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Does adding a battery devalue a bass?

I don't think it has a significant effect on the bass' value if done right. BUT, it will reduce the market to people who want active basses. That makes a smaller demand, which will influence value. So, yes and no.
 
Does that mean my US Jazz Plus is a rare vintage? I bought it brand new in the early 90's for $625 out the door. These days when they show up at the usual places, prime examples are going for $1400 and up. Heck even the ones with the kubicki pre and lace sensors removed are going for around $800. I've always been in love with mine.
You tell me.
 
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Well I fixed the Problem today. I just happen to be looking through Craigs list in Chicago ( I live in Milwaukee) And I'll be dammed there was a Duck Dunn for sale!!!! with no hole in the back. No kidding. What are the odds of this happening. Now keep in mind I only had until 7pm to take back the G&L to guitar center for a refund.(it was within the 45 day return policy and this was the 45th day
) so the wife gave me the Bread and off we went to chi town. I get there and check out the bass. its a 2006 Korea with out a mark on it! and the action was perfect!! It Even had new flat wounds strings. And at the same price that I just couldnt pass up!!! I guess this was a Lucky day in the bass depatrtment for me. I got the bass I really wanted and took my wife to dinner in chicago. A win win all around.
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Well I fixed the Problem today. I just happen to be looking through Craigs list in Chicago ( I live in Milwaukee) And I'll be dammed there was a Duck Dunn for sale!!!! with no hole in the back. No kidding. What are the odds of this happening. Now keep in mind I only had until 7pm to take back the G&L to guitar center for a refund.(it was within the 45 day return policy and this was the 45th day
) so the wife gave me the Bread and off we went to chi town. I get there and check out the bass. its a 2006 Korea with out a mark on it! and the action was perfect!! It Even had new flat wounds strings. And at a price that I just couldnt pass up!!! I guess this was a Lucky day in the bass depatrtment for me. I got the bass I really wanted and took my wife to dinner in chicago. A win win all around.View attachment 1201152


All the stars aligned on this one! Congratulations, enjoy the bass.
 
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Mods devalue instruments 100% of the time. That's because you have to assume it was done by the seller's cousin named Carl who has a bitchin set of tools in his garage and saw a video on YouTube on how to do it. The question is how much. The lower the beginning "new" price, the less of a hit financially when modded. In this instance, the mod shouldn't matter too much in terms of price. Find out what used Korean laklands go for and take off another $50-100 for the mod.
 
that would 100% affect a collectors-value-bass

otherwise, depends on the bass. a battery compartment is definitely going to be less popular with a 4 string p-bass crowd than with 6 string jazz basses.

btw, are we talking just batteries, or a full preamp setup?
 
...Mods devalue instruments 100% of the time. That's because you have to assume it was done by the seller's cousin named Carl who has a bitchin set of tools in his garage and saw a video on YouTube on how to do it...

The guy Who did all my repair work before he passed was known for retopping Les Paul guitars. He would take an LP and cut the top off then replace it with a highly figured piece of bookmatched maple and shoot it is some really nice transparent color. He actually made good money doing this and it raised the value of the guitars considerably. Fortunately he was versed enough in the history of the instrument to know which ones he could do this to and which ones were worth more untouched.
 
Non reversible mods will generally lower the value of an instrument. Some will increase the value - drop a Sadowsky preamp in a Squier. If it's a collectable instrument, don't mod. A Korean Lakland isn't going to be a collectors item, regardless of being nice instruments. I'd say this does drop the value a bit, but probably less than $100. However, it's unlikely that it's the only mod unless they started a project and never finished.
 
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Non reversible mods will generally lower the value of an instrument. Some will increase the value - drop a Sadowsky preamp in a Squier. If it's a collectable instrument, don't mod. A Korean Lakland isn't going to be a collectors item, regardless of being nice instruments. I'd say this does drop the value a bit, but probably less than $100. However, it's unlikely that it's the only mod unless they started a project and never finished.

Yeah. And if the 2006 version came stock with a Fralin pickup, I'd want to know it that was still there. If it's gone I'd deduct a few more points.
 
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This is the deal. I bought my G&L Back from guitar center 45 days ago today,(they have a 45 day return policy) Its a Nice LB100 Empress. I like the bass but I wish it had a Jazz neck. I always liked the Lakland and have had GAS for a duck dunn a while now. Theres pros and cons on each. Such as, The G&L is made in the USA and a bit lighter weight. but the resale value is low. ( I change basses like a baby changes dipers...lol) The Lakland has the Jazz neck Im looking for and holds its resale value better. I love the way they both play so I would think its preference. I have a few hours to decide. this is my G&L bass that I would be returning to guitar center.View attachment 1200744
Never return a G&L... Especially an LB100! As for the Duck... it's actually a very expensive import if you ask me, It'll be worth money some day, the same as a Japanese 1980's Fender is now, but it'll take a few decades before it does.
 
if its a functional need and tastefully done...shouldn't be an issue. although, if you are selling the bass, you may have more disinterested parties that don't care for it, while others will appreciate the mod....ergo 'devalueing it'

here's an example of something I own. it's not a mod per se, but it was an option back in Wal's heyday when adding LED's was an option for custom builds. This is the only Wal i've seen this extra battery compartment done.... looks cool, but the added plate might be a turn off for some (LEDs included).

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Never return a G&L... Especially an LB100! As for the Duck... it's actually a very expensive import if you ask me, It'll be worth money some day, the same as a Japanese 1980's Fender is now, but it'll take a few decades before it does.
Great, so it will be worth more than the original selling price soon after most of us on TB have croaked. Good to know. :thumbsup:









:laugh:

if its a functional need and tastefully done...shouldn't be an issue. although, if you are selling the bass, you may have more disinterested parties that don't care for it, while others will appreciate the mod....ergo 'devalueing it'

here's an example of something I own. it's not a mod per se, but it was an option back in Wal's heyday when adding LED's was an option for custom builds. This is the only Wal i've seen this extra battery compartment done.... looks cool, but the added plate might be a turn off for some (LEDs included).

View attachment 1229725
This is a different case as it was a option available from Wal; that is not a mod at all, really, IMO.
 
Didn't buy it yet. I just don't want to pay $800 for it to find out in 2 or 3 years when and if I sell it it's worth only $600. I guess im asking is it worth th $800 with the mod. Lakland has a mod upgrade on there site but im sure this is not factory done. Since i seen theses run for around $800 without a mod i was just wondering.
I've seen these for $600 without any mods.