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Higher end bass - what would hold it's value in resale?

Jisch

Jisch

Jun 1, 2005
5,933
13,206
Connecticut (Northeast USA)
#1
I may have the opportunity to buy a bass and/or guitar to use for a few years while I get my workshop back in order and start building again. I can probably buy something in the $2-3,000 range - there are some REALLY nice instruments in that range. I'd use it and then sell it once I had built up replacements. As I was looking through the very nice possibilities, I started to wonder if it's better to get a boutique brand, a high end Fender or maybe a Kiesel. Which is going to hold it's resale value more?

As examples I could buy a Fender, a [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] or a NS Design

Of course I'd buy something I'd want to play, so these are just examples. I don't have a lot of experience in the used market, so looking for some advice from the experts. I know I can do some searches in Ebay and Reverb, but thought I'd ask here as well.
 
#2
Jisch said:
I may have the opportunity to buy a bass and/or guitar to use for a few years while I get my workshop back in order and start building again. I can probably buy something in the $2-3,000 range - there are some REALLY nice instruments in that range. I'd use it and then sell it once I had built up replacements. As I was looking through the very nice possibilities, I started to wonder if it's better to get a boutique brand, a high end Fender or maybe a Kiesel. Which is going to hold it's resale value more?

As examples I could buy a Fender, a [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] or a NS Design

Of course I'd buy something I'd want to play, so these are just examples. I don't have a lot of experience in the used market, so looking for some advice from the experts. I know I can do some searches in Ebay and Reverb, but thought I'd ask here as well.
Click to expand...
Couldn't tell you about NS Design, but I know Fender instruments tend to hold on to a good portion of their resale value.

If I am not mistaken, Kiesel/Carvin tend to lose value. Someone correct me if I am.
 
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#3
To me, instruments, like many other so-called "collectible" items can go both up and down in value over time. It's case by case and somewhat dictated by the economy, market dynamics for that particular collectible, etc. I'm sure you know all this already - but I'm just restating it here.

Many experts have said that if you want to get something that will at least retain its value over time, "buy the classics" is the phrase I've heard many times. And, in my experience, it's been true. However, there are exceptions.

Why not buy a high quality vintage 1970s Fender Jazz Bass or Precision Bass with all-original parts in good condition? That way you have the best chance of retaining your invested $ and maybe even improving it. Many people have observed that vintage basses are in a "down" period in terms of the prices (i.e. the market is depressed). That's good for buyers like you!

So, in your price range and for your needs, I wouldn't buy new and I wouldn't buy boutique.

Just my opinion.

LL
 
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#7
The best basses for holding value seem to be the most popular basses with somewhat limited availability. That eliminates Fender, Warwick, and Ibanez because they are so common. That leaves basses like Sadowsky Metros & NYC's, Marcus Miller Sires, MTD's, Wal, Alleva Coppella, a few of Fenders CS limited editions. All of those seem to hold resale very well. If you buy them used you can almost always re-sell for more or the same money. New, Almost all basses lose resale just like cars. If you're buying strictly for "investment" the only things worth considering are the real collectables, and in the bass world thats pretty limited. Even then relative to inflation, it's a crap shoot.

As far as poor resale, Carvin, Pedula, and Alembic seem to be the worse. But that's no reflection of quality, it's more a reflection of what's "in" also in the case of Pedulla and Alembic the new prices are so high the hit seems bigger (20% of 10K is a lot more than 20% of $600).
 
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#9
Pretty much nothing but vintage. Mostly Fender and to some extent Ric and Gibson. Some boutique builders "may" hold their value but that's anybodys guess. Perhaps some with low output and high disire factors. But it's really a crapshoot, vintage values did a nosedive in 2007-2008 and have never really returned to the levels they were then. I have a buddy with dozens of 50's-60's strata whose collection lost probably 100k. It's all a crapshoot and the only thing I would "invest" in would be a vintage Fender at a low price or under market value. In general instruments are a very poor investment.
 
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#11
Tough call on the new side. Everything loses value when going from new to used status - with the exception of some closeout deals. If you can score a great deal on a closeout, you can probably sell it for your money back used later on. This might include a bass that comes up on Musicians Friend Stupid Deal of the Day, or a sale at a music store on an old discontinued model - like how the Fender American Standard series was discontinued and sold for about the same price as used ones were selling for.

If you get anything in the $2-3k range, you stand to lose $700-1,000. Some basses will drop 50%, some will drop 80%!

Looking at a lower price bracket, have noticed the nicer Mexican Fender series (Road Worn, Classic 60's, etc) that sell for $900 or so new, still fetch $600 used. If you can get a new one on sale for 15% off, that's around $760 new and resale still at $600.

Lakland Skylines seem to retain value ok too. Very good basses. Again, you'll lose $300 or so but get to use the bass for a few years.

If you go boutique new, you'll be stuck with a huge loss used. There's reasons to buy boutique basses new - which include you not planning to ever sell it. (so resale value doesn't matter)

Carvin - you're going to lose 50-70%. That's a huge chunk. Fender CS, you might only lose 30-40%, but that is still over $1k lost.

Note: if its something you need to put on a credit card, you can use Paypal tied to your card and still buy used stuff. Not sure what your situation is.
 
#12
Fender Roscoe Beck Signature 5. They have been steady or up since they stopped making them.

Keisel/Carvin basses generally plummet in value from what I've seen. I owned two Carvin basses that were superb so that is not a judgment on their quality.

Spector NS seem to rise or hold on very specific models. But the rest seem to hover at 60% of new so "average" loss from what I can tell.
 
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#13
Jisch said:
I may have the opportunity to buy a bass and/or guitar to use for a few years while I get my workshop back in order and start building again. I can probably buy something in the $2-3,000 range - there are some REALLY nice instruments in that range. I'd use it and then sell it once I had built up replacements. As I was looking through the very nice possibilities, I started to wonder if it's better to get a boutique brand, a high end Fender or maybe a Kiesel. Which is going to hold it's resale value more?

As examples I could buy a Fender, a [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] or a NS Design

Of course I'd buy something I'd want to play, so these are just examples. I don't have a lot of experience in the used market, so looking for some advice from the experts. I know I can do some searches in Ebay and Reverb, but thought I'd ask here as well.
Click to expand...
If your primary concern is not losing money when re-selling down the road, then I suggest:

1) Buy used.

2) Buy from some reputable player. There are a number of reputable sellers on TB. Study their feedback.

3) Fender USA tends to hold value AND has higher demand than most brands.

4) Other than Fender and in that price range you could look at reputable custom builders, such as Sadowsky, Lull, etc. BUT be sure they have been around a while and have a solid following. Contrary to their new vs used price differential, used Alembics tend to hold their used market value very well.

Do your homework, you'll be fine.
 
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#15
You're going to get the most back when you sell if you guy used. Used prices for instruments vary a little, but for the most part they stay pretty close. A used MIA P (since you mentioned Fender) is probably going to get you around the same amount in a few years as you would pay for now. You'll get much less on your return if you buy new.
 
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#16
Buying new you have a better chance of losing more. High end basses that people usually think are safer bets typically. They're actually much higher risk dollarwise. It's a mystery why more don't see this.

You can lose hundreds on a new $2k bass. You can lose even more at $4k new. At $6k you can lose thousands.

Buying used with a return policy is the optimum way to buy in my opinion. I've bought several $4k+ basses for around $1000... or less. Should I choose to sell them I would make money. OTOH it's pretty tough to lose $400 on a $200 bass unless it falls on someone.

You can take much of the risk out of buying used by being informed and going into each transaction with clear eyes. I play gear that many folks only dream about and I've also paid far less than they'd even dream was possible. All because I'm patient, know what I'm looking at am prepared when opportunity knocks.
 
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#18
Used ... is the only way to invest and recoup your money ... New will always lose 20-30% as it goes out the door .. !! ( with very rare exceptions )

<2k used ... Sadowsky metro , Pedulla , Warrior , MIA Fenders, and so many more ... look in our classifieds here on TB ... nice stuff at reasonable prices ...

3k ... PRS , Roscoe , Smith , Custom shop , etc ...

PRS SE guitars ( MIK ) are a great value slightly used .. ( i have a couple ... modded to USA specs )
 
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#19
First things first is to buy what you like to look at, like to pick up and like to play. ... If there's anything that doesn't fit those three things, don't buy it. ... 2nd. buy what you can afford. ... Personally I love Fender Basses, old ones are great but too much bread and they're making too many, right now, to assume modern Fender's will rise in value before you're dead. ... So my suggestion is to fish through the local want ads for 1970's basses in original shape is a good start. Originally shape means 'no mods'. Original, untouched. ...
 
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