Used bass condition disclosure

[ahbradot]

I have always bought basses new.
I know I'm missing out on some great used basses.
But my OCD is triggered when I imagine the used bass and it's previous ownership.
The attached video shows an extremely unfortunate mishap that a fellow posted of himself.

Last night I ordered a new Fender Vintera '70s Jazz Bass.
It's coming next week and hopefully the bass will get here in one piece.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

There is definitely a heightened sense of excitement to buying new, but most of what I've had has been used.

The only two basses I have were both used, purchased on the cheap or even free, and have remained while several others both new and used have come and gone.

Hope the new bass lives up to the excitement.

 

[JRA]

i don't have/suffer "OCD" but if i did: it would be all about the feel of the ax when played --- whether new or used, dented or not, sanitary or not.

hope you get a nice clean one without any 'use' marks, OP!

 

[Maxdusty]

I love buying used basses...from people who are as particular about the condition of it such as you.
To be honest, if I were to buy a new bass i would perhaps be a little too cautious with it as I too have OCD tendencies when it comes to playing pristine instruments, so buying used basses is somewhat liberating and I can play the bass without having to worry about the condition. I'm fine with buying used basses that are used not abused. Basses are meant to be played not museum art pieces. (well, the ones that are, I can't afford them anyway). There are a LOT of terrific basses that you can only find used as they're no longer being made, just an example off the top of my head is a US Musicman SUB or a Peavey Fury.

 

[two fingers]

I'm somewhat cautious with new gear, but not overly so. The way I see it is that any marks I get on my gear are supposed to be there. Granted, that's philosophical rationalization. But I makes me feel better.

 

[Warpeg]

I will only buy used unless I find an absolutely outstanding deal on something new. One thing to keep in mind when it comes to a new instrument (or anything, really): Once you take it out of the store, it is now used. Unless a warranty is of high value to you, what's the point of new?

 

[jd56hawk]

I have always bought basses new.
I know I'm missing out on some great used basses.
But my OCD is triggered when I imagine the used bass and it's previous ownership.
The attached video shows an extremely unfortunate mishap that a fellow posted of himself.

Last night I ordered a new Fender Vintera '70s Jazz Bass.
It's coming next week and hopefully the bass will get here in one piece.

Nine basses, bought eight of them online...six of them used.
Of the used ones every single one of them 100%.
Two of them were only technically used...new but unplayed.
Nothing wrong with new, but there's no way you can find something like this new for $1,350!

 

[Maxdusty]

Nine basses, bought eight of them online...six of them used.
Of the used ones every single one of them 100%.
Two of them were only technically used...new but unplayed.
Nothing wrong with new, but there's no way you can find something like this new for $1,350!
View attachment 4242575

It came with that pickguard?? Looks awesome.

 

[jd56hawk]

It came with that pickguard?? Looks awesome.

Thanks.
Some of the Japanese L2000s have pickguards like this, so I had one made to make mine a little different from the other three or four silver metal-flake ones I've seen.
Just thought a mirror one would look good.

 

[DanAdams]

I would never buy a new bass... I would never buy a new car either.
They cost more, and I don't mind scratches.
Why would I put myself through the anguish of causing an instrument's (or car's) first scratch or dent?
I'll let someone else experience that pain, and I'll save a ton of money while I'm at it.

 

[Wicked G]

I've always only purchased new because I am super picky and really take care of my stuff. I have basses that are over 20 years old and they look brand new and yes I do play them a lot.

But I have purchased 4 used basses based off of pictures I have seen posted here on the classifieds and have had very good luck with them coming in excellent condition.

 

[singlemalt]

That video made my morning! It just kept getting better and better. Cleaning the coffee off my iPad.

Never bought a new bass, is this really a thing?

 

[thetragichero]

always used. let somebody else get that first ding or two in

 

[AceOfBassFace]

Used basses tend to retain their value - if you don't like it, just sell it for what you paid (or more or less). I got really lucky once - bought a 72 Fender P for cheap, didn't really gel with it, sold it a few years later for about three times what I paid. I've overpaid for a used bass too - a Squier VM P/J, for a few hundred more than it was worth – because it looked, played, and sounded really great. It also had upgraded pickups and a set of broken in TI Jazz Flats on it. I still have that one and it's my main gigging bass now.

 

[whitelines]

Is that Nigel?

 

[squish]

That dog was cracking me up

 

[alembicbones]

I buy both new and used basses. For me it really comes down to the instrument. My Lakland 55-02 and Steinberger XL-25 were both well used and have wear to show it. I was totally cool about this as they both play and sound great. The XL-25 hasn't been made for some 30 years so new was never going to be an option. The rest of my basses were purchased new. Two were custom builds so obviously they were going to be new. The rest were just basses I wanted, it just turned out they were new.

Bones

 

[matdras]

This is an issue that I have overthought to death. It’s definitely just my pedantic mind worrying about things that probably don’t matter, instead of focusing on practicing haha. That being said, the thought of how some people treat their instruments is, in my opinion, an absolutely heinous crime....

If I am buying used, I make sure to ask ALL the questions before pulling the trigger. However, all of the issues I’ve had with basses have been from ones purchased new.

Since you didn’t include a vegetable-based option in your poll choices, I was unable to answer!

 

[GreyBeard]

I buy new and trade for used

 

[ElectricBass72]

I haven't bought used since the turn of the century. Every bass I've bought since 2001 was new.