Please help with some buying used tips!

[rockandrowland]

This is the first guitar I am picking up used, bass or otherwise.
What should I look for when I pick it up, what should I check, how can I tell if its been abused?
Please help. I leave in 2 hours.

 

[Spinal Tapper]

Well...obviously you have to buy something that speaks to you...this always depends on your style of music and how much money you want to spend. Play as many different basses as you can, and try more than one shop (if you can).

Most importantly, remember not to confuse a "bad" (playing) bass with a bass that has not been properly set-up by a tech.
I've bought a lot of junkers that play like a dream once they're properly set-up by someone who knows what they're doing. Best of luck to ya.