Advice on buying a used bass

Booty Shaman

Booty Shaman

Nov 1, 2016
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Northern California
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#1
Hi all you experienced bass buyers. I found this P-bass on craigslist and actually found a thread about the exact same bass on TB from a few years ago. Apparently it is very heavy. The price is low ($250) and I am in love with the brass pick guard and the funky cracking on the finish and would love to have a P bass. I don't have any experience buying a used bass and would like some advice on what things to look for when I go check it out today. I plan to check out the neck to make sure it is straight, and play every note on the fretboard. What other things should I be looking out for?
Screenshot 2017-03-18 09.24.53.png
I was told by the seller that it will need a set up since he defretted the neck but didn't adjust the nut since doing so. The thread that I looked up about the bass was kind of inconclusive as to whether it was a Fender Fullerton re-issue or maybe a Schecter or a parts bass or what. The pick guard def looks like a Schecter from the research I did. Any advice would be welcome. I'm posting a photo. The neck is not original - it is a Warmoth tele with a fender sticker on it.
 
#4
Booty Shaman said:
Not sure - I already have a Rob Allen fretless Mouse - I indeed may want to replace the neck and if I do, I will be looking for a vintage fender or schecter fretted neck.
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I would check it out and see how it plays. If it were me, though, I would pass. A DIY defretted Warmoth neck wouldn't hold much resale to fund a new neck. By the time all is said and done, a $250 bass can easily become a $500+ dollar bass. For that money, I could probably find something that's already exactly the way I want it. I suppose it depends on how 'in love' you are with the finish. All the other parts can be found fairly easily. For me, my interest would have died with "heavy."
 
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#8
i wouldn't mess with it. a guy who doesn't know how to cut his own nut defretted it and the neck doesn't belong to that bass. who knows what poor shimming the neck has or whether the problem is actually the nut? if you do buy this, keep in mind it's a gamble with poor resale value.
 
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