How to get discontinued basses?

EpicMcDude

EpicMcDude

Mar 14, 2017
7
2
4,551
#1
Hello fellow bassists!

So I'm wondering how many have gotten lucky with getting their hands on a discontinued bass, a bass that is no longer sold new but rather the last units are sold around in the second-hand market. I've been looking for an Ibanez SR1500 for the past 4 months but it was discontinued pretty early in it's life cycle, made in the early 90's, and now it has become somewhat of a rarity.

Was wondering if anyone has any tips or help on how to get your hands on discontinued basses? Or if you could share stories of how you came about owning a 'rare' bass, maybe it'll help.
 
  • Like
Reactions: joebar
#5
It's amazing how some instruments just disappear. Today I decided to look up an old beater guitar that I used on some recordings. I couldn't even find a picture of it. The closest I got was Teisco but that wasn't the brand, although probably the manufacturer.
 
#6
Killed_by_Death said:
If you have a paid subscription here you can specify keywords that will alert you when "SR1500" appears in the title of a classified bass ad.

https://www.talkbass.com/account/upgrades

"Adds Keyword Alerts"


also, I've sent you a PM
Click to expand...

Thank you man, I was actually looking at the subscription models early today and I'll get the yearly one next month, but knowing about that is good to know! I saw your PM, I actually had seen that ad but it doesn't ship to Europe, which makes acquisition at least 5x times harder. I'll try contacting the user though.

I know about Reverb but I didn't know FleaBay, I'll check that out!

fretter said:
It's amazing how some instruments just disappear. Today I decided to look up an old beater guitar that I used on some recordings. I couldn't even find a picture of it. The closest I got was Teisco but that wasn't the brand, although probably the manufacturer.
Click to expand...

And yeah, I guess some instruments just disappear because people are holding on to them more and more. I know I would if I had the Ibanez...

And also thanks for the eBay tip, I did not know I could setup alerts for Keywords, this thread has been super helpful thank you.
 
#9
sr1500pd-91-jpg.jpg

1993-11_14.jpg

No vari mid 3 band eq on the sr1500

Available 91-94. I think 93,94 were Japan only.
It came with Padauk or bubinga bodies, except in 93,94 in Japan it had a maple body
5pc bubinga/wenge neck
Ebony board except 94 in Japan had a wenge board
Dot inlays
Accu cast b iv bridge
Cosmo black hardware except Japan had gold in 93,94
Emg pj pickups and eq bii preamp 91,92 in USA. controls are vol bal bass treble
Ibz USA c2 pj pickups and power curve eq in Europe and Japan. Controls are vol balance tone and 3 way eq depth selector
All years made in japan
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: B-Mac, rickwebb and Killed_by_Death
#11
EpicMcDude said:
Hello fellow bassists!

So I'm wondering how many have gotten lucky with getting their hands on a discontinued bass, a bass that is no longer sold new but rather the last units are sold around in the second-hand market. I've been looking for an Ibanez SR1500 for the past 4 months but it was discontinued pretty early in it's life cycle, made in the early 90's, and now it has become somewhat of a rarity.

Was wondering if anyone has any tips or help on how to get your hands on discontinued basses? Or if you could share stories of how you came about owning a 'rare' bass, maybe it'll help.
Click to expand...
I check the usual suspects about once or twice a week. eBay, talk bass classifieds, reverb, Guitar Center used, sometimes music go round. That’s how I got such a good deal on my Warwick thumb NT6. I feel ya, I’ve been looking for old warwicks some of which they don’t make anymore and others that are super rare.
 
#13
Most of what I like is older and no longer made so I can relate.

If you want to play the 'out of production' market my advice is bank the cash, be patient, put a stake in the ground as far as condition and price are concerned, and move very quickly when you finally do find something that meets your criteria.

FWIW I found the TB classifieds are the best place for spotting things I'm interested in getting. GC used is good as is Reverb, although Reverb's prices are usually on the high side. eBay blows hot and cold and is definitely plagued by clueless amateur flippers and a fair share of scammers - so caveat emptor when using eBay.

One issue you're going to run into with international purchases are the new CITES regulations concerning rosewood. I'm already seeing that having a negative impact on getting vintage gear from Japan. Some dealers there have suspended doing international sales until the dust settles and customs officials get themselves more educated and familiar with exactly what is and isn't allowable. Because right now, some of the enforcement actions are (to be polite about it) arbitrary, capricious and flat out erroneous.
 
  • Like
Reactions: EpicMcDude, MrAtomic, ajkula66 and 1 other person
#16
EpicMcDude said:
Hello fellow bassists!

So I'm wondering how many have gotten lucky with getting their hands on a discontinued bass, a bass that is no longer sold new but rather the last units are sold around in the second-hand market. I've been looking for an Ibanez SR1500 for the past 4 months but it was discontinued pretty early in it's life cycle, made in the early 90's, and now it has become somewhat of a rarity.

Was wondering if anyone has any tips or help on how to get your hands on discontinued basses? Or if you could share stories of how you came about owning a 'rare' bass, maybe it'll help.
Click to expand...
I just buy used.
 
#19
EpicMcDude said:
Hello fellow bassists!

So I'm wondering how many have gotten lucky with getting their hands on a discontinued bass, a bass that is no longer sold new but rather the last units are sold around in the second-hand market. I've been looking for an Ibanez SR1500 for the past 4 months but it was discontinued pretty early in it's life cycle, made in the early 90's, and now it has become somewhat of a rarity.

Was wondering if anyone has any tips or help on how to get your hands on discontinued basses? Or if you could share stories of how you came about owning a 'rare' bass, maybe it'll help.
Click to expand...
Classifieds classifieds classifieds classifieds classifieds classifieds. But beware, once you dive in the water is great and will likely entice you to keep looking... Great GAS for the fire.

Have fun...

mrb327 said:
Check FleaBay, Reverb, blah da ya da
Click to expand...
'ey Bent, long time!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Spidey2112 and mrb327
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back