Amazon Mustang Bass: What Would You Do?

[chambraypapi]

Hey guys,

I bought a Vintera 60s Mustang Bass from a seller on Amazon last week at a huge discount: 51% off at about $560 USD. I don't normally buy Amazon, but I was in the market for a Mustang and the sale price was too good not to try.

When I received the item it was refurbished guitar from MIRC. The SN was covered by the new MIRC SN sticker (MX22088096). I reached out to Fender customer relations and they confirmed the item was authentic but refurbished.

It had a small chip in the finish near the neck pocket and it also had what I assume to be a Player Mustang neck (Satin finish / feels like a modern-C shape) with Gotoh GB1 tuners. Not the gloss neck and Hipshot tuners that should come with the Vintera 60s series.

So I'm thinking Fender sold the chipped body to MIRC and they slapped a Player neck on it; which is sort of nice since I prefer the headstock truss rod access.

My question is this: Do I keep this since there's some features I like (neck finish/truss rod access) and the discount was so great? Buying a set of Hipshots would still keep me in the green.

Or do I return and buy one from Fender direct?

Also: do any of you have experience with MIRC items? How do they hold up?

 

[J Posega]

Does it play well? Does it sound good? What do you think you'd get from a new one from Fender besides (hopefully) not chipped paint and the original neck?

To me, if it's a good deal, sounds and plays good, then I wouldn't worry about it, except I would double check the listing to see if it mentions the bass being refurbished and if not then report it to Amazon.

 

[coreyfyfe]

Do you like the feel and sound of the bass?

For the price can you accept a parts bass?

 

[Wisebass]

Do I keep this since there's some features I like (neck finish/truss rod access) and the discount was so great? Buying a set of Hipshots would still keep me in the green.

For me the neck of a bass (incl. the finish) is the most important part.

That's the part I play.

When everything else is equal, I will pick the bass with the neck I like better.

Do I need Hipshots? Nah I would probably get vintage style lollipops

or just keep the Gotohs.


but that's just me

Mustang Bass

It's your horse to ride!


Wise(b)ass

edit to add: Oh! btw you know the rules? No pics no Mustang Sally!

 

[chambraypapi]

edit to add: Oh! btw you know the rules? No pics no Mustang Sally!

Doh! Of course! Here’s pics of said bass since I can’t edit the original post.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

Doh! Of course! Here’s pics of said bass since I can’t edit the original post.

Sharp looking bass.

 

[Wisebass]

Hi chambraypapi

Here’s pics of said bass since I can’t edit the original post.

The little chip at the neckpocket is something a lot of bolt on basses get

(sooner or later) when the neck recieves a shock (hit)

That can happen during transport, but also at home

when you just set your bass against your cab (instead of using the stand)

It sliiiiides and sliiiiides and...

Ask me how Iknow.


Call it a relic and ask twice the money!

thx for sharing!

Wise

 

[Nightsprinter]

Hmm i wonder if the firemist fenders that got posted about here recently for about the same price on Amazon have the same nonsense going on.

 

[chambraypapi]

Hmm i wonder if the firemist fenders that got posted about here recently for about the same price on Amazon have the same nonsense going on.

I believe those were from the same seller, so I would def be on the lookout for it.

 

[mikewalker]

keeper, I'd say...

 

[grubdumpling]

I bought the vintera because of the wider nut and thicker neck, but that was after being drawn it by the regular mustang PJ. If you like it, you should keep it, but if you are worried about resale or authenticity then send it back.

 

[MotorCityMinion]

Your asking a cheapskate like me? "Vintera 60s Mustang Bass from a seller on Amazon last week at a huge discount: 51% off at about $560 USD. ?

Retail price on a new bass @ $1120. like this, baffles me. I seriously would not pay that for a brand new out of the box Mexican or USA made Mustang. Being it's a bass you like and it still looks good (Sharpie the chip), $560. to scratch an itch ain't so bad.

Go for it.

 

[MrAB4003]

Considering the price that you paid for the bass, I would keep it. If you really don't like it, sell it for a profit.

 

[Matt O]

Hmm i wonder if the firemist fenders that got posted about here recently for about the same price on Amazon have the same nonsense going on.

My firemist I bought this week is flawless.

 

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

I don’t know, if I ordered a bass that was supposed to be stock and it showed up with a different neck and no Lollipops I would be mad. If you like it that’s fine and dandy but even at that huge discount I’d probably return it. I had the stock version of your bass I actually bought it through Amazon this time last year, I really liked the chunkier neck on that Mustang!

 

[Nightsprinter]

I don’t know, if I ordered a bass that was supposed to be stock and it showed up with a different neck and no Lollipops I would be mad. If you like it that’s fine and dandy but even at that huge discount I’d probably return it. I had the stock version of your bass I actually bought it through Amazon this time last year, I really liked the chunkier neck on that Mustang!

This is how I feel. If I went and bought a new car at the dealership for a good price, but then got home and found out it had components from a different model and a salvage title, I wouldn't be happy at all. Unless these modifications were disclosed at the point of sale, it sounds like false advertising and deceptive practice to me. I know it's just a bass, but it's how I'd personally feel.

 

[Gorn]

What did the description say in the amazon post?

 

[chambraypapi]

I don’t know, if I ordered a bass that was supposed to be stock and it showed up with a different neck and no Lollipops I would be mad. If you like it that’s fine and dandy but even at that huge discount I’d probably return it. I had the stock version of your bass I actually bought it through Amazon this time last year, I really liked the chunkier neck on that Mustang!

Yeah, this is what I'm grappling with at the moment, I like the chunky, satin neck, but the fact that this is a parts bass that was advertised as new doesn't sit right.

I've got the return setup with Amazon right now and a JMJ on the way. I think I'll compare them both and keep the one I like better.

 

[chambraypapi]

What did the description say in the amazon post?

The bass was listed as new from a 3rd party music store. Brooke Mays / H&H Music was the seller.

 

[Matt O]

I believe those were from the same seller, so I would def be on the lookout for it.

All of the steep discount Vintera Jazz and 50s P basses on Amazon this past week were being sold by Amazon, not any dealers. Listed as “shipped and sold by Amazon”. As far as I remember, the Vintera Mustang wasn’t on blowout on Amazon, but was on Adorama (link below). Is it possible that you didn’t notice you were buying a refurb?

Anyway, what would I do? I’d probably return it and then order a fresh one from Adorama that still has Mustangs on discount.

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