Is The Used Bass Market Flooded?

[Bryan R. Tyler]

I've noticed a steady increase in the number of used basses that appear for sale in our classifieds as well as Bassgear.com and eBay, and a correlating increased lack of sales. Stuff that would have sold in a minute a few years ago lingers unwanted for weeks or months at a time, even at greatly reduced prices (one example was Mark Beem's eight-strings that dropped massively in price and still didn't sell for a very long time...yes they have a limited market, but I remember a couple of years ago when they would have been jumped on).

Has anyone else noticed this? Do you think the cause is that people just started getting too many basses and now there just isn't a market for them? Any other theories?

[MysticMichael]

I hadn't noticed. Maybe the economy?

MM

[Minger]

I blame GAS.

[tplyons]

I blame America's most famous shrub.

[Vorago]

Inflation! Yes! Now's it's my turn!

More product = less value

[DaftCat]

Sorta offtopic, but sorta not...

I have read the reason denim has become so cheap in the last few years is because of a glut in the market.

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Originally Posted by SMASH

Piper's gotta get paid. The whole novelty factor of fancywood customs and this month's hot builder or body style is probably fading as well.

Not just exotic basses- Laklands seem to be the big item on the used market, as well as a lot of J-style builders.

[DaveDeVille]

Originally Posted by SMASH

Well, I couldn't stand tight pink pants and pointy instruments then and
I won't stand for it now, so no worries here.

LOL !!

[poptart]

I think in general there is a slow down in most economies (not according to gov't and press but hey) thus reflecting a general slow down in buying across most of the western world. Plus credit has been maxed out and I think the banks are getting a bit worried, hold on to your cash

[Wilbyman]

Originally Posted by SMASH

EDIT - on a serious note, it seems to me that people have been increasingly asking too much for used gear, even recently I've seen some used stuff go for *more than new*, likely easy/cheap credit and impulse buying having pushed demand up, and now people just aren't as willing to "buy high" likely due to the cards being maxed. No matter if we're talking exotics or j-copies, I'm quite sure it comes down to credit problems and it's going to get far worse.

+1, if stuff doesn't sell it's typically because it's priced too high. This is true with real estate, automobiles, consumer goods, and used basses. It's a matter of supply and demand. It used to be....8 years ago...that it seemed like you could pick anything up for $1500.00. Now people have come to expect $2000+ for certain used instruments...