Second hand bass's

[Macklaud]

I just whant to know what do you guys think that are the most important things to inspect whem we are buying a second handed bass?

[neepheid]

[quote name='Macklaud' post='1167118' date='Mar 18 2011, 01:54 PM']I just whant to know what do you guys think that are the most important things to inspect whem we are buying a second handed bass?[/quote]

The neck. Everything else can be reasonably easily fixed. Any neck issues - walk away.

[tommorichards]

definitely the neck.

[Bassassin]

[quote name='neepheid' post='1167131' date='Mar 18 2011, 01:58 PM']The neck. Everything else can be reasonably easily fixed. Any neck issues - walk away.[/quote]

+1. Walk - no, run - away from a twisted neck or stuck/unadjustable/overtightened truss rod. Likewise fretboard splits or delaminating skunk stripes, unless the bass is dirt-cheap & you're up for a bit of DIY bodging/experimenting.

A bit of fretwear's not a huge problem but badly-worn frets will mean expensive work, nuts are pretty easy/inexpensive to replace. Like Neepheid says, usually everything else is easy-to-fix/replace wood & wire.

Jon.

[ThomBassmonkey]

Try and play the bass set up as close to you'd have it as possible. I got burned with several hundred pouds worth of repairs after buying a bass that played beautifully tuned E-C, then as soon as I put a B-G set of strings on it the neck went wonky.

[icastle]

+1 to everything above.

Also thoroughly research what it is you are [u]supposed[/u] to be looking at, print off pics if you have to, and compare it to what you are looking at.
A lot of people get their fingers burned buying 'genuine' basses that turn out to be fake.

[purpleblob]

The neck, the neck and the neck. Is it warped, bent double or whatever, do the notes ring clear all along it on all strings (obviously if not it could just be a setup issue or fret stoning required).

[Cat Burrito]

Has anyone mentioned the neck?

I was going to say colour

[tino]

[quote name='Bassassin' post='1167158' date='Mar 18 2011, 02:06 PM']+1. Walk - no, run - away from a twisted neck or stuck/unadjustable/overtightened truss rod. Likewise fretboard splits or delaminating skunk stripes, unless the bass is dirt-cheap & you're up for a bit of DIY bodging/experimenting.

A bit of fretwear's not a huge problem but badly-worn frets will mean expensive work, nuts are pretty easy/inexpensive to replace. Like Neepheid says, usually everything else is easy-to-fix/replace wood & wire.

Jon.[/quote]
Always remembering if its a really beat up 50's Fender and the seller only wants £50.....WALK AWAY......and as you do so PLEASE call ME

[dave_bass5]

The headstock. If its got Fender on it run like the wind

[BigRedX]

That [i][b]you[/b][/i] like it. Nothing else matters.

[zigmondo]

Neck, acoustic tone(gives you a good idea of its inherent properties and allows to check for dead spots).

[paul_5]

That long bit between the BIG bit of wood and the tuners. Apparently it's quite important.
Unless it's a Fender Jazz, which will have a 'dead spot' at C sharp on the G string. Something to do with the mass of the headstock.

[zigmondo]

D'you know, Paul, I was actually going to add about the G but thought I'd be seen as peeing on folks' strawberries.