Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
Welcome to TalkBass! Want to remove ads? Register an account and login to see fewer ads, and become a Supporting Member to remove almost all ads.
I don't think there is an investment angle on a Sadowsky. If you find the right one used, it will probably hold its value but I wouldn't expect it to really appreciate. When I ordered mine, I knew exactly what I wanted and it turned out perfect. I bought it with the idea of never selling it. If for some reason I did have to sell it, I would probably take a $1,500 - $2,000 hit on what I paid.
This all being said, I love my NYC. It's an incredible bass. There is used inventory out there. Maybe that might be the best tack for you.
Happy hunting.
Bones
This all being said, I love my NYC. It's an incredible bass. There is used inventory out there. Maybe that might be the best tack for you.
Happy hunting.
Bones
Most $5k boutique basses bought new will take a hit if you have to sell it. A noticeable one. You can take advantage of that by buying used.
Last edited:
If you have to justify something that is really important to you with a fabrication, well, I know some good divorce attorneys...
The number of boutique basses that go up in value after purchase new is pretty close to zero. A $5K Sadowsky becomes a $4K Sadowsky (at best) as soon as it gets into your hands.
The number of boutique basses that go up in value after purchase new is pretty close to zero. A $5K Sadowsky becomes a $4K Sadowsky (at best) as soon as it gets into your hands.
There is no predicting what basses will appreciate and which won't, but as it stands, right now, used Sadowskys depreciate like pretty much any other used bass. It's possible they might go up in the future, but that would just be guessing at this point
+1. And I speak from experience, having purchased a new Sadowsky a few years back (they weren't $5K then, but still) and taking a significant hit when I decided to sell it. If you're looking to justify a boutique bass purchase as an investment, don't.
May I humbly suggest that you consider a used Metro? Very nearly identical to a NYC (except for chambered body) with that Sadowsky sound and feel--- but at $1500-$2000 as a used price, more palatable to wives, and will likely hold that value if you take care of it. My 2 cents.
Polonium 210, yes. The radioactive decay daughter of Uranium 238. Just sayin'....
it depends what you got a few years ago..... a few years ago i paid well over $5k for mine and i added alot of bells and whistles. i have been toying with the idea of selling or offering it for trade, but the reality is doing so i would lose a significant amount from what i paid, so i've decided to hold on to it. Funny thing is, if I were to spec out this same build with Roger, it would be $9k today
As far as the OP goes, if you're thinking of getting a NYC, take a look at what they have available in the used market if your concern is about the instrument holding its value. Buying new will only allow you pick your specifications "ala carte", but it will lose value like others have already mentioned.
Last edited:
This goes for nearly all basses:
-If you want a bass that will lose value buy new
-If you want a bass that will hold it's value buy used
-If you want a bass that will be a good investment, you're about 20 years too late.
Even the best "investment" basses seem to barely keep pace with inflation these days.
-If you want a bass that will lose value buy new
-If you want a bass that will hold it's value buy used
-If you want a bass that will be a good investment, you're about 20 years too late.
Even the best "investment" basses seem to barely keep pace with inflation these days.
Turnaround
Commercial User
- May 6, 2004
- 10,889
- 22,427
- 6,476
- Disclosures
- Independent Instrument Technician - Retired
I know for a fact that I can get more for my NYC Sadowsky now that what I paid for it new 20 years ago.
There is a very active used market in both Metros and NYC’s. If you are patient, you will find a used example at whatever price point, which will more than fill the bill for you. And, here’s the good news: used Sadowsky’s hold their value extremely well. Don’t discount the Metros. One of the best basses I ever played was a Metro.
Forget the investment angle. Go used. And keep the spouse in the loop. In fact, if possible, get the spouse to take a hand in picking it out. May take a lot longer, but much more fun and worth it.
New instruments are great if you are flush with cash, or know precisely what to order that you will never find on the used market. Roger and staff are fantastic people to work with. If you have the discretionary funds available, that’s fun; but, be sure you won’t turn around and sell it later.
Forget the investment angle. Go used. And keep the spouse in the loop. In fact, if possible, get the spouse to take a hand in picking it out. May take a lot longer, but much more fun and worth it.
New instruments are great if you are flush with cash, or know precisely what to order that you will never find on the used market. Roger and staff are fantastic people to work with. If you have the discretionary funds available, that’s fun; but, be sure you won’t turn around and sell it later.
it depends what you got a few years ago..... a few years ago i paid well over $5k for mine and i added alot of bells and whistles. i have been toying with the idea of selling or offering it for trade, but the reality is doing so i would lose a significant amount from what i paid, so i've decided to hold on to it. Funny thing is, if I were to spec out this same build with Roger, it would be $9k today
As far as the OP goes, if you're thinking of getting a NYC, take a look at what they have available in the used market if your concern is about the instrument holding its value. Buying new will only allow you pick your specifications "ala carte", but it will lose value like others have already mentioned.
View attachment 2941475
It was an NYC Ultra Vintage Jazz, Lake Placid Blue with matching headstock. Great bass but I never really bonded with it. Traded for a US Lakland Glaub P/J (which I love and still have) plus cash, so I did alright. But any way you look at it, I took a significant hit off what I paid new. Anyone who buys a new bass and tries to justify it as an investment is going to be sorely disappointed.
I hate to say it, but the one thing that will guarantee an increase in the price of a popular boutique bass is the death of the maker. Given that, I hope there is no spike in the price of Sadowsky, Pedulla, MTD, Spector, etc. basses any time soon.
Having sold several basses at a profit, "it depends" is still a more accurate conclusion IME. If you are knowledgeable and come across a deal, which despite conventional wisdom can still happen, instruments can be a better investment than many think.
If you're ignorant of the market and shoot from the hip as far as purchases you can most definitely get burned. If you're sentimental about gear that usually doesn't help either.
I bought a nice vintage Fender from GC for half of what it was conservatively worth not very long ago. It can still happen.