Rondo return shipping payment issue resolved...great customer service.

[KayXero]

So hes my issue. Two weeks ago I ordered a bass and guitar from rondo. An sx PJ copy and strat copy. The bass had a hairline crack about an inch long in the finish, near the bottom horn. So I sent it back. I sent the guitar as well since the 19th fret dot inlay was sort of smudged under the finish. Normally I wouldnt care, but since the bass was already going back I thought id exchange that one as well

Other than those issues the instruments played well, the tuners and electronics seemed alright. And the neck was straight, etc.

Rondo paid me back 19 bucks in shipping cost. I paid 32 to send em back, but they only refund their original shipping cost. Fair enough, but I dont know why I was being charged more by either USPS or UPS to send back to the same area using the same shipping method.

Now I got the replacements yesterday. Now the bass has a stripped screw hold at the bottom point of the pickguard. Upon exception I notice the pickgauard doesnt lay flat with the screw in place so apparently the hole in the body was made a little out of place.

However the bass wasnt a real issue here. The new strat was. It has 3 crooked screws and 2 stripped screw holes. Upon inspection one of the stripped screw holes wasnt a stripped screw hole, but the screw not being completely in the body. Basically the crookedness causes the screw to petrude into the control cavity so its not secure at all.

Basically you could prolly see the whole length of the screw if you were to look into the control cavity. The hole was made too close to the edge there.

I asked for a replacement cus i dont own tools and such, and having a tech do all that would cost money. And Kurt said id have to pay return shipping this time with no shipping refund.

I replied:

"Really? Especially considering the several crooked crooked and stripped screw holes on the guitar? I mean I would personally rather ask for a full refund if I would have to be out of 30 dollars to ship these back. I mean I am a college kid, so if its a loss of another 30 bucks in shipping, vs netting 190 dollars in my refund after shipping costs, then I dont really have a choice.

Also I would like you to consider the fact that fixing this with my tech would cost money. Should I really be held liable for the apparent 50% chance of getting a guitar with no issues.

The talkbass forums even mentioned sometimes you get perfection and sometimes these have issues.

I am just trying to have a good instrument while also saving whatever cash I have."


Like I said, the instruments play well, but I have expectations and dont have cash to fix the guitar. And i dont wanna run into problems in the future. SO fair the 50/50 crap shoot of getting a good or bad SX seems to be true right now. The customer service has been good so far, but this shipping thing bothers me.

Yes im that hard up for every buck I can save. Plus I dont think i should have to pay shipping for getting a messed up guitar

[johnboy65]

You'll pay less than $30 to have both of them professionally fixed. I understand the frustration but at the pricepoint I'd just get it fixed and eat the difference.

[nostatic]

What exactly do you expect for a $100 instrument?

[KayXero]

You sure its really gonna cost less than 30 bucks to fill holes on both the bass and guitar and then redrill. Esp considering the guitar has about 4 or 5 that need redoing.

EDIT: What i expected was to experience all this glory that the SX camp raves about. They play well and the neck has a good finish and fret work. But cracks and stripped screw holes and suck.....ugh

[Twocan]

Originally Posted by nostatic

What exactly do you expect for a $100 instrument?

+1 Perfection is not found at Rondomusic.com Affordable instruments are.

[tangentmusic]

Sorry to hear of your misfortunes with Rondo.
Some here on TB have nothing but glowing goodness to say about Rondo & their SX basses. I bought one about 3 years ago, didnt like it, gave it away.
Maybe we both got lemons. I won't buy another.
I guess the saying is true in our cases "you get what you pay for"

[By-Tor1000RR]

I can understand your frustration but the screw issues are very minor and they are a quick fix. The stripped holes can be corrected with a small piece of toothpick slipped into the screw hole. No need for a guitar tech to have to do these repairs. Remember, it's just a piece of wood. Find a friend at school that might have some basic tools. A cordless drill, razor blade, some wood glue and a philips screwdriver are all you need to do a permanent repair. You could probably buy all those tools used for $30 and find many other uses for them other than fixing a few screws. Just add "instrument repair" to the list of things you're learning at college.

If the guitar and bass play well, keep them.

[Grateful]

Is it really worth all the hassle and fighting over a couple of pickguard screws? I mean, it is super cheap guitar and there has to be some expectation that it's not going to have the same attention to detail as a Fender Custom Shop guitar.

He did already replace 1 guitar for a smudge.

A little double sided tape might get you through. Or you could glue a broken off toothpick into the stripped screw holes, then re-screw it.

[brndn123]

I feel for ya brother

Not sure what Rondo's return policy is, but if it were me, I would return the SX for a full refund, head over to americanmusical.com or sweetwater.com, pick out a squier cv or vm for 'round $300 and make payments. This way, you get a better instrument (IMO) for 3 monthly payments of around $100. Better instrument with higher quality standards (again IM0).

Or convince Rondo to pay shipping and risk another lemon. Either way, best of luck

[petersenbass]

+1

Originally Posted by By-Tor1000RR

I can understand your frustration but the screw issues are very minor and they are a quick fix. The stripped holes can be corrected with a small piece of toothpick slipped into the screw hole. No need for a guitar tech to have to do these repairs. Remember, it's just a piece of wood. Find a friend at school that might have some basic tools. A cordless drill, razor blade, some wood glue and a philips screwdriver are all you need to do a permanent repair. You could probably buy all those tools used for $30 and find many other uses for them other than fixing a few screws. Just add "instrument repair" to the list of things you're learning at college.

If the guitar and bass play well, keep them.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by KayXero

EDIT: What i expected was to experience all this glory that the SX camp raves about. They play well and the neck has a good finish and fret work. But cracks and stripped screw holes and suck.....ugh

imho paying $100 for an instrument that plays well and has good finish and fretwork is a total bargain. The other details are in the category of unrealistic expectations. You should have just kept the first ones and been happy with playable instruments.

[KayXero]

Could someone direct me to a good place to read about these hole repairs, so I dont fudge up. The bass I am just make one new hole. The guitar however I am making several.

Also, these are my first fender styled instrument. I never had an instrument with the electronics attached to the pickguard. Does this mean I would have to detach the wire connecting the pickups to the input jack and ground? Because these seem to keep them from being able to come far away from the body. Leaving me with no room to work.

And mind you I dont know how to solder and stuff....hence why I mentioned the tech.

Originally Posted by nostatic

imho paying $100 for an instrument that plays well and has good finish and fretwork is a total bargain. The other details are in the category of unrealistic expectations. You should have just kept the first ones and been happy with playable instruments.

the first one had a dang crack in it =/ no thank you lol

[JoeVictim]

Rondo will has just asked if you want to keep the damaged goods and get a refund for it being a "B" stock. Did you tell Kurt you were going to send back the guit too? Even though I am still pissed about the headstock thing, Kurt has always been ace to deal with. He has always been reasonable.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by KayXero

the first one had a dang crack in it =/ no thank you lol

You said a finish crack. Plenty of megabuck used instruments sold in the TB classifieds that have finish cracks. Non-issue.

Find someone at college who is handy with tools and buy them dinner in exchange for the work. And watch/learn. Filling holes (toothpicks work great) and soldering aren't rocket surgery.

[THand]

Originally Posted by Grateful

Is it really worth all the hassle and fighting over a couple of pickguard screws? I mean, it is super cheap guitar and there has to be some expectation that it's not going to have the same attention to detail as a Fender Custom Shop guitar.

He did already replace 1 guitar for a smudge.

A little double sided tape might get you through. Or you could glue a broken off toothpick into the stripped screw holes, then re-screw it.

^
This all day long.

I have bought 3 for myself and only one was perfect(and it was sold as B stock by Rondo). The others needed "some" work, but in the long run acquired quite a few mods. I'm still glad I bought them, and think they are great bang for the buck.

Of all the issues you "could" have with a Rondo bass/guitar, pickguard screws are almost a laughable. Serious issues would be, misaligned neck or bridge, unexplained feedback or microphonic pups, frets needing leveling, nut broken in 2.

Really, get some toothpicks or double stick tape, and save yourself some money and aggravation.

[WoodyG3]

I'll bet you can find a friend who has some basic carpentry skills and tools who can help you out and show you how it's done. You won't have to desolder the pickup connections, you will only have to move the pickguard an inch or two to make room when you fill the holes.

[KayXero]

Originally Posted by nostatic

You said a finish crack. Plenty of megabuck used instruments sold in the TB classifieds that have finish cracks. Non-issue.

Find someone at college who is handy with tools and buy them dinner in exchange for the work. And watch/learn. Filling holes (toothpicks work great) and soldering aren't rocket surgery.

I dont have tools lying around and I dont know anyone with soldering stuff....i might as well take it to the tech.

[JoeVictim]

Originally Posted by KayXero

Could someone direct me to a good place to read about these hole repairs, so I dont fudge up. The bass I am just make one new hole. The guitar however I am making several.

Also, these are my first fender styled instrument. I never had an instrument with the electronics attached to the pickguard. Does this mean I would have to detach the wire connecting the pickups to the input jack and ground? Because these seem to keep them from being able to come far away from the body. Leaving me with no room to work.

And mind you I dont know how to solder and stuff....hence why I mentioned the tech.



the first one had a dang crack in it =/ no thank you lol

1. Remove strings
2.unscrew all screws and remove pick guard.
3. take wood glue and toothpicks and repair one at a time by first squirting a little wood glue into hole and then putting tooth pick in damged hole and breaking it off in hole. break toothe pick into hole until nice and tight.
4.let dry for about 4 hours.
5. trim any remaining toothpick with exacto knife.
6. place pick guard back on instrument and reposition on body.
7. using a power drill, on low setting, reinstall screws.
8.

[KayXero]

Originally Posted by WoodyG3

I'll bet you can find a friend who has some basic carpentry skills and tools who can help you out and show you how it's done. You won't have to desolder the pickup connections, you will only have to move the pickguard an inch or two to make room when you fill the holes.

Hmmm ok then. The only reason I wanted to exchange them rather than fix it is im very paranoid about things I buy....im rather scared that this wont fix right and that make a new hole into the old hole will just give me one big messed up hole...


yes im an over thinker =/

Originally Posted by JoeVictim

1. Remove strings
2.unscrew all screws and remove pick guard.
3. take wood glue and toothpicks and repair one at a time by first squirting a little wood glue into hole and then putting tooth pick in damged hole and breaking it off in hole. break toothe pick into hole until nice and tight.
4.let dry for about 4 hours.
5. trim any remaining toothpick with exacto knife.
6. place pick guard back on instrument and reposition on body.
7. using a power drill, on low setting, reinstall screws.
8.

thanks. Ill head to home dept or lowes tommorrow for supplies. I just gota find a neighbor with a drill now. lolz


Maybe I can screw new holes into the bass too. With screwing a new pickguard screw or two...should I drill a thin hole for the hole first, then go into it with the screw after. Or can I start with the screw itself.

[KingRazor]

I'd expect a lot worse than that from an SX. You're lucky those were the only problems. You get what you pay for.