Again Crack/scratch on week old plywood

dirtdog792 · #1 12-26-2009, 09:10 PM

To those who had good intentions and didnt jack my thread with senseless bickering in my time of need, my sincerest thanks. From the tone I think everyone's comments were well meant. I think as seasoned musicians and aspiring musicians we all realize the embarrassment of buying a pos, and having to do what we should've done in the first place. Work harder and save more money!!! I think the overall tone and intent of this forum is to bring bassist together so we can all learn from each other. Soooooo... if you don't agree with someone, pm them, keep it out of my thread!!!!

update: took the firewood back to Sam Ash today and got my refund. They tried to get me to order another and i kindly declined. Then offered me a upgrade to their $899 version, which i also kindly declined. Is there anyone that has had a bad experience with the Thompson plywood? Also, if you're in the Atlanta metro area and have dealt with Emile Baran Instruments in dtown decatur i would love to hear your experience.

Hey guys,
Ive been lurking here for awhile and finally have a reason for a thread. I have a week old Carlo Robelli plywood that i got from Sam Ash with what i hope is not a crack starting up the neck. I know i didnt bang it against anything, I was wiping it off after practicing and happened to feel it, i was using a cotton cloth. They have a pretty straight forward return policy but I wanted to see what some of yall thought first. Should i get it fixed or just take it back? Or is it just a deep scratch in the laminate?

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #2 12-26-2009, 09:54 PM

Sorry about the last thread - it's hard to keep track of these things over Christmas - but this one will not end up the same way.

I think you did the right thing. At the bottom end of the spectrum of viable basses, I recommend the Shen SB80 and SB100 models as good entry level instruments. Buy from a qualified luthier, take an experienced DB player with you if you can, and if possible, make your shopping companion be your teacher. That way, you'll get to hear the bass from out front played by someone better than you, you'll get to hear what the bass sounds like out front, and you'll get an opinion on the quality of the bass from someone with first hand experience. Win-win all around. Good luck!

waleross · #3 12-26-2009, 11:26 PM

Damm, nice accurate picks, you did the right thing. I dont play the Upright anymore just the electric(right now) but I had an old plywood bass many years ago ....I can only imagine the stress and problems that can occured fromt his situation . What the other forum member suggests that you do is the way to go . I deal with Sam Ash and recently had to send back a B-stock Ampeg Amp. This was a $950 stress producer and not half as a personal ordeal when dealing with a string bass. In my case I sent the sucker back within 6 hours. I remember my old bass teacher getting me my first bass which was a Kaye Bass ( $150) subparr instrument , before long I was freaking out and felt that I had gotten taken by all parties involved. I kept the bass, changed bass teachers and then got another bass. One thing I'm reminded of is that purchasing a Double Bass is like buying a Home , a very major purchase and I agree that you need to take along another bass player(teacher) to serve as an indepenpendent council.....Best of luck.....in this up coming year....

dirtdog792 · #4 12-26-2009, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Fitzgerald

Sorry about the last thread - it's hard to keep track of these things over Christmas - but this one will not end up the same way.

I think you did the right thing. At the bottom end of the spectrum of viable basses, I recommend the Shen SB80 and SB100 models and good entry level instruments. Buy from a qualified luthier, take an experienced DB player with you if you can, and if possible, make your shopping companion be your teacher. That way, you'll get to hear the bass from out front played by someone better than you, you'll get to hear what the bass sounds like out front, and you'll get an opinion on the quality of the bass from someone with first hand experience. Win-win all around. Good luck!

From what i've gathered the Shens are cool and i haven't seen any negative reviews. I'm also at the same conclusion with the Thompson. I do like the fact that string emporium will let you try it for a week and if you dont like it u can send it back. Thanks again

dirtdog792 · #5 12-26-2009, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waleross

One thing I'm reminded of is that purchasing a Double Bass is like buying a Home , a very major purchase and I agree that you need to take along another bass player(teacher) to serve as an indepenpendent council.....Best of luck.....in this up coming year....

Thanks man, I thought I understood that but obviously i didn't, and since i didn't really see any negative reviews, that meant it must be ok. So, i went ahead and bought it. But now, I'm willing to spend whatever, within reason, to get a bass i can grow into.

PsychoScout · #6 12-27-2009, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Fitzgerald

Sorry about the last thread - it's hard to keep track of these things over Christmas - but this one will not end up the same way.

I think you did the right thing. At the bottom end of the spectrum of viable basses, I recommend the Shen SB80 and SB100 models as good entry level instruments. Buy from a qualified luthier, take an experienced DB player with you if you can, and if possible, make your shopping companion be your teacher. That way, you'll get to hear the bass from out front played by someone better than you, you'll get to hear what the bass sounds like out front, and you'll get an opinion on the quality of the bass from someone with first hand experience. Win-win all around. Good luck!

+1 on that, always take a more experienced player with you....

When I bought my first bass I took my teacher with me, and the second I took to a luthier who plays the bass himself... (+ I took her to my teacher as well)

salcott · #7 12-27-2009, 11:52 PM

Glad it worked out for you. Be patient, save some bucks, and get advice when you buy again.

drurb · #8 12-28-2009, 07:37 AM

Hey dirtdog-- Also glad to hear it all worked out. Some good can come of your experience. I hope you will help this community by being one of those who speak up and explain to other bass newbies why they shouldn't go for that inexpensive bass from a mass musical retailer. Sorry you found out the hard way but at least you didn't suffer a financial loss. Others have not been so fortunate. I wish you well in your search for your new musical mate. Take your time.