Anyone Stop Buying Basses Sight Unseen?

[Watchootognbout]

I don't consider buying based on photos to be "sight unseen." I've seen them, just haven't touched them. The term "sight unseen" in the thread was used inaccurately IMO.

So no, I would not normally buy a bass without seeing photos, but I don't have to lay hands on it.

This!

What do you mean"sight unseen?
Buy online with not even a static picture?
Totally blind?
Or do you mean not that you haven't played it first?
There is a difference.

I've bought many basses that I saw online.Did I play them first?
No.
Not every bass is available to play locally.
Did I have to return one or two because I couldn't cope with an issue?
No.

 

[MuseChaser]

I'm embarrassed to admit that every bass I own except for one (a cheap Peavey Grind5 I picked up locally just to see if I could develop a love for frets and learn more about modding) was purchased without me seeing it first; a fretless Alembic Epic5 back in the early 90s, and in the past year or so an Ibanez SRH500F new, a fretless Roscoe SKB3005, and an Azola BugBass II eub. In contrast, all of the professional-level trumpets, violin, viola, keyboards, and grand piano I own I tried out extensively prior to purchase. Don't know why I wasn't worried about the bases as much, but I've never been stung. The good news is.... I'm pretty much done except for one more EUB possibility in the offing.

 

[zontar]

I wouldn’t buy one sight unseen.
I prefer to hold ot in my hands before I buy an instrument
The feel is real important to me.
I am not real picky about it, but I do want to experience it myself.

On the other hand when I bought my SR500 I knew as soon as I held it that I was buying it. I still played it and then I plugged it in, but as soon as I held it in my hands, I knew.

 

[Eilif]

Stopped buying basses altogether a few years ago, but looking at the 6 I kept, it is perhaps notable that only one was bought remotely, and that was a Wendler that was built to my specs with plenty of consultation.

I had bought a couple dozen of bases over the previous decade and a half, many on talkbass. I don't think any of them were bad experiences, scams, etc, but none of them are with me today.

After 30 years playing, my preferences for specific specs are calcified and just unusual enough that if I did ever decide to purchase another instrument, it's hard to imagine that I'd find such an instrument on any rack, in person or virtual. So, maybe it's a moot point. However, if I did have a chunk of disposable income and a bass with my preferred specs came up at a reasonable price, it might be hard to resist....

 

[Chad Michael]

That was one of the best passive basses and five strings I ever owned.

Agreed!!!! Sight unseen, a home run. Another that comes to mind is the Pedulla PentaBuzz, (fretless) wide - spaced. Maybe one day for me... do you ever miss that one Anthony @Dr. Cheese ?? I got to play one, once. Another iconic winner.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Agreed!!!! Sight unseen, a home run. Another that comes to mind is the Pedulla PentaBuzz, (fretless) wide - spaced. Maybe one day for me... do you ever miss that one Anthony @Dr. Cheese ?? I got to play one, once. Another iconic winner.

I missed it for quite a while.

 

[Billyears IV]

I have to hold & play a bass before purchase. Several times, I've gone to store with a certain bass in mind that I've researched on line, only to end up buying a different bass altogether!

It's all how it feels & plays.


I suppose I could try a bass and then look to buy online later but I'm usually too impatient.

 

[pepj]

Last 5 basses I bought, only one could I play and as it was the cheapest, that was the right call.
All are currently in good shape so I have not made a bad purchase but I now have a clear top two rosta.
This means I can start to sell off 2 of the least used basses.

For me, upto general pricepoint, you really need to see and play the bass.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I have to hold & play a bass before purchase. Several times, I've gone to store with a certain bass in mind that I've researched on line, only to end up buying a different bass altogether!

It's all how it feels & plays.


I suppose I could try a bass and then look to buy online later but I'm usually too impatient.

If I find what I want in a store, I'm going to almost always buy it there unless the price is just a ripoff[1]. If we don't support local stores, they won't stay around.

[1] That doesn't just mean more than online.

 

[scottycameron]

I live in the middle of Bumbfark nowhere...I don't have the luxury of testing basses prior to purchase.

Besides, I play in the used market almost exclusivey.

I have yet to be burnt, including basses purchased online and shipped for Australia, Japan and Germany.