If the bass is defective, or obviously flawed in some way, GC will give you all your money back. If you just don’t like it, you pay for shipping. It’s a relatively small fee (it was $20 a few years ago), just know there is some financial risk in buying used that way.
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Do I trust Guitar Center?
- Thread starter DHarmon71
- Start date
If the bass is defective, or obviously flawed in some way, GC will give you all your money back. If you just don’t like it, you pay for shipping. It’s a relatively small fee (it was $20 a few years ago), just know there is some financial risk in buying used that way.
That's true, and that shipping fee can be less than the cost of gas. OP just has to weigh their options.
As said above it's a mixed bag. If you get something that is just not working, they will take it back within a reasonable timeframe. I got an excellent used Artist guitar tube amp from them. I've also had to return something for dying on me in two days.
DHarmon71, if I were you, I wouldn't be as focused on where/who I buy from as I would be on what I buy.
By your own admission you are a complete novice (which is fine, we all were at the beginning), so I'm not even sure how it is that you've narrowed your search down to the two basses that you mentioned. If I were to guess, I'd say it's mostly based on looks/"coolness" factor...well, allow me to tell you a cautionary tale about how that can sometimes be a very bad reason to buy a bass.
In 1998, I had been playing bass for seven years, and my bass ownership at that point had included a Yamaha BB300 (which I left back east, after moving out west), a Jasmine-by-Takamine acoustic bass guitar, and some model of Aria Pro II (all 4-string basses).
A Rickenbacker came up for sale in a neighbouring town. Several of my heroes - Geddy Lee, Roger Glover, Cliff Burton, to name a few - had played Rickenbackers at one time or another. I loved the looks of those basses (and they sounded pretty good in the right hands, too), and there was a definite "coolness" factor there for me, so I made the drive, paid the money, and I owned a Rickenbacker!
I ended up hating that bass. In hindsight, I may have hated it right from the get-go, but it took me a long time to acknowledge it...twelve years, in fact (finally sold the thing in 2010). I could never get a sound/tone out of it that I liked, but even more problematic was the neck; to this day, that Ric is the most uncomfortable bass I've ever owned/played. My fretting (left) hand/wrist would be cramping within thirty seconds of starting to play it. I'm talking gritting-my-teeth, on-the-verge-of-tears pain, if I ended up playing it for any longer than a few minutes.
Fast forward to 2023. More basses have come and gone, and as I type this, I own eight: some 4-strings, some 5-strings, and a 6-string (Peavey Cirrus). Most are closet queens, not because I don't like 'em - they're all cool basses in their own right - but the one that I gravitate to most, my "ride or die" bass, is the Jackson David Ellefson Kellybird V (5-string) that I snagged off of a fellow TBer about six years ago.
What separates that bass from the rest of the pack? The number one thing is its 12" - 16" compound-radius neck, which feels tailor-made for me; I can play that bass for HOURS and not experience a bit of hand/wrist pain. And after that torturous Rickenbacker, that's where it all starts and ends for me these days: the neck...pretty much everything else is secondary. Yes, I want to like the sounds/tones and (full disclosure) the looks of the bass too, but all of that stuff means pretty much nothing if I can't get on with the neck.
I'm likely going to be repeating a few things other people have already suggested, but here's what I'd do if I were you:
- Wherever you go to try out a bass(es), if at all possible, take an experienced bass player with you...or even a guitar player, especially if he/she dabbles a bit in bass; an experienced person will likely be able to suss out potential issues with any bass(es) you look at.
- Before seriously contemplating buying a bass, maybe consider taking a few lessons. A lot of people like the IDEA of playing bass/other instruments, but not the reality of it: the fact that it takes time/dedication/work to get proficient at it...and even if you have the willingness, at the end of the day, you might find (in the course of a few lessons) that it's just not something that interests you.
- Don't be afraid of basses that you think might NOT be for you. The beginning of the end for me with that Rickenbacker was when, in 2008, a guitar-playing friend of mine who'd started dabbling in bass as well decided that bass wasn't his thing, and asked me if I wanted to buy the Ibanez BTB 6-string he had. I reluctantly tried it out - "reluctantly" because (and I am embarrassed to admit this) I thought that, physically speaking, I could only play 4-strings...well, picking up and playing that BTB 6 was a an utter revelation: the bigger/wider neck and flatter radius was sheer, pain-free freedom, and really opened up my eyes...as mentioned previously, I still own a couple of 4-string basses, but my main bass is a 5, and I own a 6, and if/when the time comes to sell a few off, I can almost assure you it'll be the 4-strings that go first.
Hope this helps...
By your own admission you are a complete novice (which is fine, we all were at the beginning), so I'm not even sure how it is that you've narrowed your search down to the two basses that you mentioned. If I were to guess, I'd say it's mostly based on looks/"coolness" factor...well, allow me to tell you a cautionary tale about how that can sometimes be a very bad reason to buy a bass.
In 1998, I had been playing bass for seven years, and my bass ownership at that point had included a Yamaha BB300 (which I left back east, after moving out west), a Jasmine-by-Takamine acoustic bass guitar, and some model of Aria Pro II (all 4-string basses).
A Rickenbacker came up for sale in a neighbouring town. Several of my heroes - Geddy Lee, Roger Glover, Cliff Burton, to name a few - had played Rickenbackers at one time or another. I loved the looks of those basses (and they sounded pretty good in the right hands, too), and there was a definite "coolness" factor there for me, so I made the drive, paid the money, and I owned a Rickenbacker!
I ended up hating that bass. In hindsight, I may have hated it right from the get-go, but it took me a long time to acknowledge it...twelve years, in fact (finally sold the thing in 2010). I could never get a sound/tone out of it that I liked, but even more problematic was the neck; to this day, that Ric is the most uncomfortable bass I've ever owned/played. My fretting (left) hand/wrist would be cramping within thirty seconds of starting to play it. I'm talking gritting-my-teeth, on-the-verge-of-tears pain, if I ended up playing it for any longer than a few minutes.
Fast forward to 2023. More basses have come and gone, and as I type this, I own eight: some 4-strings, some 5-strings, and a 6-string (Peavey Cirrus). Most are closet queens, not because I don't like 'em - they're all cool basses in their own right - but the one that I gravitate to most, my "ride or die" bass, is the Jackson David Ellefson Kellybird V (5-string) that I snagged off of a fellow TBer about six years ago.
What separates that bass from the rest of the pack? The number one thing is its 12" - 16" compound-radius neck, which feels tailor-made for me; I can play that bass for HOURS and not experience a bit of hand/wrist pain. And after that torturous Rickenbacker, that's where it all starts and ends for me these days: the neck...pretty much everything else is secondary. Yes, I want to like the sounds/tones and (full disclosure) the looks of the bass too, but all of that stuff means pretty much nothing if I can't get on with the neck.
I'm likely going to be repeating a few things other people have already suggested, but here's what I'd do if I were you:
- Wherever you go to try out a bass(es), if at all possible, take an experienced bass player with you...or even a guitar player, especially if he/she dabbles a bit in bass; an experienced person will likely be able to suss out potential issues with any bass(es) you look at.
- Before seriously contemplating buying a bass, maybe consider taking a few lessons. A lot of people like the IDEA of playing bass/other instruments, but not the reality of it: the fact that it takes time/dedication/work to get proficient at it...and even if you have the willingness, at the end of the day, you might find (in the course of a few lessons) that it's just not something that interests you.
- Don't be afraid of basses that you think might NOT be for you. The beginning of the end for me with that Rickenbacker was when, in 2008, a guitar-playing friend of mine who'd started dabbling in bass as well decided that bass wasn't his thing, and asked me if I wanted to buy the Ibanez BTB 6-string he had. I reluctantly tried it out - "reluctantly" because (and I am embarrassed to admit this) I thought that, physically speaking, I could only play 4-strings...well, picking up and playing that BTB 6 was a an utter revelation: the bigger/wider neck and flatter radius was sheer, pain-free freedom, and really opened up my eyes...as mentioned previously, I still own a couple of 4-string basses, but my main bass is a 5, and I own a 6, and if/when the time comes to sell a few off, I can almost assure you it'll be the 4-strings that go first.
Hope this helps...
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I know it’s inconvenient but since you are buying a first bass I would go to the store and put my hands on some instruments. One of your choices will probably feel much more comfortable and I would want to make an informed decision.
Don't confine yourself to any particular bass, certainly not those two, just because they might be on sale. Nothing intrinsically wrong with either, but plenty of better basses available, new and used.
Other than that, do you trust buying online instead of going to GC and actually playing a bass before buying? Bring someone with a little experience, don't rely on what a salesperson says.
(By the way, I do both, and Guitar Center hasn't let me down in over ten years. I've bought quite a few basses there, including these two recent purchases...and they're amazing. Bought both during the big sale a few months ago, but would've gladly paid full price. I have several expensive basses, but I've been playing these two exclusively for the past few months.)
Other than that, do you trust buying online instead of going to GC and actually playing a bass before buying? Bring someone with a little experience, don't rely on what a salesperson says.
(By the way, I do both, and Guitar Center hasn't let me down in over ten years. I've bought quite a few basses there, including these two recent purchases...and they're amazing. Bought both during the big sale a few months ago, but would've gladly paid full price. I have several expensive basses, but I've been playing these two exclusively for the past few months.)
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Should you trust GC? Nope. Should you buy from them? In this particular case? Probably. Reason is, they have a solid return policy, so if you end up with a lemon, you can just return it. To me, the fact that you can do that in person, rather than ship it back to some online retailer is one of the few advantages of buying something from GC.
Also I have the G220 and freaking love it. It hangs with other basses that cost literally 10x as much. No issues. Sounds and plays great and is lots of fun. No opinion on the Talman specifically, as I never played one, but you can't go wrong with Ibanez in general.
In any case, best of luck! Those are two solid choices. Agree with others who say "try a bunch in person" and "don't limit yourself before you get to the store".
I've had great and terrible luck with GC but their 45 day no hassle return policy keeps me buying from them when I see a deal.
Recently picked up a German Warwick Corvette for pretty cheap. Talked to the manager, got pics, paid for it (was told they took it off the floor to pack it) and the next day I got an email saying my order was canceled because it was out of stock. Somehow it was sold before it was shipped...
Recently picked up a German Warwick Corvette for pretty cheap. Talked to the manager, got pics, paid for it (was told they took it off the floor to pack it) and the next day I got an email saying my order was canceled because it was out of stock. Somehow it was sold before it was shipped...
I've had mostly excellent experiences with GC's used gear site. I've gotten some basses that would never be available here locally. The one time I got a dud, I just returned it.
If you're set on a short scale I'd recommend checking out the Squier Bronco Bass. It's over $100 cheaper than both options listed and is very simple and straightforward for a beginner. They're honestly just decent basses for $200 and many experienced players here seem to rather enjoy theirs. I've seen used on local listings for $100-$150. No shipping, check it out before buying and worst case you don't like it, you would be able to get your money back. Or being a pastor maybe just donate it to the kids.
I've had good experiences for the most part. UPS on the other hand are garbage. You get a 30 day return policy. I would have one or two sent to my house and return it if its not what your looking for. Check out the Sterling Stingrays. I wish they had entry basses that nice when I was coming up! I started on an old Squier that the tunning knobs all came off on so i had to bring a flat head with me to tune it.
I've had good luck with buying used gear from GC. Just make sure they do a proper setup before you leave the store with it.
I have some experience buying a fair amount of gear from GC. All gear is conditionally rated so you have a pretty good idea of what to expect ( I would encourage you to learn what these rating definitions are before buying), and it comes with a 30 day money back guarantee. Extended warranties are available at an additional cost. You will be paying shipping costs I'm going to guess both ways if a bass is unsatisfactory.
I've been fortunate that for the last 20 years or so, there has been GC within a 20 minute drive, which was a better experience when dealing with unsatisfactory gear. I've always had good experiences dealing with GC and accumulated quite a lot of top quality gear at thousands of dollars less than the full retail on new gear.
Best wishes, and thanks for your ministry. With what is being thrown at our youth today, your work is incredibly important.
I just want to say I bought my student (niece) her first bass a Gretsch G2220...got it sight unseen open box from sweetwater. It is a really fun player and sounds great.... I spent many days playing it before I was willing to give it up to her.
Most of the time I buy without trying out first and own many. You can always adjust the string height, neck bow, or intonations with a you tube video and simple tools.
Most of the time I buy without trying out first and own many. You can always adjust the string height, neck bow, or intonations with a you tube video and simple tools.
I've had a couple really bad experiences with them, in particular, they tried to sell me a used bass as a new one. And the second incident was that they tried to sell me a bass with a blatant major flaw (i.e. you couldn't even install strings) which caused me to go back and forth with them for weeks until I finally gave up and returned it (I basically loss money in terms of time and travel). That was enough for me to never deal with them again. Their customer and tech support is terrible. I'd only use them if I wanted to try a bass and see if I like it. Then I'd buy it elsewhere. You can generally find anything online at similar prices
Be patient and look around. I would not trust GC because now, because it changed from being a place where musicians use to work to be a profit center. However, knowing this, you can make it work in your favor.
The same way they mark up instruments excessively, sometimes you can find great bargains (specially for less known brands). Good luck with the learning process, I recommend Jim Stinnet lessons in You Tube if you are serious about the instrument.
songwriter21
I have an obsession for wood. The musical kind.
GC's used stuff is hit-or-miss, simple. At least their return policy is the best in the biz.
Got both my epi eb0 and eastwood jetson jr bass used at my local GC. Did do the warranty when buying. Bonus I stepped on cable and broke output jack on eb0. So for warranty they gave me all my money back and I paid a couple bucks to fix output jack (didnt want to swap for something else). Found it weird they didn't just fix it vs basically giving me bass for free. But no problems from them or the basses.
I bought a Custom Shop Jazz Bass from them earlier this year because it was on sale (I was hoping it went on sale because it was just too expensive at the original price to attract a buyer), but when it showed up the neck was BADLY twisted. Like the worst twist I've ever seen. Luckily when I took it back the manager at my local GC was like "WHOA this is really bad!" and sent it back to the store it came from, because it would never sell. All this to say, you don't have a lot to lose buying from GC, but still, and hour and a half drive each way to deal with pickups and returns, etc., is a hard sell.
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