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lamerjay

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 24, 2006
Messages
181
Well I am still in search of my first MM, and wanted to get some opinions on buying a "new" wall ornament? I normally go out locally, find a bass I like, then order it unopened from Bass Central. Is this how you guys buy your basses? I just hate the thought of paying full price for a bass that has been played by 200 kids and possibly abused in the store. This also saves me the taxes, and the local guys can never beat Bass Central's prices.

Thanks for your input...
 

SteveB

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 3, 2004
Messages
6,192
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
I bought my first two MM's from my local music store.

My latest, though, I bought from Jack & Dude (VBTC) because it is a Dargie Delight and I thought I'd do my best to keep something that special in the forum.

Everyone complains that their local doesn't stock EBMM, but if you never buy 'em.. why would they bother? First off, most small shops don't have great numbers of kids noodling on guitars in this price range. Secondly, as the original owner you get the warranty anyway, so there's some peace of mind.

I intend to keep buying from my local because it's a chance to show them how good these instruments really are. If nothing else, they get a mini-education from me as to what is available from EBMM.
 

hankSRay

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 5, 2004
Messages
848
Location
Yonkers, NY
Go either brand new or used. Theres no sense in paying top dollar for a bass that shows signs of shop wear and tear when for the same price you can get one thats spankin new IMO.
 

jaylegroove

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 23, 2006
Messages
424
Location
I'm a French Knucklehead
Hmmm... what are these shops who sell beaten up basses at the price of new ones ??? That's the question to be asked, IMO.

My favourite (almost local) store carries big stocks of basses (and guitars too), but none of them, in the new department, are beaten up. My SR4, purchased on Tuesday, maybe was tried by some people before I get it, but it has no flaw at all.

Then the question to ask the salesguy is : "why would you want me to pay it ... $ (fill with announced price= while Bass Central can get me a _really_ new one for less ?". That's the basic question around your problem, IMO.
 

lamerjay

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 24, 2006
Messages
181
That is a good question to ask. I like to support local shops, but no taxes is going to be $100 or more on most new EBMM's and shipping is free. So even the bass being in perfect shape, and matching BC's price, it will still cost $100 or so more w/ taxes added. I'll see what they can offer when I find one and go from there...
 

AnthonyD

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 23, 2005
Messages
3,683
Location
New Jersey
Mine were both bought new - ordered and built especially for me.

Quality control is top notch so there's no issue with needing to actually see or touch before buying to ensure you get a good one - they're all good!

Besides, this way you have the opportunity to get EXACTLY what you're looking for by way of options. :)
 

prickly_pete

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 16, 2003
Messages
708
You can trust that a MM bass will be just as advertised. No need to buy local, they are all gooduns!
 

rayzak

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 27, 2006
Messages
58
Location
Ohio
I bought my first MM bass from GC:eek: But I have to say, that they gave me a great deal on it. A good bass is a good bass. If it plays well, feels right, and isn't beat to $hit, i'll take it:) My current Stingray I got online. Both great experiences and great basses. The local GC here in Indy(north side store) has a big MM inventory. The southside GC usually has about 1:confused: The other local shop here(guitars n more) just closed up shop shortly after GC opened there southside store:mad:
 

todd4ta

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 8, 2004
Messages
571
Location
Indiana
rayzak said:
I bought my first MM bass from GC:eek: But I have to say, that they gave me a great deal on it. A good bass is a good bass. If it plays well, feels right, and isn't beat to $hit, i'll take it:) My current Stingray I got online. Both great experiences and great basses. The local GC here in Indy(north side store) has a big MM inventory. The southside GC usually has about 1:confused: The other local shop here(guitars n more) just closed up shop shortly after GC opened there southside store:mad:
I didn't know about the new southside GC!! I need to get out more often (I live on the northside).

Be sure to check by the GC stores this weekend, there may be some special holiday sale prices :D
 

rayzak

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 27, 2006
Messages
58
Location
Ohio
todd4ta said:
I didn't know about the new southside GC!! I need to get out more often (I live on the northside).

Be sure to check by the GC stores this weekend, there may be some special holiday sale prices :D
Yeah, I think it's monday.... but i'll be out of town:(

The southside one's right across from Greenwood Park Mall, next to Value City on U.S. 31. It's doesn't have nearly the selection of basses or gu*tars as the northside one, but it's still worth checking out. I like the northside one much better, but I'm a southsider so I don't get up that way too often.
 

Aussie Mark

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 9, 2003
Messages
5,646
Location
Sydney, Australia
Of the 4 MM's I've bought (5 if you count the DD that's on the way), I only got a chance to play two of them first. The others were purchased sight unseen.

In fact, of the 34 basses on this page, 26 of them were bought without seeing or touching them first, thanks to the wonders of the internet.
 
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