Top 5 Reasons I (mostly) only buy used Basses

Mostly just price for me. You can generally pick up whatever you're looking for at 50 - 60% of new price, and usually in good low mileage condition if you're patient and watch the resale venues regularly.

 

Agree with all but #3. Never really understood what "broken in" means with a bass. It's not a baseball glove or a pair of Red Wings.

 

Unless it’s a brand new model, I’ve usually been able to find used, “like new” instruments at used prices.

 

If the neck is going to go wonky, it's most likely to happen early in the life of the instrument, sometimes due to seasonal changes in temperature & humidity.

 

Two reasons for me:

1. Price
2. Fancy woods-

nothing worse than flame or quilt that hasn't been matched properly, or burst finishes that aren't too your liking.

By buying used you know exactly what you are getting.

Ordering a new G&l, kiesel or any other mid to high end manufacturer - and you don't really know how it will turn out.

(I love kiesel and G&l)

 

Top 5 reasons I buy new basses (okay I mostly buy used, but whatever).

- Your dirty grubby hands never touched it.
- All knicks, dings, scratches, etc are my own stories to tell.
- I get all the original goodies, like case candy, warranty, stickers, an actual case, etc.
- I’m the one who does the breaking in, and
- Piss off y’all reading this who are pissed off about it

 

I get that, and would call it "settling in". Breaking in just sounds weird to me.

 

It's people like that people like me love, because you're the one who buys it new, then sells it to someone like me used for a nice price when the honeymoon period wears off, or the next GAS attack takes over!

 

I buy used for 1 reason and it's to get the most bang for my buck.

I own 4 basses and all 4 of them cost me a total of $814.64

Other than the '74 Jazz which I picked up in '08, the other 3 were picked up in the last 4 yrs.

'74 Fender Jazz
'78 Fender P-Bass
'90 MIJ Fender '57RI P-Bass
'94 Fender Jazz V Plus

Used all the way!!!!

 

Craigslist.......that's the only reason I need.

 

Prices, for sure. The buying power of my dollar goes a lot further buying used.
I try to take care of my basses but realize accidents will happen, but when I buy used I try to get the most gently used and well taken care of instruments.

 

Buying used, if you decide you don't like the bass or want to resell it, you don't lose any money as you can sell it for the price you paid or even more. I don't care if someone else has used the bass as long as it's in good to great shape.
That being said, I've bought both new and used but being that most of my basses aren't even in production anymore, new is not an option.

 

You should never ever buy a "used" bass. However, it's perfectly acceptable to purchase a "pre-owned" instrument.

Love,
Those Crazy Folks on Madison Avenue

 

I almost always buy used — so much more bang for the buck

 

Price.. It's like when you buy a new car ,it depreciates when you drive it off the lot. Same as a Basses,Amps etc.. I can get nice Fender USA Bass for half the retail usually.

 

The only bass I ever lost money on was the one and only I bought new.
I have only ever “needed” one bass at a time, so buying used at a good price helps to ensure a high enough resale that I have actually made money on almost all of my transactions.
That’s the main reason I buy used...to make money at it.

 

+1

I know the story behind every scratch, ding and nick on the bass I bought new.

 

You forgot about the COA!

 

I agree, I was just being a contrarian. I almost always buy used... except that one time...