Basses that Hold Value

[Bongolation]

I never buy any instrument I can't flip at a profit.

NEVER.

That is, was and always will be the whole point for me, especially since my accident pretty much ended my playing.

I never buy new unless the final sale price is below current used price. It's harder to do now than it was just a couple of years ago, though. Those crazy closeout deals with stacked discounts are pretty rare, and buyers with actual money are almost as much so.

But all my current basses I got new for substantially less than the same ones are going for used in TB classifieds.

It's all about the deal.

[bassbenj]

Originally Posted by srxplayer

I think the U.S built G & L are questionable. They are great basses but they seem to lose their resale value more the MIA Fenders and Musicman basses. I don't know why. They are every bit as good as the other basses and I.M.H.O.ion offer more bang for the buck. You can routinely find them for much less then the Fenders and Music Man basses.

Which is exactly why I own two blueburst gems! Got them used, the like new one was about half the new price and the other was only $600. And the reason for that low price was simple. All the switches and knobs were loose and rotating around like mad and a couple of wires were broken off as a result. It's a common G&L fault. And it's no biggie to fix, but many people are scared to death of electronic faults. The bottom line, of course, was that meant one of the best basses I own picked up for a song.

And compare that to my Carvin AC50 which I bought new for about a grand. I ain't never gonna get any money back out of that one. So I'll just have to keep it and keep enjoying the fact that I ordered it exactly customized perfectly the way I wanted it to be. Why would someone else want to buy a bass personalized just the way *I* wanted it to be?

[Baird6869]

Originally Posted by LanOsb133

Don't buy any new Gibson's as they are junk and will be worth nothing in the next 5-10 years (In 2006 Gibson started Chambering their guitars... because of this, they are now going to be worth nothing and any unchambered gibson is going to skyrocket in price within 20 years or so) New Fenders are meh... Custom Shop Fenders you will always get your money back, but they are qite expensive.

Sorry, this is completely out to lunch IMO.

Very few Gibsons were chambered prior to 2008. Most chambering of Gibson GUITARS began in 2008 and this was mainly the 2008 Standard. The first real chambered bass of any consequence was the Les Paul Oversized released in 2011. Junk? Ok, if you say so. I guess chambered Sadowskys, MTD USAs and other chambered basses are going to be worth NOTHING too. Thanks for the insight.

Custom Shop Fenders have terrible resale. No clue how you figure you will ALWAYS get your initial investment back on these. Nobody will get $6k-10k back for a used Fender CS. There are many CS Fender basses out there for under $3500.

Sorry, do some research.

[MoeGJBeener]

dont buy an Ibanez. haha i bought a SR885 for a little over $1000 years ago and sold it for $200. and the guy who bought it even complained about that.

[portlandguy]

Fender American J and P, Musicman

[bill reed]

Suprising but Ric copys seem to hold there price. Rockenbetter seem to hold there price very well here in the UK. some of the Japenese copys seem to hold there price too.
I have never bought a Bass with any though of how much I could then sell it on for in my 45 years playing bass.

[klejst]

From what I have noticed, Fender's, Ric's, Music Man's and Gibson's (depends)...

Especially USA made basses and if all original and in as best of shape as possible.

[LanOsb133]

Originally Posted by Baird6869

Sorry, this is completely out to lunch IMO.

Very few Gibsons were chambered prior to 2008. Most chambering of Gibson GUITARS began in 2008 and this was mainly the 2008 Standard. The first real chambered bass of any consequence was the Les Paul Oversized released in 2011. Junk? Ok, if you say so. I guess chambered Sadowskys, MTD USAs and other chambered basses are going to be worth NOTHING too. Thanks for the insight.

Custom Shop Fenders have terrible resale. No clue how you figure you will ALWAYS get your initial investment back on these. Nobody will get $6k-10k back for a used Fender CS. There are many CS Fender basses out there for under $3500.

Sorry, do some research.

Chambered doesn't = Junk. Gibson Chambered = Junk for resell value. They will be worthless in the coming years. Was it 2008 they started chambering? I swear it was 06... Maybe it was 08. I'll look into it but point still stands. When the Economy comes back up the newer chambered gibsons will all be worthless (By worthless I mean they will be considered the "dark ages" of gibson and no collector will want them and that will drive the overall price down and you won't get anything for them.) Again not all chambered guitars are crap, Just the Chambered Gibsons and they are only crap for their resell value (which this thread is about). They honestly sound the sameish to me (slight difference) but nothing TOO noticeable.

As for the Fender CS, If you buy new, you will have to sit on it for a while for you to get your money back, but I was talking about getting a used CS fender. I didn't make that clear and that was my own fault. Given that CS fenders are quite amazing instruments and how they aren't as widely produced, they will always stay roughly the same value (Which most of the Fender CS's are Players so if you get a couple more scratches/chips in it it won't screw over the value) I know a bunch of people who would pay ~same amount as a new CS fender for a used one. But not in this economy.

As for doing my HW, I do. I buy and sell for a living and this is the patterns that I see in the Market. Given I'm no expert and I sure as hell am not always right but when It comes to Fenders I'm usually spot on because there will ALWAYS be a market for a Fender. Always.

P.S. Sorry if I'm coming off as an Ignorant A**hole. I've had very little sleep and in fact I'm going to bed right now. :3

[Baird6869]

You aren't being an a-hole. Without opinions, TB would be boring as hell!

In any case, A new Gibson Standard 2008 model guitar (not year of manufacture) is $2200-2300 new. They currently sell used for $1800-2000. I sold my gold top 2 weeks ago for $1900. Basses? I lost a grand total of $100+tax on my Les Paul Oversized after almost a year.

IMO, this is GREAT resale. Try to sell a $1299 Fender American Standard Bass for 85-90% of new resale ($1100-1150) a year or two after owning it. lucky to get $800 these days.

BTW, there are VERY few chambered Gibsons even made.... Some Les Pauls, the new Midtown basses and guitars... And I can't name any others.

Originally Posted by LanOsb133

Chambered doesn't = Junk. Gibson Chambered = Junk for resell value. They will be worthless in the coming years. Was it 2008 they started chambering? I swear it was 06... Maybe it was 08. I'll look into it but point still stands. When the Economy comes back up the newer chambered gibsons will all be worthless (By worthless I mean they will be considered the "dark ages" of gibson and no collector will want them and that will drive the overall price down and you won't get anything for them.) Again not all chambered guitars are crap, Just the Chambered Gibsons and they are only crap for their resell value (which this thread is about). They honestly sound the sameish to me (slight difference) but nothing TOO noticeable.

As for the Fender CS, If you buy new, you will have to sit on it for a while for you to get your money back, but I was talking about getting a used CS fender. I didn't make that clear and that was my own fault. Given that CS fenders are quite amazing instruments and how they aren't as widely produced, they will always stay roughly the same value (Which most of the Fender CS's are Players so if you get a couple more scratches/chips in it it won't screw over the value) I know a bunch of people who would pay ~same amount as a new CS fender for a used one. But not in this economy.

As for doing my HW, I do. I buy and sell for a living and this is the patterns that I see in the Market. Given I'm no expert and I sure as hell am not always right but when It comes to Fenders I'm usually spot on because there will ALWAYS be a market for a Fender. Always.

P.S. Sorry if I'm coming off as an Ignorant A**hole. I've had very little sleep and in fact I'm going to bed right now. :3

[mp40smg]

With very few exceptions..

You can generally go by this rule. The value of your instrument is generally 1/4 the Current retail cost, when sold to a store.

You can generally sell an instrument, on your own for about 1/2 the retail CURRENT value.


Generally year after year retail prices go up. Or, if a specific instrument takes off it will see a large price increase. So, Overall, the longer you hold on to it the more of your money you will get back. (assuming that you keep it in good shape and that it is generally, stock configuration).

It does not work for everything. But this guideline works for most non vintage, production type instruments.

[LanOsb133]

Originally Posted by Baird6869

You aren't being an a-hole. Without opinions, TB would be boring as hell!

In any case, A new Gibson Standard 2008 model guitar (not year of manufacture) is $2200-2300 new. They currently sell used for $1800-2000. I sold my gold top 2 weeks ago for $1900. Basses? I lost a grand total of $100+tax on my Les Paul Oversized after almost a year.

IMO, this is GREAT resale. Try to sell a $1299 Fender American Standard Bass for 85-90% of new resale ($1100-1150) a year or two after owning it. lucky to get $800 these days.

BTW, there are VERY few chambered Gibsons even made.... Some Les Pauls, the new Midtown basses and guitars... And I can't name any others.

Actually ALL Les Pauls are chambered. Have been since they started. Unless it specifically says Unchambered in the desription all of Gibson products are chambered. (or at least thats what I have been told by multiple communities.

Yes I'm sure that you can sell them for the same amount right now and for the next couple of years but again,, once that market shoots back up or even after 10+ years, those Gibson's won't hold their value.

So yeah I guess Gibson's aren't too bad for a > 10 year holding period, but anything past that and I would personally advise against it.


now just so i'm not spewing out opinions let mesee if I can find that article that told me about the chambering...

"Gibson USA
Weight-relief started around 1982/1983. Every Gibson USA Les Paul between 1982 - 2007 is weight-relieved. They do not have solid-body construction. Weight-relief is also known as "swiss cheese holes" and refers to the nine holes drilled out of the body in order to reduce the weight of the guitar.

Chambering officially began for 2007 but the late 2006s are also chambered. Any Les Paul made after October 2006 maybe or likely is chambered. Every 2007 and newer Gibson USA Les Paul is chambered, except for the Les Paul Traditional. The Les Paul Traditional has swiss cheese holes. Chambering is essentially hollowing out the body. Again, this is in order to reduce the weight of the guitar."

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/gibs...aul-101-a.html

Looks like we were both wrong on the year! ^.^

From a collectors stand point these will be worth nothing. Hell at first, I was talking with my dad about how they may be worth some money in the long run since its going to be the "Dark Ages" and might be semi collectible but my dad showed me how many people absolutely hate it and tbh, there will be no money in them. (from what I have seen)

Also: It is unclear weather all gibsons are chambered or it is just the Pauls. Either way Gibson is doing weight reduction on all their products (unless not specified) from other articles that are found around the web.

http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Elec.../BFG-Bass.aspx

As you can see from this it is weight relieved. I don't feel like going through all their basses to find out which ones are and aren't but if this one is weight relieved I'm sure all of them are.

[brotherbassj]

Originally Posted by j.kernodle

whole heatedly agree. a use lull in the 1200-1400 range is about the best passive fender style bass value in all the land.

ps. german warwicks do TERRIBLE on the used market compared to new. it's extremely rare to see any Warwick sell quickly if priced over 1800 even if it was 4500 bucks new.

I picked up a used streamer stage II for 1500 bucks and that bass sells new for over 4000 dollars.

Jim is right! I have alot of the higher end Warwicks that cost over $4000 new and you are lucky to get half the value in return. These are great basses, however for some reason the resale in the states is POOR. But they play WELL as Jim can attest to......lol

[Handyman]

I recently looked at the Alembic price list. If you want something that holds resale value, I'd suggest something that's NOT a new Alembic.

Great instruments, though.

[nostatic]

If you buy a bass to play, it doesn't really matter. If you buy it as an object to be bought/sold then it does.

[Modern Growl]

It's about two things. Quality of the instrument - and supply & demand. Sometimes you'll see more emphasis on supply & demand over quality. Take 3 of the best Jazzes -

Sadowsky - top quality instrument, always in demand (Great resale value).
Nordstrand - top quality instrument - not as popular as Sadowsky (Lower resale value).
Alleva Coppolo - average quality - perhaps the most perplexing high value used bass (continued below).

^The cult following of AC's and their long lead time make used prices almost as high as new. I'm honestly shocked at the asking price (and it seems the selling price of these). Quality on these are "okay" at best. I owned one and it was just decent. On par with a good EBMM. I'm guessing because they are built by one person, people make a fuss about them?? Not sure... but IMO, they are nowhere NEAR a Sadowsky or Nordstrand in quality... hence when I see them go up for $4,500 used, I always shake my head and find myself SOOO glad I don't like them.

[MikeXbass]

With all due respect to the other brands mentioned... My Allevas are by FAR the best J and P basses ive ever owned. Live, studio, etc etc! HANDS DOWN.



Supply and demand.. Not to mention some have incredible MOJO! Guess i was a lucky one.



Plus, i think nordys and Sads compared to AC is apple to oranges...

[Modern Growl]

Originally Posted by MikeXbass

With all due respect to the other brands mentioned... My Allevas are by FAR the best J and P basses ive ever owned. Live, studio, etc etc! HANDS DOWN.

Supply and demand.. Not to mention some have incredible MOJO! Guess i was a lucky one.

Plus, i think nordys and Sads compared to AC is apple to oranges...

I guess I got a dud. The LG I paid top dollar and expecting the world from due to all the hype let me down big time. And thats hard to do as I'm a huge Jazz fan.

The construction was good, not great. Little things like the neck finish not being even (had some slight "rough" spots). 1 of the tuning pegs was very stiff compared to the others. Things like this should NOT happen on a $5K bass. Overall they seem on par with a good Music Man... it just didn't have anywhere near the, what hits me as, uber attention to detail shown by Rogers NYC's.

I've also read too many AC owners make comments similar to my experience. Things like crazy glue on the back of the instruments finish. Tuning pegs ears touching eachother... etc. It seems they leave the shop with little flaws here and there.

While on the other hand Roger's basses look like every single piece was cut and sculpted with an Exacto knife, then coated with a eye dazzeling high gloss finish. I dunno man... I truly just think the AC stuff is crazy nutz pricing for whats an "okay" instrument. And whats with the $1,500 Brazilian upcharge? Roger charges $500 bucks.

The tone sounded completely "dead" to me as well... but I'm 100% sure thats due to his bottom heavy pickups lacking the clarity I like. This here is a completely subjective topic tho.

I just don't get while some are "great" with all this "mojo" and some are just "meh"... again, comments coming from AC owners, in addition to my experience. For that kinda money, they should be consistent.

Then I see them trying to be flipped for $4500 dollars here... The one I had was bounced around to 3 owners in the past 4 months since I sold it.

I dunno man. We'll agree to disagree.

[gkbass13]

Used American Fender, Used Musicman basses, and a handful of boutique companies. NYC Sadowsky, AC, Fodera and MTD hold value and are in decent used demand all the time.

[MikeXbass]

Originally Posted by Modern Growl

I dunno man. We'll agree to disagree.

How bout we agree to agree... That yours wasnt a keeper. I completely understand that. both of mine were made for one of the wood suppliers that jimmy uses. Whatever he did to those two, that were made from the same batch of wood.. he did it right.. but i have played others that were average. But you are right.. at that price point i dont understand the imperfections etc etc..

[Pj,Rj,Hj]

At the top end, a new Wal will generally be cheaper than a Fodera and you won't see many used selling for under $3500.