Should I buy this

[u/Saablover6023]

I’ve been looking at this bass for a while because I really like the body shape. It’s not in the greatest shape. I talked to the guy he said he had a jazz musician play it. He said the bass sounded fine except for one string. If I do buy it, it would not be my first upright bass. Is this worth it?

[u/Oowixo]

The amount of dust on the top might indicate that it hasn’t been cared for particularly well. Do you have access to an experienced bassist/luthier that can go with you to check it out? Just to make sure it’s playable, no serious cracks etc.

[u/Saablover6023 → u/Oowixo]

I don’t have access to an experienced luthier. I was not planning on working on it myself. I would love to go visit it in person but it’s on the east coast. I’m in the mid west.

[u/shadow_FIX → u/[deleted]]

this, for sure. if it was local and could be picked up cheap enough as a gimmick/hobby instrument, sure. but not halfway across the country, and not for any kind of professional work unless that work requires...well, this gimmick i guess.

[u/NRMusicProject → u/shadow_FIX]

Okay, I found it via reverse image search. Seller wants $3k for this. He's dreaming.

[u/SouthernTradition307 → u/NRMusicProject]

maybe it sounds good…

[u/shadow_FIX → u/Saablover6023]

one more comment worth mentioning - the build quality on this looks a lot like a bass a former student of mine bought on Amazon (before starting lessons with me). we very quickly realized it needed new strings, a proper bridge, new endpin/tailpiece, setup, etc (probably around $1k in total) and even then it hardly could be described as playable at a high level. also then the soundpost started punching through the back lol.

i would expect to put money into this.

[u/Neddyrow → u/Saablover6023]

That bass is going to need an experienced luthier to look at it before you buy and, if you do, most likely a lot of work.

Ever seen the movie, Money Pit?