buying a bass unseen? anyone....

9 out of ten times I was happy with my "bought unseen" basses.

 

I've only done that with a couple of Rics, but I knew what they were gonna be like from previous expirience. A Sadowsky shouldn't be too big of a gamble.

 

Work those issues out with the seller. Talk on the phone and ask questions while they're holding it. Some people think mint means used with scratches, but not very old. Personally I don't buy any guitars anymore without having held them in my hands.

 

IME Metros seem to be remarkably consistent from one instrument to the next. I don't think I'd have an issue buying one sight-unseen, especially from a reputable seller. Make sure you understand the return policy ahead of time, and if you're comfortable I think you'll be fine.

FWIW, ^ that's coming from a hypocrite. I've bought two basses this way, and neither stuck around for very long. My pretty-much absolute rule is to play before buying. So, bottom line - take my input with a big grain of salt. But seriously, I'd buy a Metro over the phone/net, and especially so from a vendor like Bass Central. Good luck...

 

I wouldn't do this with many brands that very greatly (Fender etc)

I've bought tons and tons of consistent basses sight unseen.

Key is to speak with the seller on the phone and trust your hunches.

Tim

 

Mint means "could pass as new". Generally you say mint instead of new because it isn't in the store. One scratch and it's no longer mint, it's in very good condition.

 

I don't think you'll have a problem. Bass Central is a great place. I've bought a couple of basses from them. If you can get a return policy, even if it's only a few days, that's better than nothing, and might help ease your mind. But like you said, it's a Sadowsky, and they seem to be very consistent in quality.

 

Most people here seem to say good things about Bass Central. Metros are well-regarded. The only question is if it's the right bass for YOU. I've played some pricey, reputable basses that just didn't speak to me, I've also played some wonderful-sounding cheap ones. I suspect with a Metro it would be a matter of you liking the Sadowsky sound (despite appearances, they do sound a bit different from the Fender models they outwardly resemble) as well as liking the specific pickup/electronic/wood combination of any particular Metro. If you know you like the Sadowsky sound and you know that you want ash/maple or alder/rosewood or whatever with such-and-such electronics, then you'd more likely be successful than if you weren't sure about any of these variables.

 

What happened with the 10th not-so-happy experience?

 

I bought my Stingray from here with only having seen pictures of it. A year later, it's still a main player!

I've bought and sold several basses (MIM Fenders, Kubicki, Lakland, SX..) from here and Fleabay and they were all in excellent condition. They just didn't fit my needs.

The question isn't so much if the bass will arrive safe and sound to your satisfaction. It's whether the bass will fit your needs, style and comfort.

If you're buying from Bass Central, I would not hesitate. In my experience they're good people.

 

I've bought many instruments online - some which I bought without even seeing a picture of it. All of them used. Buying used stuff online, I set my expectation lows - they always arrive in worse condition than I expect, with the rare exception. The last bass I bought online, no picture, it showed up in much better condition that I expect BUT it wasn't the color I expected (it was cream, and I expected black - big difference!!). In looking back at emails and the original ad, the color was never mentioned. Might have been a phone conversation I had with the seller, and he must have misunderstood my question or something. Just kinda funny, b/c that's not something a seller would do on purpose.