Are you addicted to buying new instruments? I know I am (at times). I’m always looking for that perfect instrument that can cover every need: the right amount of strings, the right string spacing, the right placement of the volume knob, other knobs out of the way, the neck pickup isn’t too close, etc. But, of course, the one thing you absolutely have to know is will it sound good coming out of the amplifier that you use – not the store amps. Here’s the first thing you should do when buying a new instrument:
I’ve learned that if the instrument sounds great unplugged then it will sound great through an amplifier. You’re probably thinking, ‘what if the thing has crappy electronics?’
Well, I’ve learned that if a builder has spent a lot of time getting a good combination of woods and setting the specs to be just right then they’re not going to skimp on the electronics.
I always test out a new instrument unplugged. Guitar stores don’t usually have the kind of set-up that I use to run my bass guitars live. Plus, I don’t want to muddy up my reaction to the instrument by listening to it plugged in first. First, I want to play around on the instrument and hear what it has to offer acoustically; Second, I’ll plug it in to hear it electronically.
Of course, all this goes for guitar players as well; I’m not leaving you guys out. The same theory applies for both guitar and bass. Just don’t forget to give whatever instrument you’re trying out some slack if the store hasn’t changed the strings in a while. Guitar stores usually leave these instruments hanging up for quite some time. You’ve got all these punks coming in playing “Crazy Train” over and over with their stupid greasy fingers. No, I’m talking about listening to the resonant quality of the wood from the body and neck – not string quality (although that certainly helps to hear everything together).
But I digress…
I believe I was talking about finally plugging in and how a guitar store won’t usually have your exact rig set up.
If I’m running through an amp I use my old Hartke 3500 head through a Hartke 2×15 transport cab and a Hartke 4×10 transport cab. And I’m talking about this is a rare occurrence. Over the years I’ve been running direct for both live and studio sound. All my live gigs have been through my Line 6 X3 Pro – that’s it. It keeps my sound consistent and the Front-of-House guy can mix it however he wants. My in-ear mix stays the same as well.
Sure, you’re going to need to plug in your new instrument to test it out. You want to check out how the electronics respond to harmonics, if the knobs are scratchy, if the input jack is messed up; Yeah, you want to check it out thoroughly. But I’ve always found that if a guitar or bass sounds great when it’s not plugged in then it will sound great when it is plugged in.
But what if you’re flying blind?
Well, if you’re flying blind then the first thing you should do is figure out who shot the pilot? …. GET IT??
See, because you’re on a plane and someone shoots the pilot and you’re like, “I can fly this thing. I can be the hero and land the plane and impress all the girls.”
Kinda like in that movie Chariot.
That movie was terrible. What a huge waste of time that was. Hey, let’s make a movie and string along the audience for an hour and half only to not bother coming up with an ending.
Did I ruin the movie for you? No I didn’t. Because you should never watch Chariot.
Ever.
It was terrible.
“Hi, I’m Cole: a truck driver that can’t read – I can fly a plane.” Shut up!
Okay, but what if you’re flying blind and buying an instrument on eBay or some other mail order site.
You can always go test drive an instrument in the store; if you like how it plays in the store then you can probably buy it cheaper on eBay. However, who knows what psychopath had 
it before you. If it’s all screwed up you can always resell it. Just make sure you wipe off any of your fingerprints first.
I’ve only bought one instrument on eBay that I absolutely hated and resold. I have no problem telling you what it was either: a Brubaker Brute singlecut 5-string. It had 21 frets (which I hate), awful harmonic response, and sounded dull. It was a beautiful instrument though. I just hated the feel and sound. Whatever, some people really enjoy those things.
There’s other places online that will let you try out a bass and send it back if you don’t like it.
One place is called the Luthier’s Access Group. If you’re in the market for a boutique bass then this is a good place to check out. If you live in an area like I live, you probably won’t get a chance to go to a store that carries boutique basses. I’d like to get my hands on and try out something like a Fodera (which I can’t afford), FBass (which I can’t afford), Wyn (which I can’t afford), Zakrzewski (which I can’t afford), Marleaux (which I can’t afford), Skjold (which I can’t afford), Sukop (which I can’t afford), Ritter (which I can’t afford), Surine (…you get the idea).
LAG will let you put some money down to try out a bass to buy. Check out the link to see their terms and policies.
So there you have it. What did we learn today? We learned a good way to gauge an instrument in a music store by not plugging it in right away. We also learned that watching Chariot is a huge waste of time.
