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

[Count Bassy]

On 07/03/2025 at 13:30, lemmywinks said:

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

Let's think about that one for a while.

[jonnybass]

On 07/03/2025 at 17:40, evoman said:

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. 

 Just looking in the market place  on this site there are a number of high quality basses from great builders at the £2k point.  To command a £2k second hand price this builder must have a good reputation so I'd say get them to build what they are famous for and people usually buy from them, to me that would be the route to a quick sale.  

 

Jonny

[lemmywinks]

If this is a top end luthier (Shuker, ACG, Iceni/Zoot, Sei etc) or a popular brand then you may get decent resale value on it, otherwise prepare to be disappointed. Unfortunately the fastest way to lose money on a new bass is to order a custom instrument from a smaller builder, no matter how good the bass is people will always go for what logo is on the headstock.

 

Even then resale value will plummet compared to the new cost, there's been top end custom basses sold in the Marketplace here for new MiM Fender prices.