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Help a dude out

Gilsdorf

Gilsdorf

Feb 14, 2012
66
131
#1
Alright, so here's the scoop. I went to a jam session with 30+ people in a tiny basement last night, and got to play a Carlo Robelli bass. This thing felt like a 4 string bag of magic in my hands, and I immediately fell in love. I ended up tracking down the owner, who said he never plays it, and would be more than willing to sell it, which made me a happy camper. Issue is, neither of us know anything about the monetary worth of this bass. I found a stock photo, but it's in pretty much new condition itself. After playing the Google game, I also learned that these were Sam Ash's budget house brand. Gnarly, maybe it'll be cheaper. I guess I'm just wondering if any of you guys have a ballpark estimate of what would be fair to give the dude. I know I'm not a supporting member, hopefully this isn't breaking rules. This also isn't meant to be a "H0w much is mi Fendurr worth lel" kinda thread, just trying to dig up any other info that wasn't already popping up.

TL;DR cool guys got a cool bass and I want it, but also don't wanna rip him off

Thanks to all ahead of time!
 

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#9
PWRL said:
Probably a hundred bucks.
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This sounds about right to me. I've seen alot of used Robeli's and I don't think a single one has ever been priced over 2 bills.

I like the wood grain on that one and it's got a solid bridge. If it plays like magic it's probably worth 100. If you love it I'd go up to 150, but I'd likely not go higher.
 
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#15
Eilif said:
If it plays like magic it's probably worth 100. If you love it I'd go up to 150, but I'd likely not go higher.
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Just what I was going to say. At $150, you'd still be getting a bass that you really dig for next to nothing, but you're not offending the seller. You did, after all, approach him about selling it. You're probably overpaying at 150, but a great bass for $150 is still a great bass for $150 and maybe everybody walks away happy. We are talking about a "4 string bag of magic here"!
 
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#18
singlemalt said:
Sounds like you could give him a generous price and still get something you love for a song.

Makes me think of meeting a girl at a great party. Sure it's all lovey, dovey, sparks and magic, and then there's the morning after in the harsh light of dawn.

Take it slow and easy!
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Good advice with a Carlo. I've got two Carlo Robelli 12 string guitars and an 8 string bass. The bass sold new at Sam Ash for over $300 which was ridiculous in my opinion. So I waited for a sale and got it for $150. Later I took it to Guitar Center (still virtually unplayed) and they offered me $40 for it. The morning after effect was that the bass had Horrendous neck dive, and the body "wood" (and I use that term loosely) seemed a lot like Celotex. It took 4 inch screws to keep the strap buttons from pulling out! BUT somehow in spite of it all, the electronics on that bass is absolutely amazing! Plus it's an 8 string. So I still have it!

As for the two guitars. They very much the same and cost about the same (like hundred bucks) except one is nice blond wood and looks like a million and the other is just plain old nasty black paint. And as you might expect if you are familiar with Carlo Robelli, the paint one sounds and plays like a dream and the looker is a super dog. Go figure.
 
#19
This probably won't help but I paid 299 for a six string model back in the 90s but have seen them sold in the recent past for WAY below that. Unfortunate because it was killer. I sold it just because 6 strings wasn't my thing:-)
 

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