How long would you wait for instrument on backorder?

[Sotakoira Musti]

So the question is at thread title.

I bought this one from large(ish) German retailer:

https://m.thomann.de/gb/hoefner_vintage_62_beatles_bass.htm

I’ve been waiting for nigh on 2 months now, it’s fully paid.

The delivery date was 2-5 days a couple of days ago. And then, the next day, availability was ”after several months”.

Emailed them, they said that they’ll probably get a shipment in late April. I’ll give them another 30 days and then I’ll have to think something else.

How long would you wait (with your money already in) before you’d cancel the transaction?

 

[naveed211]

Not long unless it was a custom instrument to my specs from a small company luthier.

Otherwise I can almost always find something I don’t have to wait for that I’ll dig.

 

[Jakedog]

I wouldn’t wait at all. I’d just buy something else.

 

[rze99]

About 5 or 6 months is my max.

Just doing this now.... I pre-ordered something (for only the second time in my whole life). Turns out the colour I wanted originally is not in the initial production run and I'd have to wait for some time toward the end of the year for it.... but I can get an even lovelier (to me) colour that was not originally advertised but was a factory error in "a few weeks time". So I said yes to that. there's only 30 of them so it'll be a rare colour which is cool.. It's the Gristle 90 from Reverend.

 

[ZenGuitarist]

I'm willing to wait several months to get the instrument I want.

Just yesterday I placed an order for a Fender 75th Anniversary J-bass but the estimated delivery date is about 5 months from now. That doesn't bother me because it's a limited run in a unique colour, I only had to put 10% down to place the order, and I have other basses to play in the meantime.

 

[alnico357]

I don't order stuff unless I really want it. I wouldn't order a guitar just to order it, so waiting has a different "feel" for me.

I once ordered a gun that took 3y10m to arrive. I thought about something else.

 

[Paul G.]

I preordered and waited 4 months for my JB Firebird. Worth it, it is one of the best sounding and playing guitars I have. It was also a limited edition and the only alternative for a Firebird I was from the Gibson Custom shop costing 5X as much.

I've never done this before, and probably never will again, but I think the circumstances called for it.

 

[gimmeatele]

They are probably stuck in the Suez canal. Thomann nearly got me the same way this week with the available in 2to 5 days thing, I questioned them and again they said two to five days after they took delivery, they still wouldnt confirm a delivery date

 

[howardlo]

Most retailers (music ones anyway) don’t charge you until the item is shipped.

 

[Deeve]

Ask @Frodebro about waiting for a guitar...

 

[Sotakoira Musti]

Most retailers (music ones anyway) don’t charge you until the item is shipped.

Try Finland.

 

[trapdoor2]

Backorder on a common item, maybe a few months. Backorder on a 'special', just depends on my need to have it and the quantities available.

 

[PingGuo]

If it's readily available from other retailers I'd just cancel the order. Otherwise I'd wait.

A lot of gear is hard to come by right now. I had to hunt around for the Ric bass I wanted. (I ended up buying vintage but the new stuff is really hard to find right now)

 

[otterhound]

Couldn't help but chuckle . I am laughing with you . Since I am left handed , you may be able to understand why I am chuckling . What makes this all the more comical is that because of Paul McCartney , this particular item may be readily available as a left handed model .

 

[brookdalebill]

One month after the promised date.

 

[Sotakoira Musti]

Couldn't help but chuckle . I am laughing with you . Since I am left handed , you may be able to understand why I am chuckling . What makes this all the more comical is that because of Paul McCartney , this particular item may be readily available as a left handed model .

The common problem with southpaws...

 

[teletail]

I put a deposit on a Brent Mason tele in September 2020, so I guess I would say that I'd wait at least 8 months. I'll let you know for sure when it finally shows up.

 

[runstendt]

For me it all depends on just about every single variable.

• What is it?
• How much is it?
• Did I know about the wait beforehand?
• What is causing the delay?
• Can I get one somewhere else?
• How much do I want it?
• Is it a good price?
• Do I already have one?
• Can I get something similar faster/cheaper/easier?
• Is it new or used
• Have I play one before so I know what I'm getting?

I'm sure there's other questions that I left out, but I guess what I'm saying is that it depends. For example, Rickenbacker routinely is sold out of specific models or finishes for up to 18 months, but if it was the one I really wanted and I wanted a new one I would wait. Granted, if it was a Squier Bullet Tele I would not wait more than a week, and even that is pushing it.

TLDR: To answer the OP's question, my response is "Yes."

 

[jfgesquire]

At the current exchange rate, that's $2,500 US Dollars. Looking at prices in the US, that's actually not bad. If you really want the Hofner, I'd wait a while.

My brother is a big McCartney bass fan - he's not happy with these reissues - he states that the burst around the edges of the guitar is incorrect. Each section should have a centered burst, not the entire section from dark to light to dark - if that makes sense.

This explains it better than I can...

https://www.beatlebassdealer.com/hofner-eurburst-bass-vs-sunburst-bass.htm

I recently got one of the Contemporary models for a great price ($350 with case), which uses the right German pickups. Allegedly it needs a pot and cap change to really hit the mark. It certainly has the look and sound as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Tonetele]

That'd be my choice of bass- short scale - good German workmanship.
Paul McCartney did not choose a bad brand, very good actually.
However I'd want it , even down here , within two weeks.