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Amazon Mustang Bass: What Would You Do?

Keep or return?

  • Total voters
    60
#21
chambraypapi said:
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?
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At that price as is is a steal. It's never going to be a collectable in 50 years like the 70's version. With as many basses they are cranking out these days, there will be enough Fender Basses around in 50 years to fill in the Grand Canyon.

Play it!!
 
#22
If it were me, I'd return it. The thought of having eaten a misrepresentation would bug too much. I was actually in a similar situation recently and I arranged for a return/refund within an hour. Great price, liked the bass and doesn't matter. There are other basses in the world and I'm not having it if you misrepresent what you sold to me. Generally, I have a problem with lies.
 
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#23
Matt O said:
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.

Invalid Link Removed
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I didn't realize the Adorama deal was still running, I might do this. Thanks!
 
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#24
chambraypapi said:
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.
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That's a good call the JMJ is cool, that's the only Mustang in current production I haven't gotten my hands on yet. I got a Vintera II coming to me this week! It was 21% off open box on Reverb, I got a Capri orange Squier that I love, but contours are gonna be sweet!
 
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#25
I'm seeing Vintera necks going for only $100 more than player necks on a quick search. So value wise you made out like a bandit and could sell as parts for maximum return.

does it play well, feel good, sound good, make you smile? If yes- keep! :)
 
#31
I used to have a MIRC account (being in middle Tn, I was able to go there in person). They basically repair defects then sell wholesale.

On the website and in the agreement, it states that "You must list the item as a "refurbished" instrument. They used to be very serious about this.

I definitely feel that the seller was not being honest, these cannot be listed as "new" instruments.
 
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#38
bassrique said:
You'd be crazy to return it. If you sell it in X years, no one will care anything other than it's a cool bass that says Fender on the headstock.

Provided it plays/sounds well and good, that's a great deal.
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I agree with this 100%. There is no guarantee at all that you will get another Mustang in 5 or 10 tries that will play like the one you have now. Yes - The deal was misrepresented. But that may have been a Fender thing and not the seller. I would have contacted the seller and explained the situation and saw what their response was. They may have re-adjusted the price to make it an impossible to refuse deal on a bass you already know plays well. I guess I'm too much of a scratch & dent fire sale guy. I don't worry too much about alot of the finesse details anymore. If it plays great and sounds great I'm thrilled. Many basses don't.
 
#40
chambraypapi said:
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.
Click to expand...
The JMJ rocks , I think you'll really like it.
 

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