Should I get this jazz bass?

davegt666 · #1 05-30-2011, 09:59 PM

I have an opportunity to buy this Lake Placid Blue Fender Jazz bass near my area for $250. However I don't know if I should. She tells me it might need some repairs but it's hard to tell from the pictures what. This is my first time buying used from someone other than at Guitar Center. Can you guys help me out how to handle this deal

She only know's that its a Mexican fender and that the serial number is: MN2114193

davegt666 · #2 05-30-2011, 10:04 PM

Pics:

MycooLeeyun · #3 05-30-2011, 10:08 PM

I would try and get my hands on it before anything. See how it feels and plays. If the repairs are minor, it might be worth it.

Shakin-Slim · #4 05-30-2011, 10:09 PM

Find out what repairs are needed, that should let you know everything. If they're nothing major, you could land yourself a bargain. Then again, they could be quite serious. Until then it's all just speculation as to how good a deal it is.

hoshbrown41 · #5 05-30-2011, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MycooLeeyun

I would try and get my hands on it before anything. See how it feels and plays. If the repairs are minor, it might be worth it.

+1

Look it over, check the machine heads, nut, body, neck, frets, bridge - everything.

Plug it in - see if any of the pots are scratchy or anything like that - and if it even works.

If the fixes are minor, that's a great deal.

davegt666 · #6 05-30-2011, 10:23 PM

Well the problem is that it's an hour drive away. I wanted to know as much as possible before I even go there. But I guess its just a risk I'm going to have to take. My main concern right now is if it even works and those tuning pegs. They just don't look right too me.

**Staccato** · #7 05-30-2011, 10:34 PM

A 'good' used example vs. the Lake Placid with repairs added? Go for a good, used bass that's not begging for repairs.
(Let the buyer beware!)

davegt666 · #8 05-30-2011, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stacatto

A 'good' used example vs. the Lake Placid with repairs added? Go for a good, used bass that's not begging for repairs.
(Let the buyer beware!)

I don't quite understand what you're trying to say.

spaz21387 · #9 05-30-2011, 10:42 PM

whats up with the black squares under the tuning pegs? im guessing the velcro is to prevent the a string from buzzing because its wound around the post wrong

jjk2007 · #10 05-30-2011, 10:46 PM

Looks like a couple of the posts are missing some parts!!

ModulusQ5-122 · #11 05-30-2011, 10:47 PM

Dude that bass doesnt look worth it to me. I would hold out.

davegt666 · #12 05-30-2011, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spaz21387

whats up with the black squares under the tuning pegs? im guessing the velcro is to prevent the a string from buzzing because its wound around the post wrong

I have no idea what the black squares are for that's why I said before that the tuning pegs look wrong to me haha and for the velcro your guess is as good as mine.

**jmattbassplaya** · #13 05-30-2011, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davegt666

I don't quite understand what you're trying to say.

He's saying buy a bass that doesn't need "repairs" because you may end up spending more buying and then repairing the thing than if you went ahead and bought a used one in good condition.

spaz21387 · #14 05-30-2011, 10:49 PM

id go check it out but try and talk them down because the black things under the tuners... actually the black things i think are to distract you from noticing that the tuners on the e and the g are missing the round thing that keeps them centered in the hole. I cant remember the name for them at the moment

fhm555 · #15 05-30-2011, 11:38 PM

Best I can tell from the pics, it looks like the machine head bushings are missing from the E and G pegs. And what's up with the tape or whatever that black stuff is on the other two pegs? Between missing parts and the wonky way the strings are wound on, my first thought is what else might be wrong with it?

IME, there are too many really good (very playable with no work needed), second hand MIM j basses out there for around $300 to waste time (and money) on a high priced fixer upper. Since last november I've looked at several real nice mexi j's in excellent condition ranging in price from $400 to $100, and wound up buying two of them. One for $300 from a local shop and the second one for $100. Granted, the $100 piece was some lady punishing her son for bad grades so it was more a right place at the right time type of deal, but I looked at plenty other clean, ready to play basses I could have bought for right around what you are looking at paying for a fixer upper with what could well turn out to be multiple unknown issues.

On the other hand, if that's all that's wrong with it and you can get it for around $100~$150 it would then be worth the trouble.

Either way, I'd want to lay hands on it and give it a really good once over before I made any offer on it.

CoreyP · #16 05-31-2011, 12:01 AM

Depending on how nice you want it to be if/once it's yours, a set of new Schaller BML tuners will cost you around $60 before shipping etc. If it's in otherwise good shape - the neck is fairly straight, not a ton of buzz, and you can talk her down at least the cost to replace the tuners it may be worth it.

You can also replace the electronics if those are an issue, again, that affects the price I'd offer. Granted, you could also find a MIM Jazz Bass without any of these issues for around $300 and not have to deal with the hassle of doing any of the swapping or potential repair(s). It looks pretty decent from the pics but if it's pretty hacked up and/or there are a whole bunch of holes drilled in the back of the headstock etc. I'd walk away from it.

I'm with fhm that without seeing it in person it'd be a decent deal for around $150 and the less work it needs the better the deal. I'd potentially go up to $200 if the electronics are fine, but I'm the kind of guy that puts nice aftermarket pickups in MIM instruments, so there's that...

Bongolation · #17 05-31-2011, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davegt666

But I guess its just a risk I'm going to have to take..

Or, it's just a risk you could just pass on.

I don't normally buy used, and I virtually never buy used from anyone but a dealer with a good return policy.

Why? Because people dump stuff for a reason, and it's often that the gear has problems they try to hide or (worse) try to ineptly fix.

It looks to me like he's trying to kludge fixes for rattling hardware, but given the ineptitude of the approach, I shudder to think how he did his regular maintenance.

I've been working on basses and guitars for over forty years and know what to look for, but after having two consecutive buys show serious concealed problems once I got them apart on the bench, I swore off buying private party used gear unless I get it at scrap price.

I shop hard and buy new gear for under used price from real dealers.

I wouldn't drive an hour for that bass for that price, period.