What should I consider when buying a bass

[kevin beovides casas]

Hi, I know this is a generic question, but so far I have these in mind when I'm buying a bass:

1. Price (of course
2. Tone
3. Neck dive
4. Action
5 .Weight
6. Neck

What am I missing?

best regards

 

[Whippet]

new / used

 

[Gorn]

The thing that happens when you point your eyes at it.

 

[kevin beovides casas]

new / used

very true, thanks

 

[tfer]

Feel.

Does the neck sit well in your hand?

 

[kevin beovides casas]

The thing that happens when you point your eyes at it.

jajaja, great reply! Also true.

 

[arbiterusa]

If you like the look. Don't discount that.

If you can swing it, bring a friend that knows basses and can tell you if it's playable, may likely stay that way, and has no issues like worn frets, humped neck, or truss rod issues.

 

[kevin beovides casas]

If you like the look. Don't discount that.

If you can swing it, bring a friend that knows basses and can tell you if it's playable, may likely stay that way, and has no issues like worn frets, humped neck, or truss rod issues.

ok, that's great. What should I look at?

 

[5544]

Sharp fret ends.

High frets.

 

[tfer]

Sharp fret ends.

High frets.

With budget basses, I think it's most important to watch for things that can't be easily repaired. Most inexpensive instruments are going to have issues; but a good setup one/or fret job can fix most of them.

 

[5544]

With budget basses, I think it's most important to watch for things that can't be easily repaired. Most inexpensive instruments are going to have issues; but a good setup one/or fret job can fix most of them.

A fret job costs 200- out by me.

 

[tfer]

A fret job costs 200- out by me.

A levelling is far cheaper.

 

[5544]

A levelling is far cheaper.

That is the leveling price. A complete refret is 400-.

 

[tfer]

Wow! You're getting ripped!

Last levelling I had cost me $85!

 

[5544]

Europe.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Maintenance is a consideration.
How easy will it be to find parts?
What's customer support like?

I got to looking at the bridge on Epiphone/Gibson basses, and I was put off. I think they would be difficult to intonate.
It also scared me away from Rickenbacker 4003 series.

 

[ZenG]

Body design and overall length of bass. This can affect how it feels ergonomically when you have it strapped on affecting your playability.

Scale length...for the same reason.
Nut width....for same reason.

Type and number of pickups.

 

[tfer]

Europe.

Damn.

 

[AshInAmsterdam]

Fret level in the dam is €125. Refret is €250 assuming no refinishing or binding. Mind you it's hard enough buying a decent amp here from the one guitar shop whose staff treat customers as human.

To answer op:

1. Does it work?
2. Do you like it?
3. Can you afford it?

In roughly that order. Get too involved in the details and you'll end up on the dark side..

 

[tfer]

Fret level in the dam is €125. Refret is €250 assuming no refinishing or binding. Mind you it's hard enough buying a decent amp here from the one guitar shop whose staff treat customers as human.

To answer op:

1. Does it work?
2. Do you like it?
3. Can you afford it?

In roughly that order. Get too involved in the details and you'll end up on the dark side..

Tough to justify those prices, when the instrument itself costs barely double a levelling job.