• 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.

What would you do...?

prophet178

prophet178

Mar 13, 2009
57
0
#1
Hey guys, I'm having a tough time deciding how I want to buy my next bass. This might seem like a trivial question to some, but I guess I'm incredibly indecisive. I'm going to buy a Stingray, I don't need one, but I've wanted one for a very long time and I have the money so I figure why not. The part I'm having second thoughts on is where I should spend the money. New vs used, local pickup vs shipped, custom ordered vs off the wall... you get the point. Here are my options right now and what I'm asking is your suggestions on what you would do in my situation, which will hopefully better help me make the right choice.

Note: I'm mostly looking for black on black with maple, preferable SLO special but not a dealbreaker. Would settle for trans red, blue or gold.

New from Guitar Center: Right now there is only one GC near me that carries MM Stingrays, but none of the colors they carry really caught my attention. I could have them order me a new one I suppose, which would give me the 30 day return policy which is nice, plus I would get exactly what I want. Cons are I would have to wait + may be pricey.

Local Craigslist: Now I have been checking CL every day for months and have seen one (yes one) Stringray appear. CL would be nice for getting a low price and dealing locally where I can hold the bass in my hands before I purchase. Cons are obviously I might be waiting for a while for the right bass to come along.

Talkbass Classifieds: Another place I've been monitoring daily. I've seen a few basses come through but never pulled the trigger on because I'm still held up on getting new vs used. Another factor is not being able to actually see/feel the bass before I buy, and with used gear it's and even bigger deal than with new. From what I've read the TB classifieds is a great place to buy gear and is policed very well, but I still have that small chance of getting stuck with a bass that I may not love.

New From Online Retailers: I've been eyeing up a new Dargie Delight II from The Perfect Bass for a while but can't bring myself to drop the extra cash on it. I would love to have one but the extra $200 just for the color doesn't seem worth it when I like the black just as much. Besides the Dargie I could order exactly what I want from numerous online retailers, but again I am worried about what I get might not be perfect and I'll be stuck with it.

Are there any other better options I am missing? I'm really stuck right now and would definitely appreciate any insight as to what my best option would be.
 
#3
Definitely one of the first three.

The only other online retailer I would suggest is MusicGoRound. Despite being a chain, every store is run independently. It has been a source of much of my gear (including my well-used Fernandes and 2 pedals), and I've never had a problem with them.

Guitar Center would be perfect if you were unsure of the Stingray. If you get it, and find the price exorbitant for what you got, you always have the option of a return. In my opinion, Guitar Center is best for when you're not sure if:
a) You want the Stingray in the first place
b) That the price they're asking is worth owning the Stingray for

Craigslist is great because you'll find stuff for cheap, sometimes sold by parents who bought their kids a $400 bass that got played once and never looked at again. The down side is that you have to be wary of idiots and scammers, and be well aware of exactly what you're looking at when you see an item. Craigslist is only worth your time if you do your research.

Talkbass is probably the best for a situation where you know exactly what you want. I've always said that if you want to buy a great instrument, buy it from a great player. They've generally got it set-up so that it plays well and they've sorted out most issues. Plus, they know what they're selling, and can ask a fair price and answer questions accurately.

Hope this helps.

-Yakob
 
#5
EBMM basses are just about the only mass-produced instruments that I would buy unseen and unplayed from an online retailer with absolute confidence. I've never picked up a Stingray that was a clunker, they're all somewhere between very good and brilliant.

TB classifieds and the EBMM forum are the places to look for a used 'ray... there are a few available here right now. I'd buy this one if I were looking for a 4-string, it's gorgeous and reasonably priced:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=629012&highlight=stingray

If you could find a "new" one at GC that's actually "new" and that you liked, that sounds like it would be ideal. But I was in my local GC yesterday about to layaway a limited edition 'ray, and backed out because since the last time I played it some kid (I assume) had thrashed it so badly that the neck needs refinishing. Which was a real shame, because it was one of the "brilliant" ones.
 
#7
Yakob said:
Definitely one of the first three.

The only other online retailer I would suggest is MusicGoRound. Despite being a chain, every store is run independently. It has been a source of much of my gear (including my well-used Fernandes and 2 pedals), and I've never had a problem with them.

-Yakob
Click to expand...

+1 on the musicgoround.com its a great store, and a great website so you can buy anything from any of the stores in the country. but if you didnt know this, it is all used gear. but if you call and talk to a person at the store, they will give it to you straight up if anything is wrong with it.

since its used gear you can haggle with them. i have bought things from them in store and over the internet and have never payed what they were asking, so you can get things cheaper than what they ask
 
#8
snyderz said:
I would never buy a new/retail priced MM, but that's just me. Not when you can get a mint Stingray for well under a grand. www.ernieball.com has a forum with a 'for sale' section that has lots of Stingrays come up. They are as admirable as TBers.
Click to expand...

+1

My view is that if you are buying an instrument just for "educational value" [what is it about stingrays etc.] my choice is always used. I have bought "new" basses off the wall at GC marked way down as demo units, though. I guess that is sort of "used". The point is your purpose is to give yourself an education on the subject (stingrays). This is different from falling in love and wanting a life-long relationship! My Alembic was new. I fell in love with one. And ordered mine to my specs right from the factory. I"m still in love and still have it, though right after I got my flamed maple they came out with burled walnut that really made me wish I'd waited a bit.

But if you aren't in love and just want an education used is the way to go. And I think you'll find a stingray a VERY interesting education. They are a very unique bass that does very unique things and they aren't easy to master either so buying one is the RIGHT way to learn! Live with it. Find out what the Stingray is all about!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back