• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Buying a floor model?

S

SteIIa

Guest
Mar 5, 2018
86
129
#1
Hey all,

I'm looking to buy a Fender Pro Precision. Going to my local Long&McQuade (canadian big music store) to check out the bass but they have no new stock of the model/colour I want, only the floor model.

I've only played upright bass till now, so this is my first electric bass and I'm a bit unsure of buying procedure: do I order a brand new one and wait the 2-8 weeks it takes to get it and risk it being a dud (it seems weird to buy a bass without trying it)? Do I pick up the floor model? If I do, do I negotiate a discount because it's been played by others?

Let's keep this on topic (I know we TBers like to wander), so here are the answers to the questions you'll inevitable ask:
  • yes, I've tried many basses (what's available at my local music stores)
  • yes, I had a specific sound in mind (p-bass)
  • yes, playability & comfort was my first requirement in searching for a bass & the '63 neck feels great
  • yes, this is a fancy enough purchase that I'm being picky about the colour I want
  • yes, I am going for a more expensive model because it felt and sounded better to me in comparison to the available MIM or Performer models in the store
Thanks for the help in advance! :D
 
  • Like
Reactions: TolerancEJ and Wisebass
#2
You're going to try it out, so really give it a run for the money...not just a minute or two, a good ten to fifteen minutes should work. Go over it with a fine tooth comb.
Make sure every fret sounds good...no buzzing. If there is, bring it to their attention. Try all settings to hear the difference in tone. How do the tuners feel, loose, tight, wobbly?Bring someone along who knows a thing or two about electric basses, too.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SteIIa, LowActionHero, Aqualung60 and 2 others
#3
jd56hawk said:
You're going to try it out, so really give it a run for the money...not just a minute or two, a good ten to fifteen minutes should work. Make sure every fret sounds good...no buzzing. If there is, bring it to their attention. Try all settings to hear the difference in tone. Bring someone along who knows electric basses.
Click to expand...

If there is fret buzz, that's something that can be fixed with a setup, right? Or is that a solid pass on the bass?
 
#7
Bodeanly said:
I have never in my life picked up a bass, played it, decided it's the one I want, then asked for something other than the one in my hands.
Click to expand...
This. For me this is the same as DB ... I wouldn't ever buy either an electric bass or a double bass without playing the actual instrument I'm purchasing. So to me there's effectively no such thing as a "not floor model," as I'm not going to accept an unopened, in-the-box instrument, and I don't expect anyone else to either, so they're all going to have been played.

Now if there's noticeable wear, dings, etc, then yes I'll ask about discounts if it's a new instrument.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cheez, pie_man_25, Bodeanly and 2 others
#8
Seems obvious. If you like the floor model, buy it! Ask the sales person if there's a discount for a floor model. If it's got some dings and scratches and that doesn't bother you then it better be discounted in price.

If the floor model is not pristine and you want pristine, they you should buy a new one. If you buy a new one "sight unseen".....ask if the store has a Customer Satisfaction Return Policy.

Here in the States, Guitar Center has a return policy. If you change your mind on a purchase, return it for a full refund.

If the floor model that you like is pristine. Buy it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wisebass
#9
My experience.

I have bought both brand new instruments in a box which has never been opened, and also quite dinged up floor models.

There are advantages to both.

Firstly, a floor model was at one time, a brand new instrument in a box, which no one had ever played. It arrived in the music store, and now everyone has had their hands on it.

If you buy the floor model, speak to the clerk, and say, "What kind of deal can we do right now? Cash, out the door." They will give you something off. If they won't give you anything off, don't be afraid to say, "Thank you," and walk away.

There is a lot of power in walking away. In buying and selling, and in relationships. ;)

If you buy the brand new, never-been-opened instrument, you will pay top dollar, but you will get an instrument which has never been touched by anyone, and is probably the color combo you like. It depends how much this is worth to you.

When I first came to Talkbass, there was so much talk about the Epiphone Jack Casady bass. I couldn't find one anywhere to try out, so I ordered one online from Musiciansfriend, the first instrument I ever ordered online.

When it arrived, it was in a sealed box. I opened it, tuned it up, and it has been one of my favorite basses ever since. It was the first Jack Casady I ever played, and was the only one I played for about three years until I came across another one in a store.

If you buy brand new, don't have this mindset that you're going to get a "dud" instrument; you most likely will not.

If you buy a floor model; negotiate.

Good luck.

Mike
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wisebass, Kevan Campbell, Low84 and 1 other person
#10
A lot of great points made already. If possible, try the bass again with a strap, so you can judge its weight. Imagine this instrument weighing down your shoulder for a 3 hour gig. If you like the bass but find it a little heavy, a wide strap can help to distribute the weight more evenly across your shoulder.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ggaa
#12
Go floor model, but shoot for the discount. Never hurts to ask. Most basses in stores are out to be tried though, so most of them are basically "floor models," so don't expect much.

It takes a shocking amount to really do damage to a P bass. Go over it carefully, maybe even have it looked over by a luthier within the return period if you are really worried, but if it plays well I say go for it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wisebass, SteIIa and Low84
#15
+1 on what Rhaco and others wrote.

Push for a discount if you're buying the floor model.

Go over the bass with a careful eye... but it would be a surprise if a P that's never left the store has any significant damage.

You can fight your way out of a bar with a bolt-on Fender. :smug:

Xjenrbcjsmsbfjw said:
Go floor model, but shoot for the discount. Never hurts to ask. Most basses in stores are out to be tried though, so most of them are basically "floor models," so don't expect much.

It takes a shocking amount to really do damage to a P bass. Go over it carefully, maybe even have it looked over by a luthier within the return period if you are really worried, but if it plays well I say go for it.
Click to expand...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wisebass and SteIIa
#16
Xjenrbcjsmsbfjw said:
It takes a shocking amount to really do damage to a P bass. Go over it carefully, maybe even have it looked over by a luthier within the return period if you are really worried, but if it plays well I say go for it.
Click to expand...

Yeah, shop around for someone good. It'll cost a tiny fraction of the price of the bass to take it to them, check it over, and verify that it can be set up exactly the way you want it, within the store's return period.

The same's true for an online purchase (assuming new, from a reputable vendor with a decent return policy), and compared to an upright, bass guitars should have much less variation between basses of the same model, so buying online sight-unseen isn't necessarily crazy. But, if you have one you've actually held in your hands I'd think that wins.
 
#18
Floor model? Isn’t the purpose of music store to let you play an instrument before deciding to buy it or not?

You may call it a floor model when it’s beat-up or surprisingly worn-out for a new one. But in music shops it does not happen like this: I want this guitar, no, you cannot get this one, this is for demo only, we’ll give you a new one in a box. Or at least never encountered this myself: basses, guitars, drums, percussion, even with stands and amps.

I’ve picked up a bass that was hanging in music store for long 6 years and didn’t regret it. Asked them to bring for demo the same bass, but in 5 strings — and the 5-stringer just didn’t have that vibe.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TNCreature
#19
If there is no visible damage to the bass, you like it and they're willing to knock 10-20% off, then I would. If they won't discount, I would insist on at least a free set-up with new strings included.
 
#20
SteIIa said:
Hey all,

I'm looking to buy a Fender Pro Precision. Going to my local Long&McQuade (canadian big music store) to check out the bass but they have no new stock of the model/colour I want, only the floor model.

I've only played upright bass till now, so this is my first electric bass and I'm a bit unsure of buying procedure: do I order a brand new one and wait the 2-8 weeks it takes to get it and risk it being a dud (it seems weird to buy a bass without trying it)? Do I pick up the floor model? If I do, do I negotiate a discount because it's been played by others?

Let's keep this on topic (I know we TBers like to wander), so here are the answers to the questions you'll inevitable ask:
  • yes, I've tried many basses (what's available at my local music stores)
  • yes, I had a specific sound in mind (p-bass)
  • yes, playability & comfort was my first requirement in searching for a bass & the '63 neck feels great
  • yes, this is a fancy enough purchase that I'm being picky about the colour I want
  • yes, I am going for a more expensive model because it felt and sounded better to me in comparison to the available MIM or Performer models in the store
Thanks for the help in advance! :D
Click to expand...
Long and McQuade offers a 1year warranty on most new items. They also offer a 30 day hassle free return. I think you have to pay restock fee on special orders and financed items.
Also, when you buy a guitar/bass from them, new or used, you get a free restring/full setup. It's a great store policy.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rogatien and 4-fingers

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back