Places to buy used cabs?

[PineappleOwl]

Hello all, I am in the market for a used cab. Where have you found success in recent years purchasing used cabs? I'm looking for a 115 or 210 close to the Chicago area (would like to possibly find an Ampeg PF closed cab or a Mesa 115 from just about any era).

What sites/stores/etc are you using to find local deals with the most success? I have been having trouble finding any of the models I am interested in trying that are for sale locally. I am located in Chicago, so this is a bit of a surprise. I have been checking the following sites almost daily for close to a month now and finding less than I was expecting that is within ~50-100 miles of Chicago. Maybe the market for 115s and 210s is not as hot as for the larger cabs (I see plenty of 410s etc).

Talk Bass Classifieds
Reverb
Craigslist
eBay
A few local stores websites or reverb pages.

Is Facebook really where the action tends to be? I don't have an account and loathe the idea of making an account solely to use marketplace.

Does anyone know of good used shops in Chicago beyond Chicago Music Exchange, Midwest Buy&Sell, Guitar Works, Tommy's Guitars, or Synth City/RockNRoll Vintage that would be worth checking out?

 

[Wasnex]

I have had Chicago Music Exchange ship me used cabs. I felt like I got a good deal and shipping was very reasonable.

If you have a Guitar Center locally, I would also recommend GC Used (nation wide inventory). You can find really good deals and shipping has always been stupid cheap for every big item I have bought. Their packing can be sketchy. The sent me an Ampeg SVT wrapped in bubble wrap, the big bubbles that are fragile. All of the bubbles popped and the amp incurred some minor damage. I had to argue with them, but my local GC fixed the damage. I have had to do a few returns for damaged or "not as described" items. The local store refunded the full purchase price including shipping.

I would also consider Music Go Round if you have any stores within reasonable driving range. In my experience shipping is average, and since these are franchises, I believe any sort of return would need to go back to the original location. The only big item I have had shipped from this chain is a Mesa Buster.

If you decide to have a cab shipped from any location, make good choices and factor in the hassle of a possible return. Be cautious if anything looks sketchy or too good to be true. Also consider calling for an in-hand description.

 

[PineappleOwl]

I have had Chicago Music Exchange ship me used cabs. I felt like I got a good deal and shipping was very reasonable.

If you have a Guitar Center locally, I would also recommend GC Used (nation wide inventory). You can find really good deals and shipping has always been stupid cheap for every big item I have bought. Their packing can be sketchy. The sent me an Ampeg SVT wrapped in bubble wrap, the big bubbles that are fragile. All of the bubbles popped and the amp incurred some minor damage. I had to argue with them, but my local GC fixed the damage. I have had to do a few returns for damaged or "not as described" items. The local store refunded the full purchase price including shipping.

I would also consider Music Go Round if you have any stores within reasonable driving range. In my experience shipping is average, and since these are franchises, I believe any sort of return would need to go back to the original location. The only big item I have had shipped from this chain is a Mesa Buster.

If you decide to have a cab shipped from any location, make good choices and factor in the hassle of a possible return. Be cautious if anything looks sketchy or too good to be true. Also consider calling for an in-hand description.

Thanks for the reply. I am trying to avoid shipping, due to the concerns mentioned. Also trying to avoid guitar center, although there are a few decently priced used cabs. We will see though.

Thanks for the Music Go Round suggestion, I always forget that's a thing. I'll put them on my list of places to keep an eye on.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I've always had good luck in the classified here, and have found multiple local deals.

 

[Michedelic]

Pawn shops? Craigs? Yardsales? I once found two GK stacks at a local charity store. Check Goodwill online, it might sound crazy, but a guitarist friend found some pedals, and there’s no rhyme or reason with what they could end up with.

 

[ezstep]

I have had success by asking many local musicians about an amp, a cab, etc., and I have found them to be quite helpful. Also, check with the local music stores, especially those who rent equipment.

 

[agedhorse]

Just be sure everything works, and the drivers are original or a manufacturer approved replacement.

 

[J-phatt]

I have had Chicago Music Exchange ship me used cabs. I felt like I got a good deal and shipping was very reasonable.

If you have a Guitar Center locally, I would also recommend GC Used (nation wide inventory). You can find really good deals and shipping has always been stupid cheap for every big item I have bought. Their packing can be sketchy. The sent me an Ampeg SVT wrapped in bubble wrap, the big bubbles that are fragile. All of the bubbles popped and the amp incurred some minor damage. I had to argue with them, but my local GC fixed the damage. I have had to do a few returns for damaged or "not as described" items. The local store refunded the full purchase price including shipping.

I would also consider Music Go Round if you have any stores within reasonable driving range. In my experience shipping is average, and since these are franchises, I believe any sort of return would need to go back to the original location. The only big item I have had shipped from this chain is a Mesa Buster.

If you decide to have a cab shipped from any location, make good choices and factor in the hassle of a possible return. Be cautious if anything looks sketchy or too good to be true. Also consider calling for an in-hand description.

I detest Guitardz Centaur on general principles but their used department is a gold mine. Shipping for them (bulk) is super cheap, and they take returns no questions asked. I just got a Trickfish 212 for $200 at the local store, no shipping. In slightly scuffed and modified cosmetic shape, turns out the drivers are all upgrades from the original which was quite expensive. Download their app and look at their offerings across the country that can be shipped to your local store.

 

[Gearhead17]

Guitar Center Used - the shipping for basses is between $15 & $20. Even if you pay $50, call it a rental fee. It's TOUGH to find bass cabs ANYWHERE to demo. You have at least 30 days to try it out and return it. YOu will not find a better deal than that.

 

[Rev_Slinky]

Modern Music out in Lisle usually has a small selection of used gear. They also do rentals, so they might occasionally sell some of that stock as well. Plus, you can make a day out of it and go to the Morton Arboretum while you're in the neighborhood!

 

[abarson]

Modern Music out in Lisle usually has a small selection of used gear. They also do rentals, so they might occasionally sell some of that stock as well. Plus, you can make a day out of it and go to the Morton Arboretum while you're in the neighborhood!

They're still around? Got some good deals there when I lived in Naperville in the late 80s.

 

[BeauZooka]

OfferUp sometimes has good local deals.

 

[bmusic]

I did a used whole cab shopping process thru GC. Got an Ampeg Heritage SVT 410 shipped to my local store, didn't like it (too big and heavy), returned it there no questions asked. Got Aguilar superlight 115 and 210 cabs shipped to me, and they're incredible. Pristine, perfect, good deal.

(Just got a used Taylor guitar there, too, at my newly-renovated local store.)

People like to pile on GC, but I do not bite the hand that feeds.

 

[EvilJ]

Sweetwater also has a used gear section.

 

[J.Wolf]

Shhh don’t tell them about the treasure trove of risk free used purchasing that is GC.

 

[dustinymichaels]

Hello all, I am in the market for a used cab. Where have you found success in recent years purchasing used cabs? I'm looking for a 115 or 210 close to the Chicago area (would like to possibly find an Ampeg PF closed cab or a Mesa 115 from just about any era).

What sites/stores/etc are you using to find local deals with the most success? I have been having trouble finding any of the models I am interested in trying that are for sale locally. I am located in Chicago, so this is a bit of a surprise. I have been checking the following sites almost daily for close to a month now and finding less than I was expecting that is within ~50-100 miles of Chicago. Maybe the market for 115s and 210s is not as hot as for the larger cabs (I see plenty of 410s etc).

Talk Bass Classifieds
Reverb
Craigslist
eBay
A few local stores websites or reverb pages.

Is Facebook really where the action tends to be? I don't have an account and loathe the idea of making an account solely to use marketplace.

Does anyone know of good used shops in Chicago beyond Chicago Music Exchange, Midwest Buy&Sell, Guitar Works, Tommy's Guitars, or Synth City/RockNRoll Vintage that would be worth checking out?

Midwest Buy and Sell near the corner of Irving Park and Austin. This is the best place.

 

[NathanDetroit]

Sweetwater also has a used gear section.

Yeah, last year I bought a Subway 2x12 through the Gear Exchange section of their site. It was well-packed, arrived very clean and is nearly flawless (it was used, after all), plus no extra charge for shipping*.

* Your mileage may vary on this

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Hello all, I am in the market for a used cab. Where have you found success in recent years purchasing used cabs? I'm looking for a 115 or 210 close to the Chicago area (would like to possibly find an Ampeg PF closed cab or a Mesa 115 from just about any era).

What sites/stores/etc are you using to find local deals with the most success? I have been having trouble finding any of the models I am interested in trying that are for sale locally. I am located in Chicago, so this is a bit of a surprise. I have been checking the following sites almost daily for close to a month now and finding less than I was expecting that is within ~50-100 miles of Chicago. Maybe the market for 115s and 210s is not as hot as for the larger cabs (I see plenty of 410s etc).

Talk Bass Classifieds
Reverb
Craigslist
eBay
A few local stores websites or reverb pages.

Is Facebook really where the action tends to be? I don't have an account and loathe the idea of making an account solely to use marketplace.

Does anyone know of good used shops in Chicago beyond Chicago Music Exchange, Midwest Buy&Sell, Guitar Works, Tommy's Guitars, or Synth City/RockNRoll Vintage that would be worth checking out?

I alway look at the classified here first, but GC is my go place for used gear. 100% 30 day money back guarantee, and gear is conditionally rated. Extended warranty’s are available.

I recommend that your have purchases delivered to your local store. This way, if there is any damage in shipping you don’t have to mess with filing a shipping claim. Secondly, if the gear’s condition is worse than what what was advertised and it’s something you can live with, you can negotiate a significant discount. And you don’t have to worry if it’s going to show up at your home when you are not there.

 

[shoot-r]

P.M. sent.

 

[RGerhart]

+1 on Guitar Center online, used

Huge selection of used gear, and shipping is hard to beat. If you don't like it? return it to the store, and you're only liable for the initial shipping cost. I've bought plenty of gear from GC and had success with it all.