What a fair price looks like
Condition on WishThrift is described by the seller against five grades, and nobody inspects it on your behalf — so the description and the photographs are what you are buying on.
| Condition | Typical | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £400 (~$533) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £340 (~$453) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £260 (~$346) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £180 (~$240) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £100 (~$133) | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
Sterling guide ranges with an approximate US dollar equivalent at £1 ≈ $1.33 (July 2026). Sellers set their own asking price; these are a starting point for judging an offer. All five grades explained.
The checklist before you pay
Neck and truss-rod problems on stringed instruments, and undisclosed repairs — especially a repaired headstock break, which permanently changes what an instrument is worth.
Run through these before money changes hands — they are the things that decide whether a bass guitar is worth what is being asked:
- Neck relief that can no longer be dialled out
- Fret wear deep enough to need a re-fret
- Replaced pickups where originals are expected
- Refinishing on anything collectable
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Recognised makers whose instruments have a following
- A straight neck with a working truss rod
- Original pickups, bridge and tuners
- Original hard case, especially on older instruments
Common faults and fakes
Counterfeits of premium guitars exist and usually show in the headstock shape, the logo decal and the serial format.
Ask for the serial number and where it was made, whether anything has ever been repaired or replaced, and for a photograph sighting down the neck from the headstock.
WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or grade anything, and no marketplace check replaces your own. If a seller will not answer a direct question about condition or origin, that is the answer.
Questions to ask the seller
These are the three that get asked most often about a bass guitar, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Sight down it from the headstock and say what you see, and confirm the truss rod turns. A bass with a twisted neck is a repair job and buyers need to know.
Check for a battery compartment. Active basses need a nine volt battery and some buyers specifically avoid them.
Measure from nut to bridge saddle. Short scale basses are a distinct and popular market and worth naming.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Sight down the neck from the headstock for relief and twist
- Play every fret listening for buzz or dead spots
- Check whether pickups, bridge and tuners are original
Photographs to ask for
If the listing does not already show these, ask — a seller who has the item will send them in minutes:
- The full instrument front on, plain background
- The headstock showing brand, model and serial
- The neck sighted down its length, and the frets angled to show wear
- The pickups, bridge and controls, plus any damage or modification
Details to confirm before you commit
- Brand, model, number of strings and scale length
- Pickup configuration, and whether the electronics are passive or active
- Neck condition, relief and fret wear
- Whether anything is non-original, and whether a case or gig bag is included
Live bass guitar listings
Nothing matching is listed at the moment. Browse music & instruments for what is live now, or everything on the site — stock changes daily and new listings are free to post, so it is worth checking back.
When to buy
Steady all year with a lift before Christmas. Recognised brands sell within days; unbranded instruments move slowly.
Prices move against that cycle for a buyer: the cheapest time to buy is when sellers are listing most, not when demand peaks.
Paying and collecting safely
WishThrift does not process payments, hold funds or offer buyer protection — you agree the price and the method with the seller directly, which is what keeps the platform free on both sides. Meet somewhere public where you can, inspect before you pay, and keep the conversation on the site so there is a record of what was agreed. Be wary of any seller who wants to move the conversation elsewhere before you have agreed anything.
Selling one instead?
If you already have a bass guitar sitting unused, it is free to list and there is no commission — the price you agree is the amount you keep. Read how to sell bass guitar for what to photograph and how to price, or what bass guitar is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used bass guitar?
Around £52 to £260 in good condition, more for barely-used examples and less for anything with a described fault. Compare against the seller’s photographs rather than the grade alone.
How do I check a bass guitar before buying?
Ask for the serial number and where it was made, whether anything has ever been repaired or replaced, and for a photograph sighting down the neck from the headstock.
Is buying a bass guitar second hand safe?
Yes, with the ordinary care any private sale needs. WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or hold funds, so inspect before you pay where you can, meet somewhere public, and keep the conversation on the site. Neck and truss-rod problems on stringed instruments, and undisclosed repairs — especially a repaired headstock break, which permanently changes what an instrument is worth.
See also: all buying guides · bass guitar value guide · selling bass guitar · Music & Instruments · condition grades.