Is my new P bass a dud???

[Ahfurfuksek!]

I recently bought a 1962 Vintage Reissue Fender for over £1200 through the internet. It was to be my dream bass but it's turned to a nightmare. Firstly I noticed that whilst playing on the A string I was occassionaly cutting out... could be an amplification problem but I never get this problem with my other basses.

Secondly I've just started having problems with my tuning slipping. It's not just every now and then, it's instant slippage when I play.

I am currently trying to get in contact with the crowd I bought from but as usual when you have a problem nobody takes your call.

Has anyone got any advice on what the problem might be. I have no clue about technical stuff though.

[bassforce]

You should do a pro-setup ( could take a week )
- neck
- PICKUPS
- bridge

Try to "rewire" strings, or put new ones, that may end your tunning problem.

And wait for about 10 years until it'll start sounds

[62bass]

It sounds like you have some electrical problems in the bass. A good tech should be able to sort it out quickly. As far as the tuning problem, there are a number of things that can cause this. If you don't know much about setting up and maintaining a bass, then get it to someone who does. It shouldn't be expensive and once a proper set up is done and the other problems addressed you'll have a very nice bass.

It's unlikely that it's a dud bass but it could have been abused by the previous owner.

[nemo]

Hey man, don't worry, you have killer bass.. I love mine.
I think both issues can be easy to get rid off.
First - the cutting out - maybe it is a problem with pickup - the replacement for the same one is for like $70, no that big deal.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...kup?sku=301602
Or it can be just loose wire in the electronics that is easy to be resoldered by a technician.

As for the tuning slipage - this could be the bad string grip on the tuning post - try to change strings set.
Or at the worse case the tuner change might be needed. Again, no big deal.
So bring it to a tech, these are minor issues.
Enjoy your great bass.

[Vincent P]

Plug in another bass and rule out the amplification first. Sounds like you may have a bad pickup or wiring. As far as tuning is concerned, new unplayed strings will stretch and need tuning more frequently until they settle. Press down on the first fret of each string and pull them stretching retune and see how this works. Pester their customer service and see what they say.

[Ahfurfuksek!]

Thanks for all the input folks, still trying to get through to customer services with no real joy. I don't think they'll do much for me anyway.

I'll have a look for a good tech and mention some of the things you have suggested, at least it seems that the problems can be sorted

Thanks again for your advice, much appreciated!!

[silversport]

I am in a similar situation with some of the same problems...I bought an electronic contact cleaner AND lubricant here called Caig's DeOxit...I am sure you have something similar or perhaps the same available to you...I cleaned ALL of the pots and my cutting out and static sounds went away...hopefully you will be smilin' and playing your dream bass soon!
Bill