I only bought one Bass online and that was my 4003 and that was only because I could not find one anywhere local to even try out. And everything was just fine.
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Buying In Store vs. Online.
- Thread starter Jarnett
- Start date
My two main electrics (Ken Smiths) I ordered by phone.... Pre Prodigy and AOL. No websites back then....
I don't understand how something as personal and subjective as a musical instrument can be bought online but that is me. I have to hold it ,play it, hear it and inspect it before I can spend my hard earned money on it. I have sat down with 3-4 of the same model of basses and heard differences in each of them. If I order a bass how do I know if the I got one with a tone I like v.s. others in their stock?
To me it is all about playing the bass in person, sure you can sent them back but I don't have time for that in my life. So I voted never.
To me it is all about playing the bass in person, sure you can sent them back but I don't have time for that in my life. So I voted never.
If you tend towards anything non main stream you are pretty much forced to go on line..
Unlined fretless already mentioned. 6 strings in general.
Most all of the terms and conditions go out the window once something goes for sitting on the store's floor to "special order". On line, assuming a reputable seller, give you far more options as far as returns.
In a lot f ways this is the same situation as commissioning a custom bass. On line gives you far more options than you are likely to find in a store but with some measure of return ability. More often than not most stores are not going to sink money into a item that they think will not turn quickly. Unless you are very lucky to live in driving distance to a place like Bass Central, on line ordering is really your only option to buy higher end, non mainstream, gear.
Unlined fretless already mentioned. 6 strings in general.
Most all of the terms and conditions go out the window once something goes for sitting on the store's floor to "special order". On line, assuming a reputable seller, give you far more options as far as returns.
In a lot f ways this is the same situation as commissioning a custom bass. On line gives you far more options than you are likely to find in a store but with some measure of return ability. More often than not most stores are not going to sink money into a item that they think will not turn quickly. Unless you are very lucky to live in driving distance to a place like Bass Central, on line ordering is really your only option to buy higher end, non mainstream, gear.
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
Just about all my basses have been bought online. I'm with those who believe buying a bass in a store these days is pretty much buying a used bass. Especially if it's hanging on a wall in GC. Come to think of it, the bass I bought that had the most issues, an American P Deluxe, came off the wall of a GC.
These days I think it's incredibly tough, if not impossible, to beat online prices in a store. Considering most online stores give week long 15-20% off sales about 50 times a year, plus no tax, plus crazy blowout sales... can't see any reason for me NOT to shop online. The return policy is always way better too. I've had to return things to mom and pop places a handful of times, and it was always at least a little bit of a hassle. With the big online stores it's no big deal.
These days I think it's incredibly tough, if not impossible, to beat online prices in a store. Considering most online stores give week long 15-20% off sales about 50 times a year, plus no tax, plus crazy blowout sales... can't see any reason for me NOT to shop online. The return policy is always way better too. I've had to return things to mom and pop places a handful of times, and it was always at least a little bit of a hassle. With the big online stores it's no big deal.
+1
Same here, with all the respect to people that feel otherwise.
I always research and find good deals online, but have to try bass in person before I hand out the money.
Less expensive electronic equipment, on the other hand, I have no problem buying online.
In my city we have two music shops, they have a wide range of guitar brands, but for basses, if you're looking to buy Fender you're ok, anything else forget it.
In saying that I bought my LTD b-405 and my Vigier Excess Indus from the same shop in my city, that was years ago when they stocked more brands. Like I say it's Fenders and Squiers now.
I bought a Dean Z Bass online, I had to wait a few months for it, but it arrived in perfect condition.
In saying that I bought my LTD b-405 and my Vigier Excess Indus from the same shop in my city, that was years ago when they stocked more brands. Like I say it's Fenders and Squiers now.
I bought a Dean Z Bass online, I had to wait a few months for it, but it arrived in perfect condition.
I have nothing but good experiences with online buying of gear and accessories. Buying from credible retailers of course, but if something was not right they made it right at no addition costs to me and sometimes discounted what I bought or something I would buy in the future. However I still do try to support my local music stores as well. Usually how it goes if I need something I shop around both in store and online. Also if one does not have what I need the other usually does.
The last new bass I bought (GC) I played on the floor and asked for a new one out of the box in the back. They had no problem doing it and that was the one I bought once I played it against the floor model. Another time I did the same thing and bought the floor model over the one in the box since it sounded better.
I have not bought a "New" bass in years except for a Dano longhorn and it was the only one the store had and would have this year so I grabbed it.
I buy used so a floor model is good by me. I had often get discounts for dings etc from the player wear from being in the store.
I buy online as a matter of necessity. I live in a small town, two music stores- one of which realizes that they have a virtual monopoly here and charge up the ying yang for their instruments. Used instruments of good quality are hard to come by, so selection is extremely limited on Craigslist etc. I do buy used and online. I've bought about 35 instruments online in the past year and a half, I sold 24 of them. Not a seller, but a compulsive collector with limited storage space. I believe I added to the gene pool of basses we have in the town.lol
I buy everything online. My whole rig was bought online actually...except my SVT810. My 2 main basses, preamp, power amp, pedals, etc....all bought online (a lot from TB). I prefer it. I just make sure to ask all questions in advance to know what I am getting. I do that with everything though.
I do a lot of shopping on line for gear other than instruments, but have come across deals on instruments that were too good to pass up. Fortunately I’ve yet to be disappointed with on-line purchases.
The rare couple of times the product wasn’t right, the merchant made good to my satisfaction.
The rare couple of times the product wasn’t right, the merchant made good to my satisfaction.
I bought my p-bass special online. I would have preferred to go to a store, play it and take it home in the traditional sense, but none of the stores (including GC) had one. I went in GC and played around with p's and j's to get a feel for the body and neck (respectively) and when it came time to get one, I bought it online... from a big online retailer. I chose that retailer because I knew I could return it if I needed to, but primarily my impatience and cheapness... I had it overnighted to my apt. for $4 shipping.
I had assumed that with a Fender I would be getting a good quality instrument that probably needed a good set up. That was what I had found. The bass came in and it was in wonderful shape (as I had expected of a new instrument) but the action was high (as it seems is typical)... so I bravely pulled out a set of tools soon after I got it and lowered the action myself.
All in all a good experience shopping online... I would do it again if I had to, but I would prefer traditional purchases if possible.
I had assumed that with a Fender I would be getting a good quality instrument that probably needed a good set up. That was what I had found. The bass came in and it was in wonderful shape (as I had expected of a new instrument) but the action was high (as it seems is typical)... so I bravely pulled out a set of tools soon after I got it and lowered the action myself.
All in all a good experience shopping online... I would do it again if I had to, but I would prefer traditional purchases if possible.
Not to hijack the thread, but why would anyone pay 70 to 80% of street price for used when for a tiny bit more you can get new with warranty, no risk of getting screwed, etc.
I dont get it.
I dont get it.
I went carrots, cause I never buy online,but that's just because I have no means to do so.
I've wanted to buy online, but there's always some fear.
I mean, you go to the store, you try what you buy, so well, it will always be "the way to got", unfortunatedly there are some things you can only buy online, and for those cases I think the leap of faith is completely worth.
I've wanted to buy online, but there's always some fear.
I mean, you go to the store, you try what you buy, so well, it will always be "the way to got", unfortunatedly there are some things you can only buy online, and for those cases I think the leap of faith is completely worth.
On a $1500 bass 30% is $450. In my mind saving that kind of money is well worth looking at and considering used.
Depending on the company and "warranty" that can go a lot of different ways.. Shipping a guitar under warranty to Korea?? ug..
And depending on the Co. you deal with.. getting hosed is always a possibility, esp when something goes horribly wrong.
Only bought two basses online that I did not play first. No problems with either. All the rest I played before I bought them.
Buy new online, buy used in the store.
The best new instrument experiences were the ones I bought online - you can find better bargains at many different retailers, and it always comes new to you in a box. I can only recall one lousy instrument I bought online new, and that was a Rogue Fretless crapomatic 200. Luckily, it was just $110.
The best used instrument experiences were the ones I bought in store, because you really know what you're getting, and if you're lucky, they don't know what they're giving. You have to rigorously inspect the instrument - pickups, dings, but ESPECIALLY the neck. I cannot stress enough about the neck and truss rod issues!!
The best new instrument experiences were the ones I bought online - you can find better bargains at many different retailers, and it always comes new to you in a box. I can only recall one lousy instrument I bought online new, and that was a Rogue Fretless crapomatic 200. Luckily, it was just $110.
The best used instrument experiences were the ones I bought in store, because you really know what you're getting, and if you're lucky, they don't know what they're giving. You have to rigorously inspect the instrument - pickups, dings, but ESPECIALLY the neck. I cannot stress enough about the neck and truss rod issues!!
