eBay Luthiers

[mantrabass]

I've seen a ton of sick ERB's and otherwise on eBay often, and I was wondering if these luthiers are to be trusted. I can't tell if they're just trying to make a quick and easy buck on eBay selling their creations, or are just selling crappy instruments.

An example: Maxetone Alpine white 7 string electric Bass Guitar #876 | eBay

Any experiences? Advice?

 

[stepswork4me]

The link shows a Chinese factory guy. I looked into them a while back. Their old ID had mediocre feedback. There were a few folks on here that ordered customs from them that paid out and never got their basses. I got hosed by another ebay luthier named Martinson. I've seen some Talkbass builds pop up on the bay and those guys are great. Prat was one of them. That cat knows what he's doing. If I were you I would be very cautious with ebay luthiers.

 

[bolophonic]

That bass looks cheap as all get-out, dude.

 

[SaintMez]

That looks like a waste of $400 to me. Doesn't Tom Clement sometimes sell on EBay? He certainly looks like he knows what he's doing. Maybe he can shed a little more light on the perils of buying or selling a custom bass on EBay.

 

[mantrabass]

Sorry guys, I forgot to mention- I'm not buying one of these, just curious of the quality.

I've seen some beautiful ERB's with gorgeous inlays and a lot of beautiful work put into them. That was the best example I could find that's currently listed.

HERE's a good example of the type of stuff I'm talking about... DRAGON INLAY SOLIDWOOD 5 STRINGS ELECTRIC BASS GT104 | eBay

 

[stepswork4me]

Sorry guys, I forgot to mention- I'm not buying one of these, just curious of the quality.

I've seen some beautiful ERB's with gorgeous inlays and a lot of beautiful work put into them. That was the best example I could find that's currently listed.

HERE's a good example of the type of stuff I'm talking about... DRAGON INLAY SOLIDWOOD 5 STRINGS ELECTRIC BASS GT104 | eBay

Sorry man but, everything I've read about that guy says his stuff's great for hangin' on the wall and not much else.

 

[mantrabass]

That's a bummer, given the look of these instruments I think they'd look fantastic in front of an audience. I wonder if they could be rewired and actually work out. Replace the pickups, tuners, most of the hardware aside from the beautiful neck and body. I figure, for $3-400, it's not too bad of a deal.

 

[stepswork4me]

That's a bummer, given the look of these instruments I think they'd look fantastic in front of an audience. I wonder if they could be rewired and actually work out. Replace the pickups, tuners, most of the hardware aside from the beautiful neck and body. I figure, for $3-400, it's not too bad of a deal.

You better figure in at least dressing the frets, too. Also, I've read that the inlay work is no where near quality in person.

 

[chokeslam512]

I've seen a ton of sick ERB's and otherwise on eBay often, and I was wondering if these luthiers are to be trusted. I can't tell if they're just trying to make a quick and easy buck on eBay selling their creations, or are just selling crappy instruments.

An example: Maxetone Alpine white 7 string electric Bass Guitar #876 | eBay

Any experiences? Advice?

Item Location: Shanghai, China

 

[FBB Custom]

The headstock on that vietnamese bass is jacked up.

 

[bolophonic]

That's a bummer, given the look of these instruments I think they'd look fantastic in front of an audience. I wonder if they could be rewired and actually work out. Replace the pickups, tuners, most of the hardware aside from the beautiful neck and body. I figure, for $3-400, it's not too bad of a deal.

Antoniotsai Guitars and Mandolins WARNING - Antoniotsai Guitars a Scam

 

[mantrabass]

^ Just read that, thank goodness I did. That is awful, I feel bad for everyone who bought a lot of instruments from this guy. :/

 

[mwesth]

I have 3 instruments from Tony Tsai, all needed a thorough setup:

a 12-string archtop guitar - very good looking, ok sounding, ok playable, but one crack on the backside after 1,5 years

a 6 string electric ukulele - fun instrument, good looking, good sounding

a tenor ukulele - probably the best uke I have ever played

All three were dirt cheap... but buying from him IS a gamble! I would NOT buy any of his basses.

 

[FBB Custom]

Who would buy 15 instruments from this guy without seeing and touching one first?

 

[tjclem]

That looks like a waste of $400 to me. Doesn't Tom Clement sometimes sell on EBay? He certainly looks like he knows what he's doing. Maybe he can shed a little more light on the perils of buying or selling a custom bass on EBay.

I do once in a while sell on e-bay. Years ago that is how I started. E-bay is a horrible place to sell because you get bottom $ for your work. Saying that once in while I will still do it just to generate business. I will be putting up another soon in fact :scowl:

 

[Gecko 5]

Sorry guys, I forgot to mention- I'm not buying one of these, just curious of the quality.

I've seen some beautiful ERB's with gorgeous inlays and a lot of beautiful work put into them. That was the best example I could find that's currently listed.

HERE's a good example of the type of stuff I'm talking about... DRAGON INLAY SOLIDWOOD 5 STRINGS ELECTRIC BASS GT104 | eBay

inlaidartist has been around a LONG time.
His work looks sick. I wonder if its as good as it looks

DOH!!!!! Just read the rest of the comments.
I guess I have my answer

 

[BassScum]

I'm not interested in one of these. Made in China doesn't do it for me. But is the 100% feedback with 400+ transactions a fraud as well?

People are buying these instruments with complete satisfaction according to the feedback.