Fender MIA QC - NBD - What do you think?

[bh2]

I could live with that... lil yellow spot that no one else has.

Looks a cracker to me... congrats.

[Lorenzini]

How does it SOUND? Most important thing

[Buster Brown]

Originally Posted by boristhespider9

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.

Well, like I said, didn't mean to offend. Just asked a simple question.

[boristhespider9]

Originally Posted by Lorenzini

How does it SOUND? Most important thing

See above. Delivered to my office...no amp here unfortunately. I do want to hear the custom shop pickups now being used. However, I do not think an unblemished one will sound different than this one!

[electracoyote]

Originally Posted by boristhespider9

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.

Ditto.

And, if you're like me, you'll keep doing whatever it takes to get that Fender mojo in your hands, in a form that you find acceptable.

That, sir, is the bottom line with any musical instrument from any manufacturer.

Meanwhile, I think you had your mind made up before you started this thread. I think you know the PG and tiny wood knots were not a real issue, and I think you are hung up on the yellow stain. That makes sense to most of us on this thread.

If it's a deal-breaker, you don't need us to confirm it. Keep trying until lightning strikes. I've done it myself, many times.

[RocThrower]

Originally Posted by DelRider

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.

I missed this part. I know that Music123 had 3 OW 2012 JBs on eBay for $999, and they were advertised as used, with pictures of the defects. I'm wondering if you didn't get one of those, or if this bass was returned by a previous owner, then shipped back out to you?

[boristhespider9]

Originally Posted by RocThrower

I missed this part. I know that Music123 had 3 OW 2012 JBs on eBay for $999, and they were advertised as used, with pictures of the defects. I'm wondering if you didn't get one of those, or if this bass was returned by a previous owner, then shipped back out to you?

No, this was new. I saw those used ones and they all were rosewood fretboards I believe. I got the price from the 15% off sale. Yes, they will include Fenders in that if you call instead of do it online. In my first order, they sent me the completely wrong bass -- a Music Man Bongo. I don't know how that happened (maybe I should have kept it since I have a Stingray Slo Special and a Sterling!). So...to address that mix-up they gave me a full 20% off the Jazz getting me down to $999. It's new...just a QC issue.

[boristhespider9]

Originally Posted by electracoyote

Ditto.

And, if you're like me, you'll keep doing whatever it takes to get that Fender mojo in your hands, in a form that you find acceptable.

That, sir, is the bottom line with any musical instrument from any manufacturer.

Meanwhile, I think you had your mind made up before you started this thread. I think you know the PG and tiny wood knots were not a real issue, and I think you are hung up on the yellow stain. That makes sense to most of us on this thread.

If it's a deal-breaker, you don't need us to confirm it. Keep trying until lightning strikes. I've done it myself, many times.

Well said...high standards and hoping lightning strikes soon!

[Mastermold]

Originally Posted by boristhespider9

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.

Cracking doesn't happen necessarily but it can. In my case, two Fender "vintage reissue" basses that (like their real vintage basses) have the trussrod at the heal and require you to remove the neck to make adjustments. Both with tight pockets, both now have finish chips. Temperature changes can also cause cracks. I've got other basses with tight pockets that are fine, including a few vintage reissue Fenders.

But again just sharing some food for thought, I'd never suggest you should keep the bass if you're not happy with it.

[dmrogers]

I recently purchased a new Fender bass online. First time I ever bought one before playing.

The bass was perfect (to me anyway). Fit and finish blew me away. The setup was even great. I only made one minor adjustment to it.

I can't quit playing it!

I honestly don't know what I would do in your position. The yellow spot doesn't look big enough to be noticeable, BUT, you know it is there. If it really bugs you, send it back. Maybe the next one will be right.

[A-Step-Towards]

The wood is wood. On my 2011 ric there is almost a splinter looking piece of dark wood on the back. Since its mapleglo its very easy to see and stands out but its just how the wood was, the bass other then that was totally perfect , I search it over and over for flaws and if i found them I would have sent it back, but it played great and i loved it for what it was. Birthmark and all.

The neckpocket looks really normal, as does the wood. I would be a little for giving about the guard alignment but added in with the yellow spot I would probably send it back unless it was a great player and a nice weight. In 30 years it will be worn to hell and back and no one will notice that spot.

[boristhespider9]

Yea, I wasn't trying to make too much out of the wood issue. Had the control plate been flush and the yellow blemish not been there, I would have ignored that. I will say, however, it's pretty unusual in my experience for the knots in the wood to be so pronounced by the lettering on the headstock.

[VintageBoutique]

You got like four hundred dollars off on that bass...

[boristhespider9]

You can too. Just call and ask for 20% off. They'll at least give you 15% off. MF, Music 123, Sam Ash will almost always deal over the phone.

[VintageBoutique]

Now you know why.

[Musicman20]

Send it back. Yellow spot/control plate not good enough.

[wvbass]

Everybody is stuckon the yellow spot, which I agree is the biggest issue. But...

That pickguard looks to me like it was cut wrong. It looks like the edge that goes against the control plate is beveled. It should be cut straight so it mounts flush with the plate. Am I wrong, or was that pickguard cut wrong?

[electracoyote]

Originally Posted by wvbass

Am I wrong, or was that pickguard cut wrong?

In my experience, you are indeed wrong.

Every one I've seen has a bevel on the edges that border the control plate.

And in OP's enlargement, I only see one little area that slightly doesn't meet the control plate. In real life, you'd pratically have to put your nose on it to notice it.

[wvbass]

Originally Posted by electracoyote

In my experience, you are indeed wrong.

Every one I've seen has a bevel on the edges that border the control plate.

And in OP's enlargement, I only see one little area that slightly doesn't meet the control plate. In real life, you'd pratically have to put your nose on it to notice it.

That's okay. I am used to being wrong. In this case, though, it turns out my '97 jazz guard has a beveled edge. The edges on my MIJ Jaguar, my Lakland 4460, and my Carvin SB5000 are all straight.

[WoodyG3]

Originally Posted by HypersoulRocks

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

LOL

If it was me, I'm not sure how I would react. The yellow spot isn't big, and I suspect you can't see it from 5 feet away. Still, it shouldn't be there. I would probably live with it rather than go through the hassle of sending it back and going through the whole process again. That's assuming it plays and sounds good, which I guess you still need to determine.