Reasons that keep you from…..

[rmayer]

Color/Finish:If I don’t like the way it looks I’m not interested.

Fingerboard material: I like Rosewood, end of discussion.

Weight: If it’s over 8 pounds, and that’s pushing it, it’s all yours.

 

[nonohmic]

I have 3, that's enough.

 

[Gervais Cote]

Playability and sound.

Then quality to make sure it will last long if it sounds great and makes me want to play songs again and again.

 

[Bass Viking]

Electronics - There’s no point in testing out a bass if there’s certain pickups, electronics configurations, etc. that I don’t like to begin with.

Same here. For example, if there is only one pickup and it’s located right by the neck I know that sound probably won’t work for me.

 

[Koshchei]

I don't need any more. I try different basses all the time, but I've already hit my Goldilocks zone with what I have -- Rickenbacker 4003 for band stuff and 4005XC for lyra bass.

 

[el murdoque]

String spacing too narrow or bass too heavy would instantly shut down any thoughts I entertained about buying it.
I know my range, how narrow and how heavy I can go, and I know what I like.

Well, actually, I also have enough basses as is.
But I think if I ran across "the one" at a price I could not say no to ... I could make room.

 

[ragetoca]

I am adding more options to the poll as you guys make comments

 

[WI Short Scaler]

Already have 4, don't need more.

Scale length, not interested in any scale over 30"

Those are the biggest for me.

 

[Crusher47]

My collection is done, I have too many already and will not buy anymore.... I swear, I'm done for sure this time.......for reals.....

 

[MCS4]

As a lefty, I'll try out pretty much any lefty bass I can get my hands on, and plenty of the righties too (particularly if it is a brand or model I haven't already tried as a lefty).

If I am looking at a bass online and deciding whether to order it, literally all of those factors could come into play to one degree or another.

 

[mambo4]

Priorities

 

[metron]

Ergonomics are the biggest deal breaker. Short upper horn and/or the dreaded bridge inset from the edge of the body are a hard no.

Over 10# is painful.

After that, it’s price and how many do I have? Sitting at six right now feels pretty excessive.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

My needs are simple: I like Fender Shaped Objects. Especially when they are shaped like Jazz basses. And maple necks.

 

[Pdaddy1978]

Trying? Skys the limit.
Buying? Price trumps all other.
Nothing keeps me from buying ANYTHING quite like not having enough money...

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

Thankfully PRICE seems at this time to be the biggest reason. I take that to be a good thing, and I'm NOT saying overpriced things get the free pass from me- I'm actually saying the opposite: Acknowledging we are PRICE-conscious, above all and that's a GOOD thing. And it seems common sense- the reason for not BUYING a bass is always going to be PRICE. Duh. You can't buy (or shouldn't be buying) what you can't afford... But well, there are credit cards, I guess...

As for reasons for TRYING another bass? I just don't go into music stores much anymore. I tend to be an optimist on my in-store investigations when I'm able to spend a little time: I love looking at the lower-cost instruments and wondering "How good does this really play and sound". And I'm usually pleasantly affirmed. That's always fun.

 

[funkinbottom]

For the last five or six years I've played exclusively 5 string 31" or 32" scale basses that I build myself, so don't really try a lot of basses. Seems manufacturers that actually produce what I'm looking for are priced beyond my budget. If I'm in a music store that happens to have something kinda cool and unique, I might give it a go for a couple minutes. I did play a Talman TBM35 that was pretty cool. Played well, sounded good. If I could find a used one to mod into a Stingrayish vibe bass might consider that. I'm guessing they're a pretty good bass as I don't really see any on the used market.

 

[LowEndSoul]

Too many strings. I'm intimidated by more than 4. I saw a nice 5 string Yamaha at my local shop last week, but I've only been playing for like a year, with a little rudimentary guitar playing before that. Maybe I'd like a bass 6, ironically, because its extra strings are tuned like a a guitar. But a regular 5 string or 6 string confuses me. I'm a very simple fellow....

 

[_Some Dude]

Brand, then specs.

Usually, I'm in the market for a specific brand because of its reputation and signature sound.

After that, because I'm usually in it for the signature sound I want whatever the traditional spec for that sound was.

 

[pepj]

Too many strings. I'm intimidated by more than 4. I saw a nice 5 string Yamaha at my local shop last week, but I've only been playing for like a year, with a little rudimentary guitar playing before that. Maybe I'd like a bass 6, ironically, because its extra strings are tuned like a a guitar. But a regular 5 string or 6 string confuses me. I'm a very simple fellow....

Traditional 6str basses are tuned BEADGC.

 

[darev]

I’m not in the market but I’ll try almost any instrument if you’ll let me, thanks.

also play lefty, but strung righty, and I've mostly played right-handed basses over the years. I've owned two proper lefties and didn't really see much benefit

I also am left handed and play right handed bass guitars upside down. Pleasure to meet you.