I've owned 16 basses. Obviously that's a relatively small number, but I played only 5 before buying and have purchased 11 online. Only 1 of the 11 had an issue (finish) and it got swapped for a different one. 
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Sight unseen NBD.....
- Thread starter jnuts1
- Start date
I own 7 basses, all bought used. I bought 5 over the internet, and 2 at the local music store.
I wouldn't mind selling 3 basses, if so the 4 that I would keep were all purchased online.
Keep in mind that until recently there was only one music store here.
I wouldn't mind selling 3 basses, if so the 4 that I would keep were all purchased online.
Keep in mind that until recently there was only one music store here.
I bought a Sire and since there are only 10 or 12 B&M stocking dealers in the US, I didn't have much choice. That said, instead of buying factory direct, I called and personally spoke with Marc at Chicago Music Exchange. They've been around a long time and have great references so I felt comfortable that any issues would be taken care of. I received the wrong bass and they cheerfully sent me a return label and the correct bass. Both had been gone over and had a decent set up. They treated me like I'd purchased a high end instrument instead of the $329 bass I bought. I'd recommend them anytime.
Charles
Charles
Crazy?
Crazy is planning a 2 day trip from Portugal to Germany to buy a P bass. That's crazy.
Fortunately I finnaly found 2 in the same store (arrived that week) and loved one of them.
You're talking with your belly full. I even have to order a shaging set of strings. If you want to try something else than D'Addario, tough luck friend, order it online and hope you like it.
Oh, the price of the bass I bought?
800 dollars in the US, 1000 euros in Portugal.
Average wage in the US, 3428 dollars/month.
Portugal, 887 euros/month.
Crazy.
Crazy is planning a 2 day trip from Portugal to Germany to buy a P bass. That's crazy.
Fortunately I finnaly found 2 in the same store (arrived that week) and loved one of them.
You're talking with your belly full. I even have to order a shaging set of strings. If you want to try something else than D'Addario, tough luck friend, order it online and hope you like it.
Oh, the price of the bass I bought?
800 dollars in the US, 1000 euros in Portugal.
Average wage in the US, 3428 dollars/month.
Portugal, 887 euros/month.
Crazy.
The few times I've gone to say, Guitar Center the instruments are so poorly set up that the allure of a hands on experience wasn't required for me. I just accepted that anything I buy on line I can return. I've bought 2 G&L's sight unseen that aren't going anywhere. I did sell a Yamaha TRBX I bought on line after owning it about 2 years as I never warmed up to its active sound. It did play well though, after I filed the nut slots.
I've had a small handful of bad apples over the 20 or so years I've bought sight unseen.
The sellers have always taken them back and refunded my money. It kinda helps to stick with the better manufacturers, and buy from a seller that has a return policy.
Buying on TB has never been a problem for me, and I have had to return some to TBers due to issues that weren't disclosed.
Ironically, the #1 worst bass experience I've ever had was buying a brand new Gibson era Tobias Growler from a local guitar store over 20 years ago. Neck was twisted like a pretzel and Gibson refused to replace the neck. That was the last time I bought a bass I actually played before buying!
The sellers have always taken them back and refunded my money. It kinda helps to stick with the better manufacturers, and buy from a seller that has a return policy.
Buying on TB has never been a problem for me, and I have had to return some to TBers due to issues that weren't disclosed.
Ironically, the #1 worst bass experience I've ever had was buying a brand new Gibson era Tobias Growler from a local guitar store over 20 years ago. Neck was twisted like a pretzel and Gibson refused to replace the neck. That was the last time I bought a bass I actually played before buying!
I don't own a bass that I played before buying. I am not interested in new instruments and the used selection at area shops is not great. I generally know what I want and what questions to ask.
I did play my acoustic guitar before buying, that seems a necessity to me. But not for an electric guitar or bass.
I did play my acoustic guitar before buying, that seems a necessity to me. But not for an electric guitar or bass.
I bought an Ibanez GWB 205 off EBay and it was a very poorly finished bass. I contacted the seller and returned it for exchange and the second bass I received is absolutely fantastic. A good return policy and/or a good dealer can turn a sour deal into a sweet one. The Ibanez rep also helped.
I have bought most of my basses used and online. Most of the deals were great and I have bought some killer basses for low prices.
Most of the basses I own are not available locally and I appreciate being able to find what I want online.
I have bought most of my basses used and online. Most of the deals were great and I have bought some killer basses for low prices.
Most of the basses I own are not available locally and I appreciate being able to find what I want online.
My 2 biggest scores that I bought without being able to play them
First are a 73’ Jazz and a 78’ Jazz..
Both are absolutely stellar instruments!
First are a 73’ Jazz and a 78’ Jazz..
Both are absolutely stellar instruments!
I’ve only bought one bass sight unseen but it was a musicman from a musicman collector so not too big of a risk... I have bought enough guitars and basses that I have played and just never bonded with and ended up selling to make me think buying a quality instrument without seeing it isn’t anymore of a risk that you won’t end up bonding with it... if anything maybe you get a bit more time to sit down with it and decide it’s not for you. Most private sellers get annoyed when you’ve been playing the bass on their couch all evening.
I have bought the majority of my gear on line, sight unseen. I do my research, know what I'm getting, and make sure there is a good return policy if there are issues. It definitely helps that I can do all the major work on a bass besides a refret and level. Everything else I can take care of.
My favorite basses were bought online, as there arent many basses I can find in stores that appeal to me. I've had a few clunkers, but they were taken care of.
I'd buy another bass on line tomorrow without batting an eye.
My favorite basses were bought online, as there arent many basses I can find in stores that appeal to me. I've had a few clunkers, but they were taken care of.
I'd buy another bass on line tomorrow without batting an eye.
Im a flipper-- I buy online-- pawn shops-- yard sales-- estate sales --- OCCASIONALLY a guitar store (GC--Sam Ash etc but rarely as the "retail" on the used "whatever" they gave some poor schmoe 50.00 trade in on-- is WORSE than the PAWN GUYS)
I LOOK for subpar unloved-- and repairable-- low $ in -- better profit out--
and the cream I skim and keep for MY COLLECTION-- its a good gig --
play all the gear ya want-- send what ya dont like on down the line--- worst case ya break even -- but you learned you do or do not like a particular model--
most recent bass purchased new is a Squire CV 50's P-- tried for months couldnt find one local to try-- so rolled the dice-- and LOVE IT
I LOOK for subpar unloved-- and repairable-- low $ in -- better profit out--
and the cream I skim and keep for MY COLLECTION-- its a good gig --
play all the gear ya want-- send what ya dont like on down the line--- worst case ya break even -- but you learned you do or do not like a particular model--
most recent bass purchased new is a Squire CV 50's P-- tried for months couldnt find one local to try-- so rolled the dice-- and LOVE IT
If I'm not spending too much, I might just prep myself to eat the money for the learning experience. If I'm prepped to eat the money any benefit is profit.
Heck, back in the eighties, I bought my first good bass mail order through MF. The Mike Mesaros Ric.Got and it was perfect. Took a long time working at Mr. Happy Burger to pay for that.
I just open the box containing the paste, unscrew the cap, take a few sniffs. Smell and taste are connected. I was about today years old when I found out this process is considered socially unacceptable. Ima still keep on sniffin’ the pastes tho. I’m in too deep.
My 2 current main players (gig basses) I bought used sight unseen. I guess I may haves lucked out because they are both awesome. I have bought others in the past that I totally regretted. Lime an earlier poster mentioned it’s a gamble.
I will add that my rule is to not spend more than $800 on a used instrument so it is not a HUGE gamble but if I was going to spend more I would probably have to have it In my hands first.
I will add that my rule is to not spend more than $800 on a used instrument so it is not a HUGE gamble but if I was going to spend more I would probably have to have it In my hands first.
My AMEX card has points. My "day job" uses said AMEX card to buy everything. My AMEX card points are linked to my Amazon Prime account. I have lots of points... I buy alot of my guitars through Amazon... So basically, I've never played one before buying it! So far so good - every one I've bought has been a keeper. And that's 5 guitars in two years - a Squier VM Jazz Bass, a MIM Fender Jazz Bass Standard, a Fender American Tele, a Fender American Strat Deluxe, and a Taylor 214ce. I bought two from Chicago Music Exchange (through Amazon), one from Adorama (direct), and the other two were from Amazon's warehouse.
We're pretty far away from any music store. The closest mom and pops are 45 miles away (VERY limited selection), the closest GC is 95 miles. Online is really my best bet.
We're pretty far away from any music store. The closest mom and pops are 45 miles away (VERY limited selection), the closest GC is 95 miles. Online is really my best bet.
