Bought online: Rosewood neck completely dried out; needed major fret leveling, still isn't 100%. Plays comfortably except for fret buzzing in several spots that will never be rectified. Guess it needs a new neck.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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 Used Without Trying - Your Experiences
- Thread starter LowEZ
- Start date
that's the reason i always ask a few "bass knowledge" questions if the seller isn't a store. some people don't know to keep their basses and guitars from getting dry.
that's also the reason i state in every for sale ad "bass has been kept in a non-smoking, humidified environment".
I have bought used basses only since purchasing a new bass in 1998, locally. The used basses were traded/bought right here on TB. The only thing I ever had to do to any of them was change the strings.
I only bought (actually, traded) 1 used bass online, and it was with a TB member.
It had a few issues, but it was expected from the picture and the answers I got from questioning the sellers.
The seller also had good feedback from previous transactions.
There is no substitute for getting as much information as possible when buying... anything.
It had a few issues, but it was expected from the picture and the answers I got from questioning the sellers.
The seller also had good feedback from previous transactions.
There is no substitute for getting as much information as possible when buying... anything.
What causes that neat ‘glow’ on your EB-0?I have had about 4 recently purchased basses that I did not play first that actual bass, but I always play the models I am in search of before laying out the $ I instants I played many short scale basses of different brands and styles before settle on my EB-O which was a online purchase through GC, no issues with the bass I set it up to my liking and gig with it regularly
View attachment 3160821View attachment 3160836View attachment 3160824
GC used is typically a decent place to get gear on the cheap...and you get pics and a general condition rating. I've only had a couple of items I have returned due to their condition. I buy them anticipating I'll put elbow grease in them to get them playable.
Being a lefty usually means having to buy online. I've bought 3 used basses on Reverb, 1 needed new pickup / controls (I knew this when I bought it) and 2 were in great shape. I've also bought over 20 guitars online new & used. The only problems were with 2 new guitars that arrived totally unplayable.
I've bought 11 instruments sight unseen (9 basses, 2 acoustic resonator guitars).
Of those
1 was perfectly set up (for me) and had new strings.
6 needed minor setup tweaks and/or new strings.
2 needed major fretwork or other work (I knew that when I bought them and paid accordingly).
1 had a dead preamp (I got it stupid cheap and having worked in electronics it was an easy fix for me).
1 suffered damage in transit that I chose to fix rather than send it back.
Like the OP I do all my own work but if I had to factor in taking them to a tech then 3 of them I would probably not have bought and a forth would have gone straight back.
Of those
1 was perfectly set up (for me) and had new strings.
6 needed minor setup tweaks and/or new strings.
2 needed major fretwork or other work (I knew that when I bought them and paid accordingly).
1 had a dead preamp (I got it stupid cheap and having worked in electronics it was an easy fix for me).
1 suffered damage in transit that I chose to fix rather than send it back.
Like the OP I do all my own work but if I had to factor in taking them to a tech then 3 of them I would probably not have bought and a forth would have gone straight back.
Ok, you are a man of mystery, but batteries don’t glow, lol.8 AA batteries
Please tell me more
You were asking him if he shipped the bass soaking wet? I'd probably take that the wrong way too.
I'd also be mad if someone tried to get 50 bucks or so off after the sale finalized for a setup since it's so subjective and also basically required if you change string guage if you can't make the necessary adjustments yourself.
I've bought and sold quite a few basses on Reverb. The only dud I ever had was a new Fender Mustang from a shop in Milwaukee. They claimed all the instruments were tested before they sold them but the electronics were a mess and the neck was full of dead spots. All the used basses I've bought have been great. Even the EBMM USA SUB I bought from a pawn shop on Reverb for $350 just needed a setup. Best by far, though, has been the Lakland DJ4 I got for $750. Came out of the box flawless with new strings, a perfect setup, and an OHSC. I'd sooner die than sell this bass.
When I bought my Lull M5 from Bass Northwest a few years ago, the gentleman I talked to asked how I wanted it setup, and when I got it was perfect. (on the right in the pic)
Over the past 15 tears I've bought over 70 basses. Mostly used, first on eBay and then I signed up on TB and bought about 40 here. Early on I had a disappointing buy. A 60's EB0 off ebay. When I received it there was a stress crack on the body around the jack. I went back to the sale and looked at the pictures and I could see the crack. My fault, a noob mistake. Luckily the buyer took returns. I learned a valuable lesson. I haven't had any major disappointments since. I don't buy from eBay anymore and only buy used gear that I can't check out in person from reputable sites that take PayPal.
Oh, I should mention that I do my own setups.
Oh, I should mention that I do my own setups.
All the higher end used basses I've bought have always been shipped well and played great right out of the box.
The cheaper basses that I've purchased have nearly always needed a little work and and some, not all, were not packed/shipped very carefully, and for the most part were misrepresented. I'll buy a cheap bass with flaws, as would most peeps on this forum as long as I know about them. We know wear and tear and what problems various models are inherently prone to.
But I should say that with the higher end basses that I've bought, there has always been some back and forth between the seller and I before purchasing. The sellers are usually very responsive and forthcoming with any flaws and shortcomings, if any, of the instruments. Most are players that would expect the same if I were selling them a pricey used bass. I have passed on some good deals on nicer basses because the back and forth left me with doubts about the seller or the bass.
So..... just do your homework.
The cheaper basses that I've purchased have nearly always needed a little work and and some, not all, were not packed/shipped very carefully, and for the most part were misrepresented. I'll buy a cheap bass with flaws, as would most peeps on this forum as long as I know about them. We know wear and tear and what problems various models are inherently prone to.
But I should say that with the higher end basses that I've bought, there has always been some back and forth between the seller and I before purchasing. The sellers are usually very responsive and forthcoming with any flaws and shortcomings, if any, of the instruments. Most are players that would expect the same if I were selling them a pricey used bass. I have passed on some good deals on nicer basses because the back and forth left me with doubts about the seller or the bass.
So..... just do your homework.
Heavy duty strip Led lights runs attached to a powerback of 8 AA batteries same ones used for MotorcyclesOk, you are a man of mystery, but batteries don’t glow, lol.
Please tell me more
. The only issue is the are as sharp as all get because they are glass, so you need to be careful where you put them on your bass case in point I installed them on my jazzbody makes for a great design but you can't play the bass unless you have long sleeves or double up on the wrist bands because they will cut you to ribbons, hell they look amazing
Attachments
Last edited:
It only worked for me in cases where I knew exactly what I was buying. I mean by that, for cases where I was buying a bass model that I already owned in the past. Then, in that context, I only needed to worry about the bass' condition and the asking price.
Yes, they do. Too steep an ergo-price for me as I tend to caress my bass at times absent-mindedly while playing.
I found out the hard way I got the jazz bass back from my tech who installed them for me at a gig I wasn't wearing long sleeve at the time, very uncomfortable to play getting stabbed and scratched I lowered the strap on break, so I wouldn't have so much arm on the body ahhh bass it has it's learning curves ha ha ha
