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Which Memorable Bass do You Regret NOT Buying?

#61
Two, both on the same day. How could that happen? I was at George Gruhn in Nashville, that's how! An early '70s fretless P with an A neck, maple fretboard. I forget what the price was, but I remember thinking it was about the same as a used Suzuki Sidekick. Oooh, it felt so good under my fingers! Even worse, a cherry-red Suhr Jazz. Calling my name! Let's just say if I'd had $2,600 in my pocket, I would have just snatched it.
 
#62
A couple weeks ago I tried to make a deal on a used Mustang from a private seller. I’ve been wanting one for some time. We went back and forth but finally agreed on a price. When I tried to arrange for pick up, she backed out of the deal. I kept thinking I should have offered more, but it wasn’t my first choice in color, and I was kinda annoyed that she backed out. Then this week, Adorama put them on sale for less than my original offer, and in the color I wanted! (Pearl green) So I hit the buy button. Sometimes things happen for a reason.

Stand by for a NBD report.
 
#63
Back when I worked at GC, we got these Warwick special Corvettes in. The 4 string was red and the 5 was black. Swamp ash body, ovangkol necks, black hardware... The first 5 was, a typical ‘wick. But the second 5er was special. The word grain on the body was fairly porous looking and the neck had a slight iridescent flame going on. It sounded more “robust” compared to the Standards. I loaned it for a night and fell in love. Unfortunately, I couldn’t afford it even at employee cost...

Someone got an amazing bass later that week. I hope it’s still loved.
 
#65
A white stingray with all rosewood neck. It felt and played like a dream, and is far and away the best stingray I’ve ever tried. This was back before the big price increase and they don’t make this model anymore.

I also regret not picking up a used Peavey millennium. The price was crazy low and I loved playing it so much. Someone snatched it up fast.
 
#66
So many basses I regret! I worked at a music store and there were a bunch of deals that I passed up. The one's I remember were a Dingwall 5 String that was tagged at $1000, An Alembic Spyder for $1500, and all the 70's era basses we used to get that we priced at $500-$700. I also regret not taking advantage of the Peavey Employee Purchase program and getting a Custom Cirrus for like 10% below cost.
 
#67
This happened JUST last night. A Musicman Stingray Stealth SLO was on Reverb. It's basically the exact bass I've wanted for a while, but the price was bit higher than normal. I kept watching it and finally made an offer last night. Unfortunately, someone else bought it. I'm very salty about it. I honestly have no idea why I was sleeping on it.
 
#70
Artto said:
There are three for me.

A 70's something Fender Precision fretless maple fingerboard, no fret lines, seafoam green

A 70's something Fender Jazz, black, rosewood fretboard, white block inlays. I could just feel the power in that instrument vibrate me without an amp.

A Rickenbacker 4001 fireglow, fretless, at Guitar Center for $450 (early/mid 90's). Went back the next day and it was gone.
Click to expand...
In early 70s I played my lessons on Jane Little’s museum quality 7/8 symphonic basses in her home.

She was always buying & selling

Bass I regret not buying from her was made from pine from cathedral doors over 200 years old . Although made in 68? It sounded fully seasoned with a loud full rich tone

She woulda taken my 2 string basses and 2 G for it. I had just bought my 72 Ric and only made $3 per hour then...
 
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#72
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#76
I was 17 at the time. I walked into GC and there was a Jetglo Rickenbacker 4003 chilling on the wall. I played it and instantly felt 'it.' The neck felt great, it was in very good shape and I was able to get a bunch of great tones out of it It was only $800....but I was 17 had less than a tenth of that in my pocket....
 
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#78
There are a couple I can think of.

Maybe 12 - 15 years ago I was in the market for a clean 70's jazz bass. This CAR version with a maple board and pearloid block inlays came up on eBay. It was stunning. For one reason or another, I didn't make an effort to place a bid. Unfortunately nothing like it ever came up again.

I've always had a love / hate relationship with Steinbergers. I've owned a few over the years but never truly bonded with them. However, if I were to get my hands on a XL-25 or XL-25W, I think I would be set. 10 - 15 years ago, reasonably priced specimens would come up for sale. There was one eBay auction for a XL-25 that I went low ball on. As it turned out, the bass sold for a price that I would have been perfectly fine paying. Finding a XL-25 now is like finding hens teeth. When you do, the price is usually pretty crazy.

Bones
 
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#79
The best bass I’ve ever played, a Dingwall Super J with P/J pickups. I tested it back in 2006, and it blew my mind, but I couldn’t imagine spending that much on a bass. (Still can’t, actually.) However, I know if I’d just gone for it, I wouldn’t have regretted it in the least.
 
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