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Do you let resale value...

cassanova

cassanova

Sep 4, 2000
8,419
748
Florida
#1
I've seen many a thread here saying if you buy XXX bass you'll get squat for resale value should you sell it.

I've never been one to let resale value affect my purchases. I buy my basses for what they are at the time of purchase, not how much they might be worth years down the road if I sell them

Just wanted to know if you folks let resale value affect your decision or have an effect on your decision when purchasing a new bass. If you're a collector then this is pretty much a moot point because I'd think you'd buy it only if its going to appreciate in value.
 
#2
My uncle had a 1957 Fender P-bass that he purchased new. The action on it was absolutely horrible, (but good for polka I suppose). The high school I went to had an early 70's jazz bass in the band dept.. The action was just as bad. These basses are worth money simply because someone is willing to pay money for them, not because of any kind of intrinsic quality about the instrument. I'd take a brand new bass over an antique any day, and I definately wouldn't worry about any future value other than how I think it will hold up.
 
#4
It's nice to know that when you buy a bass with high resale value, you can have the option of selling it for a good amount (even up to what you paid used) if it doesn't happen to work out. So it is good to consider resale value; as much as you think you may keep a certain bass for years, that very realistically may not be the case.
 
#6
I would recommend researching your bass before buying, for example boutique basses can hold their value well depending on the make. Ricks seem to hold value well and of course your older Fender's do well. There are many others not mentioned here that hold value.

It depends on what you like, I have basses that wouldn't get a dime back on resale but others I own are still in demand and would not let me down on resale. Take a look at dealers like Low End and Luthiers Access Group to get an idea on what is selling well. :bassist:
 
#10
I let someone else take the loss and I usually buy used. I've purchased 3 basses new ever. It only makes sense because a lot of things come and go. I'm fast approaching my self imposed limit (one bass for every year I've been alive) and thus you'll see a great herd thinning soon probably if I find more stuff I wanna try out.

Probably a US Lakland, Valenti, Stambaugh, or Lull is in my future.
 
#11
It depends on what you do with the basses and where you're at in your gear experience. If you just play whatever you have, or if you buy a bass you already know you'll get a lot of mileage out of, then resale value is not a big deal. But if you're new to bass, or buy before trying and unsure of exactly what you need, then resale is a very big deal. Also when times are tight, as they are now, it becomes even riskier to invest in something that you may later want to flip, as you will end up just sitting on it, or losing hundreds of dollars- sometimes even with used basses.
 
#14
Jayce Bass said:
My uncle had a 1957 Fender P-bass that he purchased new. The action on it was absolutely horrible, (but good for polka I suppose). The high school I went to had an early 70's jazz bass in the band dept.. The action was just as bad. These basses are worth money simply because someone is willing to pay money for them, not because of any kind of intrinsic quality about the instrument. I'd take a brand new bass over an antique any day, and I definately wouldn't worry about any future value other than how I think it will hold up.
Click to expand...

Maybe the old basses needed a good set up.... I have a few vintage Fenders and they are the best instruments I own..
they set up perfectly...there are bad vintage Fenders out there as well ...
 
#17
Jayce Bass said:
My uncle had a 1957 Fender P-bass that he purchased new. The action on it was absolutely horrible, (but good for polka I suppose). The high school I went to had an early 70's jazz bass in the band dept.. The action was just as bad. These basses are worth money simply because someone is willing to pay money for them, not because of any kind of intrinsic quality about the instrument. I'd take a brand new bass over an antique any day, and I definately wouldn't worry about any future value other than how I think it will hold up.
Click to expand...

That just means they need a setup....
 

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