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Highly Modified Does Not Equate To Higher Prices
- Thread starter sonojono
- Start date
Not exactly true.
Most every self-customized basses that I've sold to off Music-Go-Round got bought quite quickly.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Depends on the instruments. Depends on the parts. Depends on the buyer. But two general concepts:
1. Even if it is an improvement, you won't get all your value back.
2. It's generally easier to sell it stock.
1. Even if it is an improvement, you won't get all your value back.
2. It's generally easier to sell it stock.
There have been a few basses selling that had all the hardware modifications I'd have done myself for tone/cosmetic reasons which I'd happily have paid more for as it saves me buying the all independently.
If people want to account the extra money on stuff they've paid into the price I don't see the issue. If the changes don't add value to you personally don't buy
If people want to account the extra money on stuff they've paid into the price I don't see the issue. If the changes don't add value to you personally don't buy
Try taking a modded instrument to Guitar Center for trade or for them to purchase. A sales tech there once told me they don't care about upgrades when figuring our value. On the positive side, that's how I scored a Squier J with a Hipshot A bridge and Fender 60's reissue pickups for the same price as a stock used model.
I’ve had good luck selling modded MIM J basses by always having a modded and off the shelf example when offering for sale. When people A/B them they invariably choose the modded bass.
I’m also trying to understand how making visual changes to a brand new bass to make it look old and used, make it worth more than an identical unmolested bass. How modding by knocking dents and chips in the finish and ruining the plating on metal parts is increasing value, but better sound and playability is a waste of money.
I’m not really anal about looks if a bass plays well and sounds good, but I won’t pay extra for more wear, especially if it’s faked.
I’m also trying to understand how making visual changes to a brand new bass to make it look old and used, make it worth more than an identical unmolested bass. How modding by knocking dents and chips in the finish and ruining the plating on metal parts is increasing value, but better sound and playability is a waste of money.
I’m not really anal about looks if a bass plays well and sounds good, but I won’t pay extra for more wear, especially if it’s faked.
Yes, my ad was specific on type & brand of pu
So, hypothetically & for sake of argument, you’re telling me that if I were to post my very freshly modified Classic Vibe P in the classifieds for $600 (new EMG GZRs + new gold anodized pickguard + new Hipshot Kickass bridge + new DR Sunbeams) you wouldn’t be interested in buying? Absolutely NO ONE would be at all interested? 
You seem to be contradicting your own argument. On the one hand you're claiming that the bass you bought is worth no more than a stock bass (GC's evaluation), then you're bragging that you scored a bargain (You're evaluation).
If you think you got a great deal because it had upgrades for the same price as stock, then (to you) the bass you bought was worth more than stock.
How is it "on the positive side" if the upgrades don't add value (to you)?
It really depends.
As soon as a bass leaves the store, the resale value usually goes down. If the bass is then upgraded with better-than-stock parts, like better pickups, electronics, tuners and the like, it might elevate it back up to the original retail price, or even slightly beyond, provided the bass is otherwise OK and the upgrades are reversible.
However, there are upgrades and «upgrades». Parts that have been made to fit, like extra pickups, or other modifications to the neck and body, like making the bass string-through (I’ve never seen that mod done well), then I won’t buy it at all, let alone pay more for the «upgrades».
As soon as a bass leaves the store, the resale value usually goes down. If the bass is then upgraded with better-than-stock parts, like better pickups, electronics, tuners and the like, it might elevate it back up to the original retail price, or even slightly beyond, provided the bass is otherwise OK and the upgrades are reversible.
However, there are upgrades and «upgrades». Parts that have been made to fit, like extra pickups, or other modifications to the neck and body, like making the bass string-through (I’ve never seen that mod done well), then I won’t buy it at all, let alone pay more for the «upgrades».
A $400 bass with $400 worth of upgrades will never be worth $800. Take off all the upgrades , put the bass back to original and sell the stuff separately.
So, hypothetically & for sake of argument, you’re telling me that if I were to post my very freshly modified Classic Vibe P in the classifieds for $600 (new EMG GZRs + new gold anodized pickguard + new Hipshot Kickass bridge + new DR Sunbeams) you wouldn’t be interested in buying? Absolutely NO ONE would be at all interested?
View attachment 4697642
No, but I'll give you a buck two-eighty for the throw-pillows.
Riis
i'm trying to figure out how much a buck two-eighty is is currency ... me so confused!
but hey, those throw pillows are from a no-pets, no smokers home. and, they've been upgraded ... by stuffing them with franklins!
So, hypothetically & for sake of argument, you’re telling me that if I were to post my very freshly modified Classic Vibe P in the classifieds for $600 (new EMG GZRs + new gold anodized pickguard + new Hipshot Kickass bridge + new DR Sunbeams) you wouldn’t be interested in buying? Absolutely NO ONE would be at all interested?
View attachment 4697642
Not in the least.
Many people believe the world is flat. The problem here is that you are trying to make sense out of stupidity. That's kinda dumb in itself.
also... I'm a guy who bought a brand new Squier and modified it with $1000 worth of aftermarket parts. However, I have no intentions of ever selling it. It's my own mad scientist Frankenstein project. Tinkering with things and discovering what works for me makes me happy. If I ever WERE to sell it, I'd break it down and part it out.
It all depends on the upgrades and how much of price increase it is.
A Squier Classic Vibe '60s Precision Bass is 490 on sweetwater right now. After tax that would be about $524 after tax.
Fralin P Bass pickups are $150 + $16 shipping.
Would a month old bass with Fralin pickups not be worth $650 shipped if those were the pickups you wanted?
You might not, nor would I as I don't like EMGs, but surely someone would think that's a deal if those were the mods they wanted.
You are not obligated to buy them. However, if you think that Squier with, say, Aguilar pickups and hipshot tuners, should cost same or less than stock, think again.
i'm trying to figure out how much a buck two-eighty is is currency ... me so confused!
but hey, those throw pillows are from a no-pets, no smokers home. and, they've been upgraded ... by stuffing them with franklins!
Pretty much a blanket price tag for items which defy normally-assigned values.
Yes, but do the pillows have their original "do not remove..." hang-tags?
Riis
