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Post subject: Whats my bass worth?
Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 3:06 pm
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I have a Fender Precision bass that I bought brand new about 5 years ago and paid $450 for it. I played it some when I first got it but my interests changed and it has sat for the past few years and I finally decided to sell it. I have been trying to sell if for a few months and just can't seem to sell it. I get a good bit of calls about, but the bass was Made in Mexico and that seems to turn away buyers. What is the difference in a MIM and a USA fender? Any thoughts on what it is worth? It is in like new condition and has hardly been played. Thanks.


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Post subject: Re: Whats my bass worth?
Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 4:21 pm
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Unfortunately, a new bass is kind of like a new car. You drive it off the lot and the value takes a big hit. Honestly, if you sold it for half what you paid, I think you would be doing very well.

The difference between MIM and MIA is the quality and consistency of the build. Higher end components are used, especially noticeable in the electronics. So the MIA May sell for $1000 more, and we can discuss forever which is the best value, lots of opinions. Bottom line, the MIA also takes a big hit when you drive it off the lot. Percentage wise the MIA will hold value better, but the dollars lost will still be more.

You can do an advanced search on eBay, to include closed listings, and see what your bass is fetching on the street. But if you use eBay you will pay a fee of 9% of the sale, and you will pay a fee to PayPal of 30 cents plus the transaction fee. I always figure 15% total. To get the most return on your investment, be creative, but sell it yourself. Social media, band gigs, rummage sale, networking with other local bands, anything that will let you keep the entire sale price.

Of course this is just my opinion...stick around, you will get more input.

Good luck!

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Collector of vintage Fender 4 string basses.


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Post subject: Re: Whats my bass worth?
Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 6:40 pm
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Advertise it exactly as you told us. Ask $225 and be willing to take $200. Good, clear, well composed photos always help make the sale. Good Luck!

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One day they shall name a GREAT city after me, and they shall call it LINNINGRAD


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Post subject: Re: Whats my bass worth?
Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 9:17 pm
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Hi gahunter706, Welcome to the forum. From your user name I'm guessing you are in Georgia. GO DAWGS in 2014!

If it is truly MINT, I'd not take less than $300 for it. When you list it clearly state the year and model as Mexican Fender Standard Precision Bass. That will weed out the USA snob crowd right off the bat. Actually there are many differences between the USA and Mexican ones. The primary differences are in neck construction, hardware and electronics. Still they are a great instrument. I have owned 3 of them and have gigged them. I have one now. I paid $375 for it second hand. I wanted it bad. I had set it up for a guy and knew it was a real good one so I kept bugging him and raising the offer till he agreed to sell it. It took me nearly 6 months of making higher and higher offers. He went acoustic. I love it and have gigged it some. It plays great.

There is no way a buyer will find a mint used 2008 model MIM P-Bass at a dealer for $300. At least not around here. A lot of times what you can get for one in a direct sale will largely depend on where you are. In Atlanta you'd do better than in Moultrie or Monroe. You'll also do better in Nashville, LA, NYC, etc. I'd strongly consider putting it on eBay immediately and make the buyer pay all shipping fees.

I just checked and no metro Atlanta Guitar Center has a used MIM P-Bass, the one in Lawrenceville, GA does have a used 1995 Mexican Jazz though and they have it priced at $350. A 2008 one would likely be higher. I expect a 95 MIM P-Bass in like shape would sell there for about the same thing. So you sticking to $300 is totally realistic. I would NOT give it away for $200 or $250. Nope.


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Post subject: Re: Whats my bass worth?
Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2013 9:29 am
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It is way easier to sell a mint 300 dollar Mexi Fender Jazz than it is to sell an 01 USA Jazz in good condition for 700 or 800 where I come from.


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Post subject: Re: Whats my bass worth?
Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2013 11:48 am
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Thanks for the replies. I figured the difference had something to do with quality. I have had some offers of $250 that I passed on, trying to get $300 out of it. IMO it is in great condition, looks like it did the day I got it. But don't know a lot about guitars.


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Post subject: Re: Whats my bass worth?
Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2013 12:00 pm
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gahunter706 wrote:
Thanks for the replies. I figured the difference had something to do with quality. I have had some offers of $250 that I passed on, trying to get $300 out of it. IMO it is in great condition, looks like it did the day I got it. But don't know a lot about guitars.


You should have snatched that $250 offer. Unsuccessful at $300 shows you that it's over-priced for your market.

_________________
2012 Lefty American Standard Jazz
2017 Lefty American Professional Precision
2018 Rumble Studio 40 Combo
2016 Rumble 200 Combo
One day they shall name a GREAT city after me, and they shall call it LINNINGRAD


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Post subject: Re: Whats my bass worth?
Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2013 6:34 pm
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stroker vance wrote:
It is way easier to sell a mint 300 dollar Mexi Fender Jazz than it is to sell an 01 USA Jazz in good condition for 700 or 800 where I come from.



Word. Where I'm from, I see MIM basses and guitars for a price between $300-500, depending on year and condition. I saw most of them are pretty good condition (no mint ones...guess these people treat guitars like crap)

I also see a ton of MIAs that are still up on sale on CL for months and months because no one either needs it, has the $$$, or no one plays bass much.

I'd love to get my hands on a Am Std jazz though but my MIM jazz has never failed me yet and it never will because of the BAII bridge and the American Special jazz pups


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Post subject: Re: Whats my bass worth?
Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2013 11:22 pm
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I'm friends with a shop owner in a town near me. He doesn't like to have expensive electrics on his walls. The cheap guitars sell fast. The big dollar ones hang on the walls for years- some of them.

It's all about the "Guitar Center Sam Ash Syndrome" thing for the small town music shop owners I think. He'd probably say "yes" to that too.

He has had some nice basses too. That's where I got my 72 Jazz ( * small picture to your left there). I traded him multiple lower end basses for it. They are all gone now and he had the 72 forever.--- way longer than it took to sell the basses I gave him. :D


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