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Would you buy a bass without trying it out due to it impossible to try?

#121
Sergius Durante said:
Got G.A.S (it physically hurts lol) but a trouble for me is not so much getting over it, but the fact if I wanted to try a bass out, it is impossible. Why? It's a headless, so that already narrows it down, 2) It's a Strandberg bass, so not only would it be uncommon, but to be able to try it out would mean you'd have to find someone or some store selling it (which would not be possible since Strandberg does not have a physical store you can just walk into, ask for their $2k bass, and try it out)

But my question to you TB'ers is, would you ever buy a bass without trying? Would you look into it heavily, research everything about it, perhaps even see if their are any artists related to the genre you play who use it, and have that be your decision? Does G.A.S plague you, if so how did you psych-yourself out of it?
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Have done it many times myself. I usually try to hit the local music stores to find one I am in search of to try it out, but sometimes you fall to the call of the internet and wish for the best :) especially if it is unique it someway and your brain drives you to gas mode
and all he]] breaks lose, next thing you know you are daily watching it, hoping no one buys it before you or a drop in price that takes you into that downward spiral that has you feverishly reaching for your credit card in a panic someone will click to buy it before you can! whew sorry I am working it out in therapy ha ha ha. :bassist::thumbsup:
 
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#123
I have done this for most of the new basses I've owned, including my current one and only. A big part of it comes down to knowing what works for you (i.e. what you want), knowing how that translates in certain specs (e.g. you prefer a certain scale length, string spacing, neck width, etc.) and having confidence in the brand you're choosing to deliver consistently and correctly against those specs.

With new basses, I've probable purchased over 20 this way and only had one misfire - the bass wasn't well made. Even then, the QC issues didn't surface until after owning it for a few months, so trying it in advance wouldn't have helped.

A lot of trying something first is related mostly to used gear, especially if it was not gently used or was heavily modified. It also goes back to when I was a kid in the 70s and QC standards on new gear were not as consistent. You might have to try dozens of basses before you found the one that was a gem or had some kind of magic to it.
 
#127
monsterthompson said:
My sneaking suspicion is that people who ask on TB about dream basses they can’t try in person generally can’t afford to absorb the cost of a “bad” choice. This is why I generally advise against blind purchases.
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Good advice. And very true.

Unfortunately, every blind purchase is at least going to be partially a crapshoot. And you can miss out on getting your unicorn if you’re completely adverse to risk. But your point is an excellent one either way. Don’t get into something that’s over your head financially. And know what it is you think you want. Because there’s times when you’ll discover that the desire for something is far better than actually possessing it. So no matter what you may think you want, best think it through before you lay your money down. ;)
 
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#130
No, but, I'd buy an amp without trying it. ... I've bought a bass and had 48 hours to decide if I wanted to keep it. ... But, I'd tried it before. ... And instrument is too personal to buy without trying.
 
#133
BobKos said:
I have a number of times. It helps a lot if you know what you specifically like and dislike. If you match a lot of likes and don't have many dislikes, there is a good chance of a win.
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Truer words were seldom spoken. :thumbsup:

It’s not so much a matter of what you like as it is about how little you can’t deal or refuse to work with.

The fussier and more nit picky you are, the more it becomes essential for you to try before you buy. If you’re more flexible, and of the school that says: “I can make anything work provided it’s within reason.” then it’s less an issue.
 
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#134
Sergius Durante said:
Got G.A.S (it physically hurts lol) but a trouble for me is not so much getting over it, but the fact if I wanted to try a bass out, it is impossible. Why? It's a headless, so that already narrows it down, 2) It's a Strandberg bass, so not only would it be uncommon, but to be able to try it out would mean you'd have to find someone or some store selling it (which would not be possible since Strandberg does not have a physical store you can just walk into, ask for their $2k bass, and try it out)

But my question to you TB'ers is, would you ever buy a bass without trying? Would you look into it heavily, research everything about it, perhaps even see if their are any artists related to the genre you play who use it, and have that be your decision? Does G.A.S plague you, if so how did you psych-yourself out of it?
Click to expand...

I just did a couple of months ago. No regrets.
 
#135
Of the nearly 60 basses I've owned, I tried out exactly 4 of them before purchase. Trying out basses first is literally worthless to me. Without setting them up to my preferences with my choice of strings, the way it plays has no value. Once I get it set up how I want, I know what I have, and not a moment sooner. And I've only owned 3 brand new basses. I buy used and resell them when they don't suit me. Sometimes I resell them even when they do suit me (regrets, regrets lol)
 
#136
Phil508 said:
I bought a 2015 Ric 4003 from Wildwood and couldn't be happier. I did know how they felt and played and was just lucky to get one that felt identical to my 76 4001. (I have heard the neck varies from bass to bass)
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I bought a new Ric 4003S last year from a shop in TX through Reverb without having played it and it worked out wonderfully. It's a risk but it can often work out just fine.
 

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