# Have to sell my !@#$% main instrument. Kill me now. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 12, 2015, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-to-sell-my-main-instrument-kill-me-now/740236 "2015-12-12T06:09:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2015, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-to-sell-my-main-instrument-kill-me-now/740236/1 "2015-12-12T06:09:50Z")
Being a broke-ass mofo sucks. Some of y’all may have followed my “Starting a New Job” thread: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=700592&page=3](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=700592&page=3) Which I started more than two years ago and have kept updated. So I’m back at my previous job. But, despite my boss trying to give me all the hours he can give me (union job, I lost all of my seniority when I left in 2013), my bank balance is now $90 in the hole (thank God I’ve been with the same local bank for 20 years, and they go ahead and honor my online payments - in this case, my Internet and car/renter’s insurance, even if the money isn’t there) and I don’t think I have worked enough this pay period to cover next month’s rent. Normally, in this situation, I would pawn one of my instruments. Except I don’t think my favorite pawnshop would let me pawn one for more than $100. So I feel forced now to “sell”. Gonna do it on Craigslist. The problem is … how much to ask? The bass guitar in question is a 2008 (I think) “[Fender Vintage Series 1960s Jazz Bass](http://www.fender.com/basses/jazz-bass/60s-jazz-bass/0131800300.html#q=classic+series+jazz+bass&start=1)”. The “list” price for a new one is $800. Here is mine, when it was brand new (scroll down): [http://www.mister-rik.com/music.html](http://www.mister-rik.com/music.html) Via some “connections”, I was able to purchase that bass for somewhere between $400 and $500. I got a great deal on a great bass. Since taking possession, I’ve paid for a setup to correct some problems with the neck. I’ve played it for 7 years, and it’s amazing. The feel, the tone … So I’m wondering how much to ask for it. I’m tempted to ask more than I paid. Whoa, just checked, and Musician’s Friend is asking fucking $900! > **[Fender Classic Series '60s Jazz Bass Lacquer](https://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/fender-classic-series-60s-jazz-bass-lacquer?rNtt=fender%20classic%20series&index=9)** > > Get the guaranteed best price on 4 String Electric Bass like the Fender Classic Series '60s Jazz Bass Lacquer at Musician's Friend. Get a low price and free shipping on thousands of items. (Wait, what? MF is asking $100 _more_ than the list price?) ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2015, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-to-sell-my-main-instrument-kill-me-now/740236/2 "2015-12-12T06:32:17Z")
You got to go on ebay. You search your bass. And then choose “Sold items only” and you’ll see all the transactions in the last so many months. ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2015, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-to-sell-my-main-instrument-kill-me-now/740236/3 "2015-12-12T06:58:02Z")
Put the bass to work. Play some gigs and ya got dough. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2015, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-to-sell-my-main-instrument-kill-me-now/740236/4 "2015-12-12T07:19:14Z")
> [@harmonicamoon](#): > > Put the bass to work. Play some gigs and ya got dough. My small town unfortunately abandoned live music for karaoke and DJs, many years ago. God, when I was in my 20s, there was live music everywhere. I had a band in 2003-2004, where I was the [lead singer and bass player](http://www.mister-rik.com/mp3/walking_on_the_sun.mp3). God, there ain’t nothing now. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2015, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-to-sell-my-main-instrument-kill-me-now/740236/5 "2015-12-12T15:41:13Z")
Come to Nashville. There’s live music everywhere, plus food service jobs galore, I expect. I’m sorry to hear about your troubles, Rik. StG ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2015, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-to-sell-my-main-instrument-kill-me-now/740236/6 "2015-12-12T15:45:14Z")
> [@StGermain](#): > > Come to Nashville. There’s live music everywhere, plus food service jobs galore, I expect. > > I’m sorry to hear about your troubles, Rik. > > StG Me, too, **Rik**. If you need to move it, good luck on maximizing your deal. If the buyer has a less-expensive bass, and the cash is still good, perhaps you can consider a trade to still have access. Thinking out loud. ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2015, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-to-sell-my-main-instrument-kill-me-now/740236/7 "2015-12-12T18:24:31Z")
> [@Mister\_Rik](#): > > My small town unfortunately abandoned live music for karaoke and DJs, many years ago. God, when I was in my 20s, there was live music everywhere. I had a band in 2003-2004, where I was the [lead singer and bass player](http://www.mister-rik.com/mp3/walking_on_the_sun.mp3). > > God, there ain’t nothing now. Sorry to hear that Rik. I hope you can revive live music in your small town. ---
**Author:** ![Philliam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/philliam/32/3011_2.png) [@Philliam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philliam)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2015, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-to-sell-my-main-instrument-kill-me-now/740236/8 "2015-12-12T19:57:54Z")
> [@Mister\_Rik](#): > > My small town unfortunately abandoned live music for karaoke and DJs, many years ago. God, when I was in my 20s, there was live music everywhere. I had a band in 2003-2004, where I was the [lead singer and bass player](http://www.mister-rik.com/mp3/walking_on_the_sun.mp3). > > God, there ain’t nothing now. Bummer, man - I’d make you an offer but I already have a 90’s Fender (Japan) ‘Foto-flame’ P-Bass and a P-Jazz Special as working instruments. My '64 P-Bass is now retired to prevent ‘walking off stage’. You mention the ‘bunghole of Wa’. Not to be specific but I smell Centralia, Quincy and Richland pretty strongly. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2015, 9:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-to-sell-my-main-instrument-kill-me-now/740236/9 "2015-12-13T09:32:34Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > You got to go on ebay. You search your bass. And then choose “Sold items only” and you’ll see all the transactions in the last so many months. On your recommendation, I did that. Most of the auctions I found were resolved with “Best offer accepted”, so I don’t know what was “accepted” relative to the asking price. I’mma ask $500 and see what happens. > [@StGermain](#): > > Come to Nashville. There’s live music everywhere, plus food service jobs galore, I expect. > > I’m sorry to hear about your troubles, Rik. > > StG God, I would love to be in Nashville, if only to let somebody hear me sing (though, 5 months away from 50 years, old, I don’t expect a record contract). But I would be delighted to just be playing in a band 🙂 > [@Philliam](#): > > Bummer, man - I’d make you an offer but I already have a 90’s Fender (Japan) ‘Foto-flame’ P-Bass and a P-Jazz Special as working instruments. My '64 P-Bass is now retired to prevent ‘walking off stage’. You mention the ‘bunghole of Wa’. Not to be specific but I smell Centralia, Quincy and Richland pretty strongly. ☹ Well, I have been in all three of those towns, (and have played in Quincy), but the “bunghole” is Wenatchee (the almost geographic center of Washington). A town of 50,000 (if you count East Wenatchee, across the river, in a different county), with pretentions of “big city”. Hah! ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2015, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-to-sell-my-main-instrument-kill-me-now/740236/10 "2015-12-13T10:05:18Z")
Okay, I just put it on Craigslist: [http://wenatchee.craigslist.org/msg/5358043008.html](http://wenatchee.craigslist.org/msg/5358043008.html) ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2015, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-to-sell-my-main-instrument-kill-me-now/740236/11 "2015-12-13T10:32:54Z")
When I was down and out I had to sell my bass and amp too, so I know how you feel. Luckily a year later I had a job and money and bought better equipment than I had originally. I don’t like Fenders though I play a Peavey Cirrus myself. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2015, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-to-sell-my-main-instrument-kill-me-now/740236/12 "2015-12-13T10:42:54Z")
Thing is down the line you should be able to pick up a cheap bass for less than $200. If your not playing professionally, it will be enough for you to practice on. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2015, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-to-sell-my-main-instrument-kill-me-now/740236/13 "2015-12-13T12:26:14Z")
> [@pool](#): > > When I was down and out I had to sell my bass and amp too, so I know how you feel. Luckily a year later I had a job and money and bought better equipment than I had originally. I don’t like Fenders though I play a Peavey Cirrus myself. I didn’t like Fenders until I played a Jazz. I had always tried P-Basses before, and always thought they felt “clunky”. Played a J for the first time, and fell in love with the skinny neck. That said, once my Jazz is gone … > [@Urbanredneck](#): > > Thing is down the line you should be able to pick up a cheap bass for less than $200. If your not playing professionally, it will be enough for you to practice on. … I’ll still have my [Rogue 6-string bass](http://www.mister-rik.com/images/rogue_01_big.jpg). My goodness, this is the most well-built, best-sounding bass I have ever played. I just can’t sell it for anything. “Rogue” is the house brand of Musician’s Friend, and I only paid $250 for that 6-string bass. Wow, what a steal! Let me tell you, it’s a challenge trying to play Rush bass lines on a 6-string, 35"-scale bass! ---
**Author:** ![Newtosite](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/newtosite/32/8623_2.png) [@Newtosite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Newtosite)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2015, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-to-sell-my-main-instrument-kill-me-now/740236/14 "2015-12-14T08:27:10Z")
I’m very sorry about your situation, Mister Rik. I would think you’d do better on ebay. It doesn’t cost anything to list it (as far as I know), and your ad will reach many more people than a local craigslist ad would ever do. You can put a reserve price, which is the minimum you’ll accept. The buyers won’t see it. If you do this, be sure to list a shipping price that will cover your cost. You might even want to weigh the item at the post office beforehand so you know how much it will be, including insurance, etc. I really hope you get more than you’d imagined for it. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![stillownedbysetters](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@stillownedbysetters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stillownedbysetters)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2015, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-to-sell-my-main-instrument-kill-me-now/740236/15 "2015-12-14T21:22:06Z")
I’d suggest ebay, too. You don’t pay a thing if you don’t sell your item, and most sellers recoup their listing costs through what they charge for shipping. If you use ebay, try it first with a silent reserve price and see what kind of bids you get. If no one overtops your reserve, you can relist again at the highest price bid and you can always email the bidder to let them know you relisted. Good luck. If I played enough anymore to justify buying a bass again, I’d buy it from you. But I only play once or twice a year now. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2015, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-to-sell-my-main-instrument-kill-me-now/740236/16 "2015-12-15T19:42:35Z")
There is also Reverb. My favorite site in the whole world. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-to-sell-my-main-instrument-kill-me-now/740236/17 "2015-12-18T19:28:39Z")
God, I gave up on Craigslist. The most serious offer I got was a guy offering to trade me an American Tele +$100. Had to tell him, “Dude, I need cash, not a trade!” I need cash so bad that I removed the craigslist ad and pawned the bass. I need to eat. ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-to-sell-my-main-instrument-kill-me-now/740236/18 "2015-12-18T19:44:46Z")
I sold my Copeland whistles back when I was really broke. 10 years on and now they are so expensive I’ll never be able to replace them. I feel your pain, man. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-to-sell-my-main-instrument-kill-me-now/740236/19 "2015-12-18T23:05:57Z")
That’s really bad. There has to be somewhere you can play live music. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-to-sell-my-main-instrument-kill-me-now/740236/20 "2015-12-18T23:54:58Z")
> [@foolsguinea](#): > > That’s really bad. There has to be somewhere you can play live music. Probably, but I don’t have a band. Where am I going to gig as a solo bass player? Sure, I can sing, but to get a gig, I need a band. My favorite karaoke bar doesn’t pay. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-to-sell-my-main-instrument-kill-me-now/740236.md?page=2)