• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Advice - keep or return?

Keep or Return?

  • Keep/repair

    Votes: 4 2.4%
  • Return

    Votes: 160 97.6%

  • Total voters
    164
Unless you got a really good price to the point that sinking more money into repairs doesn't push you past a reasonable threshold, I'd return it. Plenty of P bass, seafoam green fish in the sea.
 
Don't think about it. Return it post haste. IMO they really don't need to know about your journey to the guitar tech. If they pry just tell them it doesn't play right. It has fret buzz in the upper register. If they care they'll check it and see the neck issues you describe. But they won't likely care.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HUDSONRIVERJIMI
Sorry but this is hilariously dumb. Was OP supposed to bring a truss rod tool and try to turn it themselves? Would GC even allow that? It can be difficult, especially for a new player, to spot deep seated issues like this on the fly. There are also some issues that can reveal themselves over time.

GC has a generous 45 day return policy and they have told me flat out it can be for any reason, or no reason at all, so long as the condition is the same.
 
Thanks for the replies, I pointed out the neck to the in house tech they said they'd adjust it and I picked it up the next day. Still looked off so I brought it to my tech. The sales person ensured me I had 45 days to return it so should've be an issue. From the info I have, someone put heavy gauge strings on it and tuned it up to standard. The inhouse tech then cranked on the truss rod to "correct" the bow. Might have ruined it then or maybe it already was warped, just hate to see a nice instrument get trashed or whatever they'll do with it.

Anyway, going to return it, thanks everyone!
 
Thanks for the replies, I pointed out the neck to the in house tech they said they'd adjust it and I picked it up the next day. Still looked off so I brought it to my tech. The sales person ensured me I had 45 days to return it so should've be an issue. From the info I have, someone put heavy gauge strings on it and tuned it up to standard. The inhouse tech then cranked on the truss rod to "correct" the bow. Might have ruined it then or maybe it already was warped, just hate to see a nice instrument get trashed or whatever they'll do with it.

Anyway, going to return it, thanks everyone!
Fear not, they won't trash it. They'll mark $100 off and list it as clearance. Then, no returns.
 
  • Like
Reactions: StringCanvas
 
I mean, I get all the "return" comments, but G&L often run specials on B stock necks on their website. I'd keep it and just get a new neck. Bass of Theseus as it were.
I check somewhat regularly and I haven't seen a new neck on their site in quite a long while. The G&L neck pocket isn't standardized and it's even less standardized if it's the old three bolt neck.
 
Sorry but this is hilariously dumb. Was OP supposed to bring a truss rod tool and try to turn it themselves? Would GC even allow that? It can be difficult, especially for a new player, to spot deep seated issues like this on the fly. There are also some issues that can reveal themselves over time.

GC has a generous 45 day return policy and they have told me flat out it can be for any reason, or no reason at all, so long as the condition is the same.

Nobody said anything about adjusting it prior to purchase. The OP is supposed to check the instrument over and bring any noticed defects to the GC sales folks' attention before agreeing to purchase it. It doesn't take but just a quick line-of-sight peek down the neck to see significant warping or other setup issues. It won't be perfect, but you'll get a ballpark idea at minimum. Not sure why something so basic is "hilarious dumb" tho. 🤷‍♂️

However, in a subsequent post, the OP did state that he mentioned it to the GC folks and they attempted to straighten it out, but it still didn't play right before he took it to another luthier for a setup where they discovered the extent of the issue. That would've been good info to know because, in that case, he DID mention it to GC before the sale and they said they would correct the issue (which they ultimately did not). With that information, I'm also in the 'return' camp.
 
Hello! Long time guitarist that recently took up bass. I just picked up a 90's G&L LB-100. It jumped off the wall at me at my local guitar center, absolutely love the color and the feel but after a visit to my tech for a setup I got the sad news that the neck has a "hump and a dip" truss rod is maxed and he couldn't straighten it out even with a 2mm spacer.

I can still return it to GC or I was considering sending it off to warpedneck.com to see if it could be saved.

What would you do?

Picture for fun :)
View attachment 7148951

Thanks,
Dave

GC has the easiest return policy. Return it.
 
Hello! Long time guitarist that recently took up bass. I just picked up a 90's G&L LB-100. It jumped off the wall at me at my local guitar center, absolutely love the color and the feel but after a visit to my tech for a setup I got the sad news that the neck has a "hump and a dip" truss rod is maxed and he couldn't straighten it out even with a 2mm spacer.

I can still return it to GC or I was considering sending it off to warpedneck.com to see if it could be saved.

What would you do?

Picture for fun :)
View attachment 7148951

Thanks,
Dave
Keep: ¿?
Return: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
 
I have the exact same bass. And I had to work through some neck issues also. Maybe not as bad as yours, but a couple of washers under the truss rod, a little heat to pull it into a backbow and a little bit of filing on the uppermost 4 frets, and now it's probably my favorite neck to play.

That said, I vote return it. I worked though my problems because I didn't have that option and I didn't notice the issues right away.
 
What would you do?

So Anyway, how does it play? Any fret buzz? If it played well, and was at a good price, I'd keep it and not worry about the neck. But that's me with a room full of other basses and a soft spot for G&L's and Mother of Formica pickguards.

Since the OP sounds like is a guitar player seeking a first bass, then it's probably best to return it or work out a deal with the vendor.

Good Luck with your decision.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ethix4