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Anybody ever buy equipment without trying it 1st?

#21
Um, I haven't had the problem the OP describes and I live in Canada too. Where exactly are you that you can't get to a Long and McQuade? They aren't the greatest, but they can order in nearly anything and don't typically make you pay up front for it.

The only stuff I haven't been able to try out first is stuff that typically can't be tried out first anyway because its available online only, like Avatar, Carvin, Acme, etc. If you look up a manufacturer of a product you're interested in trying out, find out who their Canadian distributor is and you might then be able to try something out in person...
 
#23
Same here, I bought a 2001 MIM P offa evil-bay, my 2010 Am. Std P. and My G-K 550 Fusion head were ordered new from the local dealer, although I had played thru one with my current cab before I pulled the trigger. Very pleased with all of 'em, although I swapped out the 'guard, p-up, etc. on the Mex. which is my main stage bass.
 
#25
Its been asked, but where are you ? Can you ask musicians about local shops you might not know about ?

Or is it possible to plan a little trip in a larger city, some sort gear shopping vacation ? You won't get to try everything, but it could help to narrow down what you are looking for in terms of specs, features, tone, etc . If you're lucky, you could walk away with a sweet deal semi-locally without having to wait over the mailman.
 
#26
I've bought several items based on the collective knowledge of TB without ever hearing one beforehand.

Know what it is you want to do, do your research to find the family of products that'll do that, and then buy 'em used on TB.

I did get to the point a year or so ago where I was ready to travel to one of the big dealers to end my tone quest. That's another solution that just might be cheaper and less frustrating than trial and error.

You'd be surprised how many of us might live in a populated area that doesn't have much of a variety of bass gear.

Jim
 
#28
I bought my GK without playing through it first, but I knew what it sounded like. I'd be extremely wary about buying a bass that way; to me, the tactile feel of a bass and the neck is very important. I would certainly play a friend's then buy one, but I would be extremely reticent about buying a bass when I've never even held the model in my hands.
 
#29
I've bought an E.B. Stingray off EBay. I read that they have pretty good quality control and I was not disappointed.

I did basically the same a few months ago with a year old American Standard P which I picked up and basically did a quick check of the neck but never played. Didn't have my own amp to try it through and I think the American Standard basses are all pretty good. I haven't been disappointed.

Bought an Ampeg SVT-15E cab new without trying it. It was as good as the receives said although a little less efficient than I would have liked. I don't think much of trying to evaluate products in a show room or through other peoples amps etc. The dealer I bought the cab from had a 30 day return policy and in fact I started with a Traynor 2x10 cab and returned it for the Ampeg.
 
#30
eltroyo11 said:
When I was looking into Jazz basses, I played a whole bunch at Guitar Center and decided that there was good enough quality control on the American Standards that I was comfortable buying one through a store on Ebay for a bit cheaper than GC would have been. I've also bought GK and Ampeg cabs, as well as a GK head and used Warwick fretless online without trying them first. I guess I've been really lucky with online buying.
Click to expand...

When I bought (of all things) a new tuba online, I went with a brand I knew had a solid reputation for consistency and quality and was not disappointed.

When I bought my NS, I did like many on here are suggesting--I researched the heck out of it. It was a very "squirelly" buy for me, purchasing something that was quite unique, so I had to rely on my experience with similar (but not the same) sorts of instruments and asked a lot of questions on forums...being careful to filter the responses based on peoples' use/backgrounds.

It's really important to consider both the manufacturer's and the vendors (if you're not buying direct) reputation, as well. Even though I bought my instrument through a 3rd party, the manufacturer is on my short list if I have another GAS attack, because how responsive they were when I called. They even did a serial number check for me when I was checking the background of used instruments, no questions asked.

Sometimes you do have to pay a bit more, doing things this way, but my experience is you often end up with a higher quality product and better all-around experience. Especially if the pickins' in your neck-of-the-woods happens to be pretty slim.
 
#31
Hey, dude. Fellow Canadian here!

I just received a Peavey T-40 from Austin, Texas. I've never even seen one in person before!

I've also received a Spector (from a fellow Canadian). Another type of bass that is unseen around here.

On top of basses, I've had an Ampeg SVT-VR come in the mail (that UPS dropped and destroyed).
 
#32
I got my GK1001 RB II without listening to it, my Schroeder 1212L cab, my Boss GT-10B, my Musicman Sterling, my Rickenbacker 4003, my Fender 300 pro tube head, and my Ampeg 810. The only things I've "tried" before buying were my Fender HWY 1 Jazz, and my Fender MIM Fretless.

I've done all this while having a Guitar Center in my city. I trust a lot of reviews on here and other sites. Hasn't failed me yet...
 
#33
Just bought a pair of Aguilar GS112's from the TB forum. I had never played through one but based on what I read here, I figured they were what I wanted. I was right. They're really cool.

I agree with the others. Do your research, make an educated buy.
 
#34
None of my Carvin gear was tried before purchase. That's three six string basses, five power amps, an in ear monitor system, plastic PA speakers, a ten inch vocal monitor, stereo EQ, stereo crossover, a bunch of raw drivers, My BX1500, the list goes on. Apart from a couple of problems that were soon fixed it's all worked flawlessly for me.

Likewise my Acme B2 cabinets were bought sight unseen. I own four now.

Pretty much everything that's available in the States is available here but you may have to look a bit harder. We are, after all, not a third world country!

Paul
 
#36
Since I am so new to guitars, I do extensive research on which one I am interested in. If it didn't get good reviews then I will keep looking. The first time I bought a bass, I went into the store 2 times before I actually bought it the 3rd time around!
 
#37
I bought my entire rig without trying any of it. I just did my research, read reviews, and made sure everything matched. I hooked it all up and was blown away! I have been playing bass for about 8 years, and while tone is subjective to all of us, I was able to pick up exactally what I was looking for online (not mention the versatility I get with my 3 pre-amps). Because each of us have subjective tastes, I would suggest researching until you are 100% sure of what you want.
 
#39
My Birdsong Cortobass because I never read any negative comments about them and that notion has held up for me.

I recently bought a used MIA Fender Jazz from a fellow TB'er and, if anything, he understated how nice this bass was. Important because I've always been told that Fender Q/C can be spotty and I should always try before I buy with these.
 

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