Buying A Bass Without Playing It

[Crash 56]

I never thought it made sense to buy without playing until I saw a Lull M5 online at Bass Northwest a few years back...Its now my main player, and I have custom ordered a Kiesel which I am very pleased with. I would do it again in a heartbeat, providing its from a reputable dealer with a reputation for service.

 

[sgiacomo]

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?

A workable return policy even if I have to eat shipping is worth a shot at a good instrument if it is a fair deal. Scored a sweet bass by mail order a month ago, was a little heavier than described but love everything else about it.
On the other hand I ordered a new Ric 4003 in 2012 but it just wasn’t my thing. If I played one in advance I still would have bought one just because I had my mind made up I needed one. Same with an Alembic Custom K that I bought from a fellow TBer. Didn’t work out for me but it found a good home later and I didn’t lose any money.

 

[Ronky]

Every bass I've purchased without playing. The last bass I purchased I at least heard on youtube and saw some reviews (Squier Paranormal Jazz), the one before that was purchased based on aesthetics/price (Squier Vintage modified Jag w/ stacked knobs and block inlays).

 

[scott sinner]

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?

Two main things:
brand - This is where I have a heightened brand loyalty. I'll buy something sight unseen where the brand tends to have very few reports of quality control issues. I make that rather obvious seeming statement because, I don't have a strong brand loyalty overall. I have bought instruments that I saw in person without ever even hearing of the company before. I know enough of what to look for as far as build quality, setup or possibility to setup better. And if some work is needed, I have all the tools and know-how to do many repairs, if the instrument seems worth it otherwise.

How trust worthy and detailed the seller is - Be forthcoming with any issues. Share lots of pictures.

I really haven't had any major issues. Only disappointments I've had were subjective.

 

[coy garcia]

Most of my purchases have been without playing it first. It's either something I know I want, something I want to collect, or a build with the features I prefer. I've never regretted a purchase.

 

[perfektspace6]

Lots of good responses. The factors that seem to be coming up are mostly centered around risk mitigation and risk acceptance. For example;

1. Good/Reasonable return policy
2. Trusted seller or builder
3. Familiarity with brand
4. Risk acceptance when ordering a custom bass. You may not get the sound you hear in your head.
5. It's not the end of the world if you don't like the bass
(*If you are a lefty, ask a righty to demo the bass in-store before ordering. Not applicable to me but had never thought of the challenge of being a left-handed player)

Biggest one for me is probably brand familiarity. I would have no issue buying a Spector without playing it because I have one and feel confident it would meet expectations. Or a Fender P or J because I know they are consistent.

Hesitation would kick in if the builder was lesser known or if I was spending a very large amount of money on a custom that would take years to receive. The risk of disappointment would be too great.

 

[jamro217]

I've bought many basses online with no regrets. Just make sure the return policy is a good one and you are protected.

 

[sleddogn]

I've owned around 65ish basses in my life. Only 1, my first one, purchased in 1988 did I play before buying. So I guess, around 64 without playing i've purchased

 

[tb-player]

It’s been decades since I played a bass before buying it.

 

[marchone]

Of my four basses I ordered three online and have fourth in the oven. To the store bought one, it was in 1969, it was a Fender and it was the only Telecaster Bass in Manny’s Music that day. I didn’t play a half dozen to choose from. So there’s no practical difference. I’ve been supremely happy with the collection in my sig line.

 

[jnewmark]

With the exception of my '95 Jazz, which I bought at a local music store new, every other bass I have bought has been used and from TB members. So far, so good.

 

[dave hope]

Personally. You are not buying a/the bass if you have not played it.
You are either buying a name/reputation. Or you are buying a date as in “vintage.”
I’ve bought unseen twice. The first time was an Alembic was the really painful.
My second time with a Sadowsky. Which has ended my lifelong bass shopping journey.
So, that cleared that up. : )

 

[bassrebel]

Every single bass I’ve owned I haven’t played before buying.

Now, after a while you’d know what to expect tone wise from a bass, the feel is what you never know u til you try it. Still, worth the gamble for me

 

[Sam Dingle]

95% of the basses i've bought i didn't play before buying. theres risk but if you get a good price and accept you might want to sell or even flip it then go for it. never would buy a new instrument without playing though as the value drops right away

 

[sleddogn]

Personally. You are not buying a/the bass if you have not played it.

No, pretty sure I bought mine, not sure about others, but I did LOL

 

[Cristo]

If it's an internet order that can be returned with no hassle, then it's no big deal to me. Otherwise I would not risk the money, but really this is more about risking money than it is specific to a bass.

 

[mambo4]

The only bass I bought without playing was a 25th anniversary Music Man HH from amazon. I bought it around the time my instrument tone preferences changed form lots-o-options to simple, passive and robust. I was a great bass, but simply did not hold a candle to my Lull. I sold the HH at a loss to pay for family emergency stuff.

I *would* buy another Lull without trying it in person, if its specs were right. I trust Mike's legacy.

 

[chris_b]

I bought a Mike Lull M5V Jazz from another country. Fantastic bass.

 

[bigdaddybass12]

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.

Yes on this. I have bought several online from GC. I call first, they will have it in hand, ask questions. I have returned 2 with no questions asked. Try that on reverb.

 

[kodiakblair]

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

TBH, I give it very little thought, if I want the bass then I want the bass.

Seen times where seller was in England and had collection only, for those I post a "proxy buyer" request. You send the money to a complete stranger, they check out the bass and if it passes muster buy it then post it your way