Advice needed... Doomed Bass

jsingles · #1 01-20-2011, 12:41 PM

So here is my story:

I am a music major at college, and the fender I had been using was hurting my hands because the string spacing was too wide for me, so I sold the thing in favor of getting a bass the suits me better. I then ended up buying a used Spector Euro from a tber.
Long story short... I was scammed, and it turns out the thing has a completely busted truss rod, and very soon, when the humidity kicks up again, it will be completely unplayable and no adjustments will be possible. I did everything I could to try and get my money back, but to no avail. He scammed me and blocked me from messaging him on TB. That is not what i need advice on though, so please dont lecture me about that.

How should I proceed from here...? I need a bass because I have to play for school, and because I am in a gigging band, however as a poor college student, I won't be able to simple go out and buy another good bass.

I could maybe scrap the Spector for parts... and try to buy a cheap bass that will fit its EMGs and tuners...
Maybe I could build a new bass from parts... and again try to take as many from the Spector as possible...
Should I buy an absolutely cheap piece of garbage that will make me sound and play like garbage too?

Is there anything I am not thinking of?

Very soon the Spector will not be usable, and I'm not sure what I will do when that time comes.... Any advice for me?

NS2A · #2 01-20-2011, 12:58 PM

You should be able to replace the truss rod. I believe they are removable by unscrewing them and simply screwing another in.

fullrangebass · #3 01-20-2011, 12:59 PM

Get a quote for the trussrod replacement. Then proceed. If it fits within your budget, then go and fix it.

The other alternative would be to find a cheap bass from another TBer (not all TBers are bad guys, and most have great feedback records) and I am sure you will be able to find a cheap bass that will NOT make you sound ike garbage

jsingles · #4 01-20-2011, 01:04 PM

I thought the truss rod on a Euro 5LX could not be replaced?!

I did take it to a tech who simply frowned at me and said time for a new bass buddy.

Spinal Tapper · #5 01-20-2011, 02:23 PM

Well, first, I'd contact an administrator about the TBer that scammed you. Did you get the bass for a ridiculous deal? Was there any mention of a broken truss rod in the deal? Did you pay with Paypal? If so, the deal is in your favor.

Then, I'd take it to another tech. If my tech stuck his nose up at me, and told me to buy another bass because the truss was busted without giving me any repair options or ideas, I'd tell him to cram it where the sun don't shine.
How does he know this bass doesn't have some sentimental value and you intend on keeping it for the rest of your life? Some of these techs can be such jerks, I'll tell ya...

A truss rod replacement is a common fix, although it may not be worth it to the particular bass, it's not out of the question in most cases IME, YMMV

oldrookie · #6 01-20-2011, 02:30 PM

Worst case, if you can't get the Spector fixed, go buy an SX fiver. Don't laugh...can be very nice passive basses with some setup. If you don't like the pickups, but the EMG's in.

Best part? Most common complaint is that they have very narrow string spacing...and that's what you want.

Use it until you get the funds to seriously upgrade and sell it for nearly what you've got in it.

Or got try out a Squier Deluxe Jazz Active five string. A little over $300 and it is a very NICE bass. Again, get the cheap bass now, get through the semester and start saving for a better bass. May not need it as soon as you think.

loend68 · #7 01-20-2011, 02:34 PM

I had a NS-5CRFM that had the truss rod replaced. The hard part is getting it out, but it can be done.....

jsingles · #8 01-20-2011, 02:38 PM

Good to know.

I will look into possible repair options I guess....

I would contact the admin about the TB'er i got the bass from, but I'm sure I would just get a response about how they arent liable, and how I should leave bad feedback which I already did.

The real problem with the deal was that I was not able to identify the broken truss rod until 3 months after the sale, as I am no expert.... at which time it was too late for me to file a claim against him on paypal. I contacted him via PM but he basically told me to shove it and blocked my PMs.

I should have taken it to a tech the moment I got it for inspection.

NortyFiner · #9 01-20-2011, 02:41 PM

If a TBer scammed you, name names, at least to the moderators. TB isn't liable, but you can at least make sure that the villain can't scam anyone else here.

As for a cheap fiver with narrow string spacing, Ibanez and Schecter both fit that description. Schecters even come with EMG's, and you can probably find a used one very cheap. That could be a replacement for your poor Spector until you get your finances in better shape.

Burlington · #10 01-20-2011, 02:43 PM

I know you said you didn't want any advice on the scamming issue, but it's never too late too go to your bank and have them reverse the charges that you paid to Paypal. If you explain the situation to them they should understand. If and when Paypal bitches at you because they had money taken away you can tell them to talk to your bank. Most likely PP will take the money from whoever sold it to you.

So you get the bass, money to fix it, and the seller gets what he deserves.

Edit: of course, do this only if for some reason PP won't help you.

Spinal Tapper · #11 01-20-2011, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsingles

Good to know.

I will look into possible repair options I guess....

I would contact the admin about the TB'er i got the bass from, but I'm sure I would just get a response about how they arent liable, and how I should leave bad feedback which I already did.

The real problem with the deal was that I was not able to identify the broken truss rod until 3 months after the sale, as I am no expert.... at which time it was too late for me to file a claim against him on paypal. I contacted him via PM but he basically told me to shove it and blocked my PMs.

I should have taken it to a tech the moment I got it for inspection.

I know a story of a guy who Paypal'd back $10,000 for a vintage Rickenbacker guitar because dropped the guitar on its head 6 months after he bought it, the neck broke, and STILL got his money back.

Crappy story for the seller, who I DO know personally, but I'm just saying that's the magnitude of Paypal's buyer protection

JoeVictim · #12 01-20-2011, 02:46 PM

I know it sucks but a Euro would be worth fixing IMO. Hell, I just got my Squier adjusted and ordered a new nut and a input jack.

Good luck.

Tacopastorius · #13 01-20-2011, 02:46 PM

Set it on fire, blow it up with a shotgun, and put the video on youtube. You'll be famous!

jsingles · #14 01-20-2011, 02:49 PM

It is a nice bass that is worth fixing, if it can be done.

I tried to file a claim with paypal but they said SORRY YOU CAN'T.

I didn't think there was anything else I could do because I waited to long (or rather I didn't realize it was busted yet)

Edit:

Also, with regards to the sale.. I got it for 1100 used, which is pretty low for a Euro5... so it makes me feel like he knew it was broken and wanted to get rid of the thing without any trouble.

It also arrived with some minor issues, like loose stripped screws, and a loose/faulty input jack... but I didn't make a big fuss about those because they were really cheap fixes and I got the bass for a deal. His thread, which still exists, does not warn of any of these issues.

I then discovered just barely too late to reverse the paypal exchange, that the truss rod had been forced all the way in and broken. I had to pay 100 dollars for my tech to raise the action to playability via shims and raising the nut, because I had a gig in 2 days.

kcole4001 · #15 01-20-2011, 02:54 PM

Have you contacted Spector and asked what options they recommend?
Surely they know better than anyone else what is possible to repair and what is not.
It's certainly not their responsibility to fix it, but they will know the best course to pursue.

jsingles · #16 01-20-2011, 02:57 PM

I did, and Spector said that their truss rods SHOULD pull out, and they do sell replacements, and that worst case scenario, I could send it to NY and their shop should be able to fix it.

I might also add that this bass does NOT have the push/pull option in its electronics which leads me to believe it is a Euro 5 and NOT a Euro5LX as advertised by the seller.

Spinal Tapper · #17 01-20-2011, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsingles

It is a nice bass that is worth fixing, if it can be done.

I tried to file a claim with paypal but they said SORRY YOU CAN'T.

I didn't think there was anything else I could do because I waited to long (or rather I didn't realize it was busted yet)

Edit:

Also, with regards to the sale.. I got it for 1100 used, which is pretty low for a Euro5... so it makes me feel like he knew it was broken and wanted to get rid of the thing without any trouble.

It also arrived with some minor issues, like loose stripped screws, and a loose/faulty input jack... but I didn't make a big fuss about those because they were really cheap fixes and I got the bass for a deal. His thread, which still exists, does not warn of any of these issues.

I then discovered just barely too late to reverse the paypal exchange, that the truss rod had been forced all the way in and broken. I had to pay 100 dollars for my tech to raise the action to playability via shims and raising the nut, because I had a gig in 2 days.

Damn, that's a lot of money to get ripped off. I'd DEFINITELY contact the admins about that TBer...even if they can't do anything about you getting your money back, it will be out there in the open that you got ripped off by him.

Good idea on the guy who said call Spector. They'll be able to tell u what u need

Meddle · #18 01-20-2011, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsingles

I was scammed, and it turns out the thing has a completely busted truss rod, and very soon, when the humidity kicks up again, it will be completely unplayable...

You mean the action will be a teensy weensy bit higher right?

kcole4001 · #19 01-20-2011, 03:00 PM

I know next to nothing about Spectors, but I'd think the serial number should tell exactly what you've got.
Also, perhaps they can recommend a luthier closer to you that is qualified to work on the bass.
You don't want to take it to someone who will make the problem worse.

jsingles · #20 01-20-2011, 03:01 PM

I guess it couldn't hurt to PM an admin...

By the way if anyone is curious about seeing the TB'er and the sale thread for themselves, I did leave feedback so I'm sure its not difficult to find.