• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Thoughts on buying used

Alvaro Martín Gómez A.

Alvaro Martín Gómez A.

TalkBass' resident Bongo + cowbell player
Nov 10, 2000
6,935
155
59
Bucaramanga, Colombia, South A
#1
Hi everybody and my apologies if this topic has been discussed before. Relevant terms return lots of results.

I've just decided to post this thread since it's a very well known fact that used basses are one of the best options to get the best for the buck. I think there isn't a single day in which recommendations on used instruments don't flow through this forum but the thing is, I've never considered that option since I'm convinced that I'll only know for real what I got just after having it in my hands. Of course that applies for new instruments as well, but it makes me feel more confident to know that nobody else has played my new bass before and it's a real brand new instrument.

Why am I talking about this? Because of course I like to visit eBay and I've seen many (apparently) great deals. From some time ago I've been thinking of a natural Peavey T-40 with maple fingerboard and pickups with exposed blades (plus original hardshell case) in near-perfect condition because my first instrument was one exactly like that and I deeply regret getting rid of it since the T-40 is a truly unique instrument (connoisseurs will agree with me). Of course a brand new one is out of the question, so a place like eBay is the way to go. I've seen several T-40s that seem to fit what I'm looking for and I've been tempted to click the "place bid" button (I have a verified PayPal account) but that feeling prevents me from doing it. What if it's not what I was expecting? I can't think of returning it since to me it means spending a lot of money in international shipping charges.

(Not to mention pre-Gibson Steinbergers that usually start at a ridiculously low amount and end being sold at outrageous prices)

What do you think of my position? I mean, am I the only one on this boat? I'd like to hear your thoughts, either for reinforcing my thinking or for making me feel more confident about buying used. Thank you in advance! :)
 
#3
You should also check the classified ads in your local newspaper. I've bought and sold a number of quality basses this way. Plus, you have the advantage of looking at, and playing it before you decide if you want to buy.
 
#6
Yeah, I'd buy a bass from a respected TBer in a second.

I bought a bass that had a couple previous owners and it was advertised as 'like new'. Unfortunately like new is a subjective term and this thing was dented and scratched up and down the wazoo. Furthermore, as its a Warwick, I tried to sand it down and found he had done a hack job cover up of some wear in the finish and as we speak it' s getting refinished for about a quarter of what I paid for the instrument.

Now mind you I got an incredible deal on the bass and it plays fantastic but I went into the sale prepared to deal with the issues of buying used.

A couple things I consider when buying used:
1. Never pay more than half what the instrument cost new.
2. Expect cosmetic flaws such as scratches and dents and also expect to live with them unless you're prepared to put more money into the bass.
3. People sell stuff for a reason. The old "Getting married and the wife is making me get rid of my music stuff" is probably true 1 out every 100 sales. People usually go to the effort of selling stuff becuase there's a really good reason they don't like it anymore.
 
#7
Take a deep breath and jump.
I also have the same problem of being overseas and not having a lot locally to choose from, as well as few buy and return options for new gear that the Yanks have.

As you're after a T40, ask lots of pointed questions from the seller, and if you're happy with their answes, go for it. You've already had one of these, so I don't see you not liking it.

BTW my 3 T40s and my T60 all came from the US, as did about a dozen others. All except one was an ebay purchase.
 
#9
I have bought well over a dozen basses used and have never had a problem. Mostly Craigslist and eBay.

I wanted a new MIA Fender Jazz V Deluxe but didnt want to pay $1400 new. I ended up finding a MIA Jazz V Plus and a MIA Deluxe used and bought both for about $1200. Not new, but both in great shape.

Used basses are like used cars. Much of the depreciation occurs when you leave the store.

Having said that, I am getting a little concerned about a $700 MIA P bass I recently bought on eBay as there is starting to be a chance I am going to get stifffed on it. If the seller disappears with your money and doesn't send you your bass, you are generally SOL.
 
#11
Personally, I try to buy used. If you look for a decent deal, many times you can buy an instrument, play it for a while (years) and resell it for what you paid. This is especially great if you don't know if it is what you want. I can never tell much about a bass's sound by playing it at Guitar Center (or whatever). Untill I get it pluged into my rig with my band, I never really know if it will work anyway. It helps if you can do a basic setup yourself, since many used basses need strings and some adjustment. The tough part really is deciding if you are buying from a reputable source.
 
#13
Ah, would you rather marry a virgin, or a woman who's learned what NOT to do the hard way?

I think, if your goal is to play an excellent bass at a good price, and/or if you like to buy, try, weed out those that don't make the cut and resell them, then used is the only way to go. A great many people are either fairly indifferent to the details, or tend to be in the market for standard models which are as alike as the factory can make them.

Where used stops being so attractive is when you have something very specific in mind - you want THIS body shape, THIS number of strings, THESE woods, THIS fingerboard, THESE electronics, THIS string spacing, etc.

Again, consider Carvin. I think one reason Carvins sell used at such a steep discount is *because* of all the options they offer. You can dial up very close to just the bass you want, and chances are nobody else on Earth wants exactly your choices.

So OK, let's say I've selected the custom bass of my dreams, every feature just so, to be built by the luthier I most respect. But for less than half the price, I can get a used bass from the TB classifieds that cost just as much new as I'd spend for my dream bass. Not my favorite luthier, woods, string count, etc. etc. etc. but half the price. Is it worth it? Well, how close is it to what I really want? How do I put a price on this?
 
#15
Do your research and trust your gut. There have been a couple of online deals where after talking to or emailing the seller I backed out 'cause it just didn't "feel" right. There will almost always be another deal down the road.
 
#16
Figjam said:
I love buying used. Amps, eh, not as much. But basses, definitely. Especially from Tbers. Ebay, eh, hit and miss.
Click to expand...

+1
If I were to modify this I'd say cabs not as much, but used amps are cool. I love used basses, the more use they've gotten the better for me. I've had good luck buying used basses from Ebay *but* I've heard enough horror stories and seen enough scams to make me reconsider doing that again (but then again there's plenty of vintage instruments available on Austin TX and on the TB forums already). One advantage to buying used from TB over Ebay is you'll know that the instrument was likely played by a bassist and not as likely bass that someone got from a friend, as a gift, stolen, heavily misrepresented, or who knows what.
 
#17
I'm very leery of buying sight unseen basses, although I have. My basses are 50/50 new used, my guitars tip more towards the new. One guitar was the only used one I bought without playing first, but it was a really good deal (not particularly collectible vintage axe, modded for improved functionality and a 75% discount), and a sentimental thing. The other guitar I bought sight unseen I sold, because it was kind of a dud tonally. I agree with Muckaluck that it is hard to know why something is being sold. I think fincancial and spouse issues aren't uncommon (I had to sell a guitar recently because I am broke), but it could also be that the instrument is a dud. It's just hard to know.

Beyond that, some problems are only evident when you play a bass. The superficial stuff will be obvious from a pic, but warped necks, bad frets, etc. are potential problems.

I think buying from a talkbasser is not a problem, and from a reputable online/brick and mortarwith a return policy works too. But I am pretty unlikely to buy any more basses on ebay.
 
#19
I've bought basses used, but only when I've had the opportunity to play them. I usually buy new. Luckily, I can afford to, and over the years I've grown increasingly fond of warranties. Two of my basses have needed their necks replaced (one twist, one failed truss rod), and if I had bought them used, the repairs would have cost me over $300 each. Both were covered under warranty. As a result, unless a used bass is selling for at least $300 below the new price, I usually won't consider it. Maybe I'm being overly cautious, but I've learned the hard way.

I've only bought one instrument on eBay, a new old stock Am. Ser. Fender Strat HH (2001, purchased 2005). It was perfect, I got it for dirt cheap, and it came with warranty because the shop was a Fender dealer. Best of all worlds, but those deals aren't easy to come by.

I'm most likely to purchase a used bass to explore the high end, or experiment with a five string. Otherwise, I'm likely to stay with new instruments.
 
#20
I've bought most of my basses used, but almost exclusively through the TB classifieds. I'll buy from a respected member in a heartbeat.

I have yet to get a bass used that I wasn't happy with, since I make sure to do a lot of research on both the bass (to find out if it has my kind of feel and tone -- similar to basses I've had and enjoyed already) and the seller before pulling the trigger.

You're in a tough situation geographically, though. Most of us here in the US can take a risk and buy a used bass because if it's a good deal, we can always turn around and sell it for the same money, losing only a couple bucks on shipping. I bought both my first Reverend and Sadowsky from TBers having never played one of either bass in person first, and loved them both. But I wasn't taking much of a risk -- I knew that I could easily sell either one on the TB classifieds and not lose much money. In your case, trying it first is impossible, and shipping is pricey.

Still, I feel much more comfortable buying from a fellow TBer than taking my chances on ebay.

As far as the T40 goes, it's pretty low-risk. I got one off ebay out of nostalgia. It was a great bass, but I didn't care for the wide string spacing, so I sold it a few months later for about the same money. I wouldn't worry too much about a T40. They're pretty much indestructible. Just make sure the neck is straight if you can.

What I would NOT buy used sight unseen would be a vintage bass like a '70s Fender. Total crapshoot, IMO. You could wind up with a gem, or a dog.

Best of luck, dude. I've followed your posts for years and sympathize with the difficulty you must have in dealing with/trying out gear.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back