Buying Used Basses from GuitarCenter

[wintremute]

I was looking at the used basses on GuitarCenter's website. I noticed that they have a star system (1-5) stars, and I assume that the more stars the better the condition of the bass.

Does anyone here have experience with ordering a used guitar from GC? What were the positives and negatives of your experience? Would you recommend it? Do you have any tips for things to watch out for?

 

[jd56hawk]

Well, an out-of-state Guitar Center will ship a bass you find to a GC by you and you can return it if it's a dud, if that's any help.
I'm going to do it if I ever see a Fender Active Deluxe P bass (blizzard pearl) at a GC in Georgia or Arkansas or Oregon, etc.

 

[BassGuyFL]

I've bought 2 basses from the GC used site and had no problems at all. They can ship right to your house and you have 30 days to either send it back or return it to any GC store. Both were packed well and no damage. FWIW I've also bought an amp and a mixing board from there and no problems with either.

I'd call the store and talk to someone there and see if they can give you a description of the bass there might be something the one grainy pic they post doesn't show.

 

[wintremute]

If you have to ship it back, do you pay for the shipping? Shipping a bass is probably very expensive.

 

[BassGuyFL]

If you have to ship it back, do you pay for the shipping? Shipping a bass is probably very expensive.

That I don't know I would shoot GC an email and find out. How close is the nearest store to you?

 

[wintremute]

There's one pretty close to where I live, and I check out their selection from time to time. It always seems that what I have my eye on is at a different store somewhere in America.

 

[Maxdusty]

There's one pretty close to where I live, and I check out their selection from time to time. It always seems that what I have my eye on is at a different store somewhere in America.

I've bought over 30 used basses from GC. No problems as there's that 30 day return policy if there's anything wrong with it. You can just return it to your local store regardless of which GC store in the country you bought your bass from. You will usually get the shipping charge deducted from the refund if it's because you simply don't like it. Shipping charge is around $20 or less - price depending on your distance from the store you're buying from. I've had it shipped from Portland to Michigan and it cost me $23 shipping, Ohio to Michigan was like $13.
Always call the store and have them give you a description of the condition of the bass over the phone, sometimes they can even photograph and email you additional pictures of the bass if you're concerned about something.
Regarding the ratings.... it's pretty inconsistent as a "good" condition bass may be considered "fair" at another, so you really have to get a verbal description in order to get a better idea. Ask about the overall condition, the neck, electronics etc.

Shipping to your door by the way, is pretty fast. The longest I've had to wait was 4 days, the soonest, 2.
I highly recommend buying a bass from them if you find one you like, it's really not at all risky because of that return policy and you do find quite a selection you may never see at your local GC store.

 

[Davo-London]

I've bought a used MIJ Jazz from GC - ridiculous low price. They did send pictures to me of the bass prior to shipping it across America. However, they omitted to photograph a crack around the heel of the bass. That made me inspect the bass very closely. I diagnosed that the bass had probably been dropped at some stage and was stable and OK. Many years later that was proved to be correct.

So $230 for a 1986 MIJ Jazz seemed an unbelievable bargain. And so it was.

Davo

 

[Dave W]

If you have to ship it back, do you pay for the shipping? Shipping a bass is probably very expensive.

You can return it to your local store.

 

[OldPlucker]

I have purchased several from GC. One was shipped from another location. It was packaged very well and everything they said. No problems here.

 

[WaldoNova]

Make sure you have the bass inspected by reputable guitar tech/luthier and get it properly setup. They have a lot of good deals but every once in a while there will be basses with some serious issues. Their inspection process while trying to rip off, err, I mean buy basses isn't thorough at all. The added cost will be negligible if you find a great bass or even if you find out the neck is shot.

 

[SteveHeissner]

I bought a used Yamaha BB2024X from GC in Seattle. Had it shipped to my house on the East Coast and had no problems. I bought the optional "performance guarantee" warranty just in case but that turned out to be a complete waste of money because the bass was in excellent condition. It had been owned by Jeff Rouse in Duff McKagan's band "Loaded" and must have been a backup because it was in like new condition.

 

[Gord_oh]

I work at GC. Typically it is based on physical condition. They are very hesitant, at least my store is, about buying gear that doesn't work so don't worry about that.

Regarding the coverage, it is basically "Oops I accidentally broke my s*** insurance". They pay you out if it breaks. Well worth it if you're hard on your gear.

I just picked this gem up used for a killer deal!

 

[SirMjac28]

I got a stupid great deal on a vintage Guild acoustic bass it arrived with a cracked neck I closed the box and took it back to GC they offered to repair it for me and take some money off but I passed they have a very hassle free return policy. I wish they would put some more effort in the pictures and descriptions of the items for sale on their website but that's my only gripe.

 

[SirMjac28]

I work at GC. Typically it is based on physical condition. They are very hesitant, at least my store is, about buying gear that doesn't work so don't worry about that.

Regarding the coverage, it is basically "Oops I accidentally broke my s*** insurance". They pay you out if it breaks. Well worth it if you're hard on your gear.

I just picked this gem up used for a killer deal!

View attachment 507100

Those are getting harder to find I don't care for the new ones.

 

[Gorn]

I've bought at least a dozen basses from guitar centers all over the country. The star system is irrelevant. They don't know how to rate basses cosmetically or functionally. Ignore it. Call the store and ask someone to take it off the wall and describe it in detail. They should be happy to do it because they're making commission off the sale. I usually have them shipped to my job. If there's nothing wrong with it and I don't like it, I return it to my local store and eat the shipping. If it's not as described, I return it to my local store and get every dollar back including shipping.

Gord oh's store might be hesitant about buying basses that don't work, but I think his store is unique. Guitar Centers will buy and sell used basses with completely non-working electronics. Or basses with broken truss rods or cracked necks. Sometimes their prices will be great. Sometimes their prices will be double what the bass is worth. It's a crapshoot.

 

[DwaynieAD]

You can return it to your local store.

in case it was missed the dozen or so times it was said.

 

[Laurent]

I bought a 1980 Yamaha BB400 used from GC and had a great experience.
The bass turned out to be incredible. The son of a friend of mine is now rocking that instrument.

Guitar Center are typically serious and well organized. I would not be afraid at all to deal with them.
It's a large company but there are lots of nice people (all of them fellow musicians) working there who wants to do the right thing.

 

[wrench45us]

I picked up a used G&L L2500 used from a store in Seattle about a month ago and they shipped in well packed box to a store nearby in Minnesota.
I called and talked to someone in the store in Seattle to have them describe the condition before I bought it.
Shipping was 4-5 day ground for $14. It was rated 5 stars and was very clean.
They couldn't tell what year it was made. There is a document in the case, but they tried to figure it out from the serial number and internet.
So even when you make the effort to talk to somebody at the store with the bass in their hands, expect some miscommunication.

But it's turned out to be a gem at a nice price and the 30 day return policy makes this a very user friendly situation.
Consider the size and variety of the used marketplace that GC represents and their return policy and it's really very low risk for the consumer.

 

[Kmonk]

I've bought 2 basses from the GC used site and had no problems at all. They can ship right to your house and you have 30 days to either send it back or return it to any GC store. Both were packed well and no damage. FWIW I've also bought an amp and a mixing board from there and no problems with either.

I'd call the store and talk to someone there and see if they can give you a description of the bass there might be something the one grainy pic they post doesn't show.

I have also purchased a couple of used basses from GC with no problems. I called the store and ask them to give me a description of the condition and also asked for a discount. The bass was shipped and arrived quickly. They give you the option of having it shipped to your house at a cost or to your closest store for free.

If you have to ship it back, do you pay for the shipping? Shipping a bass is probably very expensive.

If you are unhappy with it, you can return it to you local GC so there will not be any shipping charges.