Guitar Center online or Reverb.com?

[edr]

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.

For small sellers, sending someone a bad product means they give you a bad review and tank your rating... which is easy to do since most individual sellers have a perfect five stars. But yeah, not much recourse for the victim of the bad product
I've usually gone with selling 'as is', but I pretty much only buy and sell pedals on there, so it's easy to keep everyone happy.

 

[shufflebass123]

For small sellers, sending someone a bad product means they give you a bad review and tank your rating... which is easy to do since most individual sellers have a perfect five stars. But yeah, not much recourse for the victim of the bad product
I've usually gone with selling 'as is', but I pretty much only buy and sell pedals on there, so it's easy to keep everyone happy.

I should've clarified that I was talking about instruments and amps. I've sold a few pedals as is myself. For one thing, I would never sell someone something that doesn't work. Also, sending it back if you're the buyer is more bother than its worth in a lot of cases.

 

[Real Soon]

Welcome to TalkBass!

Answer: yes.

If you're into doing the P bass thing for your first instrument, you won't be the first, or the millionth. They're played by beginners thru master session gurus for a reason, and I'm saying that as "not really a Fender guy".

The bass I took to a rehearsal tonight was a 50s Classic P that I bought online from a dealer on Amazon a few years ago. Had it been a lemon, well, I kept the original packaging for a while until I knew it was a winner. A return would've been some work, but worth it to risk that hassle since I specifically wanted a brand new instrument for the first time then lol.

I've since bought several instruments via Reverb and GC, and interestingly, those are the only two places since that one P bass (aside from the '60 P in my avatar, which was grabbed at MusicGoRound as a once-in-a-lifetime find) that I've purchased instruments.


As you shop (some/all of this is probably already covered here), keep thinking about what you feel you might like, be it a fatter or skinnier neck, flatter or rounder fretboard (smaller or larger radius), wider or narrower string spacing, etc. And chances are there's a new or used P in one of those places that fits your idea. And has a finish you like, because despite some assertions 'roundabouts, it matters if you like looking at your axe or not!

 

[porterbass]

Double Four BG-75. Great little practice amp for a trio (bass, guitar/vocals, cajon). Should work well in the coffee shop gigs. Otherwise, my Ampegs or Bassman 10 are more than adequate.

I've owned many of Phil Jones' combos and the Double Four is a favorite of mine. I have one here at home. Take a look at what several of us were just talking about on the page in the Phil Jones Thread: Phil Jones Bass Owners' Club You can put a preamp pedal or similar in front of it and really boost the volume without pushing it too hard. An amazing difference.

Sorry for the thread derail...back to the OP's purchase decision!

 

[Jason151]

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 have a great point about the feel. I’ll be honest I have a bias towards the precision as you can probably already tell. But I’ll try to open up more towards other models. I am aware of the P bass’s thick neck (compared to the jazz at least) but I’ve always just brushed that aside as just “I’ll adapt to it”. I’ll admit I’ve never actually held the P or any bass for that matter before. But considering how widely used they’ve been by many artists over the past 7 decades (barely noticed it’s been exactly 70 years!) It can’t be that hard.

It’s kind of like what I hear about learning to drive a car for the first time. Automatic transmissions are easier to learn than manual transmissions. But if you learn on a manual first, you’ll skip over having to learn to drive a second time. I imagine learning on something with a thicker neck will be a lot easier to transition to something like a 5 string, than starting off with something slimmer. I won’t know if a bass will be right for me until I try it out first.

I’ll have to visit my local music store then. It’s too bad they don’t have that many basses available right now.

 

[Volker Kirstein]

Neither GC, nor Reverb, are really an option here.

 

[PennyroyalWe]

Squiers are solid instruments. FWIW, my top 3 instruments are all Squiers, 2 classic vibes and a vintage modified. I’ve had a few MIM fenders I meant to “upgrade” with and sold them because I find the Squiers to be better. I sold my Carvin because I prefer the Squiers. I returned a Gibson for the same reason. Point being, don’t assume a fender is better because it says fender on it. As for where to buy it, I say buy from GC or sweetwater, or used locally. I recently bought a used CV 60’s p from Craigslist for $150.

 

[comatosedragon]

I have had excellent dealings with both sites. I would (and do) purchase through Reverb (which is a marketplace) when possible, so I can buy from smaller music stores. ("mom & pops", as it were).

The only physical music store with 100 miles or so of here blew up (gas leak explosion) back in October.

 

[Watchootognbout]

I've used both with good results.

Also check out Music Go Round for used basses.
I don't know where you are located,but there must be one near you.

 

[ComeHomeShane]

@OP

or... buy used from talkbass classifieds!

 

[Polkatronixx]

If I had the option - and not sure if this is an option for you - I'd go to a music store in person and try out a Squier and a Fender and buy the one I liked more. I'd be very happy to get the Squier instead of the Fender if it fit the bill. I just think it's best to see the bass in person before buying. Sometimes there can be quality control issues - particularly with lower-priced basses.

 

[Slevage]

A deal is a deal no matter where you get it.

I like buying used from GC because if I want to return an item, I walk it in to a local GC, no packing/shipping involved.

 

[LaklandLaksNADA]

I'd buy from somewhere like sweetwater where you can easily return since you're so new. I say sweetwater because I've had much better customer service experience with them over GC.

Once you know what you're looking at/for then buy used on Reverb to your hearts' content.

 

[Dana R Gregory]

I have also had good experience with GC used gear. Be careful with Reverb or any site where you buy used gear sight unseen. That said, you can also check out Sweetwater and Zzounds for new equipment. They both offer free shipping and have excellent reputations. For an amp, I also vote for the Peavy Max 100. More power than the rumble and it has a built in tuner. When you get your bass, please take some lessons from an instructor. This way, you will avoid the bad habits one tends to develop from self learning. Good luck.

 

[Bassiclees]

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/bas...der-rumble-15w-bass-combo-amp/l66456000002000
Everything you need, $229.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

Sorry, forgot to mention this one.
Very nice P bass!
I'd buy it before an MIM, same with the Squier '50s P bass.
View attachment 4198464

I have this exact bass and it is my #1. Plays and feels like a bass that costs twice as much. Great neck! I put some GZRs in it and it kills!

 

[jd56hawk]

View attachment 4198995
I have this exact bass and it is my #1. Plays and feels like a bass that costs twice as much. Great neck! I put some GZRs in it and it kills!

I think it's the last of the really good CV basses.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

I think it's the last of the really good CV basses.

For sure. MIC. It's crazy how amazing this bass plays, feels and sounds.

 

[wysiwyg248]

I’ve heard of Sweetwater before. Just wasn’t too sure about their used listings. I might consider them as well.

Sweetwater lists also GC stock, I am sure someone already pointed this.

 

[Dr. Love]

I’ve used GC online, Reverb and EBay successfully. If you can play it first, that’s the best option.