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Buying A Bass Without Playing It
- Thread starter perfektspace6
- Start date
The first bass I bought without trying was a Tobias Basic 5.
I saw it pictured on Bass Player magazine and got GAS.
It exceeded my expectations. Still have it.
The other was a custom build Stambaugh R5 and Chris did a wonderful job.
I saw it pictured on Bass Player magazine and got GAS.
It exceeded my expectations. Still have it.
The other was a custom build Stambaugh R5 and Chris did a wonderful job.
I can’t remember the last time I actually played an instrument in person before buying it!! Actually I can - an early 90s Guild Pilot around 20 years ago.
I’ve bought at least 10-12 basses online since then, only 2 brand new, the rest used. Haven’t had a problem with any or them.
The key is knowing exactly what you don’t like, more than what you do. I know that I like Jazz style necks, so I stay away from Precision type necks. I know that I like a smooth neck with not much finish, so I stay away from painted necks. I won’t buy anything over 9-10lbs. I’m not a big fan of maple necks (honestly don’t know why, and at this point, really don’t care ).
I also buy name brand basses as well, in at least the middle if not higher end of the product line which also helps.
I bought a Lakland Skyline solely on that they stated the neck was the same as a 66 Jazz. I have a 66 Jazz and love the neck. Figured I could sell it If I didn’t like it (have 2 of them now!).
You get my point. I think it’s a mistake buying a bass ‘hoping’ you are going to like it. Look for basses that have the ‘features’ that make a bass for enjoyable to play for you, and stay away from those that don’t.
I’ve bought at least 10-12 basses online since then, only 2 brand new, the rest used. Haven’t had a problem with any or them.
The key is knowing exactly what you don’t like, more than what you do. I know that I like Jazz style necks, so I stay away from Precision type necks. I know that I like a smooth neck with not much finish, so I stay away from painted necks. I won’t buy anything over 9-10lbs. I’m not a big fan of maple necks (honestly don’t know why, and at this point, really don’t care ).
I also buy name brand basses as well, in at least the middle if not higher end of the product line which also helps.
I bought a Lakland Skyline solely on that they stated the neck was the same as a 66 Jazz. I have a 66 Jazz and love the neck. Figured I could sell it If I didn’t like it (have 2 of them now!).
You get my point. I think it’s a mistake buying a bass ‘hoping’ you are going to like it. Look for basses that have the ‘features’ that make a bass for enjoyable to play for you, and stay away from those that don’t.
I have never bought sight unseen. I am super picky and the neck has to be very nice, dead spots as absent as possible and the tone really has to "grab" me before buying a bass. I own two basses that I have bought in this fashion and they are both amazing examples of their respective breeds. I have a theory that some of us (not all mind you) buy boutique basses because the QC on mass produced basses is variable and sifting through "meh" examples of any bass can be both expensive and time consuming/tiring. I waited and watched until I got the "Holy Grail" Fender Jazz I wanted and then again until I finally nabbed the same in a Precision.
I have had a bad experience with a purchase of a G&L Tribute L2000.....Heavy and I could never get it to sound good. Came here for help on the L2000 for a good pup mix and tricks as there are folks here that absolutely love them, but it wasn't what I could dial in, which was nothing. Nothing wrong with the bass appearance which was a beautiful tobacco burst. I traded it for an Ibenez, then sold the Ibenez and vowed never to buy without playing ever again.
I haven't read all eight pages, but I've bought several basses without playing them first. Why? Not every bass is available to try out locally or within driving distance. Sometimes I fall in love with it. Sometimes I try to make it work but just can't. I wish every GC or Sam Ash or every local dealer had every possible bass in stock but that isn't the world we live in. There are too many great bass options for brick and mortar store to stock. But, I've always tried to order through a store I can return it through easily if I don't like it.
I bought all of my 20+ basses that I owned without seeing/playing it. Most of them turned out perfect.
In my whole life I have only owned 5 basses, and I've never seen or touched one of the 4 before the purchase.
First bass was a beater/beater brand new from the JC Penny catalog. 1980 I believe.
Second bass was a copy of a P purchased around 1984 brand new. I had a friend who was a good guitarist. He was going to the big city and said he would pick me up a good bass for what I could afford. He did. Played it for years. It played great.
After 12 years of playing I stopped for many years. Got back into playing. Did a year of homework, given I was an adult by that point. Carvin 2004 LB70P brand new. 10 day return, warranty, etc etc. That was my only bass from 2004 - 2012. KILLER bass for me in every way.
2012 I got my first fretless. It is my avatar pic. It's a fretless version of the 2004 (model, structural specs). Easy choice.
When I wanted a more rustic old-school and low-fi fretless with a bare wood board I researched on our beloved TB for about 2 years. Just reading carefully and seeing what builders are legit. I picked Tom Clement. The bass he built me we spec'd across a ton of emails and he is a total pro IME/IMO.
The only one I've even slightly regretted was the JC Penny catalog piece of crap when I was in my early teens.
YMMV.
Carry on, TB.
First bass was a beater/beater brand new from the JC Penny catalog. 1980 I believe.
Second bass was a copy of a P purchased around 1984 brand new. I had a friend who was a good guitarist. He was going to the big city and said he would pick me up a good bass for what I could afford. He did. Played it for years. It played great.
After 12 years of playing I stopped for many years. Got back into playing. Did a year of homework, given I was an adult by that point. Carvin 2004 LB70P brand new. 10 day return, warranty, etc etc. That was my only bass from 2004 - 2012. KILLER bass for me in every way.
2012 I got my first fretless. It is my avatar pic. It's a fretless version of the 2004 (model, structural specs). Easy choice.
When I wanted a more rustic old-school and low-fi fretless with a bare wood board I researched on our beloved TB for about 2 years. Just reading carefully and seeing what builders are legit. I picked Tom Clement. The bass he built me we spec'd across a ton of emails and he is a total pro IME/IMO.
The only one I've even slightly regretted was the JC Penny catalog piece of crap when I was in my early teens.
YMMV.
Carry on, TB.
makes no difference to me.. Ive scored some very nice basses (Fenders and MIJ replicas mostly) for steals,but i play P basses pretty much only all my life cept maybe a cpl jazzes, my Aerodyne is a gem!!! I can tweak any P bass into a weapon of melody and groove based on these parameters, that the frets are med jumbo and the truss rod functions also that the maple necks aren't this new farmed sustainable garbage. beyond that i build mine to my needs. oh and its fun!! learn about what you use and need to achieve your tone and playability and work on your instrument!!!! its not only rewarding but it saves you a bunch of loot too!!!
My long term policy has always been play before you buy. I only made one transgression from this policy and it was a big mistake. I’ll never do it again. Luckily, since I’ve now built two of my own to my preferred specs, I doubt I’ll ever buy another bass.
I buy instruments from reputable builders and dealers with the specs I am looking for. As long as it's in spec, not damaged etc I can make it into what I need it to be
I bought many basses without playing them. However, I look for local stores, pawn shops, colleagues, etc. to try what I am looking for in advance. Based on my experience, brands like Sadowsky, Suhr, Wilkinks are very consistent. You play one instrument and the one you buy on line, will be very similar. Other brands, like Fenders are less consistent, so you need to verify return policy before buying. Again. all of this based on my experience.
man that a BEAUTIFUL bass!!!! im a Japanese fender or copy fan myself, wow thats gorgeous.I've bought several basses sight-unseen in the past. Some have worked out, others...not so much. My best instance of this, complete with all the "agony & ecstasy" one would expect in a halfway-decent story, revolves around this gorgeous Jazz bass I went out on a limb to bring all the way to the Northeastern U.S. from The Land of the Rising Sun.
The whole story is written up in these threads, complete with more pics, why I no longer have it (dammit!!) and the parts-bass Projekt it's loss has inspired.
I generally know what I'm getting if I'm buying online, whether it's a chain or an individual. Will need a setup, but I can get anything to my liking. Not perfect, but to my liking. Most things I buy are a variation of something I've already played before.
As far as chains, I like GC best because their return policy is fantastic and sometimes have some amazing deals on their used section. I've bought a lot of "New" and "Used" stuff from the website cause they weren't in store. I have also had to return a couple of used things I bought cause they were unbeknownst to them (maybe) not up to par. Got a straight refund for one, but the other I got store credit cause I found a beauty of a bass on the wall while they were doing their return thing (that's why they take their time!).
If it's something I haven't played before, or can't find one in a store, I usually search @LowEndLobster Youtube to see if he's done a review. He's saved me on pulling the trigger on more than one bass for sure lol. Thank gawd I searched his channel for the G&L placenta or whatever it's called. Don't even want to Google it. Hated the name, but thought it might be worth giving a go.
As far as chains, I like GC best because their return policy is fantastic and sometimes have some amazing deals on their used section. I've bought a lot of "New" and "Used" stuff from the website cause they weren't in store. I have also had to return a couple of used things I bought cause they were unbeknownst to them (maybe) not up to par. Got a straight refund for one, but the other I got store credit cause I found a beauty of a bass on the wall while they were doing their return thing (that's why they take their time!).
If it's something I haven't played before, or can't find one in a store, I usually search @LowEndLobster Youtube to see if he's done a review. He's saved me on pulling the trigger on more than one bass for sure lol. Thank gawd I searched his channel for the G&L placenta or whatever it's called. Don't even want to Google it. Hated the name, but thought it might be worth giving a go.
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This is a great forum, I’ve yet to have a bad experience here! Always check the feedback whether it’s here or any other forum or site.
I have 17 basses now and they've all been acquired from here, Reverb & eBay. I live in San Antonio and we don’t really get much variety in terms of quality gear. I like boutique stuff for the most part and you don’t see a whole lot of that here. Austin gets a little more variety but the advantage to buying here is that there’s no sales tax and for the most part folks price items reasonably.
I have 17 basses now and they've all been acquired from here, Reverb & eBay. I live in San Antonio and we don’t really get much variety in terms of quality gear. I like boutique stuff for the most part and you don’t see a whole lot of that here. Austin gets a little more variety but the advantage to buying here is that there’s no sales tax and for the most part folks price items reasonably.
ironically my most expensive basses are all ones I didn't play before buying AND had them shipped. had great luck for the most part. cheap ones though, those are the ones I'd rather play first. there's so many of them and they tend to vary so much that it's worth looking for one that you click with
It’s going to be a Dingwall, and the only question is how awesome it’s going to be. Awesome every single time!
I totally get the, i'll never buy unless i get to try attitude. I will say that attitude may stop you from being able to try lots of different basses. There is just no way to be able to lay hands on every bass i've been interested in. I'm fine with trying then selling if i'm not happy.
