Looking at used basses is just so depressing lately...

[FunkHead]

I keep seeing amazing deals and I get a little bummed(Not depressed) that I really don't need another bass.
Like a German Warwick Corvette $$ 4 string for $900. That one is eating me up!

 

[Grinderman]

One thing: I'm hearing a lot about inflation here which begs the question why shop for more bass guitars right now if inflation is such an expressed concern?

Second thing: If you don't like the asking prices on used gear, offer 15% or 20% below the asking and see what happens; otherwise, don't buy. Sellers can only say yes or no. If they're offended; tough.

Third thing: Most of what people are referring to here regarding inflation is actually straight up price gouging resulting from lax regulation, particularly due to decades of virtually zero antitrust enforcement allowing over-consolidation in key sectors of the economy. It's been working great for a long time for those invested in the markets though.

//Emphasizing the word 'most'. There is legitimate inflation happening due too little inventory being pursed by excess demand; try buying a home, especially in Southern California, for example.

 

[Green Knight]

I look at it on the positive side. I'm grateful for what I already have, and realize that buying more gear doesn't make me a better musician. Practicing with what I already have does.

Gratitude is never depressing.

I want to be like you! But also, I don't. I'm like St. Augustine asking God to make me chaste … but not yet.

 

[legalbass]

What a great time to appreciate the stuff you already have and focus on music instead of gear collecting.

 

[Green Knight]

Such a deal!

Yeah but free shipping tho

 

[Ric Vice]

I feel you. I've always wanted to buy a birth year bass, in my case 1963. Although I can afford a pre-CBS Fender I'm not sure I can justify it anymore.
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I'd like to mention here once again that I own a 59 Fender Precision that I purchased circa 1974. It's a lovely bass, has a great neck, and sounds really beautiful, that said, I can go to any local music store

pickup a U.S. made Fender, Lakland 44/64 Skyline and if you put me behind a screen I really don't think you can tell which one is the 59. Just my take of course. Personally, I feel very lucky to have bought that

bass when I did, but it's just a nice Fender Precision from that particular year. Acoustic instruments can be valued buy their tone quality and volume, solid body basses not so much IMHO.

 

[FishDub]

What a great time to appreciate the stuff you already have and focus on music instead of gear collecting.

Agreed..thats good advice

 

[sleddogn]

yes good advice instead of being yelled at...lol

 

[ToddB1963]

I can go on and on but man this is getting ridiculous..

When it comes to selling second hand basses/gear here in Australia, some people have just downright lost the plot...

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[Doctor Morbius]

I realize inflation has been a pain for most of us, but just think about all of the other wonderful things that have happened in the world in the last 3 years!

 

[mbell75]

Before I speak, no offense to my TB people. Its just so sad whats happening with USED pricing nowadays. I dont want this to get political please but I am just so discouraged with what the used pricing has turned into. So many examples to cite but:
A year ago--
800-900 for a US Fender P or J, now 1200-1800.
200-300 for a Squier CV p or J, now 500-600.
1800-2500 for an Alembic Spoiler, now...no comment.
2200-2800 for an XL/L2, now 3800-5k
1200-1400 for a Spector Euro 4, now 2k+
500-700 for a USA MMSub, now 1100-1200
I get these are asking prices and there are some good deals to be had, and I can go on and on but man this is getting ridiculous..

Is this US? Like American dollars? Who's buying used Fenders and Squiers for that much when you can get them cheaper brand new, especially on sales

 

[bolophonic]

Two additional thoughts on things other people have mentioned: one, people are talking about asking prices, which may not reflect the actual price the seller would consider their lowest. And two, that there are very different secondary markets at play at any given time. I am kind of an old-school hunter/gatherer type of buyer/seller who operates at the wholesale level. The idea of paying full retail for something I want or need is just not part of my mindset. I have been fixing up an old house for over a year and I just bought a batch of fancy hardwood flooring for $2.16 a sq. ft. from a contractor just by having my ear to the ground in the right network. This, while everyone keeps parroting the idea that you cannot find a deal on anything anywhere anymore.

Anyone who decides that they need a bass so urgently that they are willing to punch their digits into a website to get it right now is most likely going to either be paying a giant corporation, or a hustle/grind, Amazon/eBay "capitalist." I have been buying and selling stuff my entire life. Easy come, easy go. Sometimes you gotta wait a little.

 

[mbell75]

My drummer and his brother went to see Journey/Toto last night in Columbus... said the actual tickets were maybe a little over $100...

... fees? Took it up to about $180.

Maybe, Ticketmaster should have performed, as well?

Plenty of opportunities to make money, right? You just gotta ask if it's worth it, to you.

Off topic but people are really paying $100 to see Journey in 2022? Yikes. Its basically Schon with a cover band. Have to hand it to them though, most bands from their era are either long retired or playing casinos and state fairs for $20.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I just checked out floor seats for $125 each in DC and fees took it up to $167 and change. Upper level seats were $45 plus fees.

 

[coy garcia]

What a great time to appreciate the stuff you already have and focus on music instead of gear collecting.

I've been going through my collection and repairing or upgrading the ones that are not good players. Helping keep my luthier friends busy.

 

[icefly]

Off topic but people are really paying $100 to see Journey in 2022? Yikes.

Don't stop believinnnnnnn'

 

[Spidey2112]

Off topic but people are really paying $100 to see Journey in 2022? Yikes. Its basically Schon with a cover band. Have to hand it to them though, most bands from their era are either long retired or playing casinos and state fairs for $20.

Truth... I was trying to stay on topic, but there were too many squirrels in the yard.

Speaking of cost of things... drummer just informed me a tall can at the concert costs $9 and some of the concert tees were going for $90.

Bwawaahaha! Where do I sign up for 'People will be more than happy to pay exhortation type prices for being locked down for the past couple of years!'?

 

[cataract]

Remember when used Wals used to go for $1200 lmao yeah those days are over. Wish I'd have sold my Fender P to fund that one

 

[jebmd]

Before I speak, no offense to my TB people. Its just so sad whats happening with USED pricing nowadays. I dont want this to get political please but I am just so discouraged with what the used pricing has turned into. So many examples to cite but:
A year ago--
800-900 for a US Fender P or J, now 1200-1800.
200-300 for a Squier CV p or J, now 500-600.
1800-2500 for an Alembic Spoiler, now...no comment.
2200-2800 for an XL/L2, now 3800-5k
1200-1400 for a Spector Euro 4, now 2k+
500-700 for a USA MMSub, now 1100-1200
I get these are asking prices and there are some good deals to be had, and I can go on and on but man this is getting ridiculous..

You said it brother. Not to mention all the 3 Leaf pedals I sold in early 21 for $150-$200.

 

[MichelD]

I'm really happy I'm happy with my Fender bass and upright bass, two old Japanese basses and not shopping for another one. Same with my Toyota 4x4 pickup I bought new in 2015. I have 32,870 miles on it so far, so it might last a while yet.