I've never been nostalgic for any previously owned bass. I recently got to play my old 1981 Ibanez Musician that my friend now owns. It was pretty good but my new stuff is much better. No regrets!
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Buying back an old bass
- Thread starter Dr. Cheese
- Start date
I voted think about it...but the notion won't always pass. At least, it hasn't for me...
I think it's important to consider why you sold the bass...was it GAS for something else, or was there something you didn't like about it?
I was in my local GC a while back and saw a G&L ASAT Tom Hamilton Signature in red metal flake that I had previously owned that was priced well, and immediately thought, I need to get this back...but took a few minutes and remembered the reason I sold it was because it didn't hang on the strap in a comfortable position, and it had no forearm or belly contour cut. The beautiful silver sparkly binding dug into my arm and ribs and made playing the bass unpleasant. In this case, I was able to step away without repeating history...
GAS for something else...well, I've bought basses back that were sold for that reason. Really, really good basses...but you know what? I've resold them all again...not one has remained. I guess just indication that if I was willing to offer them for trade/sale in the first place, they didn't make a strong enough impression that I couldn't easily replace them or that I owned others that were comparable.
YMMV...
I think it's important to consider why you sold the bass...was it GAS for something else, or was there something you didn't like about it?
I was in my local GC a while back and saw a G&L ASAT Tom Hamilton Signature in red metal flake that I had previously owned that was priced well, and immediately thought, I need to get this back...but took a few minutes and remembered the reason I sold it was because it didn't hang on the strap in a comfortable position, and it had no forearm or belly contour cut. The beautiful silver sparkly binding dug into my arm and ribs and made playing the bass unpleasant. In this case, I was able to step away without repeating history...
GAS for something else...well, I've bought basses back that were sold for that reason. Really, really good basses...but you know what? I've resold them all again...not one has remained. I guess just indication that if I was willing to offer them for trade/sale in the first place, they didn't make a strong enough impression that I couldn't easily replace them or that I owned others that were comparable.
YMMV...
Straying out of bass territory for a moment; My first electric guitar was a Sears/Kay Les Paul copy with onboard effects from the late 70's. The guitar played terribly and the effects were equally as horrible. Flash forward to last year and although I wasn't actively looking for it, like I am so many other things, I stumbled across one. And nostalgia hit and hit hard. "I'll bet I can do it justice now!" I was thinking as I played so much better now than I did when I got it. Long story short, I didn't get it. I don't need it, I didn't like it then and it would be a waste of money. And now thanks to this thread I know where there is another one for sale! You guys stink...
JazznFunk
Supporting Member
I would buy back either of my 2000s EBMM USA-made SUB basses.... both fretless... one active, one passive. I kick myself a lot for letting those go. I didn't sell them because I disliked them - I simply sold them to fund other purchases. They're the only basses I have seller's remorse over.
I don’t want the bass back for nostalgia. It will be good for some things I want, but there are things about the bass I am not crazy about, but it will work and the price is right. I am trying not to let perfect be the enemy of good.
Sounds like you're buying it for the right reasons.
Two I’d like to have back. A modulus q5 and a STR 5 string. Sold the mod because a family member was in trouble and needed financial help. Don’t regret doing it , but I DO miss that bass !
the STR I foolishly traded for whatever bright and shiny caught my eye. I was going through a “try them all” phase at the time.
the STR was probably one of the nicest basses I ever owned, and that covers a lot of high end basses. If I could find it again , I’d try super hard to get it back !
the STR I foolishly traded for whatever bright and shiny caught my eye. I was going through a “try them all” phase at the time.
the STR was probably one of the nicest basses I ever owned, and that covers a lot of high end basses. If I could find it again , I’d try super hard to get it back !
I have to admit had 85 Teal Sabre back in late 80's and sold it to fund another bass. Really like it but good friend that was in our band kept wanting to buy. He still has it to this day,and won't sell it back to me. Got to surfing Reverb and saw one just like it,so nostaglia took over even though not the same bass it is 87 Sabre,and always like the Sabre basses.
My opinion is if you are drawn to it and you can afford it you should do it. It’s an informed choice.
I had a 2006 Bongo 5 HS Limited Edition that was my #1 for years back in the early 2000s. I stupidly sold it and have been through 2 other Bongo 5s, another HS and now an HH and I just haven't been able to fall in love with either of them like I did with that LE. I'm not sure if it was the time in my life, the pairing with the amp I was using at the time, or if it was just "the one" but I haven't been able to recreate it with the others I've owned. If I could find it again, I would likely buy it back.
70 something Fender Jazz I sold in 1980. I thought remembered who had sold it to. He says not him. Im still prodding my 70+ year old memory to help me remember. Hell, he's probably dead by now anyway. t was my first really great bass. I play Muckelroys now but a couple may have to go due to bidenomics and present financial hardships. The day job, weekend gigs and social securiity used to be enough. So I'll probably be chasing those down in my 80s.
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Well, I have run out of money on too many occasions. I have a couple of Muckelroys that may need new homes soon at this particular downturn.Wait, you guys sell your instruments? I thought we were only supposed to buy them and then just hold on to them until we run out of money or room.
When it comes to regrets, letting this bass go is regret number one! I bought it for less than $350. It is a great deal to find one for $900 now.
I’m thinking, if it’s a bass that I sold and I’m buying it back, I better be 100% positive I want to keep it for good this time.
Otherwise, let it circulate the world with someone else. I had my time with it.
Otherwise, let it circulate the world with someone else. I had my time with it.
recreating the past is not the best reason to go back but cherishing the memory and having a physical item that will take you back to those times and emotions is not too bad. As long as you live in the present and understand that the past is the past.
There are soooo many basses I’ve sold over the past 45 years of playing. Yet just a few I’d want to buy back. I have a unique situation with a very close friend where I sold him my precious 1970 Rick. This was around 1993. I’d owned it since 79’. It went to him with the absolute rule that only I could buy it back if he opted to sell it. Fast forward to the early 2000’s and I offered him an absolutely “showroom new” Series I Tobias Growler 5 as a trade. He agreed. Over the past 20 years we have shared that Rick, back and forth. Each keeping it for 4-5 years. I just finished a 5 year stint with it, and handed it back off to him this past Jan. During my most recent tenure, I had the frets leveled, and the neck adjusted ( ever so gingerly) and it plays better than it ever has. During my last time with it, I replaced the bridge pickup with another vintage Rick pickup, as the original 1970 pickup was virtually dead. I also acquired a new hardcase to protect it, as the 1970 case was no longer usable. But this bass has been in and out of my possession since 1979.
I recently (2023) had purchased a Cort Elrick NJS-4. It was FANTASTIC. A Ridiculously light 7lb 4oz. Very flat action due to the zero fret, 24 frets, stock electrics sounded fantastic, and played like a dream. Ticked every box. But I acquired a Spector RST and couldn’t afford the payments. So I did a fire sale on three basses to pay for it, with the Cort being one of the sacrifices. Well, The Spector turned out to not be to my tastes, despite the under 7 lb weight. I reached out to the buyer of the Cort letting him know if her ever wanted to sell it, I’d pay him every penny he paid for it to get it back. Well, he loves it. And has no desire to part with it any time soon. He’s a smart fella.
Man do I miss this bass.
I recently (2023) had purchased a Cort Elrick NJS-4. It was FANTASTIC. A Ridiculously light 7lb 4oz. Very flat action due to the zero fret, 24 frets, stock electrics sounded fantastic, and played like a dream. Ticked every box. But I acquired a Spector RST and couldn’t afford the payments. So I did a fire sale on three basses to pay for it, with the Cort being one of the sacrifices. Well, The Spector turned out to not be to my tastes, despite the under 7 lb weight. I reached out to the buyer of the Cort letting him know if her ever wanted to sell it, I’d pay him every penny he paid for it to get it back. Well, he loves it. And has no desire to part with it any time soon. He’s a smart fella.
Man do I miss this bass.
I feel there's more to this story.... Sure, you and the old flame can always get together from time to time for a quick stroll down memory lane. But in the morning you'll wake up and realize, it wasn't good enough back then and its not any better now. I feel myself falling into the same old rut. Why do you wanna go there again????
Now slip out the back - jack ... make a new plan - stan.
OK, I'm done..... I vote NO
Now slip out the back - jack ... make a new plan - stan.
OK, I'm done..... I vote NO
