What does it for you?

JoeVictim · #1 06-14-2010, 11:00 AM

Is there a bass you would buy/buy again without trying it first? This could be anything from your SX to your Custom.

I bought my SX without trying it based on Rondo's awesome return policy.

I bought a Squier affinity P on ebay. Ended up selling it about 6 months later at about a $10 loss. It was set up very well but I felt it to be inferior to the SX P+J. I would buy the SX every time (with the old headstock) without trying it based on the return policy. Not so much the Affinity.

How do you feel about blind buying? How about you custom lovers? Is there a bass you loved/didn't work for you?

mellowgerman · #2 06-14-2010, 11:06 AM

Generally I wouldn't do this with a new bass, but if you're buying used (responsibly and sensibly) you can almost always just resell it if it doesn't get your motor going.

**StrangerDanger** · #3 06-14-2010, 11:07 AM

Megan Fox

Dub56 · #4 06-14-2010, 11:40 AM

I always like to at least try the model I'm looking at first, even if I can't play the actual bass. But that still doesn't guarantee you'll like it.

I'd definitely buy a Lakland blind, I don't have any reason to doubt the quality, all of them I've tried have been great.

Now Fender on the other hand, I would never buy without trying. I've played some great Fenders, and I've played some terrible ones.

shawshank72 · #5 06-14-2010, 11:52 AM

I bought my Electra Phoenix ions ago, sight unseen.
Simply put ......
It is still the greatest bass I have ever owned and played.

groooooove · #6 06-14-2010, 11:56 AM

if sadowsky made a USA model 6 string i'd buy it.

i've also never played, but would buy if i had the cash/need sight unseen, any callowhill 6 string. damn owen biddle for bringing those basses to my attention..

cripula · #7 06-14-2010, 11:59 AM

A NYC Sadowsky is about the only bass I'd feel comfortable buying without playing first.

Nedmundo · #8 06-15-2010, 06:31 AM

I'd buy G&L USA without playing first. In fact I have, and it worked out fine. I've also bought two USA Fenders via the internet -- a Jazz V and an HH Strat -- and they're both fantastic. I'd prefer to play the exact instrument first, but that's not always easy, especially with a smaller manufacturer like G&L.

purfektstranger · #9 06-15-2010, 06:43 AM

Blind buying (used) scares me...at least buying from Ebay does. I have made quite a few bass purchases there...all with no hassle except one time. I received the bass and the neck was so bowed you could have ski jumped off it. It wasn't an expensive bass but the dissapointment stuck.... I have no problem blind buying any bass new so long as the shop has a no hassle return policy.

JulienJeff · #10 06-15-2010, 06:51 AM

I bought my sandberg PM4 without trying it. I love this bass and would buy it blind again.

Baird6869 · #11 06-15-2010, 07:04 AM

Roscoe.

I have yet to play a lemon from Keith and gang.

Aspidites · #12 06-15-2010, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrangerDanger

Megan Fox

I still have no idea what people see in that little stick.

As for what bass I would buy again sight unseen, anything from G&L USA.

SteveC · #13 06-15-2010, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aspidites

I still have no idea what people see in that little stick.

I don't think she's a stick. There's curves there. Not Selma Hayek curves, but she's OK.

JoeVictim · #14 06-16-2010, 07:22 AM

As someone who has never held or played a Lakland, is there a pretty big difference between US and Skyline Models?

*besides the price of course.

**JxBass** · #15 06-16-2010, 07:35 AM

I'm waiting to receive my third Rob Allen. I didn't play any of them prior to owning them.

Nashrakh · #16 06-16-2010, 07:40 AM

2009 MIM Fender P.

That series is outstanding IMO. Older series were kinda hit or miss, but this one seems to be of consistently high build quality in my experience (for the price range). Worth the dough but YMMV

R. Laevinus · #17 06-16-2010, 07:43 AM

I'd never buy an instrument without seeing/playing it. Even mass-manufactured instruments are all different.

MadMan118 · #18 06-16-2010, 11:36 AM

I've bought some basses that I've owned that particular model before. No two basses are the same but its pretty close that I have confidence in buying it.

Dave Siff · #19 06-16-2010, 12:34 PM

I've owned seven Reverends, and six of them were blind buys (two new from the "factory", four used from the classifieds here or eBay.) I've never played a bad one, so I had no doubt they'd all be awesome. And they were.

vinxbass · #20 06-16-2010, 12:44 PM

I bought my '08 MIA Fender Jazz V from MF without ever touching it and it's turned out to be a great sounding and playing bass. I would do it again.

OTOH, I played a Lakland 55-01 that a buddy of mine owned for awhile and bought one on MF, ended up selling it 6 mths later. Dead spots all over the neck, never again.