Amen. We live in a time where less expensive basses are way better now than they ever have been. I’ve “auditioned” lots of basses and gear. What it comes down to is, do you need the money, or space in your living and/or bass storage situation? If you don’t need the money or the space, keep it and make yourself break it out from time to time. You’ll probably be surprised when one of those times, the magic has returned. We’re all evolving. Odds are decent that at some point your journey will lead you back to what made you get that bass in the first place.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Sell unique instrument if not in use?
- Thread starter LennyPenny
- Start date
-
- Tags
- instrument jake maruszczyk sell unique
My rule of thumb is to get rid of it if I'm not using it. I have sold 5 basses in recent years, no regrets. Also, I have broken even or made money on each transaction (good reason to buy quality basses- good resale). Anyhow, my way of thinking is a bass is just "stuff" and can always be replaced with another awesome bass.
I struggle with this too. I have a great Cirrus 4 that just never gets played anymore. I have a matching 5 that is my main bass, so the 4 just stays in its case. On the one hand, I'd love to trade it.. but its been with me for so long that it just feels weird to part with it.
Save it for a rainy day!
There is only one thing worse than buyer's remorse, and that is SELLER'S REMORSE...
There is only one thing worse than buyer's remorse, and that is SELLER'S REMORSE...
I am getting to the point of...."if it's not getting used, sell it". Getting ready to do a major downsizing and will be selling off most of my gear, and furniture, and appliances and anything else not nailed down.
I'd say sell it, but that's just me and where I'm at (agewise)
I'd say sell it, but that's just me and where I'm at (agewise)
I think I would be unlikely to sell it. But I go through this thought process before I buy a bass, so I have none that are duplicated or not unique. For example, if I had a Squier P bass and a MIM P bass and just bought a Custom P bass, I might get rid of the Squier (sell or donate) assuming it was my least favorite. In most of my situations, it would be like already having a Custom P bass, Custom Jazz bass, and some other bass then seeing an LTD bass that looks neat, but not interesting enough to justify buying.
Don't I remember correctly that you raised this topic before? Sell it!
I also once felt the need for a 6er. Bought it, played it for some time, sold it again (for about half the price I paid... ).
I regret the sale once in a while, but luckily, I always remember at the end of the day why I sold it: I don't need it.
Sell it!
I also once felt the need for a 6er. Bought it, played it for some time, sold it again (for about half the price I paid... ).
I regret the sale once in a while, but luckily, I always remember at the end of the day why I sold it: I don't need it.
Sell it!
It all depends on how badly I/you need the money or space. My bass/gun case is full so I'm at that 1 in 1 out stage now.
in this exact circumstance, i'd sell it. if i felt the need for something custom, i'd get a jake 4 and if the 5 string bug bit me, i'd get a squier VM 5 string. after all, you like the squier VM you have a LOT.
btw, i edited this post. originally i said i'd sell it and use the proceeds to fund a jake 4, but it sounds like you really like the sound and feel of your squier, so not sure the jake 4 would be necessary.
btw, i edited this post. originally i said i'd sell it and use the proceeds to fund a jake 4, but it sounds like you really like the sound and feel of your squier, so not sure the jake 4 would be necessary.
I would not sell it unless I needed the money.
In my basement, I have one of the earlier German Warwick streamers that was my only bass for many years. Since I bought an EBMM Sterling, I have not gigged with the 'wick.
Although it doesn't get any use, it's not really in the way, the bills are getting paid and the family is being fed so no real urge to part with it. If I needed the money, I'd part with it, although the Warwick and I had many memorable moments together
Regards
Mark
In my basement, I have one of the earlier German Warwick streamers that was my only bass for many years. Since I bought an EBMM Sterling, I have not gigged with the 'wick.
Although it doesn't get any use, it's not really in the way, the bills are getting paid and the family is being fed so no real urge to part with it. If I needed the money, I'd part with it, although the Warwick and I had many memorable moments together
Regards
Mark
I’d be surprised if it would be sold for a decent amount. I get the strong feeling buyers don’t go for unique instruments, nor custom made ones.
It’s quite usual to see (say) Warmoths for sale, but they’re for sale for months and months. Yet (say) a Fender might sell relatively quickly.
I say keep it.
It’s quite usual to see (say) Warmoths for sale, but they’re for sale for months and months. Yet (say) a Fender might sell relatively quickly.
I say keep it.
If you had an instrument made for you, you'll take an awful beating when you sell it. If you don't need the money, keep it. Your tastes have changed and probably will again.
I had an absolutely beautiful bass custom built for me by Oscar Prat (highly recommend him). It even had my name embroidered in the case. But like you, it was ordered before I really knew what I liked and didn't like best (I didn't know what I didn't know). Turns out, a 4 string 34" p-bass with flats is for me. I sold it, and did so at a substantial loss (probably about a thousand dollars). But also like you, the bass (basses) I've had since then were better suited for me AND were less expensive. I would consider going back to the same builder to make something more in line with what I play now, if I hadn't spent all my money on a house, two cars, tractor, etc. since then.
TL;DR: I was in your shoes once, sold it at a substantial loss, and don't regret it one bit.
TL;DR: I was in your shoes once, sold it at a substantial loss, and don't regret it one bit.
I was brought up with the concept some instruments are keepers and some are trading stock.
While instruments may not have rights, cool stuff deserves to be played.
While instruments may not have rights, cool stuff deserves to be played.
Yes, that's the one, thanks
I don't recall ever bringing up the thought of selling that bass but I could be wrong. I did start a thread about the Fender Mustang P/J (and Reverend Mercalli) recently, but there was no mention of my Jake.
I tentatively put it up for sale, with clear explanation that I don't NEED to sell it. Some guy offered to trade for a gold Jake 4p (4-string, passive, P/H). I would post one of the pics he sent me but I don't know if that would be rude towards him...
It all depends on how you see an instrument.
Is it a tool for art, or is the instrument a piece of art itself?
I've had instruments that fit both categories, and it`s really up to personal taste.
OP mentioned a Squier that he regrets selling. From that perspective, you can say that Squier was a piece of art (since it`s value for OP was more than $$$).
I have a few basses that I love owning, but hardly ever play (except to keep tuned/set up). They may have value only for me.
Is it a tool for art, or is the instrument a piece of art itself?
I've had instruments that fit both categories, and it`s really up to personal taste.
OP mentioned a Squier that he regrets selling. From that perspective, you can say that Squier was a piece of art (since it`s value for OP was more than $$$).
I have a few basses that I love owning, but hardly ever play (except to keep tuned/set up). They may have value only for me.
Does that guys gold Jake 4p speak to you visually? I would definitely consider a trade in your situation, especially since it's not exactly giving up on the Jake.
Sell it, don’t look back. If it is just sitting and you only pick it up once in a while, sigh, and put it back in the case, it’s over. Move it on. A custom, one off bass, ordered new, is always a money pit. You think you know what you want, but it just doesn’t turn out to fit well.
Six string basses have a limited market. Lots of six string owners with case queens that don’t get played. Not that many dedicated six string players.
There’s a flood tide of used basses out there. Do some research, buy at a decent price and if it doesn’t fit, you can sell it with little or no loss. I call it “catch and release”. Works for pedals, amps, basses, whatever.
But set a limit, or stuff will pile up. If I’m not using something on a regular basis, off it goes. Soon you’ll have a PayPal slush fund.
Getting started on selling is the hard part, once you get rolling, it’s liberating and the cash starts to pile up.
Six string basses have a limited market. Lots of six string owners with case queens that don’t get played. Not that many dedicated six string players.
There’s a flood tide of used basses out there. Do some research, buy at a decent price and if it doesn’t fit, you can sell it with little or no loss. I call it “catch and release”. Works for pedals, amps, basses, whatever.
But set a limit, or stuff will pile up. If I’m not using something on a regular basis, off it goes. Soon you’ll have a PayPal slush fund.
Getting started on selling is the hard part, once you get rolling, it’s liberating and the cash starts to pile up.
Sadly, not at all. I try not to get hung up on color when deciding whether or not to buy an instrument, but gold with gold-ish pearl pickguard is really not my bag. Plus, Maruszczyk has a neat configurator on their website with a simulation pic of what the end product will look like. I've been spending a little too much time with that and I've already decided what the next Jake (or possibly but unlikely Elwood) will be like
Needless to say and as some of you advised, I've put my Jake 6 up for sale with a clear note that I'm in no hurry to get rid of it. I'm not going to put it up in the classifieds on here because I doubt there are many people from my area on Talkbass.
