if you're already considering possibly returning it then a retailer like guitar center/sweetwater is where you want to look vs reverb. you're most likely not going to be able to return a bass from reverb unless it's not as described in the listing. craigslist/facebook marketplace have good deals if you know what you're looking for but could be hit or miss for your first bass
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Buy the Squier new from GC. A used one could have been modified by the last owner in some not so appealing way. I highly recommend showing your new bass to another musician friend to have them take a look over. Hopefully he/she can help you determine if it's a keeper. If it's a lemon, return it and order another as these are nice basses as long as you can acquire a good one.
I wouldn't worry about resale value at all. It's one of the dumbest reasons to buy something. If you buy a MIM Fender P for 800 and sell it for 550 you lose 250 dollars. If you buy a Squier for 350 and sell it for 200 you lose 150 dollars. Yea the fender has higher resale but you are also the biggest loser selling it. It's probably the worst reason when you are trying to save money unless you are buying something used which has already fully depreciated.
[QUOTE="kmon, post: 25056756, member: 145668
Did a lot of the genre(s)/bands have a lot to do with that switch in taste? I’m mostly going with the P bass because I know a lot of the classic hits were recorded with it and are still used to this day. Plus some of the bands that I look forward to playing also used it as well. I know the jazz has been used a lot in a lot of other bands that I listen to as well. But I still have a preference for the precision over the jazz. I think both are nice though.
I at first considered getting it set up as just a possible option. But a few of the other guys here as well have convinced me enough to do it anyways. I’d feel better knowing that my instrument is working as it’s supposed to.
Other: buy a new Squier P bass from Sweetwater. You will get a new bass that is properly set up from the start, of a style that is commonly used across most genres of music (you'll likely never need another instrument unless you just want one) with generous support and return policies.
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Used? When it’s GC, you have to call the store and get someone to give more info. after walking over to it. Have questions ready before the call and don’t take all day- they may fall asleep during the call.
With Reverb, if there’s no description, or they describe it as ‘used condition’ with NOTHING ELSE but photos, forget that instrument and seller. (You want me to send you $500 and you can’t describe it beyond the model name, and include any specifics? No thanks. Why should I buy something you don’t want. Sell me!!!)
With Reverb, if there’s no description, or they describe it as ‘used condition’ with NOTHING ELSE but photos, forget that instrument and seller. (You want me to send you $500 and you can’t describe it beyond the model name, and include any specifics? No thanks. Why should I buy something you don’t want. Sell me!!!)
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I love the speed and service of Sweetwater and have had surprisingly positive experiences on Reverb (and on the TB classifieds).
After being bait & switched and repeatedly lied to by GC, I no longer buy from them or their subsidiaries (Musician's Friend).
If you're set on spending that much on a bass, just make sure it's something super playable that excites you.
After being bait & switched and repeatedly lied to by GC, I no longer buy from them or their subsidiaries (Musician's Friend).
If you're set on spending that much on a bass, just make sure it's something super playable that excites you.
The newer Player series is what seems to have replaced the older Standard series and those sell for around $750 brand new before tax. The only fender p basses that I generally see sell for more than that are either American made or vintage. An older MIM worth around $400 should have already experienced depreciation no? I’m not entirely against buying a Squier, hence why I included it as an option. But my reasoning behind being concerned about the resale value is that in the off-chance that I don’t actually learn the bass (I’ve been wanting to for many years). I have a better chance at getting my money back if it already depreciated and still has a large market for it. I think it’s safe to assume that most people (for better or for worse) would rather buy a fender over a Squier. Even if it’s just for the name alone. In my case, fender = better quality (many people seem to agree). But I’ve heard enough good things about the CV/VM series to still consider it an option, even from the typical Squier haters. If the haters are willing to admit that they are still a good value for the money, then hey I’m for it too!
If it changes anything. I’m more concerned about getting the “better” built product if it’s a good deal then saving money. I WANT to learn the bass. I don’t want to sell it. Selling it soon likely means that I gave up. That’s the last thing I want to happen.
Get what inspires you, @Jason151. If you think it is the Fender, then skip the Squier, especially if you have been thinking about this for years and wanting to do it. I always do the "dip the toe in the water" with the entry-level, and then end up spending double working my way up to what I really wanted. Skip that if you can! While I'm not really much of a P-guy myself, I don't think you'll go wrong with it.
The 45 day return policy is what draws me to GC. If I don’t like it, I can have them return it then and there when I go pick it up. But someone else mentioned that Sweetwater has a 30 day policy as well. So I’ll look into that too.
for larger items I'd prefer GC just because there is more guarantee about what you're getting. I'm always antsy about buying basses or amps when I haven't actually laid my hands on them first (especially basses, since the feel is really important)..... but hey, covid.
On the other hand, even though I've never been a Fender guy, I have to admit you really can't go wrong with this bass or amp. I think you'll be happy.
On the other hand, even though I've never been a Fender guy, I have to admit you really can't go wrong with this bass or amp. I think you'll be happy.
I've had great service from Sweetwater for several years, and they also have used instruments listed as well. Also have had the same from ZZounds, and Reverb.
You can have it shipped to your home and take it back to the Guitar Center if you don't like it. They will refund you no questions asked. IF it's because of a defect, they cover shipping even. If it's just because you don't like it.. you might eat shipping but they will take it back within their return period.
If I'm shopping used Guitar Center has been my go to generally, as it offers you protection that you wouldn't otherwise get buying from an individual on reverb or some other non-local entity.
Each deal should be evaluated on its merits and total cost; however, GC has many advantages in that all their used gear is subject to a pretty generous return policy, something you often won’t get via Reverb.
For your situation Guitar Center is your best bet. They get bashed a lot because they are a big corporation with high in store employee turnover but you will be hard pressed to find another local store (depending on where you live) with a bigger selection. This is very important because as you stated you have no experience with any instrument. You may think you know what you want but you really don't know. Trust me I was in a similar situation 2 years ago with my 1st bass. You may have read articles and watched youtube videos but there are so many other factors such as neck profile, body design, scale length etc. that will affect your decision. I like the P bass sound but prefer a Jazz neck in a medium scale. That's not a common bass design.
You need to play as many different models as you can so you can decide which feels best to you before you buy. The one that feels the best is the one that you should buy because you will play it more than the one you thought you should or where told to buy.
Good luck in your search and welcome to TB! Search the forums, ask questions and most importantly rock on!
You need to play as many different models as you can so you can decide which feels best to you before you buy. The one that feels the best is the one that you should buy because you will play it more than the one you thought you should or where told to buy.
Good luck in your search and welcome to TB! Search the forums, ask questions and most importantly rock on!
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Not sure if someone else has covered this, but my opinion is don't buy anything on Reverb that doesn't allow refunds, i.e. that is sold 'As Is Described.' Here's why: the way 'As Is Described' works is if they sell you something that does not 100% bear up to what is actually contained in the ad, then you have recourse and can get your money back if it gets to you in any condition other than that which was 'described' in the ad.
But if there's something wrong that wasn't mentioned in the ad - even if you asked in a PM 'does the neck have any issues' - that doesn't count. And I have a feeling that a dishonest person would know this. IMHO, there is no reason for anyone to sell an item on Reverb 'As Is Described.' Either you stand behind your product or you don't.
Having said all of this, you can do pretty well on Reverb if you're a tough negotiator. Keep in mind, Reverb just increased their commission to 5%. So sellers inflate their prices by at least that much, and sometimes by a lot more.
But if there's something wrong that wasn't mentioned in the ad - even if you asked in a PM 'does the neck have any issues' - that doesn't count. And I have a feeling that a dishonest person would know this. IMHO, there is no reason for anyone to sell an item on Reverb 'As Is Described.' Either you stand behind your product or you don't.
Having said all of this, you can do pretty well on Reverb if you're a tough negotiator. Keep in mind, Reverb just increased their commission to 5%. So sellers inflate their prices by at least that much, and sometimes by a lot more.
