Buying A Bass Without Playing It

[burgerdj]

Great question. I’ve actually bought most of my basses without playing the actual instrument first. I’ve decided to buy based on previous experience with the model, reputation of the manufacturer and - in this more modern age - detailed photos and quick response to other information requests (condition of truss rod nut, fret sprout, neck relief and straightness, etc.). This has resulted in a small stable of Warwicks and a Musicman Sterling for good measure.

 

[Bassnkeys]

If a significant investment, ensure a return window. I bought a new Alembic from halfway across the US. Ensured a 48-hour trial — found a slight blem and got credit for it while I still had leverage — and kept it.

At that price, return policy was key. Also bought a Mustang at a very good price from a large online retailer — billed as “like-new” — luthier inspected and said neck had issues. Returned it. I’d be nervous without an “out.”

 

[jd56hawk]

I currently own nine basses, bought eight online.
One word...savvy.

 

[skyline_01]

Every bass I currently own (4) was bought before I had a chance to play them. And they're all pretty fantastic -- no plans to offload them in the near future.

I've had many others in the past with the same story. Even the basses with the shortest "visits" have probably stayed with me for a year or more, until I sold/traded them for another bass that I didn't play before I bought.

 

[brianrost]

What are some experiences, both positive and negative, that we can learn from to support a decision to commission a custom bass or buy a used bass without the benefit of playing it beforehand?

Simple, just buy from a trusted dealer. I bought many basses from Bass NW (RIP) and every single one was as described and set up properly...they even asked what strings I wanted! The best part was that period in the early 90s had many basses being very undervalued. I could never afford most of them today and at least two were rare enough that I never see them for sale anywhere (Reverend Rumblefish 5, Jerry Jones Longhorn). I wish I could have kept them all, but it wasn't practical to own 20 basses.

 

[iiipopes]

I don't purchase used basses without trying them first. Period. I have purchased a few new basses over the years, but only from retail vendors that had a no-questions-asked return policy in case something was wrong with the bass, or I just didn't like it.

 

[roccobass]

Ditto on buying from a dealer:

I forgot to mention buying my new
Tony Franklin via Sweetwater also. That wasn’t so much of a risk even though I had heard of some QC issues on some. It wasn’t the same as buying from a private party or a custom job from luthier. I could have returned it within the check it out timeframe with no questions asked.

Turns out there was one “QC issue”, regarding the nut. For some reason, it was originally filed too low. Only noticed when I switched to flats and there was a buzz. No bigs. I replaced it. Plays like a dream.

 

[ga_edwards]

Research, research, research.

• Ask lots of questions, to the seller, manufacturer and other owners on forums such as this and basschat.
• Watch videos of similar instruments on youtube (and ask more questions to the vlogger if they're not addressed)
• Make careful notes of the specs. If they're not listed, ask. (I'm thinking neck dimensions/profile, instrument weight.
• Check the return policy. In the UK we're covered by law if you buy something online from a shop and want to return it - no questions asked. I don't know how it works elsewhere in the world.

But above all, experience comes into play more than anything. You get to know what works for you and what doesn't. I've bought basses in person that I didn't get on with because I was more naieve in the past. I know what I want these days and will be 90% certain it will work for me before clicking the "buy" button.

 

[Bobbadfinger]

Two of my four basses (yes, "2," not "1" or "3") were bought unseen. (sorry @iiipopes, couldn't resist ! )

My Longhorn - due to unavailability in Brazil - which turns out as great as I expected, and a Matt Freeman (within Brazil, but "west coast-east coast" distance), after reading so many recommendations in TB.
MF's tone was disappointing at first, until I figure out seller wired the pickups in parallel.
Not a single complaint after correcting it.

 

[JRA]

...how you determine whether you will spend your hard earned money on an instrument that you have never played and, in some cases never heard, before purchase?

my only experience with buying basses without trying them first has been with custom instruments:
- is it (will it be) worth it?
- i wanted them: "my specs," made "just for me" (bragging rights), thought i'd "earned it."
- can i afford it?

What are some experiences, both positive and negative, that we can learn from to support a decision to commission a custom bass or buy a used bass without the benefit of playing it beforehand?

custom instruments, positive:
- you get to choose/dream an instrument 'your way'!
- the satisfaction of playing something that is unique, special.
- satisfyingly indulgent.

custom instruments, negative:
- expensive.
- "be careful what you wish for!"
- build times, sometimes.
- indulgent.

 

[jco5055]

For me (and this mostly applies to guitars, as I only recently picked up the bass and I'm fine with my SR406 I bought used for now), my process has been like this:

1) narrow down the specs you want
2) If possible, try out at least the brand you are into at a store (when I lived in Chicago, Chicago Music Exchange was the place usually, though now it's ironic as Bass Club Chicago was also there but I never went since I wasn't into bass then), or else maybe someone on a forum who mentioned having one can let you try theirs.
3) If 2 isn't possible, buy off of reverb but make sure they have a return policy just to be safe.
4) If 3 isn't possible, buy blindly and be prepared to take the loss if you don't gel with it.

When it comes to a "dream" bass/guitar, I've had a bit of a "you won't know until you play it" kind of attitude, kinda like almost a first date experience...the person(bass) can meet your minimum requirements in terms of shared interests etc (aka specs for bass) but you have to try to really know if there's something special.

On a side note, I've been a little annoyed in the past with a couple of personal instances where a local seller refused to let me try the guitar first...I don't know to me it just reeks of "I know there's something wrong with it" or something like that. I understand on reverb and such not offering returns because it's a little more annoying when the instrument has left your actual residence, but in-person I don't see the issue unless someone is paranoid about getting sick and/or a safety thing.

 

[BobDeRosa]

I've bought most of my basses sight unseen. I want to say I've been lucky, but I should give myself credit for being able to read between the lines of a description, and, if necessary, ask the right questions. I'll often ask an online seller something like "Sounds like you're describing an excellent instrument. Mind if I ask why you're selling it? Are there things you don't like about it?" That seems to work, but obviously you don't really know if any bass is going to be "your bass" until you've held it in your hands and played it through your amp.

 

[bigdaddybass12]

Buy from Guitar Center. Watch used. You will see boutique, rare, vintage basses on there.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Whether purchasing from a seller in a distant part of the U.S. (or world) or ordering a custom made bass, many of us have had the experience of putting money on the table for a bass we have never played. Personally, I have purchased 4 basses in my lifetime that I did not play before buying. Two of them are no longer with me but were very good instruments. One was not what I expected and I quickly sold it. One bass is still in my possession and I will keep it forever. However, for the majority of the basses I have owned: I played the bass, determined I like it, and decided to buy with no reservations.

So my question(s) for the TB community is how you determine whether you will spend your hard earned money on an instrument that you have never played and, in some cases never heard, before purchase? What are some experiences, both positive and negative, that we can learn from to support a decision to commission a custom bass or buy a used bass without the benefit of playing it beforehand?

It would take a really odd set of circumstances where I would buy a bass without playing it first. I might consider one from GC Online Used Gear, which I've done once but it was sold at a tremendous value. Like $1,300 off retail. With their 30 day moneyback guarantee, there was no risk. Reverb? Ebay? No way.

 

[jutty17]

I just purchased my sixth bass, and it was the first I ever bought without playing first. Reverb sale, first time using Reverb, kind of misunderstood the way it works, as it gives every individual seller a name like a store. I knew exactly what I wanted, had done enough research to know I wanted a G&L Tribute L2500 for the active/passive and the ability to effectively emulate just about all the "vintage" tones (and a whole lot of others too, as I've now discovered). The seller didn't respond for 3 days, and I had to open a service ticket. Reverb managed to find the seller, who turned out to be a GREAT guy. We communicated, and he very promptly shipped the bass. I couldn't be happier with the purchase, but I sure learned a lesson in caution with on-line buying!

 

[STROMERO]

There are no Ric dealers near me, so when i wanted one i did LOTS of research about the necks on the 4003 and made sort of an educated guess that i'd be OK with it so I ordered one online and was very happy with it. I have no problem buying Fenders without playing them as they're kind of a known quantity already.

 

[bassclef112]

If a significant investment, ensure a return window. I bought a new Alembic from halfway across the US. Ensured a 48-hour trial — found a slight blem and got credit for it while I still had leverage — and kept it.

At that price, return policy was key. Also bought a Mustang at a very good price from a large online retailer — billed as “like-new” — luthier inspected and said neck had issues. Returned it. I’d be nervous without an “out.”

That's the real issue for me. I'm seeing more and more basses listed "As-is" with no return unless different. No way will I drop any money on something unplayed and now it's mine. I just had a good experience with a well known shop and $3K bass. They provide a 10 day window, long enough for familiarity. Turned out it went back, minor niggling. It will make someone else very happy. But that window is crucial.
I have skipped over several items in Reverb as a result.

 

[BarfanyShart]

I have always gone WAAAY out of my way to make sure I find THE bass, or at least play an equivalent instrument before ordering ... until last year when I bought an Ibanez EHB1005SMS sight unseen, mainly because it was a bass that seemed to be manifested straight from my imagination, and I couldn't find it anywhere locally to try out. It's my main bass now, best bass I ever played, works perfectly for what I want to do, and have always wanted to do, couldn't be happier. So, you know, it's probably still better to play something first, but it can pay off even if you don't.

 

[dalkowski]

I have bought 2 basses "sight unplayed," both from reputable TBers, both successful sales. HOWEVER, let me stipulate that both were far-lower-dollar-value purchases than a Lull or Sadowsky. So while I'm a penny-pincher, my anxiety was minimal. Sorta like going to a casino with a budgeted max you're willing to wager.

 

[Gorilla Monsoon]

I just purchased my sixth bass, and it was the first I ever bought without playing first. Reverb sale, first time using Reverb, kind of misunderstood the way it works, as it gives every individual seller a name like a store. I knew exactly what I wanted, had done enough research to know I wanted a G&L Tribute L2500 for the active/passive and the ability to effectively emulate just about all the "vintage" tones (and a whole lot of others too, as I've now discovered). The seller didn't respond for 3 days, and I had to open a service ticket. Reverb managed to find the seller, who turned out to be a GREAT guy. We communicated, and he very promptly shipped the bass. I couldn't be happier with the purchase, but I sure learned a lesson in caution with on-line buying!

I was really skeptical about every one of my purchases, I still remain somewhat guarded, even here with smaller purchases- there’s so much that can go wrong- the seller could be misrepresenting themselves, shipping scares me, then there’s FraudEx with their BS early delivery notices that had me sitting at home all day waiting on a signed delivery that ain’t gonna happen, but I never had any doubt in the instrument itself. I think I could be happy with just about any bass out there because, honestly it’s not as if I will EVER be too good to play it. I’m discerning, sure, but I think I’d welcome even an inexpensive mass-produced instrument. The G&L you mention goes for a song, and I’d love to have it in a fretless version, even though I’ve already got four fretless basses, three of which would likely be considered boutiquish, if that’s a word.