What to look for in a used bass

picklebarrel · #1 08-12-2010, 11:37 AM

Sorry if this is posted somewhere else but I need some advice rather quickly because I'm meeting up with a dude from craigslist in about an hour. He's going to sell me an older peavey fury for $90.

I'm new to bass and guitars in general for that matter. I'm just wondering if anyone has advice on what to look for. Maybe there are some indicators that the bass is in bad shape or might need work? I won't be able to play it through an amp because I'm meeting him in the guitar center parking lot. Also, I figure $90 bucks for a peavey fury seems to be good even if it might need some work.

Any help would be appreciated!

TolerancEJ · #2 08-12-2010, 11:39 AM

Check today's thread on testing basses

do you have a routine when testing out a new bass?

StuartV · #3 08-12-2010, 11:41 AM

If you're meeting in a GC parking lot, go inside together and "try out an amp" using the Fury.

picklebarrel · #4 08-12-2010, 11:42 AM

Thanks!

**Staccato** · #5 08-12-2010, 11:51 AM

Definitely take it inside GC, and plug into an amp that is in the same price range as your amp. Tell 'em at the door that you're amp shopping, and brought a bass to evaluate them.

If it has a good setup, you may just bond with it. With older strings or iffy setup, you may not get/see much of the inherent build quality or potential. If it is above average in looks and plays well, you may have hit a small Peavey jackpot.

TolerancEJ · #6 08-12-2010, 12:17 PM

If the unfortunate situation arises that the bass is stolen, the seller's pic will be on GC's video surveillance camera. Actually, if the seller seems nervous or hesitates to go insice GC, I would be suspicious. The bass is either stolen or not working properly.

picklebarrel · #7 08-12-2010, 12:21 PM

yeah, that sounds like a good idea. He was on his way to the guitar center anyway and I work right next door so it worked out. I don't have too much time since I am at work but I guess it would be worth it to make sure everything checks out.

electracoyote · #8 08-12-2010, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by picklebarrel

Sorry if this is posted somewhere else but I need some advice rather quickly because I'm meeting up with a dude from craigslist in about an hour. He's going to sell me an older peavey fury for $90.

I'm new to bass and guitars in general for that matter. I'm just wondering if anyone has advice on what to look for. Maybe there are some indicators that the bass is in bad shape or might need work? I won't be able to play it through an amp because I'm meeting him in the guitar center parking lot. Also, I figure $90 bucks for a peavey fury seems to be good even if it might need some work.

Any help would be appreciated!

If you are new to guitars, and you don't play, you are going to have a hard time doing an accurate assessment of this instrument. No offense.

I'm a newbie with lawncare equipment. So before I bought a used gas powered edge trimmer, I'd want someone with more knowledge than me to assess it.

If there is any way you can get someone with experience to look it over, play it, and weigh in with an informed assessment, that would be the ideal. I know it's only $90.00, but that would constitute a big chunk of my monthly allowance, and it is possible to end up with something that is useless outside of being a wall decoration. Or it may require a large additional investment to make it play and sound right.

Only someone experienced with guitars can tell you for sure.

You can also take some pics and upload them for us to look at, but pics are not the perfect diagnostic tool. Better than nothing.

TolerancEJ · #9 08-12-2010, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by electracoyote

You can also take some pics and upload them for us to look at, but pics are not the perfect diagnostic tool. Better than nothing.

That's a good idea too. There are presently 220 TB members watching the Bass Guitar forum alone. Of course, the # fluctuates during the day. Generally when someone posts a topic, several replies will be posted within seconds or at the very least a few minutes.

If you have a camera phone, just take a pic & add it to this thread.

picklebarrel · #10 08-12-2010, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TolerancEJ

That's a good idea too. There are presently 220 TB members watching the Bass Guitar forum alone. Of course, the # fluctuates during the day. Generally when someone posts a topic, several replies will be posted within seconds or at the very least a few minutes.

If you have a camera phone, just take a pic & add it to this thread.

Cool, sounds good. Any particular angles I should get on it?

TolerancEJ · #11 08-12-2010, 12:39 PM

I'm guessing an overall shot from the front. Maybe a closeup of the pickups & headstock. Many peeps here are good at spotting a potential fake. Although I don't think anyone would go through the trouble of creating a Peavey fake. It would more likely come in handy if someone's considering an expensive vintage instrument.

Can any other TB members suggest particular angles for pics?

Raymeous · #12 08-12-2010, 12:42 PM

Check that all the knobs work like they're supposed to, that the jack isn't shorted, that the parts are all stuck on nice and secure. Granted most of these are easy fixes but start with that. I also agree with the trip to GC thing. Let us know how it goes and good luck.

electracoyote · #13 08-12-2010, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by picklebarrel

Cool, sounds good. Any particular angles I should get on it?

Be sure the guitar is tuned up to standard. Side shot including the neck from the side. I want to see the bow in the neck. Side shot of the bridge, I want to see where the saddles are and try to determine the action and how much room there is to adjust it. The nut and surrounding area. You can't take too many. Clear close ups and medium shots. Whole-bass shots won't tell us much, too far away.

Like I said, pics can be deceiving, but I'm sure some TB'ers will be glad to weigh in with their opinions.

If you do this test at GC, you're gonna have to play it and see if all the knobs work and you can get some good noises to come out. Better yet, hand it to one of the sales guys for a test drive. Don't feel self-conscious. If the seller wants to unload the bass and it's legit, he shouldn't mind. GC sales guy might also save you the trouble of taking pictures with his assessment.

picklebarrel · #14 08-12-2010, 01:06 PM

Alright here are the pics. Couldn't actually read your guys' suggestions on angles because he called me up right after. I already bought the bass though...went into GC and played it. Sounded and felt awesome. Had some other people in there who wanted to play it too and no one had beef with it. Give me your honest opinions though (if you can from the shots) because I can still catch the guy-- he said he'd be over there for a bit longer if I had a problem.

picklebarrel · #15 08-12-2010, 01:10 PM

one more pic.

Joe Nerve · #16 08-12-2010, 01:14 PM

Wow, dude - I'd bring that back to him immediately!!!! How could you not catch whats going on with the neck on that thing, it looks like....

did I get ya? Looks like a sweet deal to me. Congratulations.

electracoyote · #17 08-12-2010, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Nerve

Wow, dude - I'd bring that back to him immediately!!!! How could you not catch whats going on with the neck on that thing, it looks like....

did I get ya? Looks like a sweet deal to me. Congratulations.

heh heh, good one.

Yeah, I'm with Joe, I don't see anything unusual going on, looks pretty good from those three shots. Just remember the disclaimer: Pics are not a great diagnostic tool. But I get a good feeling.

Congrats on your score.

Joe Nerve · #18 08-12-2010, 01:24 PM

The fact that the guy went into guitar center with you, didn't have a beef about anyone checking it out, and told you he'd stick around for a bit tells me you've got nothing to worry about as far as him screwing you goes. Enjoy the bass. It's pretty sweet lookin too.

StuartV · #19 08-12-2010, 01:24 PM

I'll give you $91 for it, right now!

picklebarrel · #20 08-12-2010, 01:26 PM

Yeah, thanks a lot guys. And Joe, that post scared the life out of me for a second!

I'm gonna bring it to my next band practice and have the bassist check it out. I got a good feeling from the guy since he had no trouble going into GC and playing it through different amps and what not. We also talked about different things and he was giving me some advice on what amps to look into and then playing them in the store, so it was just a good feeling overall.