Musicman replacement necks policy.Fair???

ugly_bassplayer · #1 06-13-2009, 04:13 PM

Who here thinks Musicman's policy on replacement necks is not really fair.

-you must return the original damaged neck to MM
-after returning it you must pay a minimum of 400usd $$to get another one.

I know that they do not want their products to become like the fender market but still.

Even a damaged neck has at least some value.
I think it is unfair for their loyal customers.

IMO IME....etc......

JimiLL · #2 06-13-2009, 04:23 PM

warwick wanted the same thing only $600 to replace my corvette neck!!!

ugly_bassplayer · #3 06-13-2009, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimiLL

warwick wanted the same thing only $600 to replace my corvette neck!!!

OUCH!!!!!!!!

kevteop · #4 06-14-2009, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimiLL

warwick wanted the same thing only $600 to replace my corvette neck!!!

Weird. I remember when the truss rod went on a Corvette 6 I had in the mid '90s, Warwick took it, replaced the neck free of charge and sent it back with a bunch of other Warwick goodies.

I wasn't even the original owner.

Pilgrim · #5 06-14-2009, 11:44 AM

Gross overcharge. It tells you the manufacturer has no interest in providing replacement necks. They're telling you to go to the aftermarket. Stinks.

ugly_bassplayer · #6 06-14-2009, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

Gross overcharge. It tells you the manufacturer has no interest in providing replacement necks. They're telling you to go to the aftermarket. Stinks.

There is no direct replacement necks for MM size pockets.
You either need to have them custom made or take the Moses , status graphite way.

...........sux even more

PDavyduck · #7 06-14-2009, 11:53 AM

Seems fair to me.

If the issue with the neck wasn't a manufacturing defect then it's out of their hands and not on them to 'give' you a new neck.

Getting a new neck that's been finished and fretted and all that good stuff from the factory for $400 is more than fair.

"Gross overcharge. It tells you the manufacturer has no interest in providing replacement necks. They're telling you to go to the aftermarket. Stinks."

Riiiiiight.

I believe what they're "telling you" is that it costs $400 for a new neck and we don't want our old ones out there to end up on counterfeit ones.

CamMcIntyre · #8 06-14-2009, 03:39 PM

It makes sense to me. Like PDavyDuck said, they don't want their old necks floating around. They also want to ensure that people keep the instruments as they come. IIRC, they will only sell you a neck that is the same as the one you send in. E.g. if you send them back a maple boarded neck, you can't get a fretless neck in return.

ugly_bassplayer · #9 06-14-2009, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamMcIntyre

It makes sense to me. Like PDavyDuck said, they don't want their old necks floating around. They also want to ensure that people keep the instruments as they come. IIRC, they will only sell you a neck that is the same as the one you send in. E.g. if you send them back a maple boarded neck, you can't get a fretless neck in return.

I am well aware of all that. As stated in the OP.
I only think that 400$$ is a little steep considering you GIVE back the original neck.

So it's not really 400$ isn't it.
It more like 400$$ plus whatever the damaged neck is worth.
I own that busted neck it's mine, it is not a ticket that allows me by great privilege the honor of having the possibility of getting a replacement one.

You can get very good fender replacement necks for way less tha 400$$+a busted neck.

IMO IME.......etc......

madbassplaya · #10 06-14-2009, 03:59 PM

you pay about 1400 for a new stingray, so i would say that is about right.

400 for the neck

500 for the body/paint

200 for the hardware

300 for the electronics

Those are not real estimates. I'm just trying to make my point that 400 for a factory neck is not a bad deal because it's still an EBMM neck. Not some aftermarket neck. You can still sale your Music Man as a Music Man and not a Frankenbass.

ugly_bassplayer · #11 06-14-2009, 04:00 PM

Edit to the original post
It's actually AT LEAST 400$$, depending on the neck options.

73jbass · #12 06-14-2009, 04:48 PM

Go price any top quality neck and see what you'll pay. 400.00 is very reasonable considering it will be setup by the factory.

PDavyduck · #13 06-14-2009, 05:07 PM

get a cheaper replacement neck then, that is why they are called 'cheaper replacement necks'

Pilgrim · #14 06-14-2009, 07:06 PM

Maybe that's a good reason for me to stay away from MM. I can't afford 'em.

tplyons · #15 06-14-2009, 07:07 PM

If the neck is damaged as a manufacturing defect, I'm sure they'll replace it free.

However, they will sell you a replacement neck, only IF you return the original. For a few reasons:

1) You get a new neck, exactly like the one you sent them. It's a TRUE replacement neck.

2) This way, they get the damaged neck off the market. If they can ensure all the necks out there are good, it's better for their reputation... it's damage control. Better image, because you know there aren't any major dud's out there.

3) This way, they decrease chances of having an inferior product with their name on it. If you slap an old neck on a junky bass, their name is now on an inferior product. Once again, damage control. They maintain their great company image this way.

bassmonkeee · #16 06-14-2009, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ugly_bassplayer

I am well aware of all that. As stated in the OP.
I only think that 400$$ is a little steep considering you GIVE back the original neck.

So it's not really 400$ isn't it.
It more like 400$$ plus whatever the damaged neck is worth.
I own that busted neck it's mine, it is not a ticket that allows me by great privilege the honor of having the possibility of getting a replacement one.

You can get very good fender replacement necks for way less tha 400$$+a busted neck.

IMO IME.......etc......

There is no value in a busted neck. It's destroyed to keep it out of the wild.

If the neck is out of warranty, it's out of warranty.

Quit whining.

ugly_bassplayer · #17 06-14-2009, 09:02 PM

whining?
I only wanted opinions from other people tough guy.

elpezpr · #18 06-14-2009, 09:03 PM

It seems fair to me.

Rick Auricchio · #19 06-14-2009, 09:38 PM

The policy is admittedly a bit heavy-handed, but I agree with tplyons' statements as to why it makes sense.

That's their company policy, and it's their choice to impose it. You're free to express your displeasure by spending your money elsewhere.

The salvage value of the damaged neck depends on the damage, of course. A lightly-damaged neck can be repaired by a competent luthier. A neck beyond repair has no value, therefore returning it is not an issue.

elpezpr · #20 06-14-2009, 09:40 PM

The same thing with Warwick and Sadowsky among others.