Have ya ever

[BobDeRosa]

With so many fine instruments out there, I can't imagine spending even $1000 on a bass, seen or unseen.

 

[Gruff]

I can't fathom buying a bass,
especially a used big money bass , I'm talkin a 1, 2, 3, 4, $5.000 and up used bass without holding it in my hands , plugging it in and playing it first.
I dunno ?
it just doesn't make sense , to me anyway.

I have, five times - and four times it worked out well. I do have a local guitar shop. It's great to try instruments and I do like to support a local business, but they charge around 50% more than I can buy instruments mail order from companies like Thomann in Germany or Andertons here in the UK.

On the flip side, I bought a Fender acoustic bass from my local store, and a no-name fretless bass through Facebook marketplace. I tried them in person but within a month didn't like the way they played. The ABG has excessive fret buzz and the fretless struggled to stay in tune. So I've not really had any better luck buying in person as I have with mail order.

 

[sleddogn]

I've owned over 60 basses in my life, only played one before i bought it. All others sight unseen (in person). Have also had 3 custom basses made without playing them, how could you if they hadn't been made yet? lol

 

[Smokey P]

I got my stingray 5 for a little over 1k. I didn’t buy it site unseen, but I only had about 10 minutes to mess around with it before I handed over the cash. It’s my favorite bass I’ve ever played and undoubtedly “my bass” in my mind…has it come with some annoying repairs that it’s needed ? Sure, but it’s just cause it’s an older bass. Overall, still extremely happy I handed over that cash after just a few notes plunked out.

 

[Tanner5382]

Yes, I’ve done it. Sometimes you have to, if there’s a specific thing you want. I wanted a Vigier ever since I started playing at age 15 in 2009. Never, in any boutique store even, did I see one in person. So in 2021 I just bit the bullet and ordered one I found. No regrets. I have done it with others too in the past that I eventually sold, but this is to a good/the best example of not having another choice.

 

[kmon]

I prefer streamlined deals. Ask the questions, push the buttons, box shows up a week later.

So yep I've bought most of my basses without holding them, lots in the 1-2K range.

I can understand the level of due diligence increasing with the price of the bass, but it's really rare that anybody asks to actually plug one in any more.

 

[soulstew]

I've bought two Dingwalls and a Rob Allen sight unseen through the classifieds here. All were great transactions and I loved the basses.

 

[P. Aaron]

Ran the rack(s) on 5'ers before settling on a USA Precision V back in 2010. Ordered my P-V new, still have it.

Ordered the Dano Longhorn w/o trying on first. It's ok but will likely get sold 'cause I just don't use it.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

I only buy used basses, and have bought a lot of basses without trying first online. I ask a lot of questions first to make sure I know what I'm getting. I also buy from well-known online shopping sites like eBay, Reverb, etc. I have never had a problem so far. I play passive J and P style basses, and my upper limit is $1,300 used. I think any passive J/P style bass with common woods like alder/maple/rosewood etc. that is over $1,800 new is overpriced/unnecessary for me, and I don't care how boutique it is.

 

[gln1955]

I honestly don't see why it being used would make a difference. You could just as well buy a new high dollar bass and not know if you'll like it until you get it.

Agree. If you buy a high end used bass and don't like it, you can probably sell it without much of a loss.

I have one bass in the OP's range and it was a custom build, so once I got it, it was mine. I did my homework on the specs, and it turned out just like I intended. If I had not liked it, I would have taken a huge hit to move it on to someone else, but that's the chance you take to get something you can't get OTC.

 

[Ghastly]

My first 2 basses were handled by me first. Both under $1000. But I have five other basses that were purchased over the internet. Most new and over $1000 each. All of them worked out.

 

[JMarkD]

I have purchased several basses without playing them but only from respected on-line sources with solid return policies. All were new instruments. Unlikely I would purchase a used bass from a private seller without trying it first.

 

[Fynn]

I would, if I had a lot of money to spend.
You know, it's kinda like with everything else in life. If you are used to buying very expensive things, then you wouldn't think much about buying a bass for 5k. If you're not, then you probably won't.
I like a purchase like that to not be a major financial decision. If you're starting to think about "well, I could always sell it in the future if I needed the money. It's almost like an investment", then you should probably not buy it. As much as that might hurt sometimes.
Basically, either the bass is cheap enough to where I don't feel the need to plug it in first, or I have so much money that I just don't care. Most places let you return stuff... Just don't buy from an incredibly shady website

 

[socknroll1]

I've bought plenty without playing first, and most of them were great. I don't mind making my own setup adjustments though. And with the terrible setups you often find on basses in guitar-centric shops , buying "unplayed" has been more common for me in the last several purchases.

Oh, but I've also never bought/had a bass worth more than about $1500.

 

[Killing Floor]

I bought a Duesy used from GC online. The expert at the store thought the kill switch was a pickup selector so he assumed it was defective and I got nearly 1
$1k off. Had it shipped to my local GC and inspected it before I left. Totally fearless transaction.

If I’m buying online I am cautious and only buy through people I can trust.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

I'm the type that would never spend that much on a bass, sight unseen or not.

I love my Squiers and parts basses. Work for me.

 

[Bikeguy57]

Ridiculous question. How else are you going to buy it? Have you been in GC lately?

 

[nonohmic]

How else am I going to get a 32" Elrick 4 with a Holly Top?

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

As long as there is a good return policy, I don't see a problem. I've purchased 4 higher end basses online and only sent one back.
They are
Fodera Emperor 5 Standard Classic
Alembic Epic 5
G&L SB2-T
Rickenbacker 4001 - Sent this one back

 

[dalkowski]

I have, but never at that price point, not even close. Both from trusted TBers via classified. Nary a disappointment.