• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Used bases aren't selling well.

#21
darwin-bass said:
I've noticed a lot of basses being listed in the classifieds, many at good prices, that just aren't selling. Do you guys think the used market is down or has it been this way for years?

It is depressing and makes me think twice about buying any bass I'm not fairly sure I'll keep forever.
Click to expand...
Great news, because I'm buying.
In fact, I've never regretted buying a bass, but I've regretted selling or giving away every one I've ever parted with.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bobyoung53, Rocker949, Mike Sorr and 1 other person
#22
Mike M. said:
If the used market is bad then I wonder how sales for new instruments are doing. I haven't shopped for anything for about two years now and I just about fell over when flipping through the last Musicians Friend catalog. Could not believe how much some of the higher end things are going for.

So glad I'm done buying.
Click to expand...

I bought my Les Paul in 1977 and my Strat in 1979. I'm so glad.
 
  • Like
Reactions: pacojas
#23
Gully Foyle said:
Dude, prozac.

The KSA is specifically not manipulating the oil market, allowing supply and demand to do what it is currently doing.

Also, Russia? Unless you live on their border, not a big deal.

Massive overproduction of instruments, of increasing quality, and decreasing price, is the thing here. This has a lot to do with the next quarter mentality of publicly held instrument companies, not so much geopolitics.
Click to expand...

No thanks, I don't support big pharma. Nice profile pic btw. Alfred Bester is one of my favorites.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ninjaaron and Gully Foyle
#28
Alfred Bester, "The Stars My Destination" was an awesome read. I think I was 9 at the time. Also a big fan of A. E. Van Vogt ("Supermind" springs to mind).

ObTopic: Post holidays in the US everything slows down. People are anticipating big credit card bills for all that binge shopping in November/December. Maybe that has an effect on the used bass market? Didn't stop me, but maybe it has others?
 
#30
Gully Foyle said:
Forgotten legend. You are the 3rd person to get the reference, and I use this name/image on multiple boards
Click to expand...

I can't take all the credit. When looking at your profile, one can see the author's name at the top of the cover. I've only read Stars... and Demolished Man and that was only after an English major friend of mine made the recommendation. Harlan Ellison is a close runner up. Regarding used basses and my earlier summation, I may be guilty of listening to too much Alex Jones.
 
#32
SteveC said:
The market has been slow for about a year or two maybe. Great if you're buying, sucks if you're selling.
Click to expand...

The used market has been soft for 4-5 years, but things hit the fan in fall '13 here in the US when much formerly disposable income got rerouted to insurance.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TinIndian, trunkshope6, drumsnbass and 2 others
#34
StevieMac said:
Yep. Price it like you want to sell it and you will. Price it like you are in love with it and you can expect to love it for quite a while longer. that's my experience at least.
Click to expand...

It looks like you haven't gotten an offer of $200-500 for a set of antique chairs appraised at $3800. I've gotten a few, and I'm not asking anywhere near the appraisal price. That's priced to give away, not sell.

Same goes for the Warwick BC40 I've had listed since they came out, so it's not just a cheap rich folk thing. ;)

Even yard sale prices have cratered around here.
 
Last edited:
#35
Maybe a lot of us players have finally grown up? I know there were heady days between 2007-10 where I was more of a collector than a professional player! I think I had 17 basses at one point. I'm buying now, because I sold everything that was non essential back in 2010. And once I have everything I need (for need, read a bass for every professional eventuality) I won't bother for a long while again.

Yes, I do have occasional GAS attacks, but I'm very good at talking myself out of things and staying on track. Keeping to the plan. :)

I don't think it's particularly oversupply, but particularly since 2008-10, people are being a lot more sensible with money. And quite rightly so.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JanusZarate, GregC and okcrum
#37
SturmUndDrang said:
Much like the thread about Canadians complaining about their devaluing dollar, the depressed used bass market is simply a reflection of the larger worldwide economic conditions. The manipulations of the oil market from Saudi Arabia coupled with the state frictions between Russia and the USA are going to set off a chain of events that may end up bringing the planet closer to nuclear Armageddon. Not being able to sell your used bass will be a minor problem in comparison.
Click to expand...
I was having a pretty good day until I read your post. Thanks.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TinIndian, Moosehead1966 and Pet Sounds
#40
That's because CATS is buying up all the used bases.
base.jpg
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: pudgychef, 40YearOldBassVirgin, Mechanical and 8 others

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back