Sell My Nice Bass For A Cheaper One?

[blakethehero]

Yeah, yeah... I know this is a hard question to answer. But I've been grinding my gears over the last year or so as to whether or not I should sell my expensive Spector bass and replace with something good, but cheaper.

Bass is a double for me, and while I do get some paid performance/session work through the year, I am not a full time professional bassist.

I have a line on a 80's 3 tone burst MIJ Pbass that plays great and looks great. Could probably pick it up for $750 while I could likely sell my other bass for $2000+.

Does the Spector sound and feel incredible? Yes. Other than being heavy it feels better than most the basses I put my hands on, with the exception of other high end instruments and some other choice instruments. But it isn't the only instrument that can get the job done. I will admit, there are some sentimental feelings for this bass since it is the first high end instrument I've owned, and one I really earned in my first few years working as a musician.

What would I use that extra cash for? I don't know. Upgrading the new instrument if necessary, maybe getting other gear I've long pined for and been wanting to incorporate into my bass and studio rigs. Put the rest in the bank for a rainy day. Pay off some other stuff, etc.

What would you do? What do you think? Is there a dimension to this situation I am not thinking of?

Thanks in advance!

 

[jeff62]

You’ll regret selling the Spector. You already know that you love that bass. Save to get the additional things you desire.

 

[smcd]

So you want to sell your Spector Jazz bass that sounds and feels incredible for a MIJ Fender P that may need upgrading? How much do you think you'll have left over when you sell the Spector and buy the Jazz? It won't be as much as you think.

 

[Rabidhamster]

 

[JW56789]

IF you asked me, I'd tell you to get the best deal you can weasel out of the seller, and buy it, while keeping the Spector. Play it for a while, THEN ask yourself about selling the Spector. You can always sell a Fender easily if it's at all nice and everything works when you decide . . . . . . to keep the Spector.

Sell the Spector to finance the Spector, you'll be kicking yourself for a long time. If nothing else, research what replacing yours with another Spector will cost . . . . . they are going up constantly.

 

[Angry Mob With Pitchfork]

I think the extra cash usually just disappear in paying bills and I don’t think you realize that until it’s all but gone (in my case anyways). I would not sell the Spector.

 

[jonnybass1]

Buy the Fender play them both for a while then sell the Fender. Because you will be able to replicate the Fender tone on the Spector however the opposite cannot easily be done if at all. You will miss the Spector.

 

[buldog5151bass]

First rule of wing walking - never let go with your hand until your other hand has a grip on something else. Play other basses until you find something you like. If when you find it, sell what you have. Remember, you will likely take a bigger hit on the sale than you think.

 

[JohnnyBottom]

Gas at its finest.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I’d be surprised if you can get $2k for the Coda.

 

[Pizza1988]

You’ll regret selling the Spector. You already know that you love that bass. Save to get the additional things you desire.

I can't emphasize how much I agree with this!

I will also add that you do not need to be a "Professional Bassist" or get any paying gigs to buy, own, play, or keep a really nice (and expensive) bass. I'd never sell my Thumb 5 even if I lost both hands

 

[LoTone]

If you thought that we would prevent you from buying a second bass. You were sorely mistaken!

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Keep your Spector. It’s not always necessary to own a bass with Fender on the headstock. Sometimes hanging around this forum would have you to think otherwise.

 

[Zooberwerx]

I would sell it based on: (1) weight...I loathe a heavy bass (2) my near-crippling OCD prevents me from taking anything expensive into the field. That being said...

In your case, I sense an oncoming tsunami of seller's remorse should you let the Spector slip from your hands.

Riis

 

[M-rek]

I'm in the same progress atm. I'm selling or trying to sell my MM Caprice and my Bogart Blackstone basses to get some cheap Vintage Icon basses. Reason: I saw my Caprice getting knocked over in the bar I use to visit for jam sessions. All I see now when I pick up the Caprice is the loss of value and I'm afraid of taking it to the jam again. It's now collecting dust in my living room.

 

[SteveC]

I have had this thought before. Thankfully I have never followed through. You will regret selling a bass you love just to "save money" as in the end you probably won't. Trust me. I spent the weekend paying nice basses and none of them made me think hey, I'm gonna sell my great bass for this OK bass and pocket a few hundred bucks.

 

[BadSanta1281]

Money is the root of all bass-selling remorse.

 

[baileyboy]

...Other than being heavy...

If it were mine, this would be enough of a reason to sell, though I'm sure most on TB will disagree.

 

[Laurent]

$750 for a MIJ seems expensive. I picked up a CIJ Jazz for $555 a couple years ago. There are many quality levels within Fender Japan instruments from Nitro finish with US pickups down to less expensive instruments so each case is specific.

That being said, if you have an instrument that works for you and that you like, I would never let it go. As others have suggested, you should run both instruments at the same time for a while before deciding.

 

[mrcbass]

Unless you are really desperate for a little cash, I'd say hold on to the one you have. You know you like it and may be unhappy with a different bass (although there is nothing wrong with most $750+ level basses IMO).

If you were asking which one to buy, I'd probably advise that you try the cheaper bass - I've noticed very little difference in playability between mid range (>$500 - $1500) and those more expensivge than that. ( Full diclosure - I've never put hands on anything worth more than about $2000.)

If that money is critical, it probably wouldn't work for you to pick the potential replacmetn and live with it for a few months and then make your decuision - but this would probabsly be the best option - then you "KNOW".