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Sad times

#41
Same as many others here have already said. I’m seeing very little of what looks like desperation selling either here or on Reverb. Just the usual small number of actual good deals, and maybe a little more wishful thinking than usual when it comes to asking prices.

Almost every new listing I’m seeing for items I track is definitely on the high side.
 
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#42
The only "deals" I've been noticing are for a handful of Roscoe basses going for sub 2k. Considering the quality vs many off the rack basses costing around the same, if they are your cuppa tea I'd consider them. Seems to be more of them than usual too.
 
#43
I just see not as many people caring to learn how to play an actual musical instrument in the late 2010s and 2020s as they did in previous decades, creating less demand......The guy selling Conastoga Wagons when the automobile appeared probably thought the same thing
 
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#44
sonic 7 said:
Just browsing the classifieds and it seems like there are quite a few beautiful instruments being offered for much less than I would have expected 5 months ago. Some may see a good deal but I see people experiencing some hard times and it’s really making me depressed. That’s all.
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You have a very kind heart, and that's a wonderful thing, but you seem to be assuming a lot about what's motivating these sellers. That's great if you're writing novels or something, but please don't let what might be the case affect you emotionally.
 
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#46
Fender_Bender said:
I pawned my first P bass for rent money once and did not get it back. It’s probably still kicking around Vancouver right now. It was sunburst with Di Marzio split p pups.
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I pawned a yamaha bass to buy a ticket to woodstock in 94. Didn't get it back, but had a great time.

I haven't seen any deals on gear either. If anything by me, it seems most stuff is overpriced, and there also seems to be a shortage of interesting listings, like people are sitting on gear until this stuff passes.
 
#48
ezstep said:
Bring locked up with my spousal unit for near 10 weeks, I have decided to clean house. Well, not literally - that's HER job. (boom, tish) I have an old Fender Strat under my bed that I pulled out, took a few pictures, and a well-known guitar dealer in Nashville is offering me enough to get a "decent-but-not-great" Tele and case and amp. Not that I "need" the money, but I have realized that someone could enjoy her much more than I ever will, and I can use that to my advantage. I am a bedroom guitarist at my very best, so a new Tele and amp will do me more good than holding onto the Strat. (BTW, I paid $250 for her in 1978.)

I might be looking to sell a bass or two - both lefty, though.
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I just sold a 1981 Stratocaster, doubled my money (bought it new in 1981), but honestly sold it for about $400 less than I could have gotten. It was a quick sale, with a known buyer, without a Craigslist/Marketplace listing. I consider it a win. I hadn't picked up that guitar in about 9 years. Yes, house cleaning is occurring, sales for less than street possibly, but no regrets at all. Perhaps there are more people like me.
 
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#49
I know I decided at the beginning of the year to sell several basses I find I'm not playing as often as other basses.
At this point I put the basses up for sale but not going to give them away...but that's MY situation and not the same for everyone. I think you do have some people selling due to 'hard times' and you'll find people looking for "a deal" maybe a little more because of this.
 
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#52
Take a deal while you can so when tough times come your way you are able to possibly make a little in return when you go to sell it cheap.....In the meantime please share all these deals because I'm a buyer and from the items I've been watching for the last 6 months were a lot better buys back in January when people were selling off gear because they either got something cool for the holidays or were looking to pad their wallet alittle to purchase that dream piece of gear when the tax check came in. Now it just seems everyone is trying to get top dollar or more than things are honestly worth . As a buyer I must sit back for a few more months and play they waiting game. Now is not the time to make bad purchases that won't get any profitable returns. Heck even shipping is starting to go up with less free shipping.
 
#53
I've been watching a trend in the classifieds that started well before the pandemic hit.
Most people are listing pedals and the odd amplifier, as for basses.....the first 6 pages were being bumped by their respective owners every 24 hours. As of the past few weeks, I've saw the first 2 pages doing this same trend. Not a lot of instruments coming on the market in my opinion. I have been watching prices drop at every price level, but I'm generally hyper focused on higher end stuff (which has basically become unavailable).

It's only going to get worse before it gets better is an old saying I'm very familiar with.
The only thing I can hope is that buyers and sellers to their research (search price history on this site, reverb, ebay) and it will help maintain the market, hopefully some of those potential buyers and sellers are reading my post! :)
 
#55
How I justify GAS-related 'losses' (willing to let go a few hundred against what I just paid):

'Hey, I got to rent a Sadowsky/MTD/Etc for a few months. Yeah ... that's the ticket'.

Seems to keep my moral fiber up.

Sure that there are some hardship-related FS ads going on though.
 
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#58
Killing Floor said:
So far I am fortunate as is my family. I've been eyeballing a few basses and GASsing a little but I've decided I'm not going to underpay for someone who's already hurting. When things get easier maybe I'll pull the trigger. I don't want the karma baggage of ripping someone off right now. Stay healthy and hang in there brothers and sisters.
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No bad karma in giving what someone is asking.
If I need 100 bucks and you are willing to give it to me NOW better than me holding out for 350 on an instrument that might take me 6 months to sell at $350.

Nobody is forcing anyone to part with instruments at below market prices.
It is up to the seller what they will accept.

I have been on the " needed to pawn" side 30 years ago. Nobody was taking advantage of me. Nobody twisted my arm to give me $200 for a guitar I had paid $600 for two months prior.:thumbsup:
 
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#59
bpc said:
Maybe with people being locked in their houses some significant others have found all these instruments stashed and are selling them for what their spouses said they cost? You can only play one at a time after all, apparently.
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Im not to sure about that...

e76f07204c7dd31c5416ce374a4e07f5.jpg


BnB
 
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