Every bass is a gamble

[basscapes]

It doesn’t matter..... a bass that is brand new, used, trusted builder, certified preowned, every bass is a gamble. Why? YOU have to play it!
Don’t be told a bass is great until you experience it for yourself!
A picture may be worth 1000 words... but that’s only half the story.
The internet is filled with pictures and words...but experience is beyond words. That’s a version of the gamble.

Sure, I suppose there is safe gambling and reckless gambling...and anywhere in between. So buying from a reputable builder is a good bet...the mail order bass from Korea that costs $75 shipped ...well who knows...you might have a chance! Not necessarily reckless but you could be wasting money. That’s another version of the gamble!

It’s a beautiful thing. A bass at a pawn shop or given to you from a family member could truly be the one instrument you need. Finding that out, can take experience...There are duds out there. Basses with busted truss rods, warped necks...it can be the Wild West. Just don’t let this cloud your judgement!

Anyway...

Who’s with me???

EXACTLY!!!!

I grew in the generation of "try it out for yourself" in a brick an mortar store. I need to tangibly USE/TRY the item out. Some of the better music stores "back then" (there used to be ONE in my home town) would even let you take said instrument or effect home for the weekend (or to try out at a gig!). Those stores actually had SALES PEOPLE who actually MADE MONEY trying to SELL YOU the items!!! They lived by COMMISSION SALES (even on the used gear) and the better ones didn't hard-sell; they LISTENED FIRST to your need/desire before plying one with their wares.

In contrast, very few things I've gotten off of FleaBay or other online sellers (save NEW from a vendor) were worth the time an agg of dealing with screwy/loopy people.

The only exception was the purchase of a really great hi-fi tube amp. Even then, that person put a negative on me because I had some trouble posting the payment to him within 5 MINUTES(!!!) after buying it. It got resolved, but required me (the BUYER) to jump through a few bureaucratic hoops to do so... I have never bought anything used online since then.

Funny- the older I get, the less tolerant of people's stupidity I've become... LOL

 

[dmt]

I get about half of my gear 2nd hand through local online ads by the seller like on Craigslist. That way I can meet them for the transaction, which helps. That said, you can’t really check out much in a subway station besides exterior condition, and even then I’ve gotten 2 or 3 things I wasn’t totally thrilled with the exterior condition of just because I was really jonesing for the item and I had just travelled like an hour to meet up. At that point, it can be like, "Screw it, I’ll take it anyway..."

Buying new in the store is always nice, but as others have said, you never really know until you get it home with your own stuff, and then you still don’t know until you’ve tried it out in the setting it is intended for. Anyway, about half my stuff is new from the store.

I try to avoid buying new stuff online. If I’m gonna buy online, I like the used discount. The exception of course is for those few items I really, really want or need and that aren’t available, new or used, even semi-locally

 

[bassbenj]

Anyway...

Who’s with me???

Like all "rules" they over-simplify things.

So long as basses are made from trees and trees are organic then obviously every bass will depend on how the tree grew. (and how the wood was picked out)
And so long as basses are assembled by humans rather than robots, every bass can depend on how it's assembler(s) felt that day and how precise they were in their work.

But given that some basses (like Steinberger) are not made of trees and given CNC and automated assembly, some basses may not even be assembled by humans.
In which case if you've seen one of them you've seen them all.

Another exception would be basses even of trees and human build that have been examined and "filtered" by someone who has opinions about basses that closely mirror your own. In that case you can probably trust that person to reject the basses you would reject and choose the basses you would choose. In which case, you yourself might not have to play it.This is the idea behind some high priced builders who if you value their opinion can choose a bass for you that you will love without you even playing it beforehand.

 

[SmokinJoe992]

Its like buying jeans, you can try two pairs of jeans on in a store from the same brand that are the exact same size, and they fit completely differently. I would also add that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. A bass that might not do it for you, may be the greatest bass someone else has ever played. I think it keeps things interesting and wouldn't want it any other way. The world would be a boring place if we all agreed on everything.

 

[Nephilymbass]

I’ve had a couple issues with buying and selling gear online over the years. But not that many.

I remember one sale I got a neutral rating on eBay because they said a bass was dirty. Bass was packed up ready to ship immediately after I took the multiple photos I used. Not like out took it outside and played in the dirt with it. Another guy complained about packaging for a very solid pedal and gave me a negative rating. I called eBay and went over my conversation with the buyer, they even said in the messages that the pedal was not damaged. So I asked eBay how was the packaging insufficient if it protected the the item well enough to get there with zero damage? eBay made sure it did not hurt my eBay rating. I was a bit hot over the situation. I mean what do some people expect? Do they think I’m gonna go out and buy a pelican case to ship them a cheap pedal I’m only making $70 off of after fees? Had that same exact issue with selling a bass. They complained about packaging. I asked if the bass was damaged and they said in the message that it was not. But that’s only three times out of 55 items I’ve sold on eBay over the years. Only other issue I had was the Conklin bass I sold got stopped in customs I’m assuming for the cites thing. eBay actually refunded the buyer and let me keep the money from the sale. eBay standing up for me several times is one of the reasons I still deal with them. I’ve only bought one item (a bass) off of reverb for example but I’m honestly scared to buy gear from that sight. They’ll have stuff rated as in very good condition when you can look at the pictures and there’s visible cracks and stuff it’s pretty crazy.

Buying wise I’ve been pretty lucky but I don’t gamble much when buying used online I generally don’t buy used basses unless they are 50% or less of new cost. Id just rather do zero interest financing and buy it new if I’m only saving a little going the used route. I check the serial numbers on basses and if there’s any sketchy at all I keep on scrolling. Never got a counterfeit but if I did I’d be on the phone immediately to say the item I received was not the item that was advertised.

 

[Thumpin6string]

As for basses, I gave up buying them all together. I decided to build mine. Now amps, that's another thing.

 

[oranje]

I really do my due diligence and buy mostly off of TB to minimize the gamble. I also build up Fender style basses myself to my personal, desired specs. Over the many years I have been playing I have noted one thing, no matter what the bass, you have to "learn" to like and get to know it. They all have particular nuances and issues but I always force myself to experience the instrument fully over time and force myself to understand it. I have purchased basses that did not impress me early on but then become favorites over time. I also enjoy the process.

 

[SirMjac28]

 

[elgranluis]

I’ve bought most of my basses through the internet , and the only bass I did not like was an early eighties g&l l-1000. Everything else has been great , really.

 

[DigitalMan]

I don’t buy into this theory. The odds of a bass seeming like a good fit the moment I pick it up are remote. Generally I have a pretty good idea what different types of basses are supposed to sound like and feel like.

If I order something and it objectively has a problem, that’s one thing. But assuming it’s a functioning bass, the time I spend setting it up to my preferences are always the difference between a good fit and not. How anyone can pick a bass up off the rack and make an informed decision is a little bit of a mystery to me. That seems like blind luck to me.

 

[singlemalt]

I’m never going to wax nostalgic over dealing with music stores.

If I can’t find something used, or buying it from Guitar Center is my best bet, sure, I’ll order it from the store.

But here’s where it gets good. I order, generally with a coupon, they ship it (free) to the store nearest me. I waltz in and pick it up at my convenience. I just saved sales tax too.

The nearest store is an hour away, but I’m down Portland way every couple weeks anyway. That gives me five minutes to browse while they find my package and I’m out the door. Done.

Any bass is going to need my favorite strings and a set up, so I don’t worry too much about how a bass feels right out of the box. If everything functions, it’ll either be fine, or it’ll go back up for sale.

We’ve got it so much better than the old days of dealing with shops.

 

[Nedmundo]

Sure, I suppose there is safe gambling and reckless gambling...and anywhere in between.

When I've bought basses on line, they've been "safe gambles." One was a U.S. Fender Jazz V and the other a U.S. G&L M-2500, so I wasn't worried about quality, and I had tested different models with the same neck specs, so I knew how they would feel. The bigger gamble was the M-2500, because I normally dislike active basses, but Ed Friedland's video reviews and my love of the mighty MFD humbucker led me to think it would work for me -- and it has, in spectacular fashion.

 

[B-Mac]

My 'little' gamble

MSRP for $2,700
Street price usually $1,999
Used deals usually around $1,600 to $1,800


Found this on GC used in Shreveport, Louisiana for $999!

Gretsch Thunder Jet 6128B Electrotune (not Electromatic)
2017 model

Picked it up today at lunch break:

Now I am at work thinking about this beauty. What is worse is that I have to attend a Planning Commission meeting tonight for a municipality our firm represents as municipal engineers so I won't get to mess with this until after 9:00 PM tonight! Arrrgh!!!!!

Here is the clincher $999 with the OHSC. This is a 2017 model. Amazing deal!!!!!!!!
I'd say my gamble had a huge payout!

 

[redwingxix]

Not exactly with you. I can tell if a bass ISN'T for me by playing before I buy it, but I can rarely tell if it IS for me by playing it before I buy. Unless it's a bass that I immediately dislike the sound, feel or look of I'm just not going to figure it out that quickly.

 

[lfmn16]

I agree. I've had some really good luck with internet purchases, but I've also had a lot of 'satisfactory' but not great purchases; I've never had something that was just plain awful. Never say never, but my current plan is no more internet purchases.

There are some things that you just have to experience in person.

 

[Ric5]

Every bass is a gamble

Most basses are good … you just need to know how to bring the good out of it …

Invalid Link Removed

 

[dhagopian]

Man I don't know what all you guys are buying but I've never had any issues...

 

[Hans Gruber]

Every bass I own was purchased sight unseen over the TB or eBay. And they're great, and they're usually just fine. If I move a different direction, I just relist it. It's similar to the cost of travelling.

The idea "NEVER BUY UNLESS YOU TRY IT!" is really an older relic now. It's rather easy to just relist it. It takes effort and cost obviously, but it's why we have such a thriving classifieds section.

I've made plenty of wrong choices but I just flipped them.

And to the crapshoot, even the best builders know they'll never how it exactly turns out until they finally put strings on. What was the Leo Fender quote to JohnK in regards how to every P-Bass sounds so different?

"I can't tell God how to make a tree."

 

[Scott Lynch]

It doesn’t matter..... a bass that is brand new, used, trusted builder, certified preowned, every bass is a gamble. Why? YOU have to play it!
Don’t be told a bass is great until you experience it for yourself!
A picture may be worth 1000 words... but that’s only half the story.
The internet is filled with pictures and words...but experience is beyond words. That’s a version of the gamble.

Sure, I suppose there is safe gambling and reckless gambling...and anywhere in between. So buying from a reputable builder is a good bet...the mail order bass from Korea that costs $75 shipped ...well who knows...you might have a chance! Not necessarily reckless but you could be wasting money. That’s another version of the gamble!

It’s a beautiful thing. A bass at a pawn shop or given to you from a family member could truly be the one instrument you need. Finding that out, can take experience...There are duds out there. Basses with busted truss rods, warped necks...it can be the Wild West. Just don’t let this cloud your judgement!

Anyway...

Who’s with me???

Considering the basses I've seen you list in the classifieds, you have as much experience to back this up as anyone.

Regardless, I agree.

 

[J Neck Peabody]

It doesn’t matter..... a bass that is brand new, used, trusted builder, certified preowned, every bass is a gamble. Why? YOU have to play it!
Don’t be told a bass is great until you experience it for yourself!
A picture may be worth 1000 words... but that’s only half the story.
The internet is filled with pictures and words...but experience is beyond words. That’s a version of the gamble.

Sure, I suppose there is safe gambling and reckless gambling...and anywhere in between. So buying from a reputable builder is a good bet...the mail order bass from Korea that costs $75 shipped ...well who knows...you might have a chance! Not necessarily reckless but you could be wasting money. That’s another version of the gamble!

It’s a beautiful thing. A bass at a pawn shop or given to you from a family member could truly be the one instrument you need. Finding that out, can take experience...There are duds out there. Basses with busted truss rods, warped necks...it can be the Wild West. Just don’t let this cloud your judgement!

Anyway...

Who’s with me???

I agree with the OP. I started playing 5 years ago and have owned 7 basses (still own 5 of them). One I built-up new part by part and it's my #1. The others came in various degrees of functionality. A used ESP jazz bass came to me with a stripped truss nut and a damaged pick-up. A new LTD B-4B (my first bass) came wonderfully set-up from Gelb Music (via internet). A new LTD B204SMFL (seconds quality) from Reverb was set-up horribly. It plays and sounds great now; after gluing fretlines, sanding and oiling fingerboard and neck, properly filing the nut for fretless, and changing the pups and preamp. And then there's the 2006 Carvin LB75 fretless I bought online. Nice brass fretlines, but the ebony fingerboard must have dried and shrunk because the brass protruded badly. I had to file every single brass fretline to smooth out the surface. And in the 12 years that bass has been around nobody had filed the nut properly.
With that being my experience, I believe buying any bass is a crapshoot. But I've also found that, given the tools and knowledge, I can improve the sound and playability of poorly assembled or badly set-up bass guitars. That makes it easier to shop for used basses with confidence.