But not necessarily every bass you'd want to own. I purchased two from them without trying, and I'm very local / picked up in person.
Like many others here, I don't see a choice for some instruments out there. I've gotten really lucky, though.
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But not necessarily every bass you'd want to own. I purchased two from them without trying, and I'm very local / picked up in person.
Like many others here, I don't see a choice for some instruments out there. I've gotten really lucky, though.
Yeah, I can attest... you can buy ANY Mayones online with confidence! They are spectacular. I impulse sold one and regret it to this day.
After 15 or so years of having 1 bass I bought from a brick and mortar store, I ordered a bass online for the first time earlier this year. I wasn't worried about not liking it since it was the same brand I've been playing for years. I WAS worried about quality control and shipping issues. Fortunately, the ordering process with Sweetwater worked out great for me.
If I were to purchase something radically different than what I'm used too, like a Music Man or Fender, I would need to go to a music store to play it first.
If I were to purchase something radically different than what I'm used too, like a Music Man or Fender, I would need to go to a music store to play it first.
Gear, sure, probably. Like when a brand you know and trust makes something that at worst will be at least as good as what you are replacing? Sure, all day.
But a stringed instrument? I think I know what I like regarding necks. So if someone said "here's our neck shape and finish, it's a '70's C shape" and I've played a similar neck and like the looks of the instrument I could probably take that leap of faith. I probably wouldn't buy a bass from classifieds unless I knew the brand really well. I really don't worry about electronics since that's an easy swap. If someone I trusted a lot said "it feels just like your...(insert favorite)" I might be swayed. Still, I'd prefer to deal with a reseller at least so I know someone is in my corner.
But a stringed instrument? I think I know what I like regarding necks. So if someone said "here's our neck shape and finish, it's a '70's C shape" and I've played a similar neck and like the looks of the instrument I could probably take that leap of faith. I probably wouldn't buy a bass from classifieds unless I knew the brand really well. I really don't worry about electronics since that's an easy swap. If someone I trusted a lot said "it feels just like your...(insert favorite)" I might be swayed. Still, I'd prefer to deal with a reseller at least so I know someone is in my corner.
I visited Roger Sadowsky’s shop and ordered a bass.
Now being I was in the shop playing a couple of stock instruments for a few minutes really doesn’t equate to playing my instrument.
But I can rely on what Roger does , is that he is able to replicate those instruments and keep everything the same as the ones I tried out.
Then the bass was produced and shipped off to me.
No complaints at all not playing my bass before buying it.
Now being I was in the shop playing a couple of stock instruments for a few minutes really doesn’t equate to playing my instrument.
But I can rely on what Roger does , is that he is able to replicate those instruments and keep everything the same as the ones I tried out.
Then the bass was produced and shipped off to me.
No complaints at all not playing my bass before buying it.
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I don’t mind spending up to maybe $2k on a bass having not played it, as long as I think it’ll have a decent resale value if I don’t like it. That’s why I had no issue buying my Dingwall having never played it(although I did get to play a similar model) I know they are in high demand and have good resale value. In some cases ive bought used basses online without playing them and was actually able to sell them for more than I paid for them. I’d be willing to roll the dice a little more more for a moderately priced custom bass though. Not like Fodera or Ritter custom prices but for something like clement bass in the <$3k range.
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Yeah, that's just the curse of being a bass player. I figure at least by the time you are buying a high end instrument, there shouldn't be any that are objectively duds. But you're never going to have the chance to play 10 Fodera Monarchs and pick the extra sweet one
Paradoxically, of the 4 basses I've purchased there, the one I spent the most time with (2 separate visits to play before buying) has been my most problematic, finicky bass: constantly needing tweaks on set-up, fret sprout addressed twice (they do a killer job, always). This is actually my #1, but I'm frequently dialing it back in. I have an identical model in a different color that needed absolutely nothing, and a sister model likewise. So, I'm not convinced "seeing it" or playing it would prevent that. But, I guess you could maybe spot the duds, if any.
I hear you. almost all my instruments are bought sight unseen (heck, my #1 is a warmoth built of parts so there's no try before you buy). The one Dud I have bought I actually picked myself. Go figure
Sure, it’s great if you can try it out. However, basses are always substantially different once I get them home and they spend time in my hands and on my workbench.
As i live in a country Latvia, there are no much musical instrument and gear stuff shops, mostly i buy from years of searching in net and learnig lots of reviews. Thats the only way !
I had always thought that what I wanted in a bass didn't exist. Then I discovered that there are companies who will build the combination of specs that you want on request. I can only try the bass I believe I want once I've paid them to make it.
When I was a kid, I grew up playing the piano my parents had bought before I was born. I didn't, when I was ten, turn to my mum and say, I don't think this Bechstein is really me. Rather, my sense of what a piano should be like was molded by that Bechstein. I'm sufficiently inexperienced with basses that something similar will be possible here.
When I was a kid, I grew up playing the piano my parents had bought before I was born. I didn't, when I was ten, turn to my mum and say, I don't think this Bechstein is really me. Rather, my sense of what a piano should be like was molded by that Bechstein. I'm sufficiently inexperienced with basses that something similar will be possible here.
The return policies here (Japan) are basically a "Joke". They will only take something back if its actually defective (Which really isnt often), and then, they will only exchange it for another version of the same product or something to that effect.
Since Im fussy, I really feel I have to try before I buy. Once I buy it, Im stuck with it.
However, some online stores like the fender store will actually allow returns based on "customer feels" or whatever reason, like a lot of typical American style return policies. Ive been tempted by it.
On the other hand, there are a lot of good stores around and its not too hard to find something in person or have something brought in to a store if your really interested in it.
Since Im fussy, I really feel I have to try before I buy. Once I buy it, Im stuck with it.
However, some online stores like the fender store will actually allow returns based on "customer feels" or whatever reason, like a lot of typical American style return policies. Ive been tempted by it.
On the other hand, there are a lot of good stores around and its not too hard to find something in person or have something brought in to a store if your really interested in it.
Guitars and cymbals. There's just too much subjectiveness from one example to the next. I can adjust my playing and style to almost any instrument. But the ones that you truly connect with are the ones that just feel right from the moment you touch it. Like you were born with that instrument and have been playing it all your life. That said, if the instrument is inexpensive enough and return policy very good, I might take a chance on something. Oh yeah, and if I had a reason to purchase a new instrument.
I bought my Lull P4 without having played it. It met all of my specs (weight, nut width, neck profile, string spacing) with a great reputation behind it, along with a return policy from the retailer. I knew precisely what I was looking for and my expectations were 100% met.
I've bought hundreds of basses sight unseen, many of them were custom orders. I rarely keep any instrument for long, as I like to explore the possibilities - and my tastes are constantly evolving. A handful I haven't liked 'immediately on reception', and those were simply resold right away. Sometimes at a loss, sometimes not - in any event I can always chalk that up to "rental" or "educational experiment"...
me.
me.
it depends.
i'd do whatever i thought worked best for me at the time re: any specific instrument. your method seems to work for you, OP. who cares what the idiot next to you says or how he does things? big whup!
I love it when people suggest that someone “take a trip to somewhere with a great selection and make a day of it”. It’s like, wow, how much money and free time do you think I have? I just scoured the internet for several weeks to find A BASS that meets my criteria and price range.
Buying online is fine as long as you’re careful and smart.
Buying online is fine as long as you’re careful and smart.
I own five basses. Bought them all without trying them first.
I'll probably buy my next bass, if there is a next bass, the same way.
I've yet to see a convincing argument why I shouldn't.
