How do you PREFER to AQUIRE basses? Simplified Version

[AndyPanda]

It would drive me crazy to have a bass where the back of the neck had chunks out of it. The feel would be terrible.

Here are some pics of a very nice bass that I got cheap because the back of the neck had dents the entire length. The feel really bothered me so I filled them in. This is a color that was particularly hard to work on (black is much easier to make invisible). The first picture is the worst dents where the repair really shows up badly but it feels absolutely perfect and the second picture has probably 7 or 8 dents that are filled and you really only see a couple of them.

 

[pbassjbass]

I'm fine with used or new, but I do want to play it first, which pretty much cuts out the online option.

 

[bassballs27]

I'm fine with used or new, but I do want to play it first, which pretty much cuts out the online option.

And that's a great thing to be able to do first.
For the most part, you never know what you'll end up with, even if you buy a brand you trust.

I've had a couple used basses with busted truss rods that were bought online.......not fun when you find that out.
One was really expensive too.

-Chris

 

[Scarey Larry]

I do both new and used. Used I am pretty careful. I buy new if I don't think I will sell later. My philosophy is buy what you would like, but you have to use it. And afford it.

 

[Marc61]

My thing is I try to stay away from buying through the mail. I think that's why a lot of us go through so many basses. Hard to decide if you like a bass when it's not in your hands. So we get it, don't bond and ship it off to someone else. Unless we got a heck of a deal, it costs us money somehow.

That said, the few deals I've done through TB have gone exceedingly well as the folks here for the most part are first clasee and know their stuff.

 

[bassbenj]

I have bought some new basses. Mostly SX where the cost is low (an Alembic was an exception). And I've never had a gift bass, though some of my used buys (like $300 used Ken Smith) SEEMED like they were gifts from God. And I've never been famous enough to have had any endorsement deals either. So simply said I PREFER to buy used. The reason is that if you can play it first, a decent used bass can be selected at half the price of new where you can't be sure that the new one may be a dud and you'll have to send it back at even greater expense. So basically I PREFER used basses because I don't like to throw money away that can be used to buy even more gear!

 

[Gnal]

I tend to buy used, but if I know what I want (usually from buying a used instrument) I'm okay with buying new.

 

[klokker]

Definitely prefer new, made in the USA, don't need to play first. Shop around, listen to people who I think know what they're taking about, and then get what I want. Add a few things like a quarter sawn neck and matching head stock. I want it like I want it. New.

I have a couple of used basses. But this is about preference.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

 

[Groove Doctor]

Found a bass in council clean up. Repaired it and traded it.

8 from eBay/Craigslist.
3 via bass forums.
2 used basses from stores.

All amps & cabs are used, except tiny GK micro head to fit in gigbag for backup.

Well, I would PREFER to get basses by endorsement or gifts, but since neither of those has ever happened I voted new.

My Only New bass was a gift, my first bass. Thanks Dad!

My philosophy is buy what you would like, but you have to use it. And afford it.

Great advice.

Reminds me of a sign at Alcatraz food hall...
"Take all you like; eat all you take."

 

[Ross W. Lovell]

Since my previous thread was a little too detailed, I've come up with a simplified version.

Previous thread was here:
POLL: How do you ACQUIRE basses???

So, the question is, how do you prefer to acquire basses?

Again, this thread is just for fun........not a marketing ploy.

They just show up at my door as strays and I end up cleaning and stringing them, atbkeast that's what I tell my wife, Morgan Fairchild, to who I'm married.....

 

[danomite64]

I prefer to buy the parts and build them myself.

 

[Kmonk]

I don't have a preference. I have bought new basses at stores and online. I have bought used in stores, online through Reverb, Craigslist and so on. As long as I like the bass and have the money, I buy it. I really don't care what the source is.

 

[felis]

If it's currently in production and I can afford it, I prefer to buy new.

If it's discontinued - no real choice there.

 

[the yeti]

dang. the prompt changed after i voted. i actually acquire used. i *prefer* to acquire through "gifts, handed to me, etc" but that's never happened.

 

[Sam Dingle]

I'm not a very wealthy man. I also like to save trees. I can buy a used bass and be fine with it. There are so many out there that I think we can all be satisfied. Also I generally don't agree with new prices. A fender american bass is simply not worth $1200 to me. I'll buy a used one thats a year old for $700 instead.

 

[moshspeggeti]

Buying used allows me to buy basses that I could never afford new... so I usually buy used.

 

[jaybones]

I voted the same, #2, but I should have chosen gifts or endorsements. Anything is preferable to spending my own money.

 

[pbass74]

I prefer it when someone gives them to me.

 

[Ric5]

How do you PREFER to AQUIRE basses? Simplified Version

I prefer to build Frankensteined basses with parts from many sources