What bass configuration (no. strings and scale length) is likely to have the highest resale value?

[evoman]

I have a peculiar question...  

 

I am owed a bass by a business that has effectively defaulted on their debt to me. To make up for that, they have offered me the chance to take my choice of several basses with different configurations. My personal preferred configuration is a 4 string with a 32" scale, but I can end up with a 4, 5, or 6 string with a 32" or 34" scale. I am most likely to just sell the bass so I can use the money to buy a model I really want. So my motivation is to find a model that will be easiest to sell and net me the most money to put towards another bass. I feel like a 32" scale 4 string will not be the easiest to sell - I assume it would be a 34", but how many strings would be in the highest demand?

 

I'd appreciate any input - thanks!

[Bolo]

I think at least 75% of all basses are four string, probably 80% of those 34 inch.

[Dood]

Do they have anything pre-1980 with a Fender logo on??? 

[thodrik]

2 minutes ago, Dood said:

Do they have anything pre-1980 with a Fender logo on??? 

This. Or failing that, something dating from 1980-2000 with a 'Wal' logo on it.

[PaulThePlug]

4 34

Anything else is attention seeking or trying to be clever 🤣

[Killerfridge]

I mean, it probably depends more on the make and model than the scale length and string numbers no?

[fretmeister]

I'll take the Short Scale Alembic....

[tauzero]

34" four strings are the commonest and therefore the easiest to sell, though the flip side of that is that there will be a lot of buyers competing in the marketplace.

 

Do they have any 4-string 32" basses that you would like to keep? And what about doing some research on Ebay and Reverb, and in shops selling second-hand instruments, to get an idea of prices?

[Terry M.]

4 string 34" scale basses are easily the most ubiquitous. 

[Dan Dare]

What's the choice of basses? No use our suggesting you take a '51 Precision if there isn't one on offer. Configuration, scale length, etc has relatively little bearing on price. If they're all new, make a list of what they are and get Googling to find typical prices.

[itu]

- big, known brand

- 4 strings

- 34" scale

- years 1980-2020

 

Like a cheapo fender. Older are pricey only, because they are older, "vintage".

 

Esoteric, multistring, small brands are bought by only few of us:

Pedulla, Overwater, Ken Smith, Auerswald, Ken Bebensee...