uk_lefty Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 Hi everyone - I can't quite get my head around something I keep seeing on eBay. Some US sellers, who are companies rather than individuals, ssell a "fully loaded" Fender bass body for around £250 before tax etc. and a "fully loaded" fender neck for around £220 before tax, delivery, etc. I don't get it - they've taken off the strings, unscrewed the neck, and are selling them separately, but you could buy the both for less than the cost of the whole item new. What am I missing??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 [quote name='uk_lefty' timestamp='1455219093' post='2977229'] Hi everyone - I can't quite get my head around something I keep seeing on eBay. Some US sellers, who are companies rather than individuals, ssell a "fully loaded" Fender bass body for around £250 before tax etc. and a "fully loaded" fender neck for around £220 before tax, delivery, etc. I don't get it - they've taken off the strings, unscrewed the neck, and are selling them separately, but you could buy the both for less than the cost of the whole item new. What am I missing??? [/quote] Profit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted February 11, 2016 Author Share Posted February 11, 2016 But how? When buying separate costs less than buying whole? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 (edited) [quote name='uk_lefty' timestamp='1455224375' post='2977301'] But how? When buying separate costs less than buying whole? [/quote] Ok, so my response lacked depth. Sites for example sell (as far as I know) items that have not passed QC - Instead of the brand trashing them, they sell the parts on to these sites. These parts will of course be cheaper than an official blemish free version. The instrument could have been a full item, but if you remove a ding'd neck from a perfect body, then you can sell the body 'as new'. Edited February 11, 2016 by dood Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 They also don't have to give any warranty on the parts either. No cooling off period returns as you'll probably invalidate it's "New" status as soon as you screw it into another part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted February 11, 2016 Author Share Posted February 11, 2016 Interesting! Might be worth a punt.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 Stratosphere sell secondhand bass parts. Who knows where they get them from? But one thing's for sure, they will be making a profit or they wouldn't be selling them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost_Bass Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 Hasn't anybody mentioned Fender's lack of QC when it comes to neck gaps? Selling separately people can't notice them... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick's Fine '52 Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 I think there is a market for parts anyway, maybe more than a whole bass. They are normally common reissue parts. There are hundreds of whole guitars, but if you want a harness assembly, or a body, or neck etc, then they are far harder to find. I'm currently looking for a neck, but i wouldnt by a whole bass because overall its cheaper. As has been said, i think the majority are '2nds' or poorly matched parts, which are sold in mass by factories for next to nothing. GAK also do it, offering no warranty too. If it suits buyers, and they make money, then its just business. If there wasnt a market, they would go bust pretty quick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost_Bass Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 [quote name='Meddle' timestamp='1455277745' post='2977684'] People don't mind neck gaps on the pre-CBS stuff..... [/quote] But that's mojo, it's what makes them sound special, surely that's worth the extra thousands... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 It's great for those that want to mix and match, e.g. getting a P with a J neck or vice versa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted February 17, 2016 Author Share Posted February 17, 2016 I want a sunburst body for my MIM jazz... Don't need a whole bass though. If I take a punt I'll write it up here... Got a wedding to pay for first though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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