Have ya ever

[Cleezmo]

I've ordered two new basses (G&L M-2000 in 2014, G&L JB in 2020) from different shops, and bought a used bass (G&L L-2500 fretless in 2015) from another, and all three are still in the rack, and the M-2000 is my number 1.

Part of the value prop with the USA G&Ls is that you can spec them how you want. I didn't want off-the-rack color or fretboard radius, so the only way to get the wood, color, and neck combo I wanted was to order it (both times). No regrets at all there. I bought the used one after having the M-2000 I ordered for about 9 months; I figured if all G&Ls were as solid as the one I had, it would be fine. That's been true so far.

As others have said, if you're shopping in the $1,500+ range, there are very few shops that have any inventory to try. The couple GCs in my area are full of $300-$800 instruments.

 

[HolmeBass]

I have not yet, but realize if you are considering ordering a custom built bass that is exactly where you are - you can’t hold what does not yet exist.

 

[jd56hawk]

I own nine basses.
Bought nine online, including these two.

Never had any problems.
Luck?
No.
Savvy.

 

[RGerhart]

Yes, I definitely have. And one of them, in particular, is one of my go-to, never-going-to-sell basses. But, the name itself comes with a certain level of pedigree and assurance: Fodera.

 

[InhumanResource]

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. .

U would ?
U did ?
or hellck no
No hatred here
Just curious.

I would. Was putting away money for a Wal but a plumbing issue forced my hand on a kitchen remodel. Doh!

 

[dbsfgyd1]

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. .

U would ?
U did ?
or hellck no
No hatred here
Just curious.

I’ve bought exactly one bass in 50+ years of being a bassist that I didn’t play first, but it came with 100% money back guarantee with a 30 day free look. It was a 10 year old Warwick Corvette STD 5 string, and GC was selling this bass that retailed for over $2,000 in 2006, selling it for $625 listed in excellent condition.

My first thoughts were I need a 5 string, Warwick had a sterling reputation with their MIG basses, and finally if there was any repairable adding a couple of $100 to the purchase price to resolve any issues for the quality of the bass was still reasonable.

As a rule, if I buy anything from GC is I alway have it delivered to the store which makes me not responsible for any damage from shipping, as well s discrepancy in the rated condition. First the good, the bass arrived in a brand new RoadRunner semi hard case., then the bad. The bass had a compound bow and twist in the neck which made it nearly playable. It had what must have been the heaviest gaged bass strings I’ve ever seen in my life (.150s?) that were deader than Karl Marx (and probably as old).

So I had 30 days to see if I could get ot to straighten out. First thing I restrung it with some Lo-Rider 125s, and made a truss Rod adjustment. Two weeks later you could shoot pool on the fingerboard.

I still have it 8 years after the fact and it a fine instrument. One would think that a bass of this quality would have appreciated in value. The last time I checked , the street value is not much more than what I paid for it in the first place while used Asian rim produced Warwick Rock bass series instruments are selling for several hundred dollars more.

Frankly, I don’t get it, so I’ll keep it.

 

[krfoss]

That's how I've bought almost all my basses.

I recently bought an MTD on reverb without ever touching one, but I did go into some shops to try other mtds (compared to foderas, etc) to confirm that I like the way MTD basses feel. They are more reliable and consistent than others so I felt like it was a good gamble. I was right.

 

[4stringfarley]

Yes. Multiple times.

next question.

 

[bmusic]

I do it all the time.

All. The. Time.

 

[john_g]

I think I only played two of my basses before buying them, the other six were not. I did tons of research beforehand. Hell, I bought my Wal from someone in Australia. Around here, if you dont, you will be playing Squiers and low end Ibanez's.

 

[TBird1958]

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. .

U would ?
U did ?
or hellck no
No hatred here
Just curious.

Have done it many times, no problems.
This was well north of 5K.

 

[MasterBrianD]

I think I only played two of my basses before buying them, the other six were not. I did tons of research beforehand. Hell, I bought my Wal from someone in Australia. Around here, if you dont, you will be playing Squiers and low end Ibanez's.

Yup that's my exact issue also, living in a small island country its either order online from over sea's or choosing between the few Squiers or Epiphones my local store has in stock

 

[mikewalker]

I've bought numerous expensive custom basses site unseen - having never played one of the same model before.
These are the last three that readily come to mind...

Status Streamline: magnificent sound, but this example was fatally flawed with neck that could not be set up properly (maker had it shipped back on their dime, then pronounced it unfixable and gave me full refund) . Overall, positive experience.

Miller em4: this was an expensive disaster for me. Not made to my spec! $4000 bass but on resale I only took a $1000 loss on it.
( so lucky, I guess...)

Basslab standardIV: finally, the perfect bass

 

[beaglesandbass]

you did this already

Bass guitars for sale