Anyone Stop Buying Basses Sight Unseen?

[overit]

Think I'm getting to that point - or at least something with a solid return policy if I have to buy online because I really can't find it nearby. I'm not a collector and I don't typically have more than 3-4 basses at a time. At last count the basses I've owned over the last 15 years has been ~70s, prob 85% bought or traded online. Pre-internet, I think I only owned 3-4 basses from when I started in 1987, purchased in a store. I currently own 4 basses and 2 of them are for sale because they are 4-strings and I'm moving everything over to 5-strings.

The other 5s were very recent purchases and both I stumbled on at the local GC (just went in to browse with no intentions of buying) but they really felt good and I went back 2-3 times to try them cause I couldn't stop thinking about them (picture below). The last sight unseen basses I got online, while nice basses, had something that right away didn't say keep me. Interestingly, they were variations of the same model that I already owned. After nearly 40 years, I guess I'm realizing (know matter how much I've told myself) every bass is different and if it feels special in hand and speaks to you, grab it. Buying sight unseen, I'm just hoping that when it arrives it will speak to me. Interestingly, when I think of all those basses I've owned, there's really only 1 that I felt "got away" that I wish I still owned.

I'm sure there are a bunch of people that never buy without trying first but for those who have bought a bunch of basses site unseen, just curious when you stopped and what led you there?

 

[superheavyfunk]

I have never and would never buy an instrument that I was not able to play first. But that’s just me.

 

[BGroovy]

Wish I could try everything but there aren’t many great bass shops left and none near me.

 

[Levitamin]

I’ve had nothing but luck ordering basses online from reputable sellers. Even in Portland, there aren’t too many places to try out American Fenders that aren’t Guitar Center. Those instruments are usually a mess QC and setup wise, so not a good indicator.

 

[ahbass2500]

I currently have 13 basses and have bought/sold another 10 or so over the years. I have not played a single one in person first*. Most, though not all, have been purchased with a return policy available. Of those, one has been returned. When I buy without a return policy, the bass is either rare enough or priced well enough that I am willing to take the risk. I have not been burned on a no returns purchase yet.

*For many, I have played the same model first, but never the exact instrument I purchased.

 

[turf3]

Stopped before I started.

 

[Lava]

I usually but sight unseen from shops that I trust and that I have done my due diligence with through emails , photos and phone calls. If they are reputable and want your money they will gladly answer any and all questions. I've had hour long conversations with luthiers that I was going to spend thousands of dollars with and had multiple emails with someone who is trying to get rid of a bridge. None ever complained.
Having said that, I have bought many basses sight unseen without a problem.

 

[dreamadream99]

I never bought a bass sight-unseen.

 

[Shepsdad]

The last 15-20 guitars and basses I’ve bought, have all been online purchased. I’ve had a couple that needed a little work to get to my preferred playing condition, but never had one that was a disappointment.

My last bass purchase was one of the Squier sonic P basses that Fender had on sale during the holidays, and it has become my go to player, the thing was great right out of the box, although I did put a set of flats on it and lower the string height a tiny bit.

 

[Winslow]

I have never and would never buy an instrument that I was not able to play first. But that’s just me.

Nah, that's me as well.

 

[MrAB4003]

I’ve had nothing but luck ordering basses online from reputable sellers. Even in Portland, there aren’t too many places to try out American Fenders that aren’t Guitar Center. Those instruments are usually a mess QC and setup wise, so not a good indicator.

Even though I’m not in Portland, this is me too! If I can see, hear, and play the bass in person, that’s awesome. But oftentimes, buying what I want online is the only option.

 

[Reynoldbot]

Being a lefty, I don't often get the luxury of being able to play basses before I buy them.

 

[db59]

Last bass I tried before buying was probably very early 2000 , Sadowsky. I have since bought and sold 30-40 without ever trying... Knowing the nut, radius, weight , pickup placement has given no surprises really.

 

[Norm Nelson]

Yeah I get it, it's freaking perilous to someone highly risk-avoidant like me, which is why I avoid the online used guitar market. If I can go play a used guitar in person and know it's fine, then I'm cool with plunking down the money. Otherwise, buying new from someone like Sweetwater with a robust return policy is a must, and this has worked out fine for me. This is a matter of personal preference, I'm sure, plenty of people have purchased basses sight unseen and they've done just fine - the rest come here or TGP to complain (), and really they're not that numerous in comparison.

 

[MCS4]

Being a lefty, I don't often get the luxury of being able to play basses before I buy them.

I was going to say the same. In fact, as a lefty, I don't believe I've ever bought a bass that I *was* able to try first, although I have with a couple of guitars. I've also returned my fair share of instruments that didn't make the cut after I had a chance to play them at home though.

 

[Mytola]

The only bass I've ever purchased after trying it first was my first bass - a Cort Curbow fretless that I got over 20 years ago. Since then, I've bought all my basses (new and used) online and shipped to me. Not many cool basses to try around here!

 

[Deleted member 271037]

There are many brands I can't try locally, so no, I have not completely stopped buying basses unseen. Ideally I would want to test a bass before buying it, but that would limit my options significantly. Luckily many online dealers have excellent return policies, which I've had to use on several occasions.

I have hardly ever bought USED basses unseen though (in fact, only once) and with new basses there are some brands I'm far more comfortable buying online than others, simply because I know from experience that they have better quality control.

 

[matthewbrown]

Unless it's through a reputable dealer. I won't buy from private buyers any more without seeing the bass unless there's some kind of a return policy.

 

[LowEndSoul]

There's not really much around here, and, for me, sweetwater has been great. I did buy my uBass and a used Aria locally. If there were more shops around here, I'd buy in person. Most of the music stores around have many guitars, but next to 0 basses. When I trade in or sell, I'll probably go local, because I personally don't want to deal with selling online.

 

[JenderBazzFass]

I have bought most things online over the last decade or so. With no hassle returns, there's no risk involved in ordering online.

I will not buy a USED bass online though, unless it's from a place like Guitar Center where I can return it in store if needed. I have had too many experiences with dishonest sellers, undisclosed damage, or improper packaging resulting in damage that the seller did not want to make right and which resulted in a drawn out dispute. Unfortunately, too many dishonest individuals out there.