How much extra would you be willing to pay for a particular colour?

[konaaayukeeenee]

Assuming you'd tried them all and the only difference was the colour, how much extra would you be willing to pay for the colour you want? Curious what other people's thoughts on this are since I've been having a hard time deciding if I should fork over an extra ~8%, especially since it won't be my 'main' bass (Yamaha BB435 for anyone curious).

 

[blr2]

Wouldn't pay anything extra for a color, but I'd pass on a bass if I find the color particularly ugly.

 

[ahbass2500]

Extra for a different color on an otherwise equivalent bass? Unless I really dislike the cheaper one, I am buying the cheaper one. Granted I find I like most of the available finish options.

Again, this is if the instrument is otherwise equivalent. For some models there is extra cost for a color because other things change as well (different body wood, neck wood, fingerboard etc.). In these cases, I might pay more for the color I prefer to also get the other changes.

 

[funkinbottom]

$0

 

[ItsmeSantiago]

Depends on my budget. If I'm buying something sub-$1000, I wouldn't go out of my way for finish, but if I'm getting something I saved a couple years of pennies for, I'm paying whatever the extra cost is. When I bought my Bongo, the finish was an extra $200, so 10%, but it was my favorite color in the perfect shade so it didn't bother me to pay the extra.

 

[Micha84]

Depends on so many factors. Color/looks is important to me, but I am not especially picky about it.

I usually set a budget before I am looking for an instrument. I'd pay extra for looks if
- I'd still be within my budget
- the other options have some major aesthetic "flaws"
- there are no alternatives in terms of playability and price

 

[JRA]

...how much extra would you be willing to pay for the colour you want?

zero!

once i got my CAR ax = i just pick something i like from whatever's available....i like 'em all!

 

[ArteK]

I paid about $400 more to get a midnight blue Rickenbacker 4003S (compared to a black, red, or clearcoat maple one).

Since it was so freakin' expensive to begin with the margin for the color I wanted was not too high (IMO). Different strokes for different folks.

 

[ArteK]

Also, I own four precisions completely because I liked the color on the body. Most (3/4) were parts basses, so I guess I bought the bodies for the color and sold off the remaining necks (or paired them with other bodies).

 

[Watchootognbout]

I stopped paying for colored basses in 2000.

 

[CIIDMike]

only if it's the rarest color and there's a reason it's *% more like... because why would you care about the $ in a decade when you'll probably care about buying the wrong color.. also.. will you still want that color after you buy it? i didn't

 

[ComicBass]

I just choose from available colors. If I were getting a re-finish job or custom bass I'd pay $200 - $300 or so for the perfect color.

 

[ahbradot]

I'd pay extra for a color preference.
I don't recall having to before.
I also know that have overlooked a whole line of basses because I don't like any of their current year color offerings.
Especially if I'm paying over $2,000.00
Perfect example was the now discontinued scarlet red and vintage blue EBMM Sterling;

I bought the 2007 Ernie Ball Music Man Sterling 4HH Honey Burst color and I love the Bass!

 

[EvilJ]

Only one I can think of is transparent white over a swamp ash body. My favorite finish of all time.

 

[Wasnex]

Given identical basses, I generally choose the one that sounds and plays best over the preferred color.

 

[monsterthompson]

Depends on my budget. If I'm buying something sub-$1000, I wouldn't go out of my way for finish, but if I'm getting something I saved a couple years of pennies for, I'm paying whatever the extra cost is. When I bought my Bongo, the finish was an extra $200, so 10%, but it was my favorite color in the perfect shade so it didn't bother me to pay the extra.

Strong agree here. If I’m shopping for something that’s closer to mass produced and commonly available then I’d pay a small premium for a special/limited color.

If I’m looking for something closer to the $2k mark, say a Ric 4003, then I could be persuaded to go another 5-10% depending on how badly I wanted the color relative to the price and availability of the my next choice for the same bass. I wouldn’t pay some of the premiums I’ve seen for limited edition Ric colors.

If I remember correctly, the F Bass builder options for color can run $300-$500. If I’m shopping for something in that premium price range, I could be persuaded to consider an up charge like that to get it “perfect” though at that coffee table price I’d probably be more interested in finding a wood and grain pattern I wanted than a paint finish. MTD pricing indicates $4-500 for a hand stained finish. Again, that’s more than some complete basses, but when you order in the big leagues that’s not unreasonably out of line.

Does anyone know what Wilkins charges for a finish? I’ve seen $300-$600 mentions in older threads. It’s hard to tell how much a Low End bass changes based on color. I only ask because Wilkins seems to be one of the top names in the refinish game.

 

[SharpCat]

I try to get a color I don't/didn't ever have. Variety!

 

[MindinAction]

I'd pay extra for my color preference, depending on how much more I liked it compared to the less expensive one. But if there wasn't one I liked that was less expensive....

 

[Dincrest]

I would pay extra if a finish requires more work to apply. Like, I'm cool paying more for a crackle, dip swirl, reverse burst, or something like that over a solid color.

 

[Slade N]

Depends on the color, how much more I like it and how much more itd cost?