The short version
- Typical range: £80 – £400
- Biggest single factor: condition — see the table below
- Category: Music & Instruments
- Cost to sell on WishThrift: nothing, at any price
What a used bass guitar is worth by condition
Condition does more to the price than anything else. These figures are worked from the top of the range for bass guitars, so treat them as a starting point and adjust for the specifics of yours.
| Condition | Typical price | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £400 | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £340 | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £260 | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £180 | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £100 | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
These are the five grades WishThrift listings use, and sellers set the grade themselves — see what each condition grade means. Figures are shown in pounds as a reference point. On WishThrift prices display in your own currency, and sellers set their own asking price.
What raises the value of a bass guitar
- 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
What lowers it
- 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
How to work out what yours is worth
- 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
Once you have those three answers you can place your own bass guitar on the table above with reasonable confidence. If it sits between two rows, price it toward the lower one — items priced honestly sell faster than items priced hopefully.
Ready to sell it? Listing on WishThrift is free, there is no commission, and you keep the full amount you agree with the buyer — see how selling works or create a free account.
Frequently asked questions
Do bass guitars hold their value?
Better than most instruments. Fewer are produced than guitars, and well-regarded models stay in demand for decades.
Does a re-fret affect the price?
A professional re-fret is generally accepted and can even help on a heavily played instrument. Badly done fretwork does the opposite.
Should I include the case?
Yes. Original cases matter on older instruments and make posting a bass far safer.
More value guides: music & instruments guides · all value guides · browse live music & instruments listings.