Which Memorable Bass do You Regret NOT Buying?

[India_Sierra]

I don't think I've ever missed out on a bass that I played and wanted yet didn't buy. I did miss out on a nice Status Empathy a few years ago. An advert popped up for it online and it looked great. I messaged the seller and offered him the asking price (which wasn't particularly cheap or attractive) only for him to say he had decided not to sell. I never saw that bass for sale again so I guess he held his word.

 

[JakobT]

All of them.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

Godin Acoustibass.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

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.

1967 Gibson EB-2D in case, 1990, £100.

Two Wals, fretted and fretless, £400 each around 1995

The failed auction to by back the Westone Thunder 1A fretless I had sold but was on eBay for less. My internet fell over at an inopportune moment.

 

[Thorsoundcore]

All of them?

In all serious however, there's at least two off the top of my head. A sunburst Fender CP 70's jazz I played about 10 years ago. I was too young/broke to have been able to afford it. There was also an Aria Thor sound 550 I wasn't able to jump on in time last year. Never was able to actually play it though, since it was for sale used at a Guitar Center location elsewhere.

 

[SilverFleet]

Back in high school in the late 90's, I played a really worn out 70's Gibson Ripper at a local Guitar Center. It was like this one, but the pickguard was worn through and it had plenty of scratches and dings:

It felt and sounded absolutely amazing and I wanted to take it home, but I was there to buy a new snare drum. The kicker: it was only around $200. That one still hurts a lot.

I learned that day not to pass up good deals on instruments, much to the chagrin of my wife.

 

[mikewalker]

1976 Univox Eagle bass. Basically had the cash to "buy now" and decided to let it go to auction, and lost by a $1. I could literally stop buying basses if I had one in my stable.

If there is a moral in that story, it is "Don't be a cheapskate, you will regret it!"

... so many times, I should have hit the BIN

 

[micguy]

There was a Washburn fretless I played in the store in the 80's. I've gone on line and searched, hoping to at least figure out what model it was,but I've never seen one like it since.

 

[jimmyhat1978]

Ernie Ball SLO Special Stingray

 

[Keger Jupit]

1993-94, Godin A4, fretless, w/ L.R. Baggs electronics...very unique sound. Woulda, coulda, freakin' SHOULDA

 

[Frenchy-Lefty]

A left-handed Ovation Magnum (the only one ever made) previously owned by Steve Miller's bass player and signed by Steve Miller. Sold by Guitar Showcase in San Jose for $695. I kick myself every day. I did not buy it because it was a true boat anchor. You could not have played this thing more than 30 min with heading to the chiropractor.

Those familiar with this guitar store in San Jose may remember that Steve Miller sold an enormous amount of his gear through this shop about 10 yrs ago.

 

[five7]

In 1977 was offered a trade for my 65 jazz, a 65 rick. I had two 65 jazz's at the time, should have traded.

 

[One_Dude]

Many years ago I had a chance to buy a Fender Mustang from a co-worker for a great price, but didn't do it. I still wonder what I was thinking. More recently I had a chance to buy an early Japanese Squier "P" bass, again at a great price and didn't do it. Oh, the regret for the ones that got away, especially because it was my fault.

Thump on,

One_Dude

 

[DJ Bebop]

I was looking for my first bass back in '69.

A bass player in a band I did lights for, offered me a '60s Hofner 500/1 bass with the case for $150, cause that's was the price range I was in.

I balked because it looked used and a new shiny Japanese EB-3 copy had caught my eye and eventually my $150.

Live and learn...

 

[MobileHolmes]

Kubicki ex Factor in about 1994. I think it was slightly used. It was fantastic.

Edited to add:
That's not to say there aren't other fantastic basses I've played and not been able to afford. But this ex Factor was totally in my budget at the time

 

[Jazzish]

A Zon 5 string fretless Legacy Elite Special that I played in LA many years ago. Almost pulled the trigger...

 

[deernaes]

Classic-Axe-Gallery

• Killed_by_Death
• Dec 23, 2018
• rickenbacker 4004

Rickenbackers

the walnut 4004 on the left

Oh, that gray one in the center....

 

[Killed_by_Death]

It arrived a darker blue, but faded to purple.
I sort of wish I'd bought that one, as well!

 

[rtslinger]

Not sure why but, I always wanted one of these Dean Razorback

 

[GIBrat51]

Honestly? This one, I suppose. It's wrong handed for me, but I would have liked to have had it anyway - just to have. It would look killer, next to my fireplace... Somebody else (a fellow TBer, so - play on Brother, play on) beat me to it, 'cause it wasn't really very high on my bucket list. However... other than the Mothman, I can't think of anything. If you're a lefty, you learn very quickly that, if you see something you like? Don't wait 'till tomorrow; it won't be there. So, everything bass that I've wanted, I've snatched up quick as a bunny...