Missed opportunity - 1973 4000 Purchase

[Gunga Din]

So, this '73 4000 popped up a few hours' travel from me. It was listed way under the going rate, so I fired off a note of interest and asked for some pix.

A few came over. A black 4001 with a lovely 'board. Incorrect control knobs, and the wavy Grovers were - surprise, surprise - long gone, replaced by what looked like Gotoh compacts. There was also not little tail lift, which, TBF, I expected to see. I then requested a side-on view of the tailpiece and the string height at 12th fret; I also asked to see the truss-rods. The seller replied, asking me to call him, which I duly did, when I had time. He said he was selling it on behalf of a widow, along with other gear. He had tried to sell them to a local guitar chain, but wasn't happy with tthe money offered.

I listened to this spiel for a while, and reminded him that I was genuinely interested and that I needed to see the truss-rods, etc. Later on, a video arrived, which showed the rods, and they looked ok. In fact, the nuts were almost fully back, and not maxxed out. The camera moved on to the tail-lift, and the seller seriously couldn't see what I was concerned about. Again I politely asked to see string height, and also a quick look at the pots/wiring harness. Almost immediately, an email came back where he said he was not prepared to go to such lengths, and was quite happy to let the bass go to another fella coming up from England next week.

I wasn't dismayed by his response, for something told me to expect it. I replied, saying I respected his position and bade him GLWTS. A shame, because I was only asking him to what I expected of him had I just driven the 150 miles to give it the once over.

 

[BGroovy]

For local market sales, below market value, and people who weren't the owner and know nothing about the equipment, I totally get their position. I don't fault you in asking, it never hurts, but I don't fault them at all for not wanting to deal with it. If it's a good enough deal you take on some risk, someone will. Sometimes you'll get burned. If the risk isn't worth it, you move on. Been in that same position. This is how I often end up with a stack of project basses in the closet.

 

[Gunga Din]

For local market sales, below market value, and people who weren't the owner and know nothing about the equipment, I totally get their position. I don't fault you in asking, it never hurts, but I don't fault them at all for not wanting to deal with it. If it's a good enough deal you take on some risk, someone will. Sometimes you'll get burned. If the risk isn't worth it, you move on. Been in that same position. This is how I often end up with a stack of project basses in the closet.

I would normally agree on this. But on a vintage instrument, I would expect to be accommodated by the seller, or seller's agent, in this case, given that there are non-original appointments on that bass, so who knows what's under the hood! I thought my requests were not unreasonable, and though I respect his right to refuse, I would not have been a happy bunny travelling a couple of hundred miles there and back to find out there were non-original components under the hood, or that there were any other undisclosed issues with the bass.

The below-market price should not prevent me for testing the condition and authenticity of appointments and components on the bass. I'm sure the English fella will love it, and restore it., if he buys it.

 

[BGroovy]

I wouldn't say it's unreasonable in general, but I think a private market sale that might be rare especially when listed below market. If they went through all that and documented it, they'd be likely to then ask market price because they have all the details. I've had to take a winger on many vintage instruments to score a deal with limited info. The ones who know what they have, charge what they can for it.

 

[J Wilson]

If the seller isn't a 'guitar guy' and doing this as a favor for a widow, I wouldn't expect him to jump through hoops for this and that picture, civilians just don't understand that sort of thing. A shame if it was way behind market price, even I know older single PU Rics are not common and if this one would have been a project, the low buy-in would have bought you some maneuvering room.

 

[wintremute]

If the seller isn't a 'guitar guy' and doing this as a favor for a widow, I wouldn't expect him to jump through hoops for this and that picture, civilians just don't understand that sort of thing. A shame if it was way behind market price, even I know older single PU Rics are not common and if this one would have been a project, the low buy-in would have bought you some maneuvering room.

Yeah. Based on the original post, I got the feeling the seller is doing this "as-is" to get the gear gone. You can always ask for more, but sometimes you won't get it.

If I was doing something similar, like selling vintage golf clubs for a widow, and her instructions were to just sell them, then I wouldn't want to spend my time learning about the history and prices and weights and lengths and whatever else is involved in the world of vintage golf clubs. Here's the price. If you want 'em at that price, then come get 'em.

 

[Ethix4]

Some of the best gear I have is from widowed estate sales!

 

[lamarjones]

As an avid seller, most of the times guys asking a bunch of questions with a desire for high detail don't end up pulling the trigger. A few questions, yes.

 

[singlemalt]

Sometimes you just need to get in the car and take a chance on getting a deal.

The “widows and orphans” is a nice touch, but really, he just wants the stuff gone, for cash, asap. Somebody will roll up and take it.

 

[Ellery]

If you’re driving 150 miles the least he can do is take a few pics and videos. If you flaked out at least he would have them for the next guy. People forget that selling things is WORK and takes a little effort sometimes. OR he has something to hide.

 

[Thumpin6string]

IMHO, if it was a bass player selling his instrument, your request was totally fine. However, asking someone who knows nothing about the instrument to do something they would be uncomfortable doing, his reply would seem totally normal to me.

 

[Guitalia]

If I were that guy, string height, fine. "Quick look at the pots and harness," no deal. At below market price, I'd have been happy to buy it no matter what the pots and harness looked like and to have sorted them out later if necessary.

Or would I? Wishful thinking. I've blown up a few no-brainer purchases myself over the years that I don't enjoy remembering..

 

[DionClassic]

probably listed low so he wouldn't have to do that stuff tbh.

 

[singlemalt]

A serious buyer would have asked him to weigh the bass!

 

[Gunga Din]

If the seller isn't a 'guitar guy' and doing this as a favor for a widow, I wouldn't expect him to jump through hoops for this and that picture, civilians just don't understand that sort of thing. A shame if it was way behind market price, even I know older single PU Rics are not common and if this one would have been a project, the low buy-in would have bought you some maneuvering room.

He is a guitarist. And I don't think I was asking for the crown jewels. But it was his call, and I respected that.

 

[Gunga Din]

Sometimes you just need to get in the car and take a chance on getting a deal.

The “widows and orphans” is a nice touch, but really, he just wants the stuff gone, for cash, asap. Somebody will roll up and take it.

Yes, it will go, as some guy is prepared to drive up to England to view it.

 

[Gunga Din]

IMHO, if it was a bass player selling his instrument, your request was totally fine. However, asking someone who knows nothing about the instrument to do something they would be uncomfortable doing, his reply would seem totally normal to me.

Agreed. But he is a guitarist. I should have stated that.

 

[Gunga Din]

A serious buyer would have asked him to weigh the bass!

Oh, Jeez, yes!!!

 

[drewphishesp]

I agree with him, if you want to go check it out, check it out, dont waste his time, hes not wasting yours

 

[ashtray]

I’ve been there. Sellers sometimes get very upset the more questions you ask. Had a guitar slip through my fingers bc I asked some very important questions. The seller was rude to me and stopped replying, then the listing was removed. On another forum someone posted they bought that guitar. I asked how the seller was to them - “Oh, very kind lady! The deal went very smoothly.” He said he hadn’t asked any questions except when he could pick it up.

So lots of times on below market price items, I assume there are issues, and if there aren’t, that’s a bonus. If there are issues, it’s a matter of if I can fix them and still be in the bass at a good price for its worth. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes you drive 90 minutes and get ghosted. I try to find a second reason to go to that city where the bass is - so if he sells it before I get there, or the thing is trashed, I can still enjoy the second reason for the trip - though sometimes that’s a second piece of gear for sale. Hahaha