Buying back an old bass

[TOOL460002]

So you want to pay money for a bass you aren't crazy about? No. Don't do that to yourself.

 

[AudioTaper]

I used to want to buy back my Pedulla Rapture RB4. I know who owns it now and he said he'll sell if for fair market value. As the years go by, it seems to fit in less and less with what I really want. It was a very well made bass, I'm lucky to have had it.

On the other hand, I want my mid 90's Stingray back more and more every day. I sold it in 2009 and don't have the slightest clue where it is.

 

[StereoPlayer]

I know this subject came up last week with a member wanting to buy back a SR5 HH. My response was he may love it or he might remember why he sold it if he gets it back. The bass I am considering getting is one I know well because I had a year or two. I definitely know what I like about and I am not crazy about. The bottom line is that I can get it at a fair price and similar basses are more expensive and some have recently undergone model changes that I don’t like. I don’t need convincing or dissuasion about this bass. I just want the general consensus on getting back with an old flame.

Is it your old Ric 4000?

 

[J Wilson]

Never.

There was a reason it went over the side, and that hasn't changed.

If some how I did, sooner or later, it would be time for it to go AGAIN, and I 'd really feel like a Doofuss First Class for buying, losing interest in, and selling the same bass I'd previously bought, lost interest in, and sold . . . again.

They're tools I enjoy, but I long ago quit getting the sentimental warm and fuzzies about them.
Tone or feel-wise, well there's many fish in the sea.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Is it your old Ric 4000?

That would be sweet, but unless the current owner is clueless, I doubt if I could ever get it back for a “good” price.

 

[Cleezmo]

Unless it was strictly financially-related, as in "I have to sell this bass to pay rent/buy groceries/pay medical bills", then if you sold it, there was probably a reason. My suspicion would be that you'd have a honeymoon period for a bit and think "Why did I ever sell this thing?", and then a bit later, have the "Yeah, now I remember why I sold this thing.."

Not an apples-to-apples analogy, but I don't care for Hefewiezen-style beers. I'm an IPA and Stout guy, and I know this. If I'm at a beer festival, I'll try a Hefe, and think "Hmm, this isn't as bad I as remember. Why do I always say I don't like Hefes?". And then like 3 sips later, I'm like "Oh, right, this is why I don't like Hefes", dump what's left in the tasting glass and head to the IPA section...

 

[chris_b]

No. You've done that. It's finished. Move on.

 

[mdogs]

Only 2 basses that I have ever wished I could get back. I had a chance at 1 of them, but it no longer had its hard shell case and for some unknown reason that became a big deal to me…I know it seems ridiculous. The other I would buy back in a heartbeat.

 

[newwavefrank]

I sold a Kubicki ex factor about 11 years ago. Never really bonded with it, but for some reason I am wanting one again. If they weren't crazy expensive I would probably have another already. I can't say whether I would love it or remember why I sold it. Maybe someday I'll find out

 

[Smooth_bass88]

I "bought back" a japanese Fender Precision two decades after getting rid of it. Mainly because the price was good but also for nostalgic reasons

 

[Ric Vice]

There's only really one that I'd like to still own my 66 Fender Jazz, but frankly it would only be for the fact that it's re-sale value at today's marketplace would make
it attractive as a resale.

 

[Carl Hillman]

I just want the general consensus on getting back with an old flame.

 

[Aussie Player]

If you sold it, you will get over it.
If it was stolen, that ache will last a lifetime.

 

[STRMan]

I sold my favorite bass for food money. When I got fat, I went out and bought the same one.

 

[Gervais Cote]

There is one bass I would buy back because it's and awesome bass and for nostalgic reasons. Bought from a band member in the early 90ties and sold it back to him in 2001 or so after I moved to the US. He asked me because it meant also a lot to him. Recently I found out that he had sold it. I was pi$$ed because he never asked me if I wanted to buy it from him again. It's a 72 p-bass and I got it signed by Bill Wyman.

OUCH !!! That’s hurting me !

 

[AQUANOVA]

There are so many great basses out there to try, why go back to an old one?
Memories of the good times?
Those will never be recreated.
You will be throwing away new and exciting opportunities with a new bass.
Stop looking in the rear view mirror, life is ahead of you.

 

[Todd Hamby]

I bought this baby in 1991 when I was 26 years old. By far my favorite bass that I had ever owned. We put in a lot of miles together. About 6 years later I was starting my family and money got tight. I sold all my gear to help out our situation and quit playing for a lot of years.
Fast forward to 2010 and my financial situation was much improved and I really missed playing. I contacted my friend who I had sold this baby to and asked if he knew where it was. He still had it in his closet and had never taken it out!
I bought it back and it was such a great feeling holding it again. I hope when I’m gone the next care taker will enjoy it as much as I have. I feel super lucky to have been given a 2nd chance.

 

[Gervais Cote]

View attachment 5351299I bought this baby in 1991 when I was 26 years old. By far my favorite bass that I had ever owned. We put in a lot of miles together. About 6 years later I was starting my family and money got tight. I sold all my gear to help out our situation and quit playing for a lot of years.
Fast forward to 2010 and my financial situation was much improved and I really missed playing. I contacted my friend who I had sold this baby to and asked if he knew where it was. He still had it in his closet and had never taken it out!
I bought it back and it was such a great feeling holding it again. I hope when I’m gone the next care taker will enjoy it as much as I have. I feel super lucky to have been given a 2nd chance.

AWESOME ! Lucky you.
I’ve been offered a 1980 USA Peavy Fury in perfect condition and a real pleasure to play for $ 125.00 CDN about 10 years ago and I said no………….…….and kept dreaming about it since then. I really understand that kind of nostalgia !

 

[retslock]

I know this subject came up last week with a member wanting to buy back a SR5 HH. My response was he may love it or he might remember why he sold it if he gets it back. The bass I am considering getting is one I know well because I had a year or two. I definitely know what I like about and I am not crazy about. The bottom line is that I can get it at a fair price and similar basses are more expensive and some have recently undergone model changes that I don’t like. I don’t need convincing or dissuasion about this bass. I just want the general consensus on getting back with an old flame.

None really. I don’t want the Stingray back, maybe the G&L L2000 but it had a nasty dead spot so probably not that one either. Guitars are a different story. There are three that I had to sell in harder times - a Gibson SG, a Gretsch Tennessean and a beautiful old German arch top acoustic/electric of unknown make. Those guitars would be well over 50 years old now. The German arch top probably a lot more than that.

 

[retslock]

View attachment 5351299I bought this baby in 1991 when I was 26 years old. By far my favorite bass that I had ever owned. We put in a lot of miles together. About 6 years later I was starting my family and money got tight. I sold all my gear to help out our situation and quit playing for a lot of years.
Fast forward to 2010 and my financial situation was much improved and I really missed playing. I contacted my friend who I had sold this baby to and asked if he knew where it was. He still had it in his closet and had never taken it out!
I bought it back and it was such a great feeling holding it again. I hope when I’m gone the next care taker will enjoy it as much as I have. I feel super lucky to have been given a 2nd chance.

I’m guessing your friend knew very well why you were selling and one day you would want it back.