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Basses you'd never buy new
- Thread starter 15000volts
- Start date
It would depend on the model/brand and whether I have GAS or not.
The only thing I would buy new is a custom order, or if the price has been reduced at Guitard Center.
When I have the $$$, I will get a USA NS-2 or NS-4 - new.
I did get some awesome deals on clearance items before... so I always keep my eyes peeled.
The only thing I would buy new is a custom order, or if the price has been reduced at Guitard Center.
When I have the $$$, I will get a USA NS-2 or NS-4 - new.
I did get some awesome deals on clearance items before... so I always keep my eyes peeled.
I hardly ever buy new, and the reasons vary from paranoia over the QC to the enormous mark-down from retail to street price. I'm looking over my collection at the moment, and I can't find a brand new bass in the lot. A few "like new" with only one brief owner. With some brands, it makes absolutely no sense whatsoever to buy new (Peavey), aside from a rabid fanboi with an insatiable immediate lust.
I think if I ever bought a Sadowsky, I'd go new. Any small boutique type bass, you might be better off new, developing a dialog with the builder, getting exactly what you want and personalized service after the sale. I own one small-builder bass, I would never have gone the used route there.
I think if I ever bought a Sadowsky, I'd go new. Any small boutique type bass, you might be better off new, developing a dialog with the builder, getting exactly what you want and personalized service after the sale. I own one small-builder bass, I would never have gone the used route there.
I bought my Ray34 new only because they'd only been out a short time and there virtually weren't any on the used market.
But my next bass (down the road a bit) will be either be a Highway One or American P-bass, and it will almost certainly be a used one.
But my next bass (down the road a bit) will be either be a Highway One or American P-bass, and it will almost certainly be a used one.
I'd only buy something new if, down the line, I had a ton of money and I wanted to have one built.
You have to be a moron to buy any boutique bass new.
That's why I've bought a bunch of them that way.
That's why I've bought a bunch of them that way.
I may not buy a new Alembic, Fodera, or (insert any expensive brand here) because I simply cannot afford one. Therefore used is my only option to obtain one.
My one exception in the "expensive" category would be a Ritter Jupiter 6. If I ever have a chance to buy one, it will be because I saved moeny for a very long time... If that new shipment comes through my door, there better not be a single fingerprint on it. lol
Actually, watching Jens Ritter in YouTube he wore latex gloves during a show to display his instruments. He even made a comment once he noticed another person's fingerprint on one of them.
My one exception in the "expensive" category would be a Ritter Jupiter 6. If I ever have a chance to buy one, it will be because I saved moeny for a very long time... If that new shipment comes through my door, there better not be a single fingerprint on it. lol
Actually, watching Jens Ritter in YouTube he wore latex gloves during a show to display his instruments. He even made a comment once he noticed another person's fingerprint on one of them.
I try to avoid buying new at all costs. Unless it goes on for months and months and what I want doesn't come up used, then I just patiently wait and buy it, usually here on TB.
I don't really buy/sell a whole lot though.
I don't really buy/sell a whole lot though.
I have never bought a used bass,,(oops, I did buy a rare upright made in 1890 four years ago, but I sold it,,too much work taking it to a gig,,and I was allways afraid of damaging it, so I sold it) I don't want someone 'elses feelings and hand fat getting in the way of my playing,,if anyone puts the mojo into the bass it has to be me.
Watching used sales shows me which models may be built very well. I've been watching for a used MusicMan Bongo 6 for months with no luck. Wait, yes I did see one, but it did not have the finish I prefer. I want sapphire black with the moonstone pickguard. The used one I eventually spotted was in Dargie Delight. I'm sure there are fans of that finish. It's just not my thing.
any and all.
Pretty much. Unless there is a killer discount, or its scratch & dent (really not new there), I'll prolly not own a "new" bass for a long time.
Hey, I'm with you. Except....
My beater bar basses (SX) were all new but hey, at that price who cares? But other than that I only bought two new basses. One was my Alembic Epic 6 string fretless. Saw one (fretted) at the high end bass store and simply fell in LOVE! Just HAD to have one. So I ordered one in fretless. Violated all my pricing rules but love does that to you. The only problem was after the store sold that one they got another one in, in burled walnut! ARGH! Even though mine was in to-die-for flamed maple, seeing that walnut was like discovering your trophy wife has cellulite! But what ya gonna do?
The other was my Carvin AC-50 acoustic. I would have bought a used one if I could have found one, but such was not the case. So instead, I took advantage of all the Carvin custom choices and paid full price for EXACTLY the custom look and features I wanted. I didn't have too big a cow over the cost because it was pretty clear that the same quality bass from a true custom shop would have cost me 2x to 4x the price. So that kind of brought it down into the used "discount" range.
I don't think I would buy anything above Squier price range new. It is like cars... as soon as it is out of the store/off of the lot the price (typically) drops significantly. So there is a lot of basically new gear out there going for way cheap.
I'd buy new, but nothing over $2,000.00 or so. Even then I would have to be absolutely in love with it. I've never heard a really expensive bass that made me have to have it. Maybe, (I'm sure, according to some) my ear isn't sophisticated enough to appreciate the subtleties. I'm happy with production stuff. Heck, I'm really happy with this silly parts Jazz I threw together. It's not the prettiest or best fit bass, but everyone who hears it thinks it sounds great. All my basses sound great.
The only basses that I've bought new and haven't regretted were the necks and bodies for my Warmoth Gecko fretless 5-string basses.
One particular bass that I bought used (and would never consider paying full price for a new one) was my Zon Legacy Elite Special 5. It's a nice bass but the new prices are just out of my range.
One particular bass that I bought used (and would never consider paying full price for a new one) was my Zon Legacy Elite Special 5. It's a nice bass but the new prices are just out of my range.
Alembic and Rickenbacker...and fender....and gibson....Screw it...I like used gear. Plus, it's cheaper, and sometimes, it comes with extras! Like bridge covers, or upgraded pickups...or someone's gone and made it fretless.
As a student (current situation), I wouldn't buy a new bass at all.
As a 45 million dollar megadraw winner, i'd buy them all, possibly twice.
As a 45 million dollar megadraw winner, i'd buy them all, possibly twice.
I'd buy a used Grand Prix on CL for $2000 before I'd buy a bass! I have 7 basses and none can't touch a Fodera or Sadowski. But, I'd rather take my reliable 4 banger to the gig in a nice ride, than to take the train with $2k on my back!
