Stratosphere new/used question

[Orpheus55]

I just picked up a black pickguard for my natural FSR Jazz from The Stratosphere; it is a perfect fit, high quality, but appears to have been used, with swirls and light scratches in all the usual places. No complaints for the price, certainly ($15 shipped), but are these used, parted out items?

 

[elgranluis]

I always thought he was some sort of dealer who simply parted new basses out. Was the item described as new?

 

[jd56hawk]

Several used Aerodyne bass bodies and necks on there right now...they're priced right and you won't have to worry about customs.
I bought a white PJ body on there last month...clean as a whistle.

 

[Orpheus55]

I always thought he was some sort of dealer who simply parted new basses out. Was the item described as new?

It was advertised as new in the title; condition as mint.

 

[bolophonic]

I would automatically assume that any piece of a parted-out bass might show some signs that it was played.

Are you going to return it? Even a brand new one is going to show signs of wear once you start using it.

 

[tjh]

I have been beat out on a few occasions for Ebay listed basses that appeared in pieces shortly after on Stratosphere listings ... I think that they scour everywhere to find anything that they can make money on ... new, used, etc ...

 

[Orpheus55]

I would automatically assume that any piece of a parted-out bass might show some signs that it was played.

Are you going to return it? Even a brand new one is going to show signs of wear once you start using it.

No, I am good with it. The fit is perfect, and you are right; black guards show everything right away. I was more disappointed in the guard I bought from basspartsresource, which was an All Parts and had an 1/8 inch gap between the jack plate and the notch. My fault I removed the plastic first, so that one sits in the bin forever. At least with parted out stuff, you know it fit something at some time.

 

[Neon Blues]

They are a good option for those overseas as you can piece together a nice Fender for much cheaper and avoid customs costs as well.

 

[yodedude2]

perhaps it was new as in unsold, but had been on display in a store for a few weeks/months/years and so was no longer mint.

 

[NICQ]

They are a good option for those overseas as you can piece together a nice Fender for much cheaper and avoid customs costs as well.

how so? I bought 2 necks from them and had to pay custom fee as usual...

 

[fhm555]

I've used them on several occasions and while everything i got was listed as used, it was all in as new condition. I wouldn't hesitate to buy anything from them.

 

[Neon Blues]

how so? I bought 2 necks from them and had to pay custom fee as usual...

Might depend on your country's customs. In Australia, it's only items over $1000 AUD. Except for the Elite necks, the rest fall under this amount.

 

[bholder]

From my experience, I'm guessing they buy "new returns" on the cheap and part them out - most parts are indeed like new, but I did get a body with bridge from them (Fender reverse pawnshop jag) where the bridge intonation screws had stripped heads from some yoyo messing with intonation incorrectly. I suspect it was returned, sold to Stratoshpere, and parted out. I just happened to get the part with the damage.

 

[TinIndian]

They part out new and used basses and guitars. I think they are crazy price wise anymore they used to be much more reasonable. Something's you can find a decent price on but it's fewer and farther between.

 

[bholder]

They part out new and used basses and guitars. I think they are crazy price wise anymore they used to be much more reasonable. Something's you can find a decent price on but it's fewer and farther between.

I actually thought their prices were slightly better now than say a year or two back (when I first became aware of them). But it might just be which pieces I've been looking at, the "relative markup" seems higher on some than others.

 

[TinIndian]

I actually thought their prices were slightly better now than say a year or two back (when I first became aware of them). But it might just be which pieces I've been looking at, the "relative markup" seems higher on some than others.

Yeah I guess I'm going back in my mind around ten years or so. Even with inflation they are at higher! I haven't looked recently so maybe they have come down a little. I will say it's a great resource if you need a part that is Fender specific or a few other makes for that matter.

 

[Flad]

The only thing I've ordered from them were two gig bags, Fender branded 3/4 inch think padding for $13...Yes please! I'll take two! (he raised the price to $16 the next day after I ordered LOL) Anyway they came in perfect brand new looking condition, if they had been used i sure couldn't tell.