How to Buy a Used Bass
Buying used is the best way to get more bass for your money, and most used basses are in great shape. A few minutes of checking keeps you away from the ones that aren't.
What to look for
- Ask for the photos you need: the whole neck from the side, the frets, the back of the neck, the electronics cavity and the serial number.
- Check the neck. It should be close to straight, and the seller should confirm the truss rod still adjusts.
- Listen to the electronics. Every pickup and knob should work without crackling, and the output jack shouldn't cut out when the cable moves.
- Look at fret wear. Grooves under the strings on the first few frets mean a fret level or replacement may be coming.
- Use the marketplace's checkout. Paying through Reverb or eBay keeps their buyer protection. Be wary of anyone asking for payment outside the site.
- Compare prices. Check what the same model sells for elsewhere on this site before you make an offer.
For sale right now (582)
☆
Peavey Dyna-Bass 1991 5 string active - Pearl White finish - w/ OHSC- NICE!!!
5-string · Active
$525
Reverb · Very Good · 25 min ago
Compare☆Rickenbacker (1972) 4001 Bass - Mapleglo, w/HSC
4-string · Vintage
$6,000
Reverb · Very Good · 32 min ago
Compare☆Rickenbacker (2008) 4004CII Cheyenne Bass - Fireglo, w/OHSC
$5,000
Reverb · Excellent · 37 min ago
Compare☆Rickenbacker (1979) 4000 Bass - Fireglo, w/OHSC
Vintage
$5,300
Reverb · Excellent · 39 min ago
Compare☆Rickenbacker (1997) 4001V63 Bass - Mapleglo, w/OHSC
4-string
$5,300
Reverb · Excellent · 41 min ago
Compare☆Rickenbacker (2006) 4001C64 Bass - Fireglo, w/OHSC
4-string
$6,500
Reverb · Excellent · 42 min ago
Compare☆Rickenbacker (2009) 4001C64S Bass - Mapleglo, w/OHSC
4-string
$6,000
Reverb · Excellent · 43 min ago
Compare☆Ibanez SR250 4-String Solid Body Right-Handed Active Electric Bass Blue/Black
4-string · Active
$220
eBay · Pre-Owned · 1 hr ago
Compare☆Fender American Professional Classic Jazz Bass, Faded Firemist Gold, w/bag
4-string · JJ pickups
$1,099
Reverb · Excellent · 1 hr ago
Compare☆Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster Bass - Walnut
$580
Empire Music · 1 hr ago
Compare☆Ibanez Bass Workshop BTB605MLM Multi-Scale 5-String Electric Bass
5-string
$1,200
American Musical Supply · 1 hr ago
Compare☆Sterling by Music Man RAY2 Intro Series StingRay Bass
MM/HH pickups
$270$30010% off
Sweetwater · 1 hr ago
Compare☆Fender JMJ Road Worn Mustang Bass
Short scale
$1,700$1,8508% off
zZounds · 1 hr ago
Compare☆FENDER AMERICAN PROFESSIONAL II PRECISION BASS
P pickups
$1,490$1,69012% off
Sweetwater · 1 hr ago
Compare☆Yamaha TRBX174 RM 4-String Electric Bass Guitar Red Metallic Bundle with Guitar Lab Accessory Kit | Musical Instruments and Pro Audio on Sale
4-string
$300
E2Genesis · 1 hr ago
Compare☆Epiphone Embassy Bass - Wanderlust Green Metallic
$499
Guitar Center · 1 hr ago
Compare☆Yamaha TRBX505 5-String Electric Bass
5-string
$680
Yamaha · 1 hr ago
Compare☆Fender Standard Jazz Bass
JJ pickups
$680
Guitar Center · 1 hr ago
Compare☆Yamaha TRBX604FM Bass Guitar
$750
Sweetwater · 1 hr ago
Compare☆Ibanez GSR205PC Gio SR 5-String Electric Bass
5-string
$380
zZounds · 1 hr ago
Compare☆Fender Vintera III Early '60s Bass VI - Olympic White
$1,500
Chuck Levin's Washington Music Center · 1 hr ago
Compare☆Fender Squier Sonic Precision Bass Guitar, Laurel Fingerboard Black Bundle with Tuner, Strap, and Austin Bazaar Instructional DVD
P pickups
$270$33018% off
Micheo Music · 1 hr ago
Compare☆Sterling by Music Man SB4 4-String Electric Bass Guitar
4-string
$320$40020% off
Musicians Friend · 1 hr ago
Compare☆1996 Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay
4-string · Active · MM/HH pickups
$1,799
Reverb · Very Good · 1 hr ago
Compare