So I’m looking to buy a yamaha trbx304 but am very limited on funds. I found this shop on ebay that sells them much cheaper than any shops in the UK as far as I’m aware. However it’s not a shop that specialises in musical instruments, it’s kind of random Japanese products. What do you think, should I buy from them? 95% positive feedback seems good but then I’m not at all experienced in this.
Alternatively I saw some people selling preowned ones on Facebook marketplace, but I’m worried that as a beginner I wouldn’t be able to tell the condition of the bass, and seeing as it’s not a store I wouldn’t have anyone to come to with issues.
I have bought and sold a fair number of basses via eBay and FB Marketplace. In fact, my first bass was bought on eBay, although it was cheap and local pick-up. I have only bought one bass that has been sent to me - that transaction was fine, but obviously, that does not mean all transactions will be… I haven’t bought anything from aboard as I don’t was to get stung with any duties / VAT etc.
My view, for what it is worth, is that there is no issue buying second hand, providing you accept that you could have a problematic instrument. A couple of basses I’ve bought, I have ended up having to take to a local guitar tech to sort, although I am now far more confident sorting issues myself. In fact, I have one at present where I need to replace the tone pot.
Of course, the safest option is to buy in a local music shop, or, if you know someone who kind’a knows what they are looking at, take them with you, if looking locally for pre-owned. Where are you based in the UK?
Just had a look on Marketplace - this might be worth a punt - Squier P-Bass - it’s cheap and in Bicester, so not a million miles away… the thing I found is that I used my first bass for about 6 months, decided that bass was going to be my thing, then sold it on for the same price I’d bought it for and found something better. That said, these Squier basses are pretty solid.
Edit:
But then I’ve just re-read your original post about a specific model, so ignore the above
Or do what I did and go to Japan and bring three home
Joking aside, regarding taxes on imports into the UK, we only pay the one. I helpfully, I can’t remember which, but if memory serves, we only pay import duties. There’s no VAT on importing musical instruments.
Might be kind of tailing off another reply, but i have this in USD and i am UK based, this has me very confused with mentions from Japanese shipping etc. Id say music shop it, or if you can find a more reliable Ebay seller, like a music shop just selling on Ebay.
Annoyingly, i think you would have just missed the sales.
addendum: Just searched it and i found this from G4M, thats £399. It might be worth the extra 100 just to have a domestic sale honestly,
You still pay import duties and VAT on secondhand goods into the UK. To be honest, I get confused regarding what you actually pay, but you likely get stung for something. I remember being hit by fees for a present, a dress, that someone once sent my daughter! I was really annoyed with that one!
For me Ebay/OLX/marketplaces are not a bad option, but you have to keep an eye on possible fakes, dishonest sellers and stolen items - these happen not that rare over there.
Am gonna ask my question here instead of starting a new thread:
I just saw a listing for a secondhand Bass Fender Japan '62 Vintage Reissue jazz bass guitar and the seller hasn’t quoted a specific price yet, they’re just accepting offers. I’m looking to get my first bass and this is such a rare opportunity since I know old but well taken care of Fenders fetch a high price. I’m a little strapped for cash since I’ve also got to purchase other gear + setup but this might be my chance to get an instrument I won’t have to sell in only a few years just to upgrade. What do you all think the lowest price I can ask for this is?
Absolutely under no circumstances unless it is literally free should you make a vintage Fender or reissue your first bass.
These are instruments at a premium price point with quirks and you are too early in your bass journey to even know what you really like yet.
This isn’t gatekeeping - this is doing you a service to advise against avoiding a pitfall. Give yourself time to explore what you like on less expensive but potentially even better options before going deep on something like this.
Agonizing over buying your “forever bass” as your first purchase is really common and also something that if you are lucky an old timer will talk you out of
It’s the bass equivalent of marrying the first person you kiss as a teen. It might work out, but chances are you should hold off a bit
@manana the thing with eBay is that if you have any issues, they tend to look after the buyer way more than the seller. There’s an additional layer of protection if you buy using PayPal.
Also, providing you look after the bass (and you don’t pay way over the odds), you won’t lose a ton of money if you come to sell it on. It’s not like a car where you have to declare mileage and you can see from the log book how many owners it’s had.
Reading this thread makes me wonder why we don’t have a ‘For Sale’ section here. I can’t be the only person to have thought this, no way, so there must be a very good reason why we don’t.
What about something like a Fender Player Series Jazz bass? Is that still too much? I’m seeing a couple somewhat-affordable second-hand options for those too (around AUD$600, I’m not sure what prices are worth it though). I’m not sure if I should save up a little for a second-hand “better” bass or get a brand-new entry-level bass that’s a bit cheaper. Or get something like a Squier Classic Vibe.
