The Psychology of Buying a "High End" Bass and Selling It Immediately

[perfektspace6]

This is something that has befuddled me on TB over the years. There are many instances where a player will buy an expensive bass, have it for a week and then resell it. Sometimes it's a used bass, other times it's a new bass purchased in store, and other times it's a custom made bass. (*I realize expensive and high-end are relative to the buyer but for the sake of argument let's say 2K or more)

In the case of purchasing a used bass I can in some ways understand this. You buy it or trade for the bass, play it, and maybe decide you don't like it. Maybe it's a bass you could not have otherwise tried out. The hassle doesn't seem worth it to me but you wouldn't lose much financially on the deal so I get it.

If it's a new bass bought in store I don't get it. Why would you buy something that you had every opportunity to try out and suddenly realize it "wasn't for you" a couple weeks later. In the process you loose at least 30% on resale if not much more. "Like new" is still used to the next buyer.

What really confuses me is when a player orders a custom made instrument and then does the same thing. You spec it out, you order it, put a deposit down, you wait several months and then decide you aren't a 5 string guy or it doesn't feel right? I can't fathom this.

Some of my frustration with this is financially rooted. I don't spend big money on anything unless I really want it and I tend to keep my instruments for several years. So, it aggravates me a little that someone would make such an expensive acquisition (to me at least) without considering all of the factors that go into the selection process.

There is also the "I decided I'm not a 5 or 6 string guy" explanation. Again I don't understand how someone doesn't know this before dropping a few grand. It's not like you can't go to a store to try out a 5 or 6 string or borrow a bass from a friend to gauge your interest and ability.

Maybe some of these resell decisions are just people having buyers remorse and not wanting to explicitly state this as the reason for selling because of the likelihood that others will try to low-ball them. I could understand that.

One explanation that does make sense to me is that some folks just like buying and selling basses. It's the thrill of the hunt not the instrument itself that is addictive and if you have the cash it becomes a hobby of sorts.

I'm not trying to cut on anyone. It's your money and you should do whatever you want with it. Of course unforeseen things happen that influence one's interest in a particular instrument outside of what I have mentioned. However, I can't help but be confused by the psychology behind some of these decisions. What am I missing here?

[BASSATTACK]

Speaking from experience,
Sometimes something'll pop up on Classifieds that you just "have to have." It wasn't there when you bought your new bass, but it is now, and it's going to go to someone else unless you can find a way to pay for it. Depending on your financial situation, that may require re-selling the bass you just bought new.

[OmnitzGarima]

You can order a custom instrument (I did this with a guitar, not a bass) and have it not measure up once it's delivered. You're taking a large leap of faith in the builder. The guitar I ordered sounds spectacular, but what if it did not? Once you order a custom instrument you're already on the hook for part of the price. Sending it back or selling it privately, you're out money either way. But, if you're unhappy with the sound, why would you keep it?

[Thunderitter]

Each to their own I say.

Sometimes it's about not liking a bass, sometime it's about needing the money. (Remember some boutiques will have had 50% put down over 12 months earlier and folks financial positions do change.) Some folks just get the fix from buying new stuff and when that's grown old (and with bad GAS that can happen pretty fast) it's time to move one, as strange as that may be to some of us.

Variety makes the world a more interesting place and presents more bass buying bargains for the rest of us!

[KJung]

Originally Posted by perfektspace6

What really confuses me is when a player orders a custom made instrument and then does the same thing. You spec it out, you order it, put a deposit down, you wait several months and then decide you aren't a 5 string guy or it doesn't feel right? I can't fathom this.

I agree with you in general. However, specifically to your point above, spec'ing a custom instrument (even if you've played a 'similar instrument' by the same luthier) can be a difficult thing, and the end result can be a big surprise. Since most cannot try these high end instruments at all, on rare occasion, you see something that catches your eye, you spec it out with the woods and electronics that give you the highest probability of the tone you are looking for, and sometimes what shows up is not what you expected.

This has happened to me twice over the last 20 years or so... i.e., purchasing or spec'ing a high end bass that seemed like it would be 'me' on paper, and due to the hundreds of interactions with woods and electronics, and neck profiles, and weight and balance and a zillion other things, I VERY quickly realized this wasn't going to work.

With some high end brands like Sadowsky, you are given a short trial period, which is just wonderful. However, with a fancy coffee table bass from a small luthier, it is yours for better or worse!

Of course, some guys just churn like crazy, and that is another topic.

[spade2you]

Impulse, guys don't really know what they want, GAS takes over, etc. Personally, I still have my first bass. I still have my first custom, but it's a 5 and I became more of a 6 string player.

[RaginRog]

Originally Posted by perfektspace6

It's the thrill of the hunt not the instrument itself that is addictive and if you have the cash it becomes a hobby of sorts.I'm not trying to cut on anyone. It's your money and you should do whatever you want with it. Of course unforeseen things happen that influence one's interest in a particular instrument outside of what I have mentioned. However, I can't help but be confused by the psychology behind some of these decisions. What am I missing here?

Yeah, I must admit that I've been a compulsive buyer & seller at times. For a period of about 3 years (Dating 2006-2009), I probably bought and sold some 40-50 basses. I think with me, its partially "mental" and also because I didn't grow up having many things as a kid. I went to good schools in NY, but my parents never had enough for luxury items. Now that I'm older (39), I have a good job, and not many hobbies other than playing bass in bands, and upgrading my basses...I figure I'll treat myself. I have gotten better, and can't believe I've owned 3 of my basses (4 with a used cirrus on the way for #5) for about 7 or 8 months. I don't plan on selling any of them any time soon, but my wife tells me that my Cirrus will be my last. She said we need to have a baby, before I get another bass...which I think is code for...enjoy them now, because I'm selling them to buy a crib, and a new station wagon! lol

[muggsy]

You seem to be looking for a generalized explanation, but that's not possible. People are different, financial situations are different, motivations and desires are different for each individual.

I can only speak to my personal experience. I custom-ordered a Sadowsky a number of years ago after going through several J basses (mostly Fenders and one or two Laklands). I had a P bass that I loved but could never find that same sort of relationship with a J, so I figured I'd just order a Sadowsky ultra vintage J and be done. The bass was gorgeous, and extremely well-built, but I never bonded with it. Kept it seven years, kept waiting for the relationship to develop, finally traded it here a few months ago. I've decided that I just prefer P basses to Js. Maybe I'd change my mind if I found the "right" Jazz, but I spent too much time looking and not enough time playing, and that was when I was single with lots of free time. Now that I'm married w/kids, I've got too many competing demands on my time and money (and several great basses at home).

I probably could have flipped the Sadowsky after a week, because my first impression never really changed, but it seemed silly and premature to do that after waiting more than six months and paying more than I had spent on all my other basses put together at that point. I didn't want to sell it too fast and then second-guess myself later. If I had more experience at the time, and knew exactly what I wanted, I might not have waited so long. The good thing about waiting, though, is that I've sold some very nice basses, but I've never regretted those decisions after the fact.

I still browse the TB classifieds, and I'm still sometimes tempted, but I can't justify the expense and at this point, I know that my limitations as a bassist have nothing to do with my equipment. Took me a while to get there, though.

[lomo]

IME buying musical instrruments and gear has little to do with logic. Usually it goes like this-we want and therefore rationalize and if we can we buy. Sometimes we rationalize that we have to sell before we buy. I saw a TB quote that resonated. I think it was ....every thing has a reason.

[BigOldHarry]

I went through a real period of doing this about 10 years ago - - I had a really good job and was married to a woman with an even better job - and no kids, so money was plentiful. I'd buy, get bored, sell, repeat.

I don't do that anymore.

I have what I have now - and while I'm sure I'll sell some bits and buy some others, it isn't like it used to be. I'm more focused on playing than agonizing over the perfect tone/topwood/balance/blah blah blah. Playing is more fun, too!

[Jazz Ad]

I don't understand it either but I find it awesome.
It is the best way for normal people to get access to awesome instruments at very decent prices.

I own several custom made instruments and would not sell one of these.

[bassbully]

I hear you loud and clear on this and never could understand it myself. I have only been a bassist for about 10 years. I went thru the fretless,5 string and different models and makes the first 3 years. One thing I really enjoyed and used early on was Guitar Centers 30-day return policy. There are those here who knock GC and that policy but IMO its great..here is why.

I started out only with 4 strings and tried 3 different makes and models. At times I had a tuff choice in what I thought I liked and lived in GC trying different ones out. I took them all home and played them with my amps and decided which ones I liked. I always came back to passive Fenders..so i stayed there. I then got interested in fretless Well that lasted 1 practice and 4 days..back it went. I then joined a band with downtuned guitars. I spent a few hours with diffrent 5 stringers seeing if I could play them. When i was convinced I could I bought one and used it for a few years.

Long story short I now know what I want and what I need. Passive Fender P basses the older the better for me. I like used and never really buy new unless its a low cost bass like a CV Squier. I have to play every bass before I could buy it and never will order a bass online due to this and passed over many great deals. I did buy 2 SXs a few years ago when starting out and didnt like them but both cost 99.00 each and learned then.

I also was ready a few months ago to sell a vintage Fender and use that money to have a custom Fender knockoff made for me. I thought about it allot and then knew I couldnt do it even thou the builder has good reviews and rep here on TB. He makes a good product but I need to play it first and didnt want a hassle to send something back etc if I am not satisfied.
I know what I want but no matter how I buy I have to play it first and then decide. I never would be able to spend allot of money on a custom for that reason. Why do others sell basses like this? I dont know? I have seen the same thing in golfing ,fishing etc.

[Alex E]

My theory and my experience is that one orders an expensive bass that they have wanted so much for a long time....... and then when they get it, the instrument does NOT magically play itself and sound leagues superior.

I think in this time when manufacturing techniques have become so much better for both the woodwork and the electronics than they were in the 30 or 40 years ago, and with many more manufacturers around, the starter and medium priced bass guitars available now are light years ahead of what they used to be. As such, I've found cheap to medium-priced basses that play fine and sound really good.

An example would be this weekend. I played a USED Modulus that was priced at $1,400. I played it, as I had never seen a Modulus in the flesh and it sounded and played very well. I then played a $600 Ibanez SG and it wasn't inferior sounding to the Modulus. In fact, I think the tone on the Ibanez might have been just a little more versatile.

I'm sure the Modulus has better wood and the electronic components must be more expensive, plus I'm sure it is more "handmade", but in actual playability and sound, it really wasn't superior to the $600 bass. To my ear, it was about the same.

I think that happens often to players who buy an expensive boutique or production bass.

[FunkMetalBass]

I bought a 6-string Aria Pro 2 (Steve Bailey Model, but 6-string) that I saw used at Sam Ash a few years back. I thought it sounded great and played well. I took it to band practice a few times, and decided it wasn't for me. It didn't have a 3-band EQ, the pickups didn't appeal to my ears in a band setting, it was oversized and uncomfortable to move around with. I ended up selling it.

There are just certain things you will inherently miss when you're testing the instrument and other things that you will be indifferent to until you find an important spot where it fails your needs.

[lomo]

Originally Posted by muggsy

I know that my limitations as a bassist have nothing to do with my equipment.

+1
I love to buy and try, but I have no delusions about that improving me playing or sound in any meaningful way.

[Alex E]

Originally Posted by lomo

+1
I love to buy and try, but I have no delusions about that improving me playing or sound in any meaningful way.

That is really well-put in one concise statement!!!

[perfektspace6]

Originally Posted by muggsy

I still browse the TB classifieds, and I'm still sometimes tempted, but I can't justify the expense and at this point, I know that my limitations as a bassist have nothing to do with my equipment. Took me a while to get there, though.

I feel the same way.

I also look at the classified ads everyday. There are a lot of basses I like but it's pretty rare to see one I have to have.

Looks of good points all around and several things I had not considered.

[R. Laevinus]

Originally Posted by perfektspace6

There is also the "I decided I'm not a 5 or 6 string guy" explanation. Again I don't understand how someone doesn't know this before dropping a few grand. It's not like you can't go to a store to try out a 5 or 6 string or borrow a bass from a friend to gauge your interest and ability.

This happened to me. While the 5-string I bought only ran me about 700, it was 700 I didn't have to spend, and 400 I didn't get back when I sold it again.

I had tried out fivers - played my teacher's every week for months (he was trying to encourage me to go to five), had rented a Fender Precision V for a couple of months, and finally pulled the trigger on an Ibanez.

Thing was... I didn't feel quite right about the whole five-strings thing, and never did. Intellectually I was convinced - I mean, it's an extra string, extra range, how can this be a bad thing? But aesthetically, the thing just seemed wrong, and it never felt quite right in my hands.

I assumed, of course, that I just needed to get used to it - after all, I wasn't born with a sax in my hands either, I had to learn to love to gnaw on a ratty bit of wood while puffing into a brass tube - but I didn't get used to it.

Try as I might, as the weeks went on, I found myself not only playing the fiver less and less - but eventually putting it away in it's case so I wouldn't have to look at it's weirdly thick, not-aesthetically-correct neck. (I keep all my instruments out on stands... even my flute.)

Eventually I let her go. Could I have forced myself to play her? Yeah, probably. But why? If there's no spark, there's no fire, right?


...this spiel brought to you in an attempt to help you understand how some guys think they might be fivers, and turn out to be four bangers.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by perfektspace6

Some of my frustration with this is financially rooted. I don't spend big money on anything unless I really want it and I tend to keep my instruments for several years. So, it aggravates me a little that someone would make such an expensive acquisition (to me at least) without considering all of the factors that go into the selection process.

So this is who's problem exactly?

[WardEarth]

I buy my equipment used and I get a good deal, gear holds its value. I may never buy a new bass, I may start making my own instruments. Buying more basses increases your understanding of the instrument. Grab two basses, play and compare them unplugged, that sound is the sound of that instrument and it will be coming out of your amp when you plug in.