Is buying a Bass Whammy a safe investment

[OptimusPrime]

I've been considering buying a Digitech Bass Whammy. To see what all the hype is about and so I can say I owned one. If I buy one and play it for a month , then sell it. I should be able to get ALL my money back, right? If I can't then I'm not doing it.

[wdinc01]

It depends on the market, really. If you bought it at a stupidly high price, then chances may be that you won't sell it at a stupidly high price. But it all depends on whether or not someone wants to pay whatever amount for it.

[seanm]

If you buy used, you can probably get your money back.... assuming you don't overpay.

[OptimusPrime]

Originally Posted by seanm

If you buy used, you can probably get your money back.... assuming you don't overpay.

I'll go through all the completed sales and average all the final prices. Then not pay a cent over that number.

[fenderhutz]

I owned this when it first came out. I tried to find a decent use for it.

You playing Tool covers?

I don't think it's 400 dollars better than other pedals that does similar things.

[Chronicle]

If you're going to use it for a month, then no.

If you are thinking it'll get more expensive and sell it for profit, no. ( It won't happen, one day someone will make a bass whammy copy.)

If you want to use it and find a use out of it like i did, then yes. Don't buy it more than 500$ and you're smart shopping

[OptimusPrime]

Originally Posted by fenderhutz

I owned this when it first came out. I tried to find a decent use for it.

You playing Tool covers?

I don't think it's 400 dollars better than other pedals that does similar things.

I'm not playing Tool enough for me to need one.

Originally Posted by Chronicle

If you're going to use it for a month, then no.

If you are thinking it'll get more expensive and sell it for profit, no. ( It won't happen, one day someone will make a bass whammy copy.)

If you want to use it and find a use out of it like i did, then yes. Don't buy it more than 500$ and you're smart shopping

I just want to try one really. You don't think I could buy one and then sell it a month later for the same price?

[Deluge Of Sound]

Originally Posted by OptimusPrime

I just want to try one really. You don't think I could buy one and then sell it a month later for the same price?

Just get a Whammy IV through Zzounds or Musician's Friend and send it back within the 30 days, if that's all you want to do.

The differences between the Bass Whammy and the IV are fairly minimal as far as sound quality goes, and if you're just messing about you probably don't need the 5th/Oct shifter that makes the Bass Whammy sought after.

[Zappstorius]

Originally Posted by OptimusPrime

I'm not playing Tool enough for me to need one.


I just want to try one really. You don't think I could buy one and then sell it a month later for the same price?

You could...but something could break and you'd be out 5 bills. Is that something you can swallow?

The real question is weather you are buying it to say you've owned one...or would really like to use one?

You could buy a Whammy IV & a Boss PS-3 w/an expression pedal for less that you'd be able to get the Bass Whammy for...IMHO of course

[Chronicle]

Don't get a PS-3. Find a used Whammy 4 and try that out. If you end up liking it, sell it back and find a bass whammy.

[Zappstorius]

Originally Posted by Chronicle

Don't get a PS-3. Find a used Whammy 4 and try that out. If you end up liking it, sell it back and find a bass whammy.

??? If he likes the Whammy IV why would he go and spend another 400 to get ONE setting...and LOSE another setting?

[OptimusPrime]

Originally Posted by Chronicle

Don't get a PS-3. Find a used Whammy 4 and try that out. If you end up liking it, sell it back and find a bass whammy.

I think that's what I'll do.

[bassman251]

Originally Posted by OptimusPrime

I think that's what I'll do.

I think a lot of effects are overrated. Sure they are good but not THAT good. Especially since their are other options that are just as good. Like the whammy IV very close or close enough. Seen an original Ross compressor for $350.00. A ross clone is as cheap as $95.00 if you build it yourself or even around $200.00 already built.

[bongomania]

I have bought a few "holy grail" effects. MXR Pitch Transposer, Roland Jet Phaser, Retrospec Squeezebox, a handful of others. The ones I sold later, it was hit or miss how much money I made. There were some where I made a couple hundred in profit, and others where I took a couple hundred in loss; it just depended on who was buying that week, and the mood of the market. IOW if you don't really care about the money, and expect to break even in the long view over several purchases, you'll be fine. But if it's a one-time thing, be prepared for the possibility of taking a loss, or if you set a reserve be prepared that there may be no takers for a while. Depending.

[Chronicle]

Originally Posted by Zappstorius

??? If he likes the Whammy IV why would he go and spend another 400 to get ONE setting...and LOSE another setting?

Because the bass whammy tracks better and has better settings for bass.

[SoonerMatt]

Can you go to a local music shop and try it out?

[bongomania]

The Bass Whammy has been discontinued for years, hence the collectability.

[Toasted]

Originally Posted by Chronicle

Because the bass whammy tracks better and has better settings for bass.

I've had a WH1, WH4 and Bass Whammy and TBH I found them much of a muchness. As ever, YMMV.

[Geddyfleaharris]

The Whammy IV is a fun pedal. Whether you need the actual Bass Whammy I don't know. Never sprung the cash for one. Lots of noises, sounds can be made with the Whammy IV. 2 of them have sold in the classifieds in the last couple of months for less than $150. New they can be had online for $199. If I build another board the Whammy will be one of the first pedals I get.

The danger of paying $500 for the Bass Whammy, as another poster pointed out, is that if it pukes on you in an unfixable way you are out a lot of cash.

[one]

Originally Posted by Zappstorius

??? If he likes the Whammy IV why would he go and spend another 400 to get ONE setting...and LOSE another setting?

Precisely!
Although EVERY bassist needs the bass whammy, because we are all Tool fan boys, right? Thats alot of money for one setting!