I've only bought one bass in a brick and mortar store. All the others have been online from one of the big boys or from a smaller dealer who happened to have what I wanted. Never an issue with any of them.
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I’m not real keen about forking over my cash on an instrument I’ve not played. IMO, a purchase this personal should be done in person, and well worth the time invested to go where you can try out a few.
Right now, I own four basses. I ought them all online...one from Guitar Center, good return policy, three from Reverb, the number one place to buy.
If not for their "play now, pay later" policy, I wouldn't own the L2000, the Gamma Alpha or the black Exotica...and the G&L alone made the entire buying on experience more than worth it.
Guess where I'll be buying my next bass from.
Sure, it's a gamble, but knowing what you're gambling on can be the difference between a good bet and a bad one.
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Bought one from Bass Central. Flawless buying experience. Would not hesitate to buy from Sweetwater either.
I went from "will never buy an instrument online" to almost exclusively buying all of my basses, guitars and ukuleles online. Sellers range from big retails to individuals.
The reason I do it is expanded selection. My local stores often don't carry what I am looking for and while they are happy to special order something (works only for instruments in current production) for me, the wait can be unacceptably long.
The reason I do it is expanded selection. My local stores often don't carry what I am looking for and while they are happy to special order something (works only for instruments in current production) for me, the wait can be unacceptably long.
I own 4 basses: my first, a cheap Ibanez I bought on Amazon. Setup perfectly, I mean, amazing. Second I bought direct from Sire. Great shape, but I brought it in for a setup anyway—now I wouldn’t because I know better what I’m doing. Third was a gift from my uncle, so no worries there. Fourth was from Sweetwater. Also fantastic, all I needed to do was raise the action just a very little, which blew my mind. I like it low, but apparently even I have limits. Super happy ordering with Sweetwater, but my next bass probably won’t come from there because what I’m GASing for is a Ray34 Ash, and Sweetwater doesn’t carry Sterling. So I’ll probably get it from Zzounds.
My Sire P7, and my SRH505F were both internet purchases.. the big retailers GC/MF and Sweetwater have good return policies if you have a gripe about them. And if you have a local GC nearby, you can just return it to the local store if you order through them. (provided you live in the US I reckon)
Amen X 2 !!!!I wouldn't buy direct from Fender. If there's a problem it will be much more difficult to resolve, despite how it may seem.
Buying online is just as (if not more) safe than buying in a store these days. You're much more likely to get an untouched instrument, and you'll be able to get a better deal. If there is any at all with the bass, you can return or exchange at no cost - so long as there is legitimately something wrong with it. You can return it if you don't like it also with no hassle, but you'll have to pay shipping, which makes sense. For me its worth the $45 shipping that saved me the hassle of going to a store, paying more anyhow, plus travel expenses, etc.
In the past 15 years I've purchased close to a hundred basses. All but I think 2, I bought online.
Last note... people think I get some sort of commission from Musiciansfriend, but I promise I don't. Just looking to help fellow TBers. If you get on the MF mailing list, they have 15-20% off sales pretty much every month. They probably have a father's day sale today. You can knock that off the price, PLUS they have a program they recently renamed (used to be back stage pass) where you can get an ADDITIONAL 8% back for future purposes. With the 15% plus the rewards program you can save over $160 on the Jazz Player purchase. And the FINAL last note... you will probably have to call to get the 15% off though. The codes they give don't work online for most items, but when you try to enter them, a message comes up that says, "Don't worry, call us..." I always call back and just say, "I'm interested in _________ , but only if I can get the 15% off." They never said no, except for with an iPad (Apple wouldn't allow it). They make you call (I believe) because they don't want their lowest price offer in writing anywhere.
- Oct 7, 2000
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LOL... I resold most of them.Joe, what do you do for a living?! Follow up question, are you hiring?
I play professionally, I'm an author, and I teach
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Quick question...is it safe to purchase a new bass online during these unfortunate times? cause I wanted to purchase a new bass sometime soon, but I don't know if I should either wait until the pandemic is over or take a chance on buying a new bass but take safety precautions when the bass is delivered at my place. my apologies if this sounds like a rather silly question. I'm just trying to play it safe is all.
I have bought a lot of basses online, mostly used market and have yet to have any issues. Consider myself lucky? However there are some bad apples and lemons out there but then again there are a lot more I'd like to think good basses and their sellers.
Covid doesn't survive very long on surfaces. Heat kills it pretty well, so shipping it in Summer is a bonus. If you're really worried, wipe down the box with a Clorox Wipe. Mild soap and water works as well as a Clorox Wipe on surfaces as well. Really, you should be fine just handwashing and not touching your face.
Most of my basses came from Sweetwater, Zzounds , or Musician’s Friend. I played them all straight out of the box with no issues at all.
I don't know where you live but is there a pawn shop, small music store closer to where you live where you can try some basses. I think it's worth trying out a few different basses tbh, there are more choices since you last played the bass. Especially since the bass you had previously is not the same as the one you want now. I guess my question is, what factors made you decide that a Fender Player jazz bass was the right one to get?
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
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- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
I never thought I could it anymore than I could buy shoes online... there's something about the feel of a a certain instrument in your hands.
However, selection in stores is so limited.
Sweetwater is the best as far a setting it up, checking it out, and IMHO packing, shipping and returns.
Buying used is hit or miss, so roll the dice on that one. Reverb.com
is pretty good about backing you up if a seller misrepresented an item, but proving fault can be a problem.
Just check the seller's ratings and trust your gut.
Just be prepared to make some adjustments even under the best conditions.
However, selection in stores is so limited.
Sweetwater is the best as far a setting it up, checking it out, and IMHO packing, shipping and returns.
Buying used is hit or miss, so roll the dice on that one. Reverb.com
is pretty good about backing you up if a seller misrepresented an item, but proving fault can be a problem.
Just check the seller's ratings and trust your gut.
Just be prepared to make some adjustments even under the best conditions.
I know I'm not a "golden ears" kinda guy, and for me trying things out in a store hasn't been all that beneficial. I have bought basses that sounded great to me (and others) in the store, which didn't work at all on the gig. I tried out an SWR Redhead, which didn't sound that great to me in the only store in town that had one (even my ears knew the acoustics in that place weren't helping), but ended up buying one anyway (from Bass Northwest to ship to NYC) based on its rep and how many top guys were using it back then, and how incredible the customer service was at Bass NW. About a year ago, when I started playing more again, I needed a new amp and that's how I discovered Talkbass - doing research. I now buy from Sweetwater, but definitely research anything I'm getting here and elsewhere online before I do. I've not even been looking for one, but cannot tell you how many times I've seen something along the lines of "one of the best values out there" regarding the Fender Player Jazz here on TB.
It's been a few years go but my brother had a connection to get instruments drop shipped straight from Fender. Every one he got was fine but they all arrived with a loose truss rod nut and slacked strings. If you can do your own set up and have access to a direct line to Fender, it might be worth considering but as has been said already, it may not be so easy to return if you run into problems.
I've only bought a couple basses via the mail and both were good experiences although I prefer to try one before I buy and still consider buying on line my second option, but that's just me and is not based on any bad experience doing so. Just stick to a retailer with a proved record of quality customer service and then if there is a problem you have options besides wish you'd have gone to a more reliable on line retailer.
I've only bought a couple basses via the mail and both were good experiences although I prefer to try one before I buy and still consider buying on line my second option, but that's just me and is not based on any bad experience doing so. Just stick to a retailer with a proved record of quality customer service and then if there is a problem you have options besides wish you'd have gone to a more reliable on line retailer.
