It's inflation coupled with a product known to retain its value better than much of the competition. Simple economics.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
EBMM Music Man Basses...why so much $?
- Thread starter Mike Sorr
- Start date
It's inflation coupled with a product known to retain its value better than much of the competition. Simple economics.
Maybe it's ME, but the going rate for a used SR5 is nowhere NEAR $1200. I bought 3 used SR5 basses one was '98, and the other a 2001. Both were in the $800-$900 range. Both in Excellent condition for they're age.
Read his comments, they are sarcastic and rude and it sounds to me like he has his forum muscles on. I love that people think they can say things in a forum they would never say to your face and not get called out on it. That I find inappropriate. Or maybe I'm just in a bad mood today. Perhaps I'm a little thin skinned, but I would never tell someone their question is stupid. That is exactly questioning their intelligence. It was a jerky thing to say, that is my opinion. If he thinks my question is stupid then he should keep it to himself. Saying the thread is stupid is what a 10 year old would do.
The bottom line is that a used Stingray (or any other bass, or item) is worth whatever someone is willing to pay. If you're unwilling to afford that, then that's your problem - not the seller's, and not the rest of those who can afford it and thus set the price.
And besides, from the seller's point of view, why wouldn't you want the value of your item to increase over time?
And besides, from the seller's point of view, why wouldn't you want the value of your item to increase over time?
Well Mike I have to agree with you that there was no need for George to post saying "this thread is stupid" as that post did not, IMO, add any value to the discussion, and certainly was not a very friendly thing to say.
Of course, as we know, two wrongs don't make a right, and replying with "you're a jerk" is also a 10-year old form of response. It would have been better, IMO, to either 1) ignore his post, or 2) respond by saying "thank you for your opinion".
Okay, now back to the subject of this thread. And btw, IMO, this thread has value. It is allowing a good discussion of bass values and pricing.
In 1979 I bought a 1979 Music Man Sabre. Cost around $700
In 1999 I sold that same MM Sabre for........$700
In 2009 I really really wished I still had that 1979 Sabre. Or even a new one, (except Ernie Ball was saying then that Sabre was gone, never to return) so I had to shop used. Used were going $1,800 - 2,100 then. Remember I paid $700 for new 30 years prior.
In 2010 I found a 1980 for @ $1,300 and a '79 for about $1,100. The '79 needed serious rehab. So my all in cost on that one was around $1,700.
In 2013 EBMM changed their tune and brought back the Sabre. GC prices for a new one are $1,750 - 1,950. Used pre-EBMM are still going in the $1,200 - 1,800 range (depending on condition). Availability of the new has had some affect on the pricing of the used, even though they are from different eras. Even so, the used price is waaaaay more than the new price was way back when. That's the inflation part of it. A $700 purchase in 1990 is the equivalent of $1,251 in 2013 dollars. And my $700 purchase in 1979 would be $2,252 today, so by that measure, today's price for a new Sabre is a bargain. And I effectively paid a lot less than new ($1,100 - 1,700 vs $2,200 in today's dollars) for my used ones.
Feel free to check....Invalid Link Removed
Peace,
James
i love this site for the gems of knowledge, but it is extremely passive-aggressive and...smug. a lot of you people own far too many bass guitars for your own good. 
the other day i saw a tryst between two TB'ers where at least 15 posts were exchanged yet nobody moved an inch from their original position, both parties adopted the "i think this so i'm going to just keep posting it ever more pointedly" mindset...painfully polite yet so scathing in tone. and alas, once both men's egos were sufficiently re-padded, it was off to the next jousting match.
the other day i saw a tryst between two TB'ers where at least 15 posts were exchanged yet nobody moved an inch from their original position, both parties adopted the "i think this so i'm going to just keep posting it ever more pointedly" mindset...painfully polite yet so scathing in tone. and alas, once both men's egos were sufficiently re-padded, it was off to the next jousting match.
No hating or trolling, but I have to say that EBMM basses are way too overpriced.Yes I know it's my opion and that they are all ''boutique'' and such.. But seriously, they sound horrible and for what you get I wouldn't spend more than 1300 bucks for any kind of model. The Music Man Bongo is my favorite design but it sound terrible.. Plus the price waaaaay too high. - 50 % would be acceptable.
Human nature at its finest!
Sheesh, I sure hope so! We humans have certainly had enough practice over the millenia. It's one of the things we humans do best! Aren't we a wonderful species?
Fixed it for ya.
Based on sales, there seems to be a plethora of folks who have an opinion quite different than yours as to how EBMMs sound. For example, the late Bob Birch in Elton's band. He could have chosen any bass on the planet, and he chose an EBMM. Same with the late Benjamin Orr of the Cars. There are plenty of others who prefer EBMM basses.
There is no right or wrong. It's all a matter of personal preference.
Maybe I can explain it so you can understand - there is nothing "plain" about a "Deluxe" or "Re-Issue" - either will typicaly command a higher price... If you really wanted to post a "plain old Jazz bass", you would've posted some sort of standard MIA - instead, you picked extreme examples to exagerrate whatever point it was you were trying to make...
- georgestrings
Maybe so, but I understand a couple of simple concepts like inflation, and *some* things holding or even gaining in value - and apparantly, you don't understand such things...
It's really simple - if you think something is "over-priced", don't buy it... Lastly - I assure you that anything I type, I would also say to your face...
- georgestrings
He was trying to compare a Fender with a pre-amp to level the playing field. Really what does it matter.
Like John I've been buying MM's since '07 and haven't seen any price increases. As for R&D they have bought out new models that are Active/Passive and Series/ Parallel in multiple pickup configurations. SBMM models have gone up a little since their introduction but they also released a
new Sub line for a lot less. I find there build quality and
consistency above their competition in both MM and SBMM.
Please don't take this wrong, I just saw the irony of this post in a thread about overpriced used basses.
"They (EBMM basses) sound horrible" "I wouldn't spend more that $1300 for any kind of model (again EBMM)"
Really, most all of us wouldn't spend a penny on a bass we thought sounded "horrible".
No offence or cut intended, just ironic.
If '63 Precisions are going for $12,000, why wouldn't a buyer just purchase a 2013 AVRI Precision for $1,999?
Seriously??
No offense, but no one cares what a 22 year old, who plays a starter bass kit, thinks an EBMM is worth. There are thousands of you guys out there buying Squiers and Gio's and Deans. More power to you. I'm sure it sounds great in mom's basement. Fact is, EBMM's are worth what the market decides. And considering they sell tons of gear, the current pricing seems just right.
USA Made
Quality Materials and manufacturing
Excellent fit and finish
Innovative designs coming out of EBMM including the GameChanger, Big Al, and Bongo basses.
If they're not for you, then look elsewhere. But I doubt you'll find better for the buck.
Quality Materials and manufacturing
Excellent fit and finish
Innovative designs coming out of EBMM including the GameChanger, Big Al, and Bongo basses.
If they're not for you, then look elsewhere. But I doubt you'll find better for the buck.
