How does damage effect the value of a bass?

[Matthew Bryson]

I'm not sure where to post this.

I have a bass - A Geddy Lee Jazz and I'm sure I could quite easily put a value on it if I decided to sell it... except, it has a nasty ding or two (or three) in the back of the neck. I know it's something most players would notice and nobody is going to like it - at best, maybe somebody wouldn't be that bothered by it and could live with it, I'm sure it would be a deal breaker for some other people.

If I want to be honest about things how much would I knock off my asking price? Should I just repair it and ask my full asking price if I decide to sell it?

I would bet that many other people out there would just sell it online and never give a second thought to it, and wouldn't mention unless maybe somebody asked... I don't want to be that guy. Am I fool? Should I just sell it online and let the buyer beware?

Is there any way to determine how much a dented neck decreases the value?

[iplaybassguitar]

take it to a local music store and ask them what they would give you for it. then add like 20% to that number and thats probably about what u would get selling it outright.

[fenderhutz]

If it were 20 years older you have successfully increased your value.

Just take photos of the dings and sell it for what you think is right. I don't care much about dings or dents as long as it plays and sounds nice.

[Baryonyx]

Negatively.

[Matthew Bryson]

Originally Posted by Chris2112

Negatively.

Wonderfully useful Chris, thanks. That's why I always ask teenagers first for advice, so that I may enjoy your wit.

[Baryonyx]

Oh, don't wave that limp wrist at me.

[Loose Cannon]

Just say that Geddy himself played the bass and come up with a story about how HE dented the neck. I think it would definitely increase the value.

Oh, and I'm not a teenager, at least not chronologically.