oli@bass
Well-known member
Might be a very very silly question on this forum, but please bear with me. First off, I'm really fond of MusicMan basses, especially StingRays -- but actually owning three very fine examples, I don't really need any more of them (although I have the feeling I'll never own enough of them 
). However, I may be on the brink of doing something very sily I might regret very soon -- adding another three StingRays to my collection... ... read on...
This afternoon, I thought I'd get an estimate for the resale value of my two Laklands, because in the recent weeks I felt that I won't play them a lot anymore and it might be a good idea to sell them and buy some other equipment. I went to a local bass shop where I originally purchased them. The experience was devastating. They told me that there's basically no market for them, and I can't expect more than a quarter of the original value, also because of the large difference in exchange rate, they are much cheaper to get today than seven years ago. And they wouldn't even consider giving me money... but maybe exchange them for other basses at the shop.
So I started to look through their walls. And dug up a couple of used StingRays and new Jazz Basses that poked my interest. Played through them. I ended up with 3 StingRays and a Jazz gathered around me, when I asked the shop owner what he would consider a fair deal. He said "well, I think you wouldn't be satisfied by a one to one exchange.... maybe we can make a package"... I replied with "well, I guess you wouldn't consider a two for one exchange, would you". He looked at me for a couple of moments and than smiled: "No. But three for two".
Now I was standing there, totally baffled. This guy offered me to take home three of the basses (all used, with dings and scratches) standing around me, in exchange for my two Lakland 55's (one mint, as new, the other with little play wear). Time to take a deep breath. And I'm still holding it. He'd need a reply early next week.
So what's in there?
1.) Something Common: Honeyburst StingRay 4, maple neck, matching headstock, SNR on neck plate, new battery compartment, plays great, sound kills. Downside: I totally dislike the matching headstock for sunburst colours, it looks weird to me, it has the pickup with the sharp pole pieces and... do I really need another SR4... but did I mention it sounds killer?! Also, I should mention it has a one piece body!!! (and remindes me of the Sterling I never should have sold)
2.) Something Rare: Black Cutlass I, really worn, but straight neck, plays good sounds good. I always wanted on of these, and almost bought this one five months ago, but I didn't. Downside: It's battered, the chrome on the bridge is rusty, and it does not have the string-thru-body bridge which I'd liked to have on a Cutlass to have more pressure on the saddles (remember the strings run not straight over the saddles on these old bridges)
3.) Something Special: A StingRay 5 in.... a custom colour. It must be one of those very rare custom made artists basses from the non existing EBMM Custom Shop. It does not have a pickguard but a small SR4 like control plate made from a mother of pearl pickguard material. The finish is orange/yellow metallic/pearl, showing a stylized sun with flares on the body, the flares theme repeated on the headstock. The image of the sun can only be seen if viewed from some distance. It also seems to have a preamp with treble and bass reacting similar as on the 2 band preamps (no center detent, bass seems to be boost only). Downside: What would I do with a 5 string, I'm trying to get rid of them, or not? ... and it has a nick on the back of the neck, more or less exact in the center. And it is in a very weird colour (which I happen to like) and might have no resale value whatsoever.
That would be the three... and then, as an option (replacing one of the above)
4.) Something useless: Mint SR 4 unlined fretless, black with birdseye maple neck, six bolt neck, chrome battery cover and bridge with mutes, I guess late eighties. Would be an interesting addition my collection... Downside: I'll never be able to play that thing....
What would you guys do, honestly? (and, no, any "get rid of the Lakdudelands" comments, just for the sake of bashing them, won't be helpful at all, because they are of sentimental value to me... most of what deserves to be called my "musical career" actually happened on them). I don't need those StingRays, and I don't think I would pay cash for any of them, yet, I'm sure I'll retire the Laklands anyways, and this may be the best deal I'll ever get.... or the worst.
Should they go?
Or should they stay? Because they are part of my history.... (I'm a collector, y'know...)
Or maybe pay or be exchanged by something more exciting or valuable down the road.
I'd really appreciate your thoughts, and maybe sharing some of your trade / never-should-have-sold-that-bass stories.
). However, I may be on the brink of doing something very sily I might regret very soon -- adding another three StingRays to my collection... ... read on...This afternoon, I thought I'd get an estimate for the resale value of my two Laklands, because in the recent weeks I felt that I won't play them a lot anymore and it might be a good idea to sell them and buy some other equipment. I went to a local bass shop where I originally purchased them. The experience was devastating. They told me that there's basically no market for them, and I can't expect more than a quarter of the original value, also because of the large difference in exchange rate, they are much cheaper to get today than seven years ago. And they wouldn't even consider giving me money... but maybe exchange them for other basses at the shop.
So I started to look through their walls. And dug up a couple of used StingRays and new Jazz Basses that poked my interest. Played through them. I ended up with 3 StingRays and a Jazz gathered around me, when I asked the shop owner what he would consider a fair deal. He said "well, I think you wouldn't be satisfied by a one to one exchange.... maybe we can make a package"... I replied with "well, I guess you wouldn't consider a two for one exchange, would you". He looked at me for a couple of moments and than smiled: "No. But three for two".
Now I was standing there, totally baffled. This guy offered me to take home three of the basses (all used, with dings and scratches) standing around me, in exchange for my two Lakland 55's (one mint, as new, the other with little play wear). Time to take a deep breath. And I'm still holding it. He'd need a reply early next week.
So what's in there?
1.) Something Common: Honeyburst StingRay 4, maple neck, matching headstock, SNR on neck plate, new battery compartment, plays great, sound kills. Downside: I totally dislike the matching headstock for sunburst colours, it looks weird to me, it has the pickup with the sharp pole pieces and... do I really need another SR4... but did I mention it sounds killer?! Also, I should mention it has a one piece body!!! (and remindes me of the Sterling I never should have sold)
2.) Something Rare: Black Cutlass I, really worn, but straight neck, plays good sounds good. I always wanted on of these, and almost bought this one five months ago, but I didn't. Downside: It's battered, the chrome on the bridge is rusty, and it does not have the string-thru-body bridge which I'd liked to have on a Cutlass to have more pressure on the saddles (remember the strings run not straight over the saddles on these old bridges)
3.) Something Special: A StingRay 5 in.... a custom colour. It must be one of those very rare custom made artists basses from the non existing EBMM Custom Shop. It does not have a pickguard but a small SR4 like control plate made from a mother of pearl pickguard material. The finish is orange/yellow metallic/pearl, showing a stylized sun with flares on the body, the flares theme repeated on the headstock. The image of the sun can only be seen if viewed from some distance. It also seems to have a preamp with treble and bass reacting similar as on the 2 band preamps (no center detent, bass seems to be boost only). Downside: What would I do with a 5 string, I'm trying to get rid of them, or not?
... and it has a nick on the back of the neck, more or less exact in the center. And it is in a very weird colour (which I happen to like) and might have no resale value whatsoever.That would be the three... and then, as an option (replacing one of the above)
4.) Something useless: Mint SR 4 unlined fretless, black with birdseye maple neck, six bolt neck, chrome battery cover and bridge with mutes, I guess late eighties. Would be an interesting addition my collection... Downside: I'll never be able to play that thing....
What would you guys do, honestly? (and, no, any "get rid of the Lakdudelands" comments, just for the sake of bashing them, won't be helpful at all, because they are of sentimental value to me... most of what deserves to be called my "musical career" actually happened on them). I don't need those StingRays, and I don't think I would pay cash for any of them, yet, I'm sure I'll retire the Laklands anyways, and this may be the best deal I'll ever get.... or the worst.
Should they go?
Or should they stay? Because they are part of my history.... (I'm a collector, y'know...)
Or maybe pay or be exchanged by something more exciting or valuable down the road.
I'd really appreciate your thoughts, and maybe sharing some of your trade / never-should-have-sold-that-bass stories.
