Sell unique instrument if not in use?

[LennyPenny]

As some of you may know, I own a Maruszczyk Jake 6 which was made to order for me. There should still be a few pics of it in some Show Your Basses thread if you search for my username + Maruszczyk or something (unless I spelt it wrong back then, which is likely...).

To start from the beginning: my first two basses were a Squier VM P-bass and VM Jazz. I sort of regret selling the P, even though I now own another Squier VM P-bass which in my opinion is very special. Then I bought a used LTD B-206 (one of the flamed maple ones before they changed them to spalted maple) because I thought the 6-string deal would "give me more options and I'd never need anything else". Not long after that I had the Jake 6 made. In hindsight this was a pretty premature decision because I had little experience with basses and therefore only a very vague idea of what I really look for in a bass. I played it for a few years, until I bought that second (used) VM P-bass I mentioned, which has been my main player ever since, partly because my sound just evolved to the more vintage/classic/old-school side of the spectrum. Now when I pick up the Jake again, it feels jarringly unnatural and foreign to play. I probably could get used to it again but honestly I don't really see the point. I guess I just outgrew the whole 6-string thing. I don't even see myself ever getting another 6-er, at most I'd go for 5 but I'm so used to 4 that I'd rather just get a few different 4-strings for different purposes.

I'm not really sentimental or precious about instruments, in general I don't like to have stuff lying around that doesn't get used. If I notice that I'm no longer using an instrument as much as I probably should, I automatically start to consider selling it. However, since this isn't just any old bass, I'm not entirely convinced I should let this one go because it really is a one-off. I do have some sentimental value attached to it, but honestly at this point I'd be more upset if I no longer had the Squier (yes, it's that good). I'm considering ordering another custom Jake in the future (4-string, alder body, maple neck/fretboard, P/J, vol/blend/tone, paddle-style tuners, some kind of surf green/baby blue with mint or parchment pickguard) which would definitely get more use than my current one.

Anyway, this isn't meant as a "cast your votes as to whether or not I should sell it" kind of thing, though opinions are very welcome, mostly I'm just curious if you look at basses as being despensible/replaceable, or if you only buy really special basses (objectively unique or special to you as a player) and therefore would never get rid of any unless you REALLY had to.

Have a great day!

 

[Gorn]

It's an inanimate object. It's not magic. Do you need the money? Sell it. If you don't, don't.

 

[Slater]

If you don’t need to sell, you’re in a pretty good place. You could put it up for sale at a reasonable price. If it sells, good. If it doesn’t sell, oh well, you don’t need to move it.

 

[Gorn]

Another idea is to put it up for sale for an unreasonable price. If you don't need the money and you don't play the bass, let it sit there unsold till it sells or doesn't. Most basses sold are at a loss to some extent. Let it sit there like it's been sitting there and maybe someone who's been wanting one will be willing to pay an unreasonable price. It's a win win for you.

 

[Bass Man Dan]

I think long and hard before I sell anything unique or that would be prohibitively expensive to replace.

 

[TyCobb]

Sell? A bass? I don't understand these words.

 

[malthumb]

I have been and sorta still am on both sides of this issue. Several years ago I had two 6-string Hanewinckels, one fretted, one fretless. Great basses. I suck at 6-string. So I sold them. A few years later I acquired a 5-string Hanewinckel which is more up my alley.

Now, having acquired the 5-string Hanewinckel, it has all but replaced my 5-string Marchlewski in my playing rotation. That bass is pretty much one-of-a-kind and the builder (Jake, ironically) is no longer building, so there is likely never gonna be another similar to it. This means I am not likely to sell it, even though I rarely play it except at home.

Then I have another 4-string Alembic that I will never sell for strictly sentimental reasons. I bought it from one of my favorite artists. I rarely play it out. It's happened, but rarely.

If you don't think you'll ever really get use out of the Maruszczyk 6-string, sell it. If after a while you find that you miss it, buy the same bass in a 4 or 5-string that you are more likely to use. If you should choose to sell the Maruszczyk, post it at a price that you would be willing to sell at, and resist the temptation to lower the price to move it quickly. Take an "if it sells, great, if it doesn't sell, great" attitude.

 

[SoonerBill]

We had a water pipe break a few years ago when we were out to eat and shoot pool with some friends. After getting home and spending lots of time and energy getting everything up off the floor and drying it the best we could we made a rule we stick to religiously. If we don’t use it, it isn’t here. Doesn’t matter what it is.

 

[Skybone]

If you use it regularly, then keep it. If it sits in it's case most of the time, and rarely gets used, sell it.

Use the funds to order yourself a custom, 4 string Jake.

 

[el murdoque]

You've been at the point where you thought a 6 would cover everything you'd ever need and had this one made.
My guess is, that it is a really good instrument for you especially, since it's a one off ordered by you.
Now you're at the same point, only reversed. You're sure that you'll never go back to 6 strings.
Who knows what the future you will think how many strings you need?
As you advance through your life and your career as a bass player, unexpected things might pop up.

My advice would be:
As long as you are not pressed for money, hold on to it. If you want to get another expensive bass thingie (one where you think that it will bring you forward as a bass player) and need funds, consider selling it.
Custom made 6ers are a special market in most places, so It might take a while to flip it for a reasonable price.

 

[Kmrumedy]

One other thing to note is that Maruszczyk basses lose a lot of value in the used market place on TB classifieds. They are not as well known and take a while to sell. Your going to take quite a big hit if you want to sell it reasonably quickly.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Sell it, let it be somebody else’s dream bass, not much use to anyone in a closet.

 

[fermata]

If an instrument isn't right for me, I sell it. No exceptions--gifts, bargains, ones with sentimental value--it doesn't matter; if I'm not using it/it isn't right, it goes. I'm a player, not a collector, so I want to own and play instruments that feel and sound right for the music I want to make.

 

[JRA]

"i gotta' have that instrument!" only to find out: 'meh'. who hasn't been there and done that? it's a journey. good luck with your decision(s).


all my axes are fretless...they're so unique!

 

[interp]

My rule for every instrument and piece of gear I own is if it hasn’t made me money or brought me some pleasure in the past six months it’s gotta go.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

Sell it, let it be somebody else’s dream bass, not much use to anyone in a closet.

Yup.
That's why I put my Hamer Cruise Bass 2Tek up for sale. (even though it's my wife's favorite color)

We're lucky that our gear doesn't really become obsolete however. As I closed my photo studio, there was indeed a planned yet quick purge of selling all my gear as everyday it sat in the studio was a day it became more obsolete and unwanted at any price.

 

[ColonelZulu]

This one.

As some of you may know, I own a Maruszczyk Jake 6 which was made to order for me. There should still be a few pics of it in some Show Your Basses thread if you search for my username + Maruszczyk or something (unless I spelt it wrong back then, which is likely...).

To start from the beginning: my first two basses were a Squier VM P-bass and VM Jazz. I sort of regret selling the P, even though I now own another Squier VM P-bass which in my opinion is very special. Then I bought a used LTD B-206 (one of the flamed maple ones before they changed them to spalted maple) because I thought the 6-string deal would "give me more options and I'd never need anything else". Not long after that I had the Jake 6 made. In hindsight this was a pretty premature decision because I had little experience with basses and therefore only a very vague idea of what I really look for in a bass. I played it for a few years, until I bought that second (used) VM P-bass I mentioned, which has been my main player ever since, partly because my sound just evolved to the more vintage/classic/old-school side of the spectrum. Now when I pick up the Jake again, it feels jarringly unnatural and foreign to play. I probably could get used to it again but honestly I don't really see the point. I guess I just outgrew the whole 6-string thing. I don't even see myself ever getting another 6-er, at most I'd go for 5 but I'm so used to 4 that I'd rather just get a few different 4-strings for different purposes.

I'm not really sentimental or precious about instruments, in general I don't like to have stuff lying around that doesn't get used. If I notice that I'm no longer using an instrument as much as I probably should, I automatically start to consider selling it. However, since this isn't just any old bass, I'm not entirely convinced I should let this one go because it really is a one-off. I do have some sentimental value attached to it, but honestly at this point I'd be more upset if I no longer had the Squier (yes, it's that good). I'm considering ordering another custom Jake in the future (4-string, alder body, maple neck/fretboard, P/J, vol/blend/tone, paddle-style tuners, some kind of surf green/baby blue with mint or parchment pickguard) which would definitely get more use than my current one.

Anyway, this isn't meant as a "cast your votes as to whether or not I should sell it" kind of thing, though opinions are very welcome, mostly I'm just curious if you look at basses as being despensible/replaceable, or if you only buy really special basses (objectively unique or special to you as a player) and therefore would never get rid of any unless you REALLY had to.

Have a great day!

 

[Runlikegregg]

...kind of both?
I think if you are not using an instrument you should sell it or otherwise get it out in the world to be played. They are meant to be played.
However, if you won't get what it's worth to you then don't sell it.

 

[MobileHolmes]

I'm pretty hesitant to sell anything hard to replace, even if I don't use it much. A couple of my guitars never get played, but one is semi custom with some unique features (and discontinued) and the other is a vintage piece I got for a steal, and would never be pretty unlikely to replace down the road.

FWIW, I've had a couple basses that have sat unused for long periods of time which, lately, have become my #1 and #2. Sometimes, your mood just comes around.

 

[phillybass101]

I have a Brubaker KXB-5 Custom I was going to sell. It's still up for sale however as time goes by and I revisit it. It sounds better and better as the wood ages. Now I don't know if I want to sell it or not. I know the feeling. If I sold it and considered buying another USA Brubaker, the cost would be prohibitive. I'm not confused, it's just the cost of replacement.