• 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.

Value of a Modded Squier?

Is this bass worth more than $500?

  • Yes, >$500

    Votes: 4 3.9%

  • No, <$500

    Votes: 99 96.1%
  • Total voters
    103
#41
Mike N said:
Lame. Didn't used to be that way.
Click to expand...

I agree. I can see having to be a supporting member to buy or sell, but to ask how much something is worth is just a little silly.

I haven't bought or sold on here, I might never. I became a supporting member because I want to keep this site going. I have learned so much about everything relating to bass guitar here that I wanted to do my part on keeping it rolling.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Byrinthion, Bolsyo and GoLeafsGo
#42
Byrinthion said:
Sorry I forgot about the rule. Let the pricing help flow friends! I'm ready to receive help
Click to expand...
Also as an example...
A couple of years ago I purchased a Squier VM Jag Short Scale used for $99 through Reverb.
It was in excellent condition.
At that time these were selling new for $179.
The one I purchased had DiMarzio pups, installed but otherwise was stock.
I think that regardless of being a Fender, Squier, or most brands, you always take a hit when you mod the thing.

I purchased this stock (except for the pups) and have since modded it heavily. Neck plate, body and neck are still Squier. The rest is Frankenbass. It has way more value to me than it probably would to someone purchasing it from me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Byrinthion
#43
JGbassman said:
I agree. I can see having to be a supporting member to buy or sell, but to ask how much something is worth is just a little silly.

I haven't bought or sold on here, I might never. I became a supporting member because I want to keep this site going. I have learned so much about everything relating to bass guitar here that I wanted to do my part on keeping it rolling.
Click to expand...
Does one have to be a supporting member to buy here?

I assume that being a S.M. to ask value, is that you likely will gain financially from that knowledge. TB gets their due for allowing the communication to take place that leads to you getting a fair price. After all, isn't that information valuable to you when you list it on Craig's List? You can do your own pricing research, but it's not as convenient as being able to ask many thousands of others to figure it out for you.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Mushroo
#45
JGbassman said:
I agree. I can see having to be a supporting member to buy or sell, but to ask how much something is worth is just a little silly.

I haven't bought or sold on here, I might never. I became a supporting member because I want to keep this site going. I have learned so much about everything relating to bass guitar here that I wanted to do my part on keeping it rolling.
Click to expand...

I had a Supporting Membership from the programs inception (2002 or so) up until the forum changeover a few years ago.
 
#47
JGbassman said:
I didn't realize this. Not that it makes any difference to me, but that cool. I assumed knowing you had to be a supporting member to sell, or ask about pricing, then the same would be for buying here. See, I just learned something else today!
Click to expand...
If you think about having to be a SM to buy, that reduces the potential for buyers. Thus the value of having to be a SM to sell is not as good. As it is, sellers have the maximum exposure that can be had here.
 
#48
Old Garage-Bander said:
If you think about having to be a SM to buy, that reduces the potential for buyers. Thus the value of having to be a SM to sell is not as good. As it is, sellers have the maximum exposure that can be had here.
Click to expand...

I totally understand, but I do see the business side of TB as well. They have an exclusive site catering to bassists mostly, and have put a lot of time/effort into keeping it going. They offered a service to their members, which is merchandise and a classified section. A one month subscription is not that expensive, and just a few dollars. To me it would make more sense to have to be a SM to have anything to do with the classifieds. Yes, make it to where it's available to everyone to see, but be a SM to buy or sell. As a business owner, this is a good rule. Maybe I'm off base a little, but to me it's a win for talkbass, and a win for everyone else as well. The seller puts his products out in a focused group, the buyer looks for said products in the same focused group, and the host gets compensated for its efforts to put together said group. To me I see it like a Sam's Club, where for an annual fee, you have access to a lot of products.

For the the silly part is having to be a SM to ask a question about pricing. To me that seems no different than asking which bass cab is better. They are both just questions, without an actual or intended sale pending. So I guess it's all perspective. Sorry for the derail, just wanted to clarify.
 
#50
I'm not sure if I wouldn't pursue the idea of a trade, maybe Squier for Squier Tele if someone has one and is willing. Ask them if they want it back stock, if so restore and sell the other neck and PU's. If they like it your way, sell the original neck and PU's. That's the route I'd take personally. As far as reliability on TB. I haven't ran into a bad transaction here. Following the trader scores and such is a great way to see if who you are dealing with is on the level. Maybe even post in a local CL ad or something. IDK, up to you I'm just rambling now lol.
 
#51
dxb said:
Do you still have the old parts? You might have more luck restoring the bass to its original condition and then selling that and the extra parts separately.
Click to expand...

^This. That's one reason why you'll see so many modded Squiers get parted out rather than sold as is. At the end of the day, they're still a Squier. And that sets a certain maximum price in a lot of people's minds. I don't agree with it myself. But that's the way the real world tends to see it. If you can get a brand spankin' new CV Squier for $400 current street, and a used one for half that, it's going to be hard to convince somebody to pay over the new street price no matter what you've done with it.

Another thing about mods...most people who are interested in having a modded instrument generally want to do their own modding. So unless your mod includes some exotic component(s) - like the PB with Alembic pickups and preamp that was in the classifieds awhile back - you're probably never going to recoup your investment on a modded instrument. Same goes for custom builds made up with components from places like Warmouth. I can't tell you how often I've run into people with a really nice Warmouth build they spec'ed out who are horrified to discover that their $1800 masterpiece can't even fetch $500 when they go to sell it.

Suggestion: If you ever buy something with a thought in the back of your head that you might want (or need) to sell it someday, pay very close attention to the name on the headstock. Because despite what people may tell you, when it comes to musical instruments, most people buy primarily based on the brand.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Old Garage-Bander
#52
Its still a Squier and mods are not going to change that. Given the fact that you can buy a new Squier bass pack for $299, the bass is probably not even worth that much used even with the mods. There are exceptions but most people who are in the market for entry level basses typically do not care nor understand mods. Why would someone buy a Squier with mods, for the $500 you are asking when they can get a better quality MIM bass for less, and used MIJ or MIA for $550 to $700?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bolsyo
#54
DiabolusInMusic said:
OP, are you the one person who voted that you think it is worth more than $500?

;) :D
Click to expand...
No:laugh: I actually just saw that and thought the results were hilarious. Believe it or not, I thought it wasn't but I figured maybe the poll would say otherwise or equal. But looking back, there is really no way it could be. I haven't actually voted in it, don't want to influence the results. I'll shake the hand of the person who thinks it is though, and sell it to them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DiabolusInMusic
#55
Bodeanly said:
The only reason to upgrade a Squier is because you plan to keep it forever. Don't ever put money into something that is easily obtainable at a low price and expect to get more than that out of it.
Click to expand...

I don't agree with this. People upgrade basses much more expensive and then they're on TB classifieds within a week.

I had a Squier P that I knew I'd get rid of in 4-6 months, but I still swapped the pickups for Quarter Pounders. Why not make it better while I have it in my hands?

However, no matter how much you put into a bass, it won't increase the amount that you can sell it for. So if I get a $99 Squier P and put $400 of upgrades on it, It's still gonna sell for around $99
 
#56
el_Bajo_Verde said:
I don't agree with this. People upgrade basses much more expensive and then they're on TB classifieds within a week.

I had a Squier P that I knew I'd get rid of in 4-6 months, but I still swapped the pickups for Quarter Pounders. Why not make it better while I have it in my hands?

However, no matter how much you put into a bass, it won't increase the amount that you can sell it for. So if I get a $99 Squier P and put $400 of upgrades on it, It's still gonna sell for around $99
Click to expand...
Right. How is this any different than what I said?
 
#60
FWIW I didn't vote because I'm in no position to pass judgement on what the bass in question is actually worth. That's something only a potential buyer can determine as shown by what they're willing or unwilling to pay for it. My previous comments we're purely about what someone can reasonably expect to get from selling a bass like the OP described.

Price and value (or worth) are two entirely different things. And they're not always in sync with each other...;)
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back