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BEWARE: The Ken Smith from Guitar Center

#61
I directly phone the store that has the instrument and ask for a hands-on inspection from the currently-available "bass person". Ask questions. I include a catch-all "Please describe any and all cosmetic flaws, mechanical or functional flaws", "Please plug it up and let's go through the controls", and "Are any of the saddles bottomed-out or close to it..." stuff like that. I've purchased two used $2k basses from GC within the past year, one from NYC area, one from Tampa. Shipping in both instances was $21.xx. Both basses shipped promptly to my house packed "OK" and the instruments met or exceeded my expectations.

I have two GC stores within 40 miles from me, and once in the past I drove to return a used bass purchase that had a "hard to initially-notice" structural problem. My CC was credited within about 15 minutes, minus the (seemingly-inexpensive) shipping charge. GC is what it is: nothing white-glove or concierge about it, but a valuable resource if you can work within what they're able to offer. I'll certainly not wish them for them to disappear.
 
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#62
GC's Used section always scares me. Pics are often lacking, and there never are descriptions of whatever makes an item "Good" or "Great" or "Excellent" (and nowhere on the site could I ever find any definitions for those terms).

They all have the same caveat though: "Contact or Visit Us for More Details Every used item is unique—we can help ensure this gear is right for you". So the onus is on you to call with specific, direct questions and to know which questions to ask.

One thing I like about Sweetwater's Used section is it's not unusual for items to have multiple photos, with close-ups, and flags next to identified scratches or problem areas.
 
#63
I picked up a used Shawn May 4 string bass from UsedGC last week. I never, ever buy used from them, but this was too good to be true..but it wasn't! Even the strings were fresh! 2
If you haven't checked put Shawn May's work, you really really should! I couldn't believe the deal I got....the one I custom-ordered from him is on the right. 33". The GC one is on the left.

A very rare happy ending, indeed!
 

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#65
I won't buy a used instrument from GC unless I can play it and tweak the setup. The only decent used instrument I've gotten recently was a koa Epiphone Les Paul Custom. It's a great instrument and it was under $400. Even has a nice case and it seems basically brand new.

But, I tried out a Fender American Standard Jazz Bass last year and it was a real dog. The setup masked how bad it was because the setup was atrocious and it was wearing strings from three different sets. At least when I returned it, it had a better setup and new strings.
 
#68
I’ve gotten some great deals buying used from Guitar Center. The one saving grace is that if anything is wrong with it, you can return it to your local GC and not have to ship it back. Then they’ll put it on the rack with all the other basses with mile-high action. Is GC where truss rods go to die or something? Every single bass in the store has an inch of string height, what is it with those guys? They have absolutely no pride left.
 
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#69
I've visited a store or two but didn't expect much and wasn't disappointed. I put that down to it being me not and large volume stores not being my thing in that they'd hardly ever have what I'm intetested in anyway.
But this is not a good read in respect of GC being any sort of store you'd buy from.
 
#70
pepj said:
I've visited a store or two but didn't expect much and wasn't disappointed. I put that down to it being me not and large volume stores not being my thing in that they'd hardly ever have what I'm intetested in anyway.
But this is not a good read in respect of GC being any sort of store you'd buy from.
Click to expand...
I was at the Las Vegas Guitar Center last week. They have a Platinum Room where the expensive stuff is kept. I got to try a Fodera and a U.S.A. Spector! Then there's the less pricey gear out in the store. It was definitely worth a visit but not in the same league as Bass Central.

Both basses were used. The Spector needed a neck adjustment (too little relief) but the salesman mentioned that up front.
 
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#71
Forrest Gump would say buying from guitar Center is like a box of chocolates you never know what you are going to get. I won't buy from them if it's anything used because you just never know. As far as their practices I once bought a mim jazz base that had a bum neck on it it was a new one so I just took it back to GC and turned it into them explaining to them and showing them what was wrong with the neck and where it was twisted. They said not a problem they refunded my money 2 days later when I went back in there there it was hanging on the wall for sale as new so much for their business practices.
 
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#72
Read through all the comments but didn't get a chance to reply. I just wanted to make a quick announcement that the Ken Smith has officially been sold. Feel kind of bad for the next owner… wish they had seen this post first.
 

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