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How much extra would you be willing to pay for a particular colour?
- Thread starter konaaayukeeenee
- Start date
The only time I ever paid more for a certain color was $20 extra for a Squier Mustang in LPB. I'm usually good so long as it comes in black, preferably with a rosewood (or similar) fretboard with dot inlays. I like to keep it simple.
The problem for me is, a lot of my instruments are essentially lifetime keepers, but about half of the instruments I've bought have… come and gone.
In the case of paying extra for a color for an instrument I'll have a round for the rest of my life, that initial cost eventually becomes lost "in the noise" and, if I stay happy with the color, was a great investment. However, if one I don't end up jibbing with was bought new, having paid extra for a special color (or whatever special extra feature) would only worsen the financial hit and the emotional sting from an ultimately misguided purchase.
Anyway, it's more that I avoid colors I don't like than that I pay extra for colors I want. Still, if shopping used and the one in the color I want costs more than the other used ones, I'll pay the higher price for the color I want. How much more depends on the price range involved and how bad I want that color. For example, I had a vision for a while there of getting a used American Standard white Jazz bass, and I was willing to wait for the right one to come up and paid a few hundred extra to get a finish in the condition I wanted. Ultimately, I ended up selling that one though, lol
In the case of paying extra for a color for an instrument I'll have a round for the rest of my life, that initial cost eventually becomes lost "in the noise" and, if I stay happy with the color, was a great investment. However, if one I don't end up jibbing with was bought new, having paid extra for a special color (or whatever special extra feature) would only worsen the financial hit and the emotional sting from an ultimately misguided purchase.
Anyway, it's more that I avoid colors I don't like than that I pay extra for colors I want. Still, if shopping used and the one in the color I want costs more than the other used ones, I'll pay the higher price for the color I want. How much more depends on the price range involved and how bad I want that color. For example, I had a vision for a while there of getting a used American Standard white Jazz bass, and I was willing to wait for the right one to come up and paid a few hundred extra to get a finish in the condition I wanted. Ultimately, I ended up selling that one though, lol
If it is a colour in the main production line, probably ~$100 extra because some paints are more expensive than others, require matched wood if translucent, or are single batches amongst more popular colors.
If it is a colour that is used by the brand, but not on that line of instruments I would probably go up to $500 since it would be custom work at that point.
For a completely custom colour i would probably go up to 1k and maybe higher. The reason being that the manufacturer would either have to buy paint in small quantity from another manufacturer, or work with a manufacturer to develop a completely new paint that works fits the requirements of an instrument and looks right.
Fun fact: Porsche charges 15K for a custom colour on a 911 and over 30k for a custom matched color.
If it is a colour that is used by the brand, but not on that line of instruments I would probably go up to $500 since it would be custom work at that point.
For a completely custom colour i would probably go up to 1k and maybe higher. The reason being that the manufacturer would either have to buy paint in small quantity from another manufacturer, or work with a manufacturer to develop a completely new paint that works fits the requirements of an instrument and looks right.
Fun fact: Porsche charges 15K for a custom colour on a 911 and over 30k for a custom matched color.
Another way to look at this is: How much less would you be willing to pay for a color you don't want (all else equal)? My guess would be that more often than not people would entirely pass on a bass than buy one with a color they disliked.
There are several variables to account for in this OP question. Is this your first and only instrument or will this be part of a collection? Is this a budget or premium or mid level instrument? Is this a lifetime keeper custom build? Is this a rarity like a vintage birth year bass? Is this being purchased for a playing at home, for a blue jeans bar band playing covers, or to be used in a band with a curated image? What is the personal financial position of the purchaser? I'll stop here but I'm sure this question could be fine tuned.
There are several variables to account for in this OP question. Is this your first and only instrument or will this be part of a collection? Is this a budget or premium or mid level instrument? Is this a lifetime keeper custom build? Is this a rarity like a vintage birth year bass? Is this being purchased for a playing at home, for a blue jeans bar band playing covers, or to be used in a band with a curated image? What is the personal financial position of the purchaser? I'll stop here but I'm sure this question could be fine tuned.
When I play about with Fender Mod Shop, I'd have no problem paying retail for the basses I assemble in there. That includes quite an array of Fender standard & custom colors and total pricing is usually pretty decent.
If anyone is doing Mod Shop or other item over $1500, join the Fender play and get 10% off--it'll save you a bit.
Yeah, I did do that. Awaiting a possible windfall & may order at least one more new Fender in my lifetime. I've more than helped them pay the light bill over the years.
I pay extra for all kinds of aesthetics. All my recent basses are custom Bordwells, and I pay for aesthetic extras.
Sometimes it's good not to have too many options.
And (for the guys on this forum) let's face it that blokes aren't known for having much of an eye for colour matching - Something you don't like will probably look better
Still I shouldn't have let my wife talk me out of Lake Placid Blue... Serves me right. I asked "do I sound phat in this bass" but I think she misheard.
And (for the guys on this forum) let's face it that blokes aren't known for having much of an eye for colour matching - Something you don't like will probably look better
Still I shouldn't have let my wife talk me out of Lake Placid Blue... Serves me right. I asked "do I sound phat in this bass" but I think she misheard.
I just gigged a bass tonight that I wanted in a different color but this one was on sale so color be damned! Also, back in "the day" Fender P-basses in 3TSB were standard and solid colors were an upcharge. I never could figure out how a sunburst, which arguably is a more challenging finish than an opaque solid color and which would presumably demand a more discerning wood selection, being transparent and whatnot, would be cheaper. 
Willing to be enlightened!
BBB
Willing to be enlightened!BBB
I just gigged a bass tonight that I wanted in a different color but this one was on sale so color be damned! Also, back in "the day" Fender P-basses in 3TSB were standard and solid colors were an upcharge. I never could figure out how a sunburst, which arguably is a more challenging finish than an opaque solid color and which would presumably demand a more discerning wood selection, being transparent and whatnot, would be cheaper.
BBB
I'm only guessing, but it could be that the sales numbers of the sunbursts were high enough relative to the solid colors that the sunburst had some economies of scale. Maybe they sold 20 sunbursts for every solid and it cost more to create each additional solid color painting process.
Or, maybe the demand for colors was high enough that they felt they could charge the extra price without impacting sales.
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aesthetics are really important for me. i'd happily pay more for my preferred colour/finish unless it was stupidly expensive (over 15% for example.)
if the bass i wanted was a rare/discontinued model, then i'd make a compromise.
if the bass i wanted was a rare/discontinued model, then i'd make a compromise.
No, I would not. Being irredeemably left handed, it's been hard enough just finding the basses I want, in the first place. It took me 30+years, in fact, to find the ones I want. On top of that? Several companies have a substantial "Lefty Surcharge" for a left handed one.. Which I have paid - more than once... And, more than one company will be happy to sell you a left handed bass - as long as it's Black. Or in Fender's case? Black or 3TB...
I've spent most of my life having to settle for whatever color that lefty bass is, if I want one at all. The only basses I've been able to have a say in the color, are the ones I've had made. So, NO; you want to charge me extra for a particular color? Wish for the $$'s in one hand, and then
in the other; see which hand fills up first...
Because I only play sub-short scale bass, in the past up to 24 inch, now only one type of 21 inch, and there is a limited amount to choose from in that size, I will pay to have them painted the colors I prefer, done by Pat Wilkins.
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Couple hundred for a nice bright color. A bit more if it's sparkly, maybe even 500-600 if it's something like paisley or camo.
Actually my favorite color for my instruments is natural wood.
I might want to pay more for nice figured wood but solid color were never my thing.
When I shopped for my 4003S I was happy to actually realize my favorite color (Walnut) was not commanding a premium but was actually cheaper a win win for me.
I might want to pay more for nice figured wood but solid color were never my thing.
When I shopped for my 4003S I was happy to actually realize my favorite color (Walnut) was not commanding a premium but was actually cheaper a win win for me.
No, but my stuff is essentially off-the-rack with one exception. My custom-build (secondhand) sports a fairly expensive finish upgrade. Technically, I didn't pay for it but the original owner did so I'm sure a component was rolled into the selling price.
Riis
Riis
