How risky is it buying used bass cabs?

nexbot · #1 09-16-2011, 10:44 PM

Obviously buying anything used has its inherent risks, but I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about risk above and beyond what one would find in a typical piece of used musical equipment.

I'm mainly a guitar player and as such have bought a fair amount of used guitar cabs. As most of you likely know, this is pretty common in the guitar world. My question is, are used bass cabs riskier for some reason? Are they more likely/easier to get get damaged by a prior owner?

Thanks!

nexbot · #2 09-19-2011, 09:53 PM

Wow, no replies...

stingraysvt · #3 09-19-2011, 09:55 PM

FWIW, I've never bought a bass cab or amp brand new... So not that risky at all.

georgestrings · #4 09-19-2011, 09:59 PM

IME, bass cabs are definitely easier to damage than guitar cabs - that being said, I've bought tons of used bass cabs, and never been burned on one yet... I do check them out thoroughly before buying - including a check for voice coil rubbing on all drivers...

- georgestrings

Ebelow · #5 09-19-2011, 10:11 PM

Yes, it's all good, you just have to double check everything on it, is not that risky and if you buying from me, you have to know that, my stuff is always better than new

I am taking care all of my gear very well, and never sell stuff with hided problems, but not everyone is the same and I would have same concerns to buy used gear/cab as you do. I sold two times two cabs in my life and bought ones a cab used also bought new cabs with problems.

lowfreq33 · #6 09-19-2011, 10:23 PM

Depends on the cab. 1200 watt 8x10? Kind of hard to hurt. Single 15 or 2x10? Probably been pushed pretty hard.

FunkyScoundrel · #7 09-19-2011, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by georgestrings

IME, bass cabs are definitely easier to damage than guitar cabs - that being said, I've bought tons of used bass cabs, and never been burned on one yet... I do check them out thoroughly before buying - including a check for voice coil rubbing on all drivers...

- georgestrings

+ 1

Almost all of my gear is used..but I buy mostly vintage stuff. Never had to return anything, but I also throroughly checked out every piece of gear.

Used cabinets I have bought without any problem:
Mesa Diesel 15
Epifani UL-112
Bag End S15-D
Basson 1x15
Musicman 115RH
Bergantino NV215

Do you're research. You'll be fine. I still have all the above gear.

spaz21387 · #8 09-19-2011, 10:49 PM

I always buy used cabs... just check them first theres the voice coil check. You press on the speaker lightly to check if the voice coil rubs anywhere. This also lets you see tears in the paper. Then plug in and put your ear in front of each speaker as someone else plays that way you can check if theres any buzzing noises from the speakers. Thats pretty much it.

chaosMK · #9 09-19-2011, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nexbot

Wow, no replies...

If it looks like it's been around the world and thrown down a few flights of stairs, it probably has.

Used... 1/2 retail is a good starting point. If you are buying on the low end, expect it to have no value (because it will blow on it's own) and probably a lot more abuse from someone foolish enough about gear to buy a GK Backline.

I've bought almost all of the gear I use and maybe a dozen or so other piece (amps, heads) used and never had any problems. I heavily research every purchase though and make sure I know what I'm getting.

i_got_a_mohawk · #10 09-20-2011, 05:04 AM

Just like in the guitar world, try it before buying.

Listen to a response from all the speakers, make sure you aren't getting any grinding sounds.

The 4 bass cabs I've owned, have all been bought used, not had a problem with any of them. I did have a problem with the one (and only) guitar cab that I bought, but it was only a loose connection so it was a 2 second fix

MarTONEbass · #11 09-20-2011, 05:12 AM

I've bought, sold and shipped plenty of used cabs with no problems. As with anything you buy used over the internet, check your seller's reputation and make sure they know how to pack it properly. Insurance is always a good idea as well.

SurferJoe46 · #12 09-20-2011, 08:38 AM

While most all defects and broken things will be fairly obvious on a bass, the amp has probably been dime'd a few times (if not constantly) and that won't show unless the drivers have been replaced. But you cannot 'see' the components and the abuse they've received.

That --- and run low voltage, high voltage or surged or whatever other electrical maladies can happen 'way before it's offered for sale as the amp the little old lady used in her church choir on alternate full moons.

You'll never know - at least until it's too late - that an amp is about to die or it's been hackneyed by a non-professional electrical wizard who knows that twisting the bias here will make it sound better and substituting this part will improve the distortion.

Then there's the drivers that are dying from the day they are first energized - pots that groan when you turn them - jacks that are loose from cheap cables and ends - mismatched impedance that happen when someone didn't pay attention to the ratings of the output - those sortta thing.

Nope - I buy new, get a full warranty and don't have to worry about someone adding mojo or funk to the gear (which is really, when you think about it: ABUSE).

You can dance with the devil and buy used gear and you might get away with it. 'Might' being the operative here.

klejst · #13 09-20-2011, 09:39 AM

A typical best piece of advice here when looking to buy used is if you can make sure you check it out in person. You always run the risk when buying used, however even brand new items have a few dud's amongst them. It's luck of the draw, but I have bought all my gear used and have had no problems.

will33 · #14 09-20-2011, 10:33 AM

I buys all kinds of used stuff, but all locally and face to face. You do have to know what to look for. In cabs, make sure all the drivers are the same, no oddball replacements, check for voice coil rub, hit with a battery to make sure they all work and of course play it, turn the volume up to see if any problems present themselves that wouldn't at low volume, buzzes, rattles, etc. That's about it on cabs, there aren't that many parts. Overall condition is an indicator of how it's been treated...there's mojo and then there's carelessness. And talk shop with the seller for a few minutes, usually doesn't take long to figure out if they know what they're doing or are prone to do things like dime volumes and bass boost, use improper impedances, etc.

Amps on the other hand have a lot more things that can go wrong. The above advice still applies but about all you can do is use every control, make sure they all do what they're supposed to and spend enough time there for everything to get warmed up and playing strong, some problems don't show themselves immediately.

RickenBoogie · #15 09-20-2011, 10:34 AM

no worse than buying a used car.

paul_s · #16 09-20-2011, 10:36 AM

I bought an ampeg 210he for $120 locally once, the cones were going so it became buzzy. Got the cones replaced for $150, I still think I did pretty well.

Sifl · #17 09-20-2011, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stingraysvt

FWIW, I've never bought a bass cab or amp brand new... So not that risky at all.

I just realized I too have never purchased a new cab.

But, yeah, check it out in person. I've only ever bought my cabs from people I knew.

gnjpowell · #18 09-20-2011, 10:41 AM

If you take your time and buy only high-quality Pro used gear you can get some great deals and some awesome vintage equipment that will never depreciate in value if taken care of.

TinIndian · #19 09-20-2011, 10:43 AM

Bought New and Bought Used. No problem with either. Just do your due diligence and check them out completely.

nexbot · #20 09-20-2011, 08:57 PM

Thanks guys! Could someone please elaborate on checking for voice coil rub? Am I just supposed to push on it with my finger? Wouldn't that require taking the grill off? And what does a voice coil rubbing feel like anyway?

Sorry if these sound like stupid questions!