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...

[Bolo]

Because scarcity drives up the prices you should pick a 32" scale six string.

[Stub Mandrel]

Not the prime consideration. I have a 5 string 35" bass that cost £200 and a 4 string 34" that cost £2000.

[jonnybass]

It will depend on the maker as well....I'd say a 36 inch scale fodera six string will be worth more than a Harley Benton p bass.  By the same token, a NYC sadowsky 4 string 34 inch scale will be worth more than a Cort A5. 

 

If you are just looking for a quick sale 34inch scale 4 string would be the most probable to sell quickly.

 

Jonny

[Terry M.]

10 minutes ago, jonnybass said:

 

If you are just looking for a quick sale 34inch scale 4 string would be the most probable to sell quickly.

This 100%

[lemmywinks]

What basses have you been offered? Can't really put a price on things without knowing what they are but in general a Jazz/Precision with 4 strings in standard scale will shift no problems. If it says Fender on the headstock then grab that.

 

 

[evoman]

Thanks for all the input and sorry it's taken a while to get back here. I should have been clearer that the basses are all the same basic model (I don't want to mention the company at the moment since I don't really want them getting annoyed that I mostly want to sell the bass onwards to fund one I really want). So I really just need to decide on the scale length and number of strings. 

 

I could get one configured the way I like (32" scale, 4 string), but I would prefer to be able to fund a purchase from one of my preferred builders/makes instead of ending up having a very nice bass that just isn't one I dream of!

[lemmywinks]

This isn't a small builder beginning with the letter L is it?

[jonnybass]

What is the ballpark ££ for your preferred builders?  Do you want a quick sale or are you looking to maximise return?

 

Both will have different answers.  If its maximise return then it should be the model closest to the one the builder is good at.  I wouldnt buy a 34 inch passive four string wooden necked tobias or status.  Like wise I wouldnt buy a 6 string 24 fret 4 band active eq graphite necked modern vintage bass.

 

So what type of bass the does builder usually build, and will selling one second hand get you enough ££ to buy your dream bass??  Nothing else really matters as much to  be honest.

 

Jonny

[itu]

One you dream of? Never heard about GAS? And that the right number of basses is N+1?

 

When buying a first bass, you buy something that looks OK. The second is something you think you like, and the third is the first one that suits you. When you find the right recipe, the Holy Grail is right behind that corner. Or the next. Maybe...

[Killerfridge]

2 hours ago, lemmywinks said:

This isn't a small builder beginning with the letter L is it?

Not to derail, but have we heard any updates with this one, assuming you're talking about who I'm thinking about

[evoman]

4 hours ago, lemmywinks said:

This isn't a small builder beginning with the letter L is it?

No, it's not - I'm not sure I know who the 'L' one is...

I've owned probably 20 basses over the years, and I've already owned most of the ones I actually want to own (but sold for stupid reasons over the years!).  The issue is that prices have really gone up a lot since I sold my last premium bass (I have a relatively cheap one at the moment). So I am hoping to sell this one to fund a purchase (in the £2k to £3k range).  I don't want to end up asking for one that suits my likes, only to find out that my own likes are very different from everyone else's, so I cannot sell the bass. 

[lemmywinks]

1 hour ago, Killerfridge said:

Not to derail, but have we heard any updates with this one, assuming you're talking about who I'm thinking about

 

 

No idea, I assume the fella is still trying in vain to get Jon to build him a bass.

 

Was the first thing I though of when I looked at this thread though!

Edited Friday at 17:47 by lemmywinks

[Dan Dare]

So it sounds as if this will be a new, custom-built instrument that you'll be looking to sell for £2k plus. If that is the case, it isn't possible to advise. Prices and desirability of custom instruments are heavily affected by the fact that one man's meat is another's poison. If a builder owes you money, I'd suggest you get the cash back from him/her and forget about accepting and trying to sell on an instrument.