An Uneducated Observation Regarding TB & Bass Sales

[palm grease]

It seems to me that in general there is a higher turnover of boutique/custom basses (in contrast to your mass production basses) here at TB. I wonder why this is?
I have owned those exotic wood/high build quality/limited run/etc etc basses and I have ended up without GAS for another. I have sold my super swanky stuff in order to purchase some "tank" gear.

I'm sure my experience is shared by few, not most...well, who knows really? However, I have noticed that there is consistently a good amount of these customs being traded or sold or what have you, more so then your "average" bass. Is it due to the life long search for that perfect bass....even though you had it built for YOU!? Does your gear own you and when things get tight you must liquidate to pay your bills? Or maybe, you just like to have a steady flow of high end stuffs pass through your meat mitts?

I was "victim" to the "must own expensive basses" club and I believed that, "well it cost this much, so it'll sound/play/last/look better"....I have never grown to love that $3000+ bass/es I bought. I tend to feel (personally) that some of those awesome looking instruments are just over thought and while flawless in appearance, often are more problematic then your good old "tank" bass.

That's just me.... I'm certainly not right...nor do I think I'm so wrong....regardless...it doesn't matter. Whatever your pleasure, as long as your satisfied with your instrument!!! BUT, it seems so many aren't satisfied.... so many Boutiques...traded, sold, whatever! How come?

Pls don't misunderstand, I'm not beefin with the custom owners, I have no qualms what so ever! It just strikes me that there is so much turnover!

[ryco]

I've noticed this too. I'm wondering if they aren't made and bought to be passed around.
Just make 'em as experimental axes to try out different ideas.
In posts I'll see an axe was previously owned by A, who sold it to B, who is looking for something new.
Not that there's anything "wrong" with this!

Maybe when you find one that really speaks to you, then you hang onto it.

[palm grease]

Originally Posted by ryco

In posts I'll see an axe was previously owned by A, who sold it to B, who is looking for something new.
Not that there's anything "wrong" with this!
.

Exactly... and again, nothing wrong at all!
However, it seems so many are so smitten by this XYZ custom product...yet they own it for months and the they're off looking for a new one. Just very odd.

[Stumbo]

Kinda like car collectors. Sell one, get one, trade one.

[palm grease]

Originally Posted by Stumbo

Kinda like car collectors. Sell one, get one, trade one.

well...sorta.... a collector collects stuffs.. and there are guys like that I'm sure...JT comes to mind.


maybe "recycler" is a better word?

[Eric Cioe]

I am getting into the tobacco pipe community and this thing happens all the time there, too. People have collection focus shifts. Their tastes change.

That said, I'm really glad that I've got my bass right now. I paid $200 for it and have put another $300 or so in mods into it, but it's my bass now and I can't really see getting rid of it.

[palm grease]

Originally Posted by Eric Cioe

That said, I'm really glad that I've got my bass right now. I paid $200 for it and have put another $300 or so in mods into it, but it's my bass now and I can't really see getting rid of it.

I've had very fancy warwicks and spectors that have had less playing time then a MIM jazz I have. I super dig the lo-fi vibe of the budget busters! Viva la Mexico!

[CrashClint]

There are a lot of boutique basses that are unavailable in stores, so the only way to try it is to buy one. You get it home and realize it is not for you, so you sell it and try something else. For me, I have been playing around 30 years and have tried more basses that I would like to say. For me, Roscoe basses killed the gas.

I still occasionally dabble with cheapy basses to see whats out there.

[Steve Clark]

Originally Posted by CrashClint

For me, Roscoe basses killed the gas.

Yes. I'm glad others decided my Roscoes were not for them. I think one of mine had been through several TB before it got to me.

I do think TB plays a part in getting GAS gong. It did for me. I can say now that I am very happy with my gear and will not need anything else for sometime. I'm a very lucky man to have the gear I have to choose from.

[palm grease]

Originally Posted by CrashClint

There are a lot of boutique basses that are unavailable in stores, so the only way to try it is to buy one. You get it home and realize it is not for you, so you sell it and try something else. For me, I have been playing around 30 years and have tried more basses that I would like to say. For me, Roscoe basses killed the gas.

I still occasionally dabble with cheapy basses to see whats out there.

I dig man... Roscoes are very very nice!

Your theory is logical... but what about those who have them built? You are an exception to this rule. Maybe due to your yrs... however, if you look at the for sale section, it's almost an epidemic! No math done, but I'd say 80% high end vs 20% average.

[Eric Cioe]

One thing that this thread didn't mention is a few members who always seem to be selling about a dozen things at a time, constantly. How can you have enough time to even play these things if you're buying them and selling them a week later after never having used them?

[CrashClint]

Originally Posted by Eric Cioe

One thing that this thread didn't mention is a few members who always seem to be selling about a dozen things at a time, constantly. How can you have enough time to even play these things if you're buying them and selling them a week later after never having used them?

Good question

[Son of Sanford]

I think the answer lies in the difference between localized and expanded markets and knowledge bases. I can sell a Mexican P bass in my local craigslist for exactly what it is worth in about a week, maybe less. No shipping, no taking pictures. Post and sell. The guy looking at it is most likely familiar with the product and knows what he is getting.

Try doing the same with higher priced gear, especially "niche" boutique stuff. Depending on where you live, a $2000-3000 bass will simply not sell for what it is worth. Enter talkbass. This site is probably the largest gathering of knowledgeable bassists on the planet. If you want to sell something high-dollar or niche, there will be someone here looking for it. There are simply more people here financially capable of buying a sadowsky than there are in Nowhere, USA.

[Mark Latimour]

So lets see, if I get you right, you are surprised that a bass website that is primarily devoted to the discussion of the latest and greatest bass guitar related gear has a high turnover of expensive bass gear?

Hmmm, you know, this might be a job for he finest detective minds in the world. I am not sure we can solve this on our own.

[Jazz Ad]

Many TBers are fashion victims. GAS does that. They will buy what's hip instead of looking for the proper tools for their needs.
The vast majority of real world customers spend a lot of time looking for their dream bass and stick to it once it's built.
I own 3 custom basses. They were built to my specs 13, 10 and 5 years ago.

[JimK]

Originally Posted by Eric Cioe

I am getting into the tobacco pipe community...

Man, a few years ago, a local store here had the bass for you-
It was a custom-made Roscoe with a humidor built-in the back of the body.
I was told the guy ordered it, got it, & hated it...he traded it in (at a biig loss) for something more 'pedestrian'.

[palm grease]

Originally Posted by Mark Latimour

So lets see, if I get you right,

not really my point, but thanks for your input!


"It seems to me that in general there is a higher turnover of boutique/custom basses (in contrast to your mass production basses) here at TB. I wonder why this is?"

The above is really my question.

What I was pointing out is the ratio of Boutique to Average gear in terms of sales. To have a bass made and to sell that custom a few months later due to dissatisfaction (or any other reason) has little to do with the Talk Bass community. I think it has to do with "Fashion Gas" as Jazz Ad pointed out.

But if you need that detective Mark, you go right ahead.

What I'm attempting to discuss Mark, is why these basses are sold, not how.

[NickyBass]

For me, it is about wanting to try different things. For years, I was into vintage P basses. Nothing else quite did it for me. Now that they are fetching higher prices, I'm looking for alternatives. There are alot of great builders these days and it's not possible to try alot of them in one place at one time.

I'd be lying if I didn't say that some of it stems from good old fashion GAS, but mostly I'm looking for 'the one.' I do own the perfect bass for me. I owned it for years and bought it before the prices were sky high. But now the replacement cost of pre-CBS Fenders is insane. I'm looking at Nordys, Alleva Coppolos, Sadowskys, Skjolds, CBs, LEJ, Beneventes and Ristolas. Sometimes you just have to buy one to try one.

btw, I know what you're saying by 'tank,' but it's a little misleading. I've never had any issues with beating on a high end bass. They are all made well and are tools to be played. I know the tendency is to baby them since they cost more, but I'm not one to wipe the finish with a lint-free cloth every time I put one down.

[palm grease]

Originally Posted by NickyBass

For me, it is about wanting to try different things. For years, I was into vintage P basses. Nothing else quite did it for me. Now that they are fetching higher prices, I'm looking for alternatives. There are alot of great builders these days and it's not possible to try alot of them in one place at one time.

I'd be lying if I didn't say that some of it stems from good old fashion GAS, but mostly I'm looking for 'the one.' I do own the perfect bass for me. I owned it for years and bought it before the prices were sky high. But now the replacement cost of pre-CBS Fenders is insane. I'm looking at Nordys, Alleva Coppolos, Sadowskys, Skjolds, CBs, LEJ, Beneventes and Ristolas. Sometimes you just have to buy one to try one.

btw, I know what you're saying by 'tank,' but it's a little misleading. I've never had any issues with beating on a high end bass. They are all made well and are tools to be played. I know the tendency is to baby them since they cost more, but I'm not one to wipe the finish with a lint-free cloth every time I put one down.

That makes sense!

I was guilty of the "lint free cloth treatment" myself. My worst experience with "innovations" was that two piece bridge that Warwick makes. Every time I changed strings, or it rained, or the slightest change in intonation, led me to adjusting 17 allen screws (I'll give the break down if asked). One day I got fed up... bought a Jazz Bass...gas free since! I had a Spector too (Euro Lx)... the bridge was also "over designed" IMHO.... never mind the Tone Pump "trash"... While the Warwick was custom and the Spector was high end, both resulted in my desicion to go "Jazz Tank"

This is all subjective.
I have played the Ritters, Drozds, MTDs, Roscoes.... all being the Bugatti of basses.... but my Toyota get me to every gig on time, no fail!

[casualmadness]

I've owned a few of the higher end basses and haven't found one yet that truly impressed me. As a matter of fact, I owned one that is widely considered the holy grail of basses for the $3000 (+/-) price range and I hated it. So Iv'e bought and sold quite a few on here as well as ebay and some in person.
To date, I've found that as far as playability, nothing beats Ernie Ball. For tone, nothing beats a Warwick $$. These are both IMHO. If I could combine those two...fugetaboutit. I would buy a couple or three and gas would not be an issue again.
But I primarily buy stuff on here to check it out. I'm willing to gamble on being able to re-sell it if I need to. And so far I've always been able to at least get my money back.