| Author | Message | ||
| planetsmasher
New Username: planetsmasher Post Number: 1 Registered: 1-2004 |
I am curious now... I just saw traviani's post, (below mine) and was wondering...bigbass, are you saying that this is pricey, or an extraordinary deal? The reason I ask is that I have a series 1 that is identical, except that it is a 79, and I need to sell it. Is 2500$ too much to expect? My instrument serial # is 79USA1331, and I can no longer play it. I will not let it sit in the case gathering dust forevermore, so I would not hold out for top top dollar, but what is reasonable to expect? | ||
| malthumb
Intermediate Member Username: malthumb Post Number: 145 Registered: 5-2002 |
In my experience $2,500 is a fair price. I've seen some sell for more. I've seen some offered for less that didn't sell. To some degree it depends on who's in the market to buy at the time. If I were in the market for a Series I 4 string, I'd pay $2,500 for a well maintained instrument. To be sure, you may want to consider checking completed sales on eBay and seeing what Series I basses of various ages have recently sold for. Several '78 - early '80s basses have recently passe d through eBay. Bass Palace in Pennsylvania has recently had as many as 8 Series basses. You can check with them to get a feel for what they were able to sell for. They are at www.basspalace.com Good luck | ||
| kungfusheriff
Junior Username: kungfusheriff Post Number: 30 Registered: 8-2003 |
Bear in mind, though, that prices asked by dealers are higher than those asked by private sellers, reflecting the dealer's greater overhead costs. The Swami's prices tend toward the high end of the dealer spectrum. Some say winning bid prices on eBay are inflated by the excitement of competition, so take them with a grain of salt, too. Don't neglect the Blue Book of Electric Guitars, which is the Bible of the guitar-resale world and a simple way to get a handle on a realistic asking price. It's available at most better booksellers. | ||
| poor_nigel
Junior Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 16 Registered: 7-2003 |
Need to sell your bass now? Put it on eBay at $1 and put a $2,000 reserver on it (Though it is not needed, really). The better the pictures and more case candy you offer, plus all the history you know on it, the more it will go for. Woods will definitely affect the price gotten. The more complete information you provide, the more serious bidders you will get. From a quick look at your picture, it will go for $2,000. You DEFINITELY need high quality pictures! The more, the better. The pictures sell an item far more than anything else. Get a good camera for this. List your reserve in the description. It lets people know it is not out of their range or a ridiculous price like some have on eBay right now. However, right now is a terrible time to sell. Taxes are due and a bad time of year for spending your savings. You will get more in a few months, when tax refunds are out. Someone may wish to pay $3,500 for it, but there will be no competition, so he would get it cheap. As far as the competition of bidding raising the prices, that only goes on lower-end items, generally. An exception to the rule is something rare and collectable. If I were in the market for a Series I, your price of $2,000 is a very good deal, if it is decent shape, and a decent deal at $2,500 if it has the case and candy expected and well maintained. I do not believe it would go for more at this time. Alembics have generally risen in price on eBay in the last year (A major reason was the hike in Alembic prices on new basses), but now is a bad time. However, do what you need to do. For note - I check 'Alemibc' on eBay several times a day for the last couple of years. Ever since a Series II went for $1,800 on a buy-it-now, and I screamed for a week! I had missed it by 30 minutes and was a sad puppy.... I wish you luck on your sale, and I do hope you get what you want for it. |
