Sweetwater Demo Basses

[tbz]

Geez a few things.

First. Call a human at Sweetwater. Say things like “I love the price of that demo but I’d prefer new.” They always have flexibility to negotiate. Especially in today’s music market. It’s soft, and online advertised prices are not indicative of what they will let you pay to clear inventory.

Second I’d ignore the guy that ranted about kfc grease, then suggested you buy a parts bass and self assemble it. Your demo from Sweetwater wouldn’t come covered in grease or anything, those get cleaned thoroughly before shipping lol. Plus like. That dude seems to have suggested that you build this out of parts…that cost more than just buying this assembled….which seems…misguided.

Third, from my experience, Sweetwater is a solid company. Their demo units are usually in better shape than you’d get from a Guitar Center floors inventory. Their return policy is solid. If I were you I’d just place the call and figure out what they can do to make this sale work.

 

[Desmoface]

Thanks, I had no idea they were flexible on price like that. I was thinking of having them do the set-up to ensure that everything was good to go when I got it. I may give them a call to hash it all out.

Thanks!

 

[jglunt]

I bought my Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz bass as a demo from Sweetwater. The issues with the bass were carefully and accurately marked in pics on the website. Once I received the bass, I discovered if they hadn't been marked, I might have never noticed them. They were very slight. However, one of the tuners was so rough it was unusable, and another had a little catch in it from time to time. These were never mentioned, and since that's supposed to be part of their 55-point inspection, I was a little surprised. How could tuners be this bad on a "demo" and go unnoticed, plus slip through the cracks in their inspection? I bought a great set of new tuners from a friend at a good price, plus when I told my sales rep, they offered me a $50 store credit, so I kept the bass. However, with the demo discount of only 10%, I didn't really end up saving much at all on the bass.

 

[tbz]

Any music retailer, that allows you to talk to a human, is essentially open to negotiation.

A few don’t empower their floor folks to make deals. Like GC. But advertised price on MI gear is essentially just a starting point for negotiations, at any good music retailer.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I would personally go with the one I liked the colour of best, even if new. For me, it would be worth it. But of the bunch you posted, that green one is looking really nice. They're all nice.

A word of warning for the black one; black shows every imperfection and fingerprints. If that bugs you, you may want to stay clear of that one.

 

[tbz]

I bought my Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz bass as a demo from Sweetwater. The issues with the bass were carefully and accurately marked in pics on the website. Once I received the bass, I discovered if they hadn't been marked, I might have never noticed them. They were very slight. However, one of the tuners was so rough it was unusable, and another had a little catch in it from time to time. These were never mentioned, and since that's supposed to be part of their 55-point inspection, I was a little surprised. How could tuners be this bad on a "demo" and go unnoticed, plus slip through the cracks in their inspection? I bought a great set of new tuners from a friend at a good price, plus when I told my sales rep, they offered me a $50 store credit, so I kept the bass. However, with the demo discount of only 10%, I didn't really end up saving much at all on the bass.

Slipping tuners on a squire is par. Not a flaw. They don’t replace factory parts when the parts themselves are subpar.

 

[jglunt]

Slipping tuners on a squire is par. Not a flaw. They don’t replace factory parts when the parts themselves are subpar.

I respectfully disagree. Slipping tuners destroy the ability of the bass to function properly or maybe even to function at all. I'd call that a flaw. I discovered them within five minutes of unboxing the bass. And while they might not replace a subpar part, they should replace defective parts or return the item to Fender. Anyway, it's all good. I still have the bass, and it plays beautifully and sounds great.

 

[tbz]

I respectfully disagree. Slipping tuners destroy the ability of the bass to function properly or maybe even to function at all. I'd call that a flaw. I discovered them within five minutes of unboxing the bass. And while they might not replace a subpar part, they should replace defective parts or return the item to Fender. Anyway, it's all good. I still have the bass, and it plays beautifully and sounds great.

I’m confused. You disagree, in response to my statement that slipping tuners on a squire are par? Or do you disagree that Sweetwater does not replace things like that?

I’m guessing you’re not disagreeing with either point. But are instead disagreeing with the sentiment that I inferred, which is that it’s acceptable for an inspected bass to arrive with flaws.

I can see why you’d be frustrated with that. I can also see how they can’t afford to replace the sub-par tuners that Fender ships these with. Since every squire I’ve seen in decades had tuners that would slip with minimal use. This is why I don’t buy Squiers.

 

[dune]

Hey everyone, thanks for all the replies. My main concern is I've heard reports of non-functioning truss rods and general lack of QC with new Precisions. I have no experience doing bass set-ups so I want to make sure the bass I get, whether it be new or used is good to go. I've looked around and can't find any luthiers in my area to have a bass checked out/set-up. Sweetwater is running a 10% off special so that makes a new bass $1665, a used P-Bass is going for around $1500, the same price as the Sweetwater Demo basses with the 10% discount.

For example, exact bass, color wise right here on TB is the this classified that I am looking at purchasing new at Sweetwater. The difference in price is $165, so there really isn't much in it to just get new. But as we all know, sometimes older is better.

Thanks again for all the responses.

If I hadn't been spending so much recently, I'd be all over that near-mint 2008 from @Lowbrow . I just bought a HX Stomp XL from him. He's great to deal with and the packing was crazy good. I agree with your assessment regarding "older is better" in this case.

 

[Desmoface]

Yeah, that thing is sweet as hell and 08 is supposed to be a good year for Fender as far as QC goes.

If I hadn't been spending so much recently, I'd be all over that near-mint 2008 from @Lowbrow . I just bought a HX Stomp XL from him. He's great to deal with and the packing was crazy good. I agree with your assessment regarding "older is better" in this case.

 

[Hand slap]

Anybody ever tried a bass from Sweetwater's demo selection? They have some nice options in there and who wouldn't like to save a couple bucks.

Thanks in advance.

Steve

I do all the time, I’m in Fort Wayne, I’ve purchased several over the years.

 

[Hurricane Jimmie]

So Anyway, I've bought a couple of SW demo basses and one demo amp.
They all worked fine and looked new to me, but these were not high dollar items.
In fact, the amp I bought looked like it had never been unpacked.

Good Luck with your search.

 

[SoCal80s]

No basses, but I've bought demo items before and I find that Sweetwater is accurate with the description of any defects and you can trust that nothing else is wrong with the item. I would not hesitate.

 

[Dbassmon]

Demo's and B Stock Items can save you significant money. They also carry manufacturers warranty which a used item does not most cases.

A small scratch or defect in the finish is may not be easily visible or on the back or side of the instrument. If an item was marked B stock, the defect could have been a returned instrument where the defect was corrected by the manufacturer. The resold instrument can not longer be sold as new but still carries the warranty as new.

If there is a minor ding or scratch, who cares? I will put many more of own dings and scratches if I play the bass with any regularity. I call this "genuine relicing." Not be confused with deliberate desecration of finish to look like someone played the instrument.

I recently bought a Spector Euro 5, somebody, in production process dropped the bass and put a dent the size of of a fingernail, in bottom bout and cracked the finish. The ding was so minor that the retailer was not able to get it show up in a photo, other than the hair line crack line in the finish. The reduction in price from retail was significant, several hundreds $.

Sweetwater & Fretnation, are both retailers that provide detailed documentation and photos of what you are buying, and will you allow to return the instrument if you are not happy.

Yes, Demos and B Stock items are a good way to go, if you want say some real money and get enjoy the protection of a warranty. Note; the defect will not be covered but everything else sure is.

 

[Bill Murray]

I wouldn’t hesitate. My experience buying a demo model was equivalent to buying a new one, couldn’t even tell and their customer service/support is unmatched!

 

[LightGroove]

I hear that there may be a nice Sadowski, Metroline there, with new bridge screws...

[edit] Yeah... I opened that can of worms. But, in all seriousness (opinion)... I'm of the thought that if something came back, the "IN HOUSE" techs may have the inclination to go it over more diligently than they would something direct from the manufacturer that is SUPPOSED to be READY TO GO. We all buy used basses from each other here. SW, may pay more attention to a return (that they lost commissions/shipping on), in order to make sure that it STAYS IN THE WILD.

Just my 2 pennies.

Peace,
Marc

Care to enlighten us that have no clue what you are referring too?

 

[GBBSbassist]

I haven't purchased a Sweetwater demo or anything, but I have purchased a B-stock on Reverb. I do browse the Sweetwater demos though. When it comes to retailers sales like this, I trust their item description well enough, and I would feel pretty confident buying a demo model from Sweetwater, because their CS is pretty stellar in my personal experiences.

I saved quite a bit of money on this mint P bass because it's a B-stock... they put a Fender Jazz Bass decal on it at the factory.

I'm all for second-hand, b-stock, whatever, get the savings as long as it's not a no returns situation, assuming we're talking retailers here.

 

[GIBrat51]

When I bought the demo Starfire I, I wasn't there to buy a bass, specifically. I was there to buy several guitar straps; some strap locks; and maybe some strings. Mainly I was there to look at, and buy, a couple of guitar effects pedals. But, since I was there anyway, I looked at basses, too. The Guild Starfire I would fill a spot in my herd that was proving to be a problem; "Short Scale Set-neck". Left handed ones are... not exactly scarce; but they're usually either cheaply made - or more expensive than I want to spend on a bass that fills a spot in my herd, and won't get played a lot. I could have bought a violin bass elsewhere - which is most left handed short scale set-necks tend to be - but I already have two, and I don't really want another one...
Anyway... the Guild was there; I played it - and liked it; so, it came home with me - along with all the other stuff I went to Sweetwater to get, in the first place.
However, that's not something that's likely to happen again. The Birdsong Fusion lined fretless that arrived 4 days ago, filled the last empty spot in my herd - "Short Scale Fretless". My bass buying days are over... but, that won't stop me from fooling around with lefty demo bass, any time I'm in the Sweetwater store...

 

[jglunt]

I’m confused. You disagree, in response to my statement that slipping tuners on a squire are par? Or do you disagree that Sweetwater does not replace things like that?

I’m guessing you’re not disagreeing with either point. But are instead disagreeing with the sentiment that I inferred, which is that it’s acceptable for an inspected bass to arrive with flaws.

I can see why you’d be frustrated with that. I can also see how they can’t afford to replace the sub-par tuners that Fender ships these with. Since every squire I’ve seen in decades had tuners that would slip with minimal use. This is why I don’t buy Squiers.

Sorry I wasn't more specific. I don't think Sweetwater employs any techs to repair basses. However, why would they ship out an instrument that is not playable? It only damages their reputation. That's why they make a big deal out of their 55-point inspection. Even without techs to do repairs, why wouldn't they disclose that this bass needed tuners and offer it for 25% or even 50% off instead of just 10%?...or just send it back to Fender as defective? I've owned three Squier basses in the last eleven years. This one is the only one I've had tuner problems with. I agree--one out of three is too high a percentage. This is the only Demo I've bought from Sweetwater, where I've been a customer for many years. Since this is a thread inquiring about buying a demo from Sweetwater, I guess I'd have to say simply that I did it once and received a bass with an undisclosed issue making it unusable as it was, so zero for one when it comes to receiving a usable demo from them. That's too small a sample size, but it does make me hesitant to try it again. Because of a good deal from a friend, I was able to repair it for the cost of the $50 credit they gave me, so I came out OK.

 

[Desmoface]

That's sweet, it comes down to that color and this one for me:

I haven't purchased a Sweetwater demo or anything, but I have purchased a B-stock on Reverb. I do browse the Sweetwater demos though. When it comes to retailers sales like this, I trust their item description well enough, and I would feel pretty confident buying a demo model from Sweetwater, because their CS is pretty stellar in my personal experiences.

I saved quite a bit of money on this mint P bass because it's a B-stock... they put a Fender Jazz Bass decal on it at the factory.

I'm all for second-hand, b-stock, whatever, get the savings as long as it's not a no returns situation, assuming we're talking retailers here.