I think $3500 is pushing it a bit, but you never know. Those are rare and if yours is in really sweet condition it could go at least for more than $2K, but it is most likely to bring the most in an auction. See this? I'll bet that is gone, but they are far rarer than Kay. There is a classified section at Bob Gollihur's site and that would be a good place to list both basses. Ken Smith has a classified section also. And here is not a bad place. Of course you kind of spilled the beans with the post. And it could also be worth more to a rockabilly player that wants the vintage ply mojo. Try the rockabilly bass website.

I'm thinking for general strategy: not being left without a bass and getting something that is an upgrade as well. 1) Sell one of the basses and at the same time figure out what you want as a replacement. 2) After the first sale put down a deposit on the new bass and then 3) sell the other one, with the understanding it can only be delivered and the deal closed at a date certain which is when the new one is finished or ready for delivery. If you choose a bass that is readily available and put a deposit on it, I think most dealers would hold your new bass until you sell the 2nd bass. You should plan on having about $3K on the conservative side. You can get a carved bass with that. You should come out pretty nice on the whole trade up. I'm optimistic.

Hmm... interesting. That is pretty much exactly what mine looks like, except the overall condition on mine is better (that gouge on the right shoulder, ouch), but the purfling (is that what its called?) is black rather than white (I think), and the tuner hardware doesn't have the fancy detail.

Thanks for the thoughtful and helpful reply! I've gone and Craigslisted 'em both, will let you know how it goes. eBay does seem like the place to go with a rare item, and I've thought and thought about it for a long time. I just don't want to deal with shipping, and am not sure it would reach enough people within driving distance.