I’ve owned both of those basses, still own the Gretsch. Besides being long scale, the TMB100 is also active tone circuit, which turned out to be the reason why I sold it. I prefer passive tone, and I prefer short scale. Best advice I can give is to play before you buy. Also, +1 for the Squier, but they are long scale as well.
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Do I trust Guitar Center?
- Thread starter DHarmon71
- Start date
JeezyMcNuggles
Inactive
- Feb 23, 2018
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- I suck, but nobody really notices
Talman. Yes, buy it from guitar center. But, buy a new one. You just can't beat the talman 100. Tone and features/price. It just can't be beat.
You just never know what you are going to get with a used bass. Especially the condition of the truss rod. Maybe you could look into a new Squier P bass from Sweetwater. They will set it up before shipment. 
^^^^THIS^^^^^
All the best with your journey into the the underworld! We are the blokes that keep everything together.
Yes, you can trust them. Have purchased five bases from them one new four used. On the used ones I know what questions to ask before they send them. Granted, I have sent two back because I did not like them. Last one I got used was really a good deal and a very good bass. Honestly, it was better than they described. Like I said earlier, I’ve owned a few bases and know what to ask and look for. It will be good if someone could go with you.
I have had nothing but great experiences with used gear and will repeat what some others on this thread have already said. Know what you are looking for and if it is at an out of state store call so they can give you a description of the item in hand. They have a great return policy on used gear and every now and then offer 10% off of all used gear. People like to trash GC but if you are informed on what you want and work with a good sales person there is no need to worry.
I've bought 2 used and 2 new bass from them. I returned one of the new basses and one of the used ones as well, without any issues. I just save all the packing until I'm sure I want to keep something from them.
Do I trust Guitar Center? No.
Do I buy from Guitar Center? Yes, because they have a good return policy, and good deals on used gear.
If you are buying used, always assume that the guitar is one grade down from what they are stating.
If they say excellent condition, it is good condition.
If they say good, it is just fair.
If they say fair condition, don't buy it, because it is poor condition.
Do I buy from Guitar Center? Yes, because they have a good return policy, and good deals on used gear.
If you are buying used, always assume that the guitar is one grade down from what they are stating.
If they say excellent condition, it is good condition.
If they say good, it is just fair.
If they say fair condition, don't buy it, because it is poor condition.
I've had mostly good experiences with buying used from GC. But for the prices of the basses you're considering, I'd say just buy a new one.
Ibanez also seems to come from the factory with a setup that is playable right out of the box.
This isn't the case with other manufacturers that I've played in Guitar Center lately.
THIS.
YES !
Because right not as a beginner, you 'don't know what you don't know'.
For most of us, Guitar Center is sort of the WalMart of music stores, OK most of the time, occasionally aggravatingly bad. For experienced players, not much in specialty items, but great for beginners if you know what you're looking at: Most of us can tell what's small potatoes to adjust, and which ones are problem children to avoid like the plague. You need someone with those skills to guide you along.
Unless you're of a small stature, of what you mentioned, I'd go with the Ibanez.
As others have pointed out, there may be great buys on your local Craigslist, Facebook Market, or local music stores. And I'd suggest buying as nice a bass as you can: IF you ultimately decide this isn't for you, far easier to sell a widely used axe than a beginner example.
Best of Luck,
JW
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buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Unfortunately, Guitar Center does not genneraly adjust their basses, so what you get may be increased shape, or may be unplayable. First place I always look is the classified here - most members with any feedback for transactions here keep their instruments in good shape.
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/gr...h-upgrades-300-shipped.1575118/#post-27948645
I know it isn't what you are looking for, but consider something like this:
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/squier-classic-vibe-jazz-mic.1629216/
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/gr...h-upgrades-300-shipped.1575118/#post-27948645
I know it isn't what you are looking for, but consider something like this:
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/squier-classic-vibe-jazz-mic.1629216/
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JeezyMcNuggles
Inactive
- Feb 23, 2018
- 14,723
- 20,970
- Disclosures
- I suck, but nobody really notices
Yeah. Usually just a slight tweak of the truss rod, and you're good to go
Yes you can trust them. The return policy is great.
I’ve returned a couple of things , and it’s been zero hassle.
Search guitar center.
There will be an option to shop that particular store. Using the filters you can pick the store and you can narrow it down to only “BASS”. That will show you every bass that store has in stock.
If they have a dozen or so make a trip and check them out. No one cares if you’re new or not. That’s part of the beauty of music. Watching someone discover it and grow.
I’ve returned a couple of things , and it’s been zero hassle.
Search guitar center.
There will be an option to shop that particular store. Using the filters you can pick the store and you can narrow it down to only “BASS”. That will show you every bass that store has in stock.
If they have a dozen or so make a trip and check them out. No one cares if you’re new or not. That’s part of the beauty of music. Watching someone discover it and grow.
Unless I missed the question,have you ever played a bass guitar? Unless you a talented and gifted person you don't play bass overnight?
Worth noting, perhaps, is Black Friday (and Cyber Monday) is nigh upon us. Many online retailers will have stupid good deals. I bought 3 Squier P-basses for an average of $225 each. They are all gig worthy, although I did setups and fretwork on 2 of them to make them acceptable to me. None came from GC, but I did get a great Ibanez ATK 300 from GC used for a very good price a couple of weeks ago. Then again, my local GC is only 20 minutes away.
The Bar Band Bassman
The Bar Band Bassman
In that sense, yea you can trust guitar center. Don’t buy any extra packages like the repair whatever the hell upsell… it’s a ripoff and you basically can’t use it.
Even as a beginner, check the bass out in person first, and if at all possible have someone experienced come with you.
