Bought new bass 4 days ago...already been in for setup for 2 days..WWYD???

SpicyMcHaggis · #1 02-14-2009, 04:20 PM

The local (ONLY) music store in town had a really good price on the Ibanez Jumpstart Bass package. Since money IS an object (also buying a new drumset...), I couldn't pass it up.

Bought it 4 days ago. Had my first lesson the next night. Discovered that it needed a SERIOUS truss rod adjustment. Brought it in the next day, the guy tried to adjust it on the spot...no luck. Said it should be done Saturday (today). He said it had dried out and that was causing a lack of ability to adjust.

Stopped in today...and they said it was "almost there" and that they had to do a really tight adjustment on the strings as well as make the truss rod adjustment to get it "right". Of course, they are closed Sunday and Monday.

Which means that my brand new bass will have been owned for me for a total of about 6 days, with 4 of those being "in the shop".

Should I just return the darn thing and be done with it? I'm very nervous now that I have a guitar that is already at it's extreme with adjustments. To add to it all I am moving to Kodiak, Alaska this summer and there are no music stores there to adjust it if I need help.

So...what would you do? They are open for another 4 hours or so... and I am considering just taking the entire thing back and trying to find something else.

Thanks.
Andy

GearHeadBassMan · #2 02-14-2009, 04:23 PM

i guess it depends on whether or not you're serious about learning bass... if you think that the bass will limit your enthusiasm to play and practice because of its problems, then yeah, I would return that bass and maybe exchange it for a new one of the same model (shouldn't be a problem).

SpicyMcHaggis · #3 02-14-2009, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GearHeadBassMan

i guess it depends on whether or not you're serious about learning bass... if you think that the bass will limit your enthusiasm to play and practice because of its problems, then yeah, I would return that bass and maybe exchange it for a new one of the same model (shouldn't be a problem).

I'm serious about it...otherwise I wouldn't have bought anything.

Problem is they still don't have any others in stock - it'll be a month or two before they show up.

xgator4u · #4 02-14-2009, 04:25 PM

YUP, take it back... get a different one. a new instrument, even an inexpensive one should NOT need DAYS worth of repairs/adjustment. A general setup sure, but if the neck is out that bad from the get go, well that is a no go IMO

MooseLumps · #5 02-14-2009, 04:33 PM

Have fun in Kodiak, i thought it wasa blast, though i only lived there for 2 months.

gregwatts2008 · #6 02-14-2009, 04:37 PM

Take it back!

SpicyMcHaggis · #7 02-14-2009, 05:03 PM

RRggghhh...so I called to tell them I want to take it back - no problem, bring in the stuff and we'll exchange it (plus some $$) for a new GSR200.

But we can't do it until Tuesday (FECK!!!!) because the owner isn't in today.

Sometimes I hate living in places like this where there is only one shop...and they know it.

fightthepower · #8 02-15-2009, 05:15 AM

I bought a USA Deluxe Fender JazzV back in June. I was having problems with the neck and took it in to the shop in August.

I still dont have the F***ING bass.

Take it back. And don't buy a POS Fender either. :shootselfintheheadsmiley:

bobba66 · #9 02-15-2009, 05:37 AM

If the truss rod was way out of adjustment it would take a couple days to correct it. You make small adjustments at a time. Read a little about setting up instruments and you'll understand.

atheos · #10 02-15-2009, 05:43 AM

And hey, it's a Jumpstart. It's cheap and generally it's the lowest quality stuff Ibanez offers. So... What did you expect?

And yes, fixing the truss rod problem can take a few days, much better that way than taking the risk that the neck may break within a year or so or the neck being totally unplayable.

santucci218 · #11 02-15-2009, 06:35 AM

Whatever you do, you do NOT pay for that repair if you do decide to keep it. If they want to charge you, let them know that your money will be going elsewhere. I say wait till it is fixed and play it. If it plays good to you, then keep it.

SpicyMcHaggis · #12 02-15-2009, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobba66

If the truss rod was way out of adjustment it would take a couple days to correct it. You make small adjustments at a time. Read a little about setting up instruments and you'll understand.

Okay...but should a BRAND NEW guitar (cheap or not) have to go in for this adjustment 2 days after it is bought???

202dy · #13 02-15-2009, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpicyMcHaggis

Okay...but should a BRAND NEW guitar (cheap or not) have to go in for this adjustment 2 days after it is bought???

Not in a perfect world. Unfortunately, this isn't a perfect world.

You purchased a Jump Start package in February. While it is true that they are available year round, reality is that the retailer stocks these in for Christmas. At the summer NAMM show, there is a huge push to order the entry level packages from each manufacturer. These packages begin arriving in October, and sometimes as early as September. Unlike regular stocking items, these instrument packages are displayed in the box rather than on the wall. Retailers tend to leave the instruments in the package because if they disturb the packing they can be accused of selling a used instrument. Imagine the indignant parent arriving at the store on December 26 box in hand because the soft foam bag the guitar is packed in was ripped because the retailer wanted to check the set up. Forget it. It's not worth the excess stomach acid. Add to this the fact that the guitar was manufactured in China sometime in the summer and has gone through two season changes before getting in your hands and it's easy to see why the action needs to be regulated.

Regular stock is (should be) routinely checked for set up by the retailer and placed on the bench when there is a problem. Obviously, this can't be done on a guitar that is left in the box. It can take several days for the retailer to get the action where you want it. Especially if the repairs are done by a subcontractor where there is a lag time between pickup and delivery.

From the tone of your posts, you are upset. Please understand that the retailer has done nothing wrong in his dealings with you. He has gone as far as to offer you an upgrade from a package guitar that has been unpacked to a nicer instrument. The time frame in which he is working on your guitar is completely reasonable. Calm down and understand that no one is taking of advantage of you or has sold you a substandard product. If you decide that you are being treated unfairly, the next time buy regular stock and examine in thoroughly before making the purcase.

JustDavid · #14 02-15-2009, 12:41 PM

+1

Retailer seems a decent 'mom & pop shop' type. Downsides to them, true, but they seem to be into satisfying the customer.

SpicyMcHaggis · #15 02-15-2009, 03:09 PM

Roger that, thanks for the replies (everyone!)!

I'm gonna go back on Tuesday and get my guitar from 'em. They are a great shop, I'm happy with the customer service but acknowledge a lack of knowledge on my part.

If I'm not happy with how it plays, they'll let me turn it in for credit and I'll get a new one (GSR200). Otherwise I'll stick with what I bought.

Thanks!!!

SpicyMcHaggis · #16 02-18-2009, 11:59 PM

Yeah so I changed directions a bit.

Returned the kit...and bought a new Ibanez SR300 bass, a new Line 6 Studio 110 amp, and some other stuff.

Freakin' AWESOME!!!

Lefty@best · #17 02-19-2009, 01:32 PM

another happy ending..... life is great.

ThunderLizard · #18 02-19-2009, 01:55 PM

Spicy-
Check out how to do a set up. There's plenty of info here on Talkbass and on the web. You'll need a few simple tools and gauges. Plus it's kinda fun. It will also help you to really understand the mechanics of your bass...and you'll really need this skill when you're in Kodiak.

SpicyMcHaggis · #19 02-19-2009, 05:21 PM

TL, thanks for the advice. I spent about 30 mins with the guys at the shop while they set up and adjusted everything. When I take it back after it's "break-in" period, I'll have them show me how to adjust things. Then at least once before I leave for Kodiak I'll have them go over everything with me again.

JustDavid · #20 02-19-2009, 05:58 PM

Right on, Spicy!!

Glad you stuck with that retailer. They seemed like they wanted to take care of you.

I'd suggest you read lots in here on setups before you go in for them to show you. That'll let you get the most out of their training.