Would you throw out an old bass?

[jimmykicker]

Donating to a school program is best. If it’s so messed up it’s really not playable, turn it into art. .

 

[jimmykicker]

smash f*ck out of it up the side of the shed

Dude. You’re supposed to take the bass and get IN the shed...not smash it on the side of one. At least that is what I was told....

 

[Mark Desmo]

Dude. You’re supposed to take the bass and get IN the shed...not smash it on the side of one. At least that is what I was told....

Oh is that what it is? I knew it was something to do with a shed . . .

 

[t0neloc]

Hi. I've been in a similar situation myself with what can only be classed as instruments of questionable value. If they are of beginner quality and will cost you nothing to bring them to that standard then I'm sure that someone would be very grateful for a free gift.
Otherwise why not strip the frets out & have a go at a 'fretless' bass? The grooves left from removing the frets will not be in anyway noticeable in playing and will serve as markers while you learn the positions.
I did this with my old 1980's bass and found it both fun and a very useful learning experience.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Everyone talks about people being grateful for a gift. Out of the numerous times I’ve given away gear, I’ve received a “thanks” follow up exactly once. I think that when someone gets something for free it’s assumed that it has zero value. I swear it’s less hassle to sell something super cheap than give it away. If you give a mouse a cookie... (Just in my experience. Maybe I have bad luck.)

 

[BassKraz]

I have an old bass--the first one I bought as part of a Hartke starter kit. It's an entry level instrument for sure. I haven't played it in in more than 10 years, having moved on to higher quality basses. Never gigged with it. It's not particularly beautiful. The last time I touched it, the electronics were kinda shot; I'm sure they've just decayed. I have no intention of playing it again, so it's been sitting around gathering dust.

I don't think it has any re-sale value and I'm not that much of a gear-head that I would rebuild or modify it.

I feel sort of bad thinking about putting it out in the trash.

What would you do with it?

Give it to some young person that could use it!

 

[bullbear]

This is inspirationle! I’be had this ugly old guitar of my grandad’s that my grandma gave me as a kid just sitting in my wifes basement and said she wanted it gone! The paints all worn off on the front and on the middle of the back and on the neck part and the case is beat up and stained. Fender sumpinNot even sure if it worked. listed it on Freecycle and a young kid came by within half an hour and said he’d fix it up and learn how to play it good.

 

[KDHBass76]

What they said. Donate it to a school, or Salvation Army or something.

 

[BioDriver]

If it's still playable you should consider donating it to a school.

 

[Hawaii Islander]

I agree with the idea of donating instruments like that. Donating an entry level instrument to a school or neighborhood kid for free makes a lot of sense. It also creates good karma.

 

[Ron Mason]

I have an old bass--the first one I bought as part of a Hartke starter kit. It's an entry level instrument for sure. I haven't played it in in more than 10 years, having moved on to higher quality basses. Never gigged with it. It's not particularly beautiful. The last time I touched it, the electronics were kinda shot; I'm sure they've just decayed. I have no intention of playing it again, so it's been sitting around gathering dust.

I don't think it has any re-sale value and I'm not that much of a gear-head that I would rebuild or modify it.

I feel sort of bad thinking about putting it out in the trash.

What would you do with it?

 

[Mark Desmo]

. .

???

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Has anyone else had bad luck giving away gear or is it just me? I live in a pretty well off county. The giving trees will have cards where you can give a wish to a needy child and their asks will be things like an XBOX or PS4 and similar. Even the "poor" kids have iPhones, and not the cheap ones. So maybe that's skewing my concept of giving an old beater to a child and they'll be eternally grateful a bit. They really won't. They'll want a fine string with a certain logo on the headstock. The last time I gave away a bass it was a hole to get the instrument to the person. We had a meet up scheduled and then the were busy and couldn't do it, the next scheduled time, same thing. I ended up just mailing it to them to be done with it. It likely ended up on craigslist in a week. In all seriousness, I think it's easier to set a low price to cover your shipping, sell it and be done with it. When the money exchanges hands and the instrument arrives, the transaction ends. I know I sound like a Scrooge, but unless I personally know the person, it's easier that way. Scratch that, I gave my nephew about $1000 worth of photography gear. After it was sent, radio silence from him. Well, except when he sent me the GoFundme link for his trip to Europe with his choral group. Come on, I can't be the only one this happens to.

 

[Mark Desmo]

Has anyone else had bad luck giving away gear or is it just me? Come on, I can't be the only one this happens to.

Yeah, I always regret it and want it back.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Yeah, I always regret it and want it back.

Ha! Only once for me. I hope the guys daughter enjoyed that vintage bass.

 

[Mark Desmo]

Ha! Only once for me. I hope the guys daughter enjoyed that vintage bass.

Was that the short scale Mustang?
She's probably still enjoying it lol

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Was that the short scale Mustang?
She's probably still enjoying it lol

Probably played it once. I can't even remember the guy's name that I worked with. Oh well, that one I was glad to get rid of - until 5-10 years later. Doh!!

 

[Ron Mason]

Donate it to Music For All. A charity that gives children and young adults the chance to learn an instrument, usually as part of musical therapy

They always appreciate donated instruments.

I have an old bass--the first one I bought as part of a Hartke starter kit. It's an entry level instrument for sure. I haven't played it in in more than 10 years, having moved on to higher quality basses. Never gigged with it. It's not particularly beautiful. The last time I touched it, the electronics were kinda shot; I'm sure they've just decayed. I have no intention of playing it again, so it's been sitting around gathering dust.

I don't think it has any re-sale value and I'm not that much of a gear-head that I would rebuild or modify it.

I feel sort of bad thinking about putting it out in the trash.

What would you do with it?

 

[johnny_irish]

donate to a school/charity, get the tax write off

 

[GKon]

I have an old bass--the first one I bought as part of a Hartke starter kit. It's an entry level instrument for sure. I haven't played it in in more than 10 years, having moved on to higher quality basses. Never gigged with it. It's not particularly beautiful. The last time I touched it, the electronics were kinda shot; I'm sure they've just decayed. I have no intention of playing it again, so it's been sitting around gathering dust.

I don't think it has any re-sale value and I'm not that much of a gear-head that I would rebuild or modify it.

I feel sort of bad thinking about putting it out in the trash.

What would you do with it?

I would give it to a neighborhood kid, or friend's kid who was interested in learning to play,
or donate it to a school.