So what do you do with basses you can't sell

[fjbolebruch]

When you take something to guitar center they offer 10% off something new when you trade something in. Sometimes it's worth it when you need a big ticket item and also want get rid of a bass, definitely helped me out when I was getting rid of an old Ibanez bass and our band also needed a new PA speaker

 

[IAMPK]

Man, I would hate to open my Facebook back to do this.

Used my wife's account. Sold an old Ibanez SR400 that was in good condition. Listed for 200, which was below any prices I could find online. After a few months, price drops and negotiations, I finally sold it for $145, which seems like a crazy low price for a great working bass. But I didn't need the money, just wanted to sell since I didn't play it anymore and didn't want to ship.

 

[WG Plum]

I use a local shop and consign. I don't mind them taking the their cut for relieving me of the hassle of dealing with the sale. I sign the papers and forget about it until the check comes in.

 

[Rickplaysbass]

Maybe if you live in rural farm land. If you live in a densely populated city, you can have millions of people viewing your pickup only listing. Where are you supposed to post?

Facebook marketplace is a better choice than here or reverb for pickup only listings.

 

[bigdaddybass12]

Play it, try to sell it again after awhile.

this!! Cant have too many basses! Well, maybe you can, The $200-700 is the best selling range of basses. I watched a beautiful MIM fender jazz, black on black, stay stay posted locally for $600 for many months. ( personally love black on black basses) If the price was $500 or less it would have sold. So, I have learned the hard way:
1. Buy a bass for resale. I never had an issue selling a fender locally. People will put me down for saying that, but it is true. You or someone else will sell your basses.
2. Some really good basses have no (less) resale: LTD, Sterling. I have a LTD B205 that is fabulous, hold its own against any bass, but worth about $300 resale. I actually was lucky and got a really good Sterling Ray4. worth $200? Cant replace these for the $$. I want to upgrade the Sterling to a better bass but the sub $1000 bass I buy may not be as good/stable as my Sterling.
What to do? trade them all in for a new (or used) one at GC. I believe you can get 10% off a new one if you trade in.

 

[outoftune]

No one seems interested on a few different sites. So what do you do? I just stare at it and mumble you should be goooooooonnnnneeee.
But it continues to sit there.

Guitar Center is my last resort. It's cash on hand at least. I am worried about the day they don't exist, I will have no last resort to unload gear.

 

[Jeremy Crockett]

Why not swap it for something?

I started with an Epi Viola bass and traded it for a Squier HH Tele which I then swapped for a fantastic Epi ES-335 that I positively love.

 

[Scarysharkface]

No one seems interested on a few different sites. So what do you do? I just stare at it and mumble you should be goooooooonnnnneeee.

But it continues to sit there.

I take them to my crack dealer (Sweetwater) and humbly accept their low-ball offer right before I make another decision I'll probably regret later in their bass room. It's not optimal, but yes it is. lol

My current "for sale" instrument is a G&L Tribute L-2000 in mint condition, stunning blue finish with maple fingerboard. It will eventually make someone very happy, as it did me when I bought it. My hope is to replace it with an Ibanez EHB1505MS or similar.

John

 

[Swerve]

they're pretty well known for buying things for way, way less than that.

The one near me has been pretty consistent with the 60% of sale price offers. Though sometimes they won't take it at all. Ymmv.

 

[bassist4dalord]

Does it come with a pick and instruction booklet?

I assume you are inferring that this is a "beginner bass". Not far off the mark, I guess.

 

[2thAche]

Consider a trade, if that hasn't been mentioned. I had a Schecter fretless that sat on FBM. I ended up trading it to a guy who happened to have a guitar I wanted.

 

[Lardass5000]

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Ive said it many times: THE BASS GLUT IS REAL!
It really is a real thing. There are somewhere between 11 to 15 basses for every active bass player on the planet. More are made everyday. 90% are trash.

 

[Lardass5000]

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

This is so satisfying.

 

[JazznFunk]

Decide what the lowest price is that you'll sell for, and list it at that. What you often want is not what the market demands. If you really need to move it, prepare to let it go at fire sale prices. If you absolutely need it gone for space reasons, consider donating it to a music school or to someone just getting started. If you donate it to a non-profit or education entity, you can write it off on your taxes as well. Otherwise, hang on to it and decide if you can find a place for it in your rotation in lieu of selling. I never consider basses easily liquidated items. I buy to own, unless it's something I REALLY can't get on with after a time.

I rarely sell basses these days. Too much hassle online, and shipping is outrageous. I've found much more luck moving smaller items like pedals, amp heads, etc.

 

[lordradish]

Man, I would hate to open my Facebook back to do this.

I started a separate account that is only music related. I don't have any actual friends/family on there, nor do I need to hear the rantings of any crazy right-wing uncles.

 

[Baker69]

I've struggled to sell (certain) basses at times, even more so as they are left handed models, and I've had to let basses go at far less than I know they're worth.

Other options are music stores, however a local well known guitar store once told me that they buy guitars and basses in at 25% of their retail value. I've never been that desperate to sell under those terms I might add!

It's really frustrating trying to sell something for what you know is a fair and realistic price only to have to reduce to a stupid price just to make a sale.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

Either the price is high or there's no demand. GC will give you half the price max. Don't tell me how I know it.. I was desperate.

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

Average internet time to sell a bass is 3-5 months. If not sold, I lower the price. If still not sold, I go to G.C.-- they give me money and I tell myself that I basically "rented" the instrument. Yes, the full amount you paid for the bass would be optimal, but in this economy, where inflation is rampant and our job raises are not, it is all you can do.

 

[Ostie]

I assume you are inferring that this is a "beginner bass". Not far off the mark, I guess.

Not, I'm referring to the FB and CL posters who point out that a pick is included. They cost .50 down at the music store.

 

[tbz]

Used my wife's account. Sold an old Ibanez SR400 that was in good condition. Listed for 200, which was below any prices I could find online. After a few months, price drops and negotiations, I finally sold it for $145, which seems like a crazy low price for a great working bass. But I didn't need the money, just wanted to sell since I didn't play it anymore and didn't want to ship.

$145 for a 400 kinda makes sense. I see 800s from that period selling at $300-400 pretty regularly.

 

[bootstrap]

Convert to fretless and sell it to the neighbor. At least that's what I did