Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I had never heard of B Stock guitars until today. I guess that could be "new", NOS-like, repossessed, etc, but for some reason cannot be labeled as new.

A local music shop has started stocking a lot of these. The Epiphone "El Capitan" acoustic/electric bass that I bought today is one, and has a mark pressed into the back of the headstock to show that. I paid just a little less than what I now see them new for on the net....live & learn I suppose.

I am happy with the bass, but next time I'd like to know how much less it should be (if anything).

Any suggestions?

Thanks

I like to look for at least 20% off the current going rate...if not pretty close to cost. It depends on the type of damage, etc...but if it's merely a customer return then they are always great finds.

There have been bunches of B stocks listed on the Bay lately from Hagstrom, mostly their big jazz boxes with fairly minor finish flaws. Guitars which sell normally on the street for $550-$700 when first quality have been going out in the $350 range as B stock BIN auctions. Typically, you'll find a black spot under the varnish somewhere, maybe some sort of finish crack ranging from minor to pretty bad and one I saw just had the little Hagstrom crest on the tailpiece crooked. One would think that somebody would have been smart enough to just switch the tailpiece, but instead, they sold it as B stock. I guess they must just send over everything they make and somebody here sorts out those with flaws and sells them to dealers cheap. They're pretty decent guitars and play well, by the way. I assume the manufacturer is at least getting cost out of them and the dealer is making a few bucks. I hate to think of what the poor folks that actually do the work over there get paid for a hard day at the factory.

I just picked up a Michael Kelly Club Custom 4-String Acoustic-Elec Bass "B" stock which had USED stamped into the back of the headstock.

Fishman electronics, and as Todd had said, the ONLY flaw I can find is a small black DOT under the varnish. The thing is like new! Plays really well and is really cool for the price....

I paid $279.95. Here she is...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=120141972333&ssPageName=ADME:B:TB18:US:5

I actually got my first Ric as a B Stock 350v63FG. Only thing I could figure is it was a return, as the guitar and case were flawless. I've purchased a couple amps the same way. When the bug bites, I usually check these items first.

Nice thing about buying this way, even over internet, is most of the places offer a free trial with full return. There are some good deals out there.

Thanks. I think I should have gotten a better discount on this Epi Acoustic, but I'll know better next time.

Tony, that's a great price for that bass. I was looking at these, but did not get to play one. They are going for about $450 new.

I do love this Epiphone El Capitan model though. I may pick up a rechargable Pignose amp (20W or 30W) so I can play it outside easily.

Thanks

Online retailers sell "B" stock and "open boxed" items all the time. (I've bought two or three myself.)
I think Alisha is spot on. Usually they're about 20% less than the regular selling price.

Here is an example on a Hoffner bass from M123:

http://www.music123.com/Search/Default.aspx?src=Hofner+Icon+Series+Vintage+Bass+Guitar&search_go.x=38&search_go.y=6

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