Fender MIA QC - NBD - What do you think?

[boristhespider9]

Originally Posted by trothwell

Just to offer a different point of view, I probably would not have thought anything significant of any of those issues. Even if the bass came to me cosmetically perfect, it likely wouldn't be that long before I dinged it myself.

I guess I'm somewhat of a perfectionist when I get a new product. Even if I know that it will get dinged, etc. through normal use, I expect it to have a high-level of fit & finish when it first gets to me (especially when I'm paying a premium for MIA-regardless of brand).

[southpaw420]

I think the neck pocket looks fine, and the pickguard deal is very minor. That yellow spot though... that would really annoy me.

[johnson79]

The yellow spot is ridiculous. See if they'll give you some cash back or return it.

[SBsoundguy]

What's with the cracks under the clear north of the yellow spot? There's like almost a dozen of 'em. If i'm paying over a grand for a bass i'd expect better.

[ggvicviper]

The biggest thing is the yellow spot. The rest is really nitpicking to me.

[electracoyote]

That yellow spot looks huge in that close up pic. In reality, it's about the size of the dome of Monticello on the nickel.

I just stepped back and looked at something that small, and it's nearly impossible to see from arm's length.

I know, I know...it's the knowledge that there is an imperfection, the very idea. It's hard for some to accept. I get it.

It kind of reminds me of this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTsTFTIvwJw

[Mastermold]

Originally Posted by boristhespider9

So, here we go again...

Just opened a 2012 Am. Std. Jazz in Olympic White. I got it new from Music 123 (which is in the MF/GC family) for $999. Good price due to the sale and them making a mistake with a different order.

I'm always expecting to find a Fender QC issue, but hopeful that I don't. I have 2 Lakland USAs, a number of Music Man basses, a 2010 Am. Std. Jazz, and a few others. I know good QC when I see it. My Laklands and MM basses are flawless.

My bass looks nice. Great fretwork. Typical small gap in the neck pocket that all Fender MIAs seem to have and which Fender seems to actually design that way. Neck pocket doesn't bother me on this one. At least it's even on both sides.

I have two minor complaints and one major one. Minor complaints: (1) Wood grain knotting in the headstock has some dark spots as to make them look like blemishes or cigarette burns. Normal wood variation and knotting doesn't bother me, but the ones by the "Jazz Bass" text kind of look like blemishes. (2) The control plate doesn't sit completely flush with the pickguard. I see this on most Fender basses these days and kind of accept it, but it's not necessary. My Lakland's control plate is completely flush with the PG.

Major complaint: Well, there's a yellow spot on the Olympic White finish on the front of the bass on the lower bout. I've placed a nickel next to it to show the size. How does Fender QC not notice this? I mean it's not the end of the world, but it is a new bass.

I've gone through this before with Fender MIA basses. Kind of sick of the exchange process. The biggest issue here is the paint blemish and I think I can live with it if Music 123 will knock off some more off the price. None of this affects the playability of course -- all cosmetic. So, I can just rock it and forget about it. Or I can exchange and see what blemishes I can find in the next one...

The neck pocket looks okay to me--if it's too tight you can run the risk of cracks or chips in the finish around the neck pocket, I've had that happen to a few of my basses that have tight neck pockets.

The pickguard/control plate on my AV 62 Jazz bass is off too, never bothered me because the bass was otherwise such a great player. Up to you.

The knot in the wood is cosmetic, woodgrain preference is always subjective whether or not it matters to you but I wouldn't call it a defect.

The yellow spots are interesting--my Olympic White AV 62 is looking yellower every year but nitro finishes do that, yours is polyurethane so it's probably a stain. If it bothers you it does, send it back. If it doesn't, play it.

[dalkowski]

Bottom line: You didn't get what you paid (a grand) for. Send it back.

[boristhespider9]

Originally Posted by SBsoundguy

What's with the cracks under the clear north of the yellow spot? There's like almost a dozen of 'em. If i'm paying over a grand for a bass i'd expect better.

Those are actually just black threads from the case lining, not cracks.

[boristhespider9]

Originally Posted by Mastermold

The neck pocket looks okay to me--if it's too tight you can run the risk of cracks or chips in the finish around the neck pocket, I've had that happen to a few of my basses that have tight neck pockets.

I've heard this theory, but I'm not sure I buy it. My Lakland USA and Music Man basses (and another Fender MIA Jazz) all have tight neck pockets and I've never seen cracking of any sort. I think it's kind of an excuse given when the pocket isn't tight. That being said, I've accepted that is how Fender makes the pockets on these basses and it would not be a reason for me to return/exchange this one.

[HypersoulRocks]

If you look closely, inside the yellow spot it reads 'order a Carvin next time'....
:-)

[Fair Warning]

The neck pocket gap is a built-in pick holder. My new Precision V has one too. I did not get any free nickles.

[boristhespider9]

Originally Posted by HypersoulRocks

If you look closely, inside the yellow spot it reads 'order a Carvin next time'....
:-)

I've got an SB4000 already! Yes, Carvin's QC is top-notch.

Look, there's no reason a mass produced bass can't have good and consistent QC. Music Man is a great example. And these new Fenders are generally great. But, why shouldn't expect it to have perfect fit/finish when it arrives? The post-2008 American Standards have been a huge improvement IMO, but they still let blemished basses out the door sometimes.

[electracoyote]

Originally Posted by boristhespider9

I've got an SB4000 already! Yes, Carvin's QC is top-notch.

Wow, the SB4000 is down to $869.00 at the moment. With better QC, that's amazing. Seems like the way to go. I've kind of been jonesin' for one for awhile now.

With that in mind, out of curiosity, why are you toying around with Fenders? Correct me if I'm wrong, but you've been doing this dance with Fender for a few basses now, and you've been disappointed each time. Why not stick with the Carvin and be happy?

[DelRider]

Just opened a 2012 Am. Std. Jazz in Olympic White. I got it new from Music 123 (which is in the MF/GC family) for $999. Good price due to the sale and them making a mistake with a different order.

Just to play devil's advocate. That bass retails at GC for about $1,250. You got it for $999. If you send it back, do you think that you will be able to get another for that price? Or are they going to give you are hard time? As it stands now, you got a nice bass for $250 less than retail and could probably sell it for what you bought it for.

If it plays well, just enjoy.

[sneha1965]

Yellow polka dot bass goes back.

[boristhespider9]

Originally Posted by electracoyote

Wow, the SB4000 is down to $869.00 at the moment. With better QC, that's amazing. Seems like the way to go. I've kind of been jonesin' for one for awhile now.

With that in mind, out of curiosity, why are you toying around with Fenders? Correct me if I'm wrong, but you've been doing this dance with Fender for a few basses now, and you've been disappointed each time. Why not stick with the Carvin and be happy?

I have a number of nice basses including a Lakland USA Joe Osborn, a USA Bob Glaub (with Osborn neck), Stingray Slo Special, Sterlings (USA), a 2010 Am. Std. Jazz, and the Carvin SB4000.

Why mess around with a new Fender given these other great basses in the collection and some bad luck I've had with QC? Well, I still like MIA Fenders, played throughout college on an MIA Jazz, it feels right to me, and goes with the "mojo" of the types of bands I play in. And quite frankly, I have GAS for the 2012 Jazz with the Custom Shop pickups Fender is now using. Plus, getting a 2012 Jazz for $999 made it too hard to pass up.

[Buster Brown]

Originally Posted by boristhespider9

It's the cumulative effect. And the control plate gap is worse than the photo shows. The wood knotting is really the least of my concerns -- if everything else was fine, the wood is ok. Just somewhat unusual in my experience.

I'm curious, and please don't look upon this as some kind of attack, it is not.

Why do you feel the need to show us, what you feel are problems with your purchase? If you are unhappy with the condition of the bass, why not just send it back, get a refund or replacement and go from there.

I mean, if the majority of people feel that it's nothing, are you going to keep it And "soldier" on?

don't mean to be rude, honestly I don't...We are currently in the middle of a snowstorm in the Rockies trying to get home and the damn bus is ll over the friggen road.

Good luck to you in your decision and Merry Christmas!!!

[f64]

If you send it back or not is up to you. The PG gap and neck pocket look fine to me. I have a sneaking suspicion how the yellow spot came about. It looks like there was a microscopic piece of iron somehow left on the body. This could come from 0000 wool being used to correct an imperfection on the body just before painting. If this was done the spot would take a few weeks to develop and make the mark you see. There would be no way any quality check would catch it and I think Fender uses Scotch pads to prevent this. It could also have been in the paint from a ball mill or any piece of rotating equipment used by the paint manufacturer. A small piece will get through all the filters used to catch it since they can't go too fine, they'd remove pigment. Most paint manufacturers use high energy magnets to remove any foreign metallic particles, but some can get through. Once it's sprayed and hits oxygen again it starts the process and would ultimately stain the subsurface.
I think the real question is - how hard are you on your basses? Do they get dinged as you use them? If they do then this should probably be dismissed.

[boristhespider9]

Originally Posted by Buster Brown

I'm curious, and please don't look upon this as some kind of attack, it is not.

Why do you feel the need to show us, what you feel are problems with your purchase? If you are unhappy with the condition of the bass, why not just send it back, get a refund or replacement and go from there.

I mean, if the majority of people feel that it's nothing, are you going to keep it And "soldier" on?

don't mean to be rude, honestly I don't...We are currently in the middle of a snowstorm in the Rockies trying to get home and the damn bus is ll over the friggen road.

Good luck to you in your decision and Merry Christmas!!!

Well, honestly, much of TB is filled with pointless discussions in the grand scheme of things. We talk about bass in all of its permutations, whether that means getting others' opinions on the best cabinet to go with amp "x," whether it's normal for a G sting to break once a month, a color preference for a new bass order, or QC issues with a purchase. Just like other somewhat pointless threads, I'm interested in TBers' thoughts on this issue. Sometimes, I actually learn something or change my view on an issue. So, if this topic doesn't interest you, feel free to ignore it as I do with topics that don't interest me.