So I figure he's not really using it anymore, right? Plus, my old man is a television repairman, he's got this ultimate set of tools.
Last edited:
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
I had a similar experience with the exact same model. Got an open box Mapleglo 4003S from MF, at a discounted price, advertised in mint condition. It arrived with minor dings in a couple of discrete places. I got MF to refund some of already low price as a consequence. On top of all this, my son let me use some gift certificates he had. Got the Rick for not much dough!
what the hell LoL ...I'm blind, I'm blind! But ... it's kinda cool too, in a Flintstones cartoon kinda "I don't know how to draw a bass properly" way.....
But anyhow, back on topic... OP I love your purchase. I do the same thing on craigslist all the time - buy someone else's trash instrument, replace the nut or whatever (somewhere here I have a bag of plastic jazz bass nuts, I think... LoL)
and voila, it's a keeper, or resold for a reasonable price (Still lower than going price) but as a working instrument, properly setup, adn playing well, with new strings. It's a win win win for me and for the new buyer and for the original seller.
Bryan R. Tyler
TalkBass: Usurping My Practice Time Since 2002
Staff member
Administrator
Gold Supporting Member
Supporting Member
- May 3, 2002
- 28,948
- 20,932
- Disclosures
- Reviewer: Bass Player Magazine
I got my Lakland Skyline direct from Lakland. They were selling them as "B stock", which could be taken to mean that they were not 100% up to standard. In this case, my bass was in a group of basses that had been sent to an industry show (probably NAMM). They felt that since these basses were available to be played at the show, they weren't really new anymore. Of course, "new" basses probably get played a lot more at music stores. At it turned out that there was nothing at all wrong with the bass I received (it wasn't worn out either) and I got a really nice discount on it as well.
Good for you! But I had a quite diferrent experince, A Looong time ago I was shopping, with my tax return, at Sam Ash, & I found an Ibanez Sound gear bass, that looked Bitchin', & sounded okay, but the input jack was broken(had giggle& hold it to work) & had a pretty good chip in the finish around said jack, It had the pup configuration I was looking for, & had a cool dark/black burst finish, The chip exposed the bare wood underneath! I asked the pestering salesman, if there were other ones in the back, He went to look, returned & said, nope that's the only one, I asked for a discount,b/c of the damage, he asked his manager and said not really cause its only the input jack! I pointed out the chip, he asked again & sternly said we can only give 50 bucks off, That's it! I told him I really wanted that bass, but want a brand new one without damage, he looked at me flaberghasted and said $50 bucks that it! okay I left it on the counter & walked out! the bass was a little over 600 bucks. Fortunately there was a guitar center down the street, I went in there and found a beautiful schecter Stiletto Elite! I told the salesman there & he gave me a discount for my troubles, It was a really good deal! for the poor customer service at Sam Ash. I bought it on the spot! He even threw in a nice strap & locks! That stiletto is a waay better instrument (quilt top, neck through, active, & the finish is Sweet & flawless!) Because of the stubbornness of the sales staff at the SA store Ibanez lost a loyal customer! I became an avid Schecter Protagonist! Very well made top quality components, I kinda started to detest all the styles Ibanez put out every year. and I gained a lot of respect for the Schecter brand.That stiletto is a beast! I get tons of compliments when I play it out! I don't regret walking out of that SA store one bit.View attachment 3826569 Have you ever bought an instrument at deep discount because it had a flaw that you either didn't care about or was easily fixed? I bought a Player Precision off Sam Ash that had been returned. Within seconds, I understood what the previous owner's beef was... Horrible buzzing on the A string. The nut was cut incorrectly. I did a fix with super glue and baking soda which worked but ultimately just replaced the nut with a TUSQ. So, for $12 it became a perfectly playable bass. The other two pictured are a finish flaw (Telecaster Deluxe) and a dent (Performer Jazz), both of which are on the rear or bottom of the instruments. For a big markdown in price, I have absolutely no problem with that. Two questions... Is a rear blemish a deal-breaker for you?... and have you ever felt like you scored on an instrument purchase because of some defect that didn't bother you? Pictures encouraged but not necessary.
I had another bad experience with them at another SA store, where a salesman hounded me, while I browsed, & tried to hard sell me on a warwick bass, I told him I was just killing time, waiting for my friend who was shopping next door(home depot). He made fun of me because I was not familiar with Warwick at that time, but it was actually branded with a "Rock Bass" plaque on the head stock, It made it look like a cheap knock off bass!
Anyway I Avoid SA stores at all costs (I shop online mostly now). But I don't have a thing to say about SA stores, cant reccommend them at all. It's funny cause GC gets all the hate. but they did me right! Nice find& deal!!
Last edited:
I have gotten good deals because of "blems"
Both of my Musicmasters came to me in pretty terrible shape, and while I was happy to get them cheap/free because of the damage and neglect I always intended to make them shine.
Both of my Musicmasters came to me in pretty terrible shape, and while I was happy to get them cheap/free because of the damage and neglect I always intended to make them shine.
bought a 20+ year old G&L L2500 before for 550$, with body binding+birdseye maple neck + symmetric top (not crazy pattern though), but truss rod lacks a bit tension + worn frets + electronics not functioning + minor scratches, worth it to me.
Demo and open box deals from retailers are so tempting. Of my Ebay purchases, I look for a good amount of play wear for chips and dents. This way, I don’t have to break the seal as it were.
Also, all of the play wear tells me that someone loved playing it which means it probably has some good mojo.
When I worked at a music store, we could buy factory blems for much cheaper. I got some cool instruments that way.
Also, all of the play wear tells me that someone loved playing it which means it probably has some good mojo.
When I worked at a music store, we could buy factory blems for much cheaper. I got some cool instruments that way.
Prior to doing the mods, bought this new for next to nothing as the store felt they couldn't move it due to the color (would have been around 2003)
I don't judge. I had a "floor model" once myself.
This sort of feels like it belongs in the alternate universe series.
So I got this Warlock from Guitar Center about 20 years ago. It was the display unit and I got it for $150. I love it, the ding doesn't bother me at all.
I don't care about blems, someone else got the first one out of the way for me... It's gonna happen sooner or later.
And the discount is always nice.
And the discount is always nice.
Everybody in our family from the dogs to the kids to all the instruments have blems, wouldn't change a single one for anything! Glory to the blems.
And I still play this one all the time...
Holy smokes, ...something about your 59 sure reminds me of something!
devnulljp
Supporting Member
