Bad to buy a 7 year old bass? Please advise.

[noc]

Hi Guys,

Found a bass i want to buy. I wont be able to try it before paying for it and it is a long way away to return.
I will have a friend who happens to be visiting the sellers country (who knows nothing about bass or an instruments in fact) pick it up for me and fly it home.
Its pretty expensive but i cant fly over and try it myself. Its also made by a Luther known for real good quality work.
Visually, it looks totally perfect. Not a single scratch/mark/ anything.

Now my question is this, what is the likelihood that a well made high quality instrument will be in bad shape after 7 years if it looks perfect on the outside? Im guessing the only thing that could be an issue are the electronics. Its got villex electronics.
Yes, i know, never buy unless you can try but if you cant try...
The seller assures me its perfect.
Help me out here guys? What do you think?

[Steve Browning]

From where are you buying it (Ebay, for example)? If it's costing a fair bit I would be very wary as there are many things that can go wrong.

[ambient]

It depends on the owner, after 7 years with me it would probably still look the same as the day it left the workshop. With other people though, after one 7 weeks it might look like someone's else's lifelong instrument.

If the photos look OK, make sure you get photos of the whole instrument, ask him to measure the action of the strings. Videos of him playing the bass now are a good idea too.

[Muppet]

Age per se is nothing to worry about - it all depends on how it's been looked after during its seven years. If you've seen good quality photos that show it in good condition then that's a positive start. Can you verify the seller?

Could you write up a simple checklist for your friend to follow when he collects the bass, or even arrange a skype/video call ?

[T-Bay]

And pics can be deceiving. One I bought looked ok in the pics but must have a couple of hundred small dings in total. The pics were taken of a black bass in a dark room, the seller also concentrated on a couple of marks which, along with the description, made it seems as though that was all there were. It sounds great though so I can forgive it, and I gig it so it will pick up more marks so it doesn't bother me but would annoy the hell,out of some people.

[Highfox]

I have bought many times unseen and only had a problem once. (there were warning signs for that but I didn't pick up on it)
If it seems too good to be true then it probably is.. if you are paying a fair price and are happy with the answes the seller has given you, why not then.

That's how I work.

[Lozz196]

I`ve bought a good many basses, virtually all unseen. As long as you`re specific with questions asked you should be able to get a feeling from the answers as to whether to continue or walk away.

[SpondonBassed]

[quote name='noc' timestamp='1503396276' post='3357819']
Hi Guys,

Found a bass i want to buy. I wont be able to try it before paying for it and it is a long way away to return.
I will have a friend who happens to be visiting the sellers country (who knows nothing about bass or an instruments in fact) pick it up for me and fly it home.
Its pretty expensive but i cant fly over and try it myself. Its also made by a Luther known for real good quality work.
Visually, it looks totally perfect. Not a single scratch/mark/ anything.

Now my question is this, what is the likelihood that a well made high quality instrument will be in bad shape after 7 years if it looks perfect on the outside? Im guessing the only thing that could be an issue are the electronics. Its got villex electronics.
Yes, i know, never buy unless you can try but if you cant try...
The seller assures me its perfect.
Help me out here guys? What do you think?
[/quote]

"I wont be able to try it before paying for it"

Buyer beware. No soothing words can mitigate this principle.

[pbasspecial]

Make sure you don't overpay. Factor in roughly a 5-10% risk discount if you can. That way if you are not happy with it you can always sell it in on and not take a big hit.
Also life is swings and roundabouts, sometimes you win, sometimes you might lose a little. It balances out in the end. Try not to let fear stopping you from getting what you want.

[ambient]

I would ask you friend to study it microscopically, noting every blemish, looking for anything that doesn't look right, maybe use Skype for this?

Get the seller to play it for your friend, again use Skype.

Personally I would never buy a bass privately that I've not seen myself, but having a friend go along you should be OK.

[lojo]

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1503399271' post='3357853']
I`ve bought a good many basses, virtually all unseen. As long as you`re specific with questions asked you should be able to get a feeling from the answers as to whether to continue or walk away.
[/quote]

Ive had the same as lozz many times , even from aboard , but you have to be confident in your own assessment , if your not post pics and questions and you'll get loads of help on here good luck

Edited August 22, 2017 by lojo

[noc]

You guys are awesome! Thank you very much.
I was mainly worried about the electronics, someone had said to me that these tend to oxidise and over 7 years this was very likely. I guess the only way to know would be to open the back and take a look right? I will also get him to play it during a video call.

I contacted the luthier and a brand new one would take 11 months to make and would come with slightly better electronics. As such, do you think a 23% discount on a brand new version of this bass is fair for a 7 year old version or should it really be more/less of a discount?

How much value do customs lose over such a time?

[Steve Browning]

Talking of customs. Are you going to have to think about adding VAT to the cost when it comes into the UK?

[ead]

I really don't think oxidation of the electronics over 7 years is a major concern unless it has been kept in a fish tank (with fish). You'll see immediately form the hardware if that has been the case). My 51 year old P bass works just fine.

I have bought basses unseen and so far so good if you take some precautions as the boys and girls have been saying above.

[noc]

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1503403622' post='3357904']
I think we're getting into the realms of needing to know exactly what bass you're talking about.
[/quote]
[quote name='Steve Browning' timestamp='1503403825' post='3357908']
Talking of customs. Are you going to have to think about adding VAT to the cost when it comes into the UK?
[/quote]

No guys, no customs because it will be flown in as luggage with my friend. That wont trigger customs will it?!

Its a Prat.

[TheGreek]

If the bass was expensive to start with I'd expect it to have been looked after - they bought it as an asset, would be stupid not to look after it.

I, like many others, have bought many basses sight unseen, only once have I bought a bass with issues, even these were resolved after a quick visit to to my local luthier.

Comes down to trust in the end - do you trust the seller, if not, pull out of the deal.

[Dad3353]

[quote name='noc' timestamp='1503404767' post='3357923']...That wont trigger customs will it?!...
[/quote]

Oh yes it will.

[noc]

[quote name='ead' timestamp='1503404736' post='3357920']
I really don't think oxidation of the electronics over 7 years is a major concern unless it has been kept in a fish tank (with fish). You'll see immediately form the hardware if that has been the case). My 51 year old P bass works just fine.

I have bought basses unseen and so far so good if you take some precautions as the boys and girls have been saying above.
[/quote]


Yeah Im feeling OK about it, i just got a little worried after this so called specialist warned me about oxidation.
Should i be able to tell popping the back plate open?

[noc]

[quote name='ead' timestamp='1503404736' post='3357920']
I really don't think oxidation of the electronics over 7 years is a major concern unless it has been kept in a fish tank (with fish).
[/quote]

lol

[noc]

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1503404826' post='3357926']
Oh yes it will.
[/quote]


Really? How come? It will end up in the luggage hold in their instruments section. How would that then trigger a customs charge? I didn't know about this?!?!?

[ambient]

[quote name='noc' timestamp='1503404767' post='3357923']
No guys, no customs because it will be flown in as luggage with my friend. That wont trigger customs will it?!

Its a Prat.
[/quote]

So it's coming from the US?

It will attract VAT and import duty.

Prat's are nice basses by the way.

[noc]

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1503405387' post='3357937']
So it's coming from the US?
It will attract VAT and import duty.

[/quote]

It is coming from the states.
So let me get this clear, anytime a guitarist/bassist fly’s to another country (let’s say out of the free EU zone) with their instrument because they have a gig or they just want to play it while they are wherever they are going, they have to pay vat on the outgoing and /or return flights? So people taking their acoustic with them on a beach holiday or the guy going to play at a small local festival abroad?

Please dont misunderstand my tone, this news has worried me.

[ambient]

[quote name='noc' timestamp='1503406016' post='3357943']


It is coming from the states.
So let me get this clear, anytime a guitarist/bassist fly’s to another country (let’s say out of the free EU zone) with their instrument because they have a gig or they just want to play it while they are wherever they are going, they have to pay vat on the outgoing and /or return flights? So people taking their acoustic with them on a beach holiday or the guy going to play at a small local festival abroad?

Please dont misunderstand my tone, this news has worried me.
[/quote]

No, because it's already their bass.

This is one you're importing.

[noc]

How would they know that? Also, my buddy isnt on a return flight. It is a multi destination trip for him so i believe his return carrier is different to his outgoing carrier.

[noc]

LOL what gives?