The used market is the only way I could afford my two U.S. Laklands. I used to buy everything new, but now all four of my basses I bought used. Once you get over the fear of buying used, it's hard to go back. The savings are incredible.
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Basses you'd never buy new
- Thread starter 15000volts
- Start date
I'd rather be buying used, honestly, but I bought all of my current crop brand new. I'm not extremely flexible in terms of what I'm looking for when I'm on the market for a new bass -- which, I think is an important aspect of looking for a second-hand axe.
The last brand-new musical instrument I bought was in 1982 IIRC. I don't see that changing any time soon.
Wait, there's an exception to that. All the parts for my Warmoth Jazz were new. I feel that I got more value (obviously not RESALE value, but all-around quality) for the money I put into that bass than any equivalently priced new Fender. So I'd have to say that I highly doubt I would ever buy anything new except quality parts for a p-bass.
Wait, there's an exception to that. All the parts for my Warmoth Jazz were new. I feel that I got more value (obviously not RESALE value, but all-around quality) for the money I put into that bass than any equivalently priced new Fender. So I'd have to say that I highly doubt I would ever buy anything new except quality parts for a p-bass.
The best basses to buy used are ones with high new cost and low resale value. Cirruses are a great example. I think the new BB2024X & BB2025X will probably be great buys used in a few years too.
A great deal is a great deal. Usually that means used. But I found my spector for $259 new. At the same time there was a used one on here for sale for $300. Bought a used EMG pre and used EMG pickups and I wasl all set.
One other thing to consider is basses that have good foundations for the buck but need some up-grading.
The Fender Marcus Miller and Geddy Lee are great examples of this. There are a lot of them out there, and both could use some tweaking. The tuners on the Geddy are suspect, the Pre-amp on the Marcus is an issue. I definitely agree with Dr. Cheese that Fender with their quantity on the market are better buys used than new.
Most "not hot" boutique basses are good buys used. Especially if they've been around a while. I've seen Pedulla Buzz's (usually solid color finishes) for under a grand used, and Pentabuzzes for around $1500. Early Tobias Gibsons are still well made, and seem to have hit a resale wall. Higher end Warwicks also seem to have some resale issue.
Any Boutique bass that "meets your specs" is a great buy used. You may have a tough time finding a Fodera Single cut with a Mike Pope Pre or Alemebic Series II used. But if that's the bass you've been looking for, and it pops, you'll save a load of money if you don't have to have a Cocobolo top over a three piece Bubinga/Mahogany/Undula body with a Wenge Neck and a Spalted redwood burl fingerboard.
Any Boutique makers "standard" bass like a Sadowsky Metro where the specs are consistent from instrument to instrument is a good buy used.
Carvin and Peavey both have resale issues. If you find anything you want from them used it will be a good buy.
When I bought my Sadowsky NYC used I had several needs in specs. I wanted an NYC Ash maple for the tone, weight and neck. It had to be a later model with the VTC and wheel adj. neck. I ended up paying less than three for a bass that would be close to five new. I know the boys in NYC will still provide me good service and I ended up getting two extras I didn't have on the list (figured top, birds eye board) and wouldn't have ordered on an NYC.
Really the only reason I can think of not to buy used, is that you have money to burn, and time to get exactly what you want, and some unique specification you desire like a 11 string bass tuned in Bb.
The Fender Marcus Miller and Geddy Lee are great examples of this. There are a lot of them out there, and both could use some tweaking. The tuners on the Geddy are suspect, the Pre-amp on the Marcus is an issue. I definitely agree with Dr. Cheese that Fender with their quantity on the market are better buys used than new.
Most "not hot" boutique basses are good buys used. Especially if they've been around a while. I've seen Pedulla Buzz's (usually solid color finishes) for under a grand used, and Pentabuzzes for around $1500. Early Tobias Gibsons are still well made, and seem to have hit a resale wall. Higher end Warwicks also seem to have some resale issue.
Any Boutique bass that "meets your specs" is a great buy used. You may have a tough time finding a Fodera Single cut with a Mike Pope Pre or Alemebic Series II used. But if that's the bass you've been looking for, and it pops, you'll save a load of money if you don't have to have a Cocobolo top over a three piece Bubinga/Mahogany/Undula body with a Wenge Neck and a Spalted redwood burl fingerboard.
Any Boutique makers "standard" bass like a Sadowsky Metro where the specs are consistent from instrument to instrument is a good buy used.
Carvin and Peavey both have resale issues. If you find anything you want from them used it will be a good buy.
When I bought my Sadowsky NYC used I had several needs in specs. I wanted an NYC Ash maple for the tone, weight and neck. It had to be a later model with the VTC and wheel adj. neck. I ended up paying less than three for a bass that would be close to five new. I know the boys in NYC will still provide me good service and I ended up getting two extras I didn't have on the list (figured top, birds eye board) and wouldn't have ordered on an NYC.
Really the only reason I can think of not to buy used, is that you have money to burn, and time to get exactly what you want, and some unique specification you desire like a 11 string bass tuned in Bb.
I love new basses and try to avoid buying used if I can. I've probably bought/sold over 30 basses over the years and it seems like the only ones I miss are the ones I had bought new (except the Warwick Fortress One I bought used. Still don't know why I sold it!)
But to answer the question, I think it depends. Somebody had mentioned they wouldn't buy a new Warwick..I assume because of the price. I guess I agree. However, when Amazon recently marked the Streamer Jazzman down from $3000 to $1100 I just had to jump. It's a phenomenal instrument, by far the best I've ever played (other than maybe a Zon Legacy I tried once...just to see what a $6000 bass felt like!).
So to sum up, I think it depends on price. I can't think of a single reason not to buy a new bass if the price is right. I never could have paid the $3000 for my Streamer, and I feel truly blessed that I was able to buy one at a price I could afford, and I'm the only person outside of Warwick that has touched it. There's something special about that.
But to answer the question, I think it depends. Somebody had mentioned they wouldn't buy a new Warwick..I assume because of the price. I guess I agree. However, when Amazon recently marked the Streamer Jazzman down from $3000 to $1100 I just had to jump. It's a phenomenal instrument, by far the best I've ever played (other than maybe a Zon Legacy I tried once...just to see what a $6000 bass felt like!).
So to sum up, I think it depends on price. I can't think of a single reason not to buy a new bass if the price is right. I never could have paid the $3000 for my Streamer, and I feel truly blessed that I was able to buy one at a price I could afford, and I'm the only person outside of Warwick that has touched it. There's something special about that.
I haven't bought a new instrument since I discovered TB, so I guess that would be 2005. That is including amps. It might not seem like a long time, but I was 17 at the time. I cannot see myself buying anything new, all the basses that I GAS for can be found used. I still want a Dingwall Combustion, but I wont be buying one of those for several years, so they will be on the used market by then.
lowsound
lowsound
Fenders- used market dilution is key with them, so buying new is arbitrary
Warwicks- picked up a 2010 CUSTOM SHOP MEDIUM SCALE for less than a new corvette, damn I love that.
Warwicks- picked up a 2010 CUSTOM SHOP MEDIUM SCALE for less than a new corvette, damn I love that.
When I've bought new it's been for one of two reasons:
1) It's a smoking' hot, irresistible deal (new Marcus Miller for $499, new Bongo 5 HS for $849)
2) I know exactly what I want and know I won't find it used (Alembic Series Ii 5 string in Cocobolo w/ wood backplates and side LEDs, Marchlewski, Roscoe fretless LG-3005 w/ ebony board and Spanish Cedar body). The Roscoe was also a great deal because I picked an old stock body.
1) It's a smoking' hot, irresistible deal (new Marcus Miller for $499, new Bongo 5 HS for $849)
2) I know exactly what I want and know I won't find it used (Alembic Series Ii 5 string in Cocobolo w/ wood backplates and side LEDs, Marchlewski, Roscoe fretless LG-3005 w/ ebony board and Spanish Cedar body). The Roscoe was also a great deal because I picked an old stock body.
Some street Zen wisdom for my Low end playing Brothers and Sisters
1. There are enough hungry luthiers out there who can match what you want cheaper.
make a deal..
2. Craigslist and ebay can make life so much easier.
3. For those who must have new old road relics. BUY USED!!!
4. Build before you buy (back to #1) You'd be surprised what you'll get!
5. If your body wood is solid and your neck is straight. Your 70% there, the rest is solid decision and some TLC.
6. The name is an Identity but, the sound is indefinite to the name.
7. Lack of knowledge will keep you always buying and broke
8. Sometimes we can be guilty of gear lusting, over compensation and misleading compulsion but, a true Bass Jedi knows their worth and can see through the confusion we are constantly fed by our needs, desires and insecurities.
9. The M.I. market is so tainted. Now what's crap is good and what's good is ridiculous
10. Never forget what's really important: !!!The Music!!!
11. If you got it, get it. . .if not, prioritize til' you do get it (New or Used).
12 Remember, simply groove with the 2 and 4 but always keep it on the one. (That applies to everyday life as well. . .Ask a player over 40)
13. If any of this makes sense or hits home. Then my musical humanitarian work is done.
Everyone knows the bass player is the solid one in the band. With all those egos flying, somebody has got to be strong enough to hold it all down! That's you! Play on. . ♪♫♫♪♪
1. There are enough hungry luthiers out there who can match what you want cheaper.
make a deal..
2. Craigslist and ebay can make life so much easier.
3. For those who must have new old road relics. BUY USED!!!
4. Build before you buy (back to #1) You'd be surprised what you'll get!
5. If your body wood is solid and your neck is straight. Your 70% there, the rest is solid decision and some TLC.
6. The name is an Identity but, the sound is indefinite to the name.
7. Lack of knowledge will keep you always buying and broke
8. Sometimes we can be guilty of gear lusting, over compensation and misleading compulsion but, a true Bass Jedi knows their worth and can see through the confusion we are constantly fed by our needs, desires and insecurities.
9. The M.I. market is so tainted. Now what's crap is good and what's good is ridiculous
10. Never forget what's really important: !!!The Music!!!
11. If you got it, get it. . .if not, prioritize til' you do get it (New or Used).
12 Remember, simply groove with the 2 and 4 but always keep it on the one. (That applies to everyday life as well. . .Ask a player over 40)
13. If any of this makes sense or hits home. Then my musical humanitarian work is done.
Everyone knows the bass player is the solid one in the band. With all those egos flying, somebody has got to be strong enough to hold it all down! That's you! Play on. . ♪♫♫♪♪
+1, I just realized I have Fender Jaguar purchased new when Musician's Friend started unloading them for around $400.00 to clear out the remaining stock. Man, I love that bass.
Well put, kind of goes hand-in-hand with the boutique build mentality. Anything rare, hard to find, hasn't been around long enough to be on the used market, that you can get built to your exact specs, and you must have immediately is a legitimate reason to buy new in my book.
Just Thumpin'
Commercial User
- Mar 7, 2008
- 4,534
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- Disclosures
- Manager and Partner, Fodera Guitars (10/14/09 - 12/16/19)
For better, or worse, most people associate us (Fodera) only with our completely hand-built, custom Elite instruments with exotic / rare wood tops and, truth be told, that is a lot of what we get requested to build.
However, we also offer incredibly well built instruments that start with street prices as low as $2,700...even at this price we use the same quality woods, proprietary electronics and custom-wound pups. Furthermore, every Fodera (from $2,700 to $25,000+) is put together, set up and played by Vinny, Joey, Vadym and / or me. It is very, very rare in this day of mass marketing and factory builds that this can be said...
However, we also offer incredibly well built instruments that start with street prices as low as $2,700...even at this price we use the same quality woods, proprietary electronics and custom-wound pups. Furthermore, every Fodera (from $2,700 to $25,000+) is put together, set up and played by Vinny, Joey, Vadym and / or me. It is very, very rare in this day of mass marketing and factory builds that this can be said...
i generally wont buy anything new,but i would buy a squier classic vibe new if i really wanted/needed one.
