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Bass Integrity in Question.... HELP PLEASE!!!

JoZac21

JoZac21

Nov 30, 2009
1,250
207
Brooklyn, NY
#1
So, I put a bass on layaway at the Sam Ash in Times Square... it's beautiful... Sparkling Blue, matching headstock, birdseye maple neck... I started a thread on it here: http://http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=739014

So today I called up to get the Serial #... which is CL06476... which makes it the same bass as the one in question on this thread: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=581492... one which warns the buyer to walk away...

Apparently, the bass has a missing piece concerning the truss rod... I noticed that the bass was a little bowed, but my initial thought was "that can be fixed with a basic set-up". But now I'm not so sure.

Honestly, the point of this bass was to serve as a back-up to my Sadowsky... to bring to rehearsals and to gigs that are in sketchy neighborhoods... is it worth it? It seems they lowered the price from when the last person posted... they're only asking for $500... should I talk them down? Should I email G&L and see if this piece is truly only a cheap replacement? What do I do... is it still worth it... seriously... it's a beautiful instrument, and only intended to serve as a back up...

Your thoughts please!!!
 
#5
I just emailed G&L... the good thing about Sam Ash's layaway system is that I can pull out at anytime... hopefully I get some better information soon... I'm just trying to figure out what to do... your feedback is appreciated.
 
#6
If it's the same bass, the easiest thing would be to get your deposit back. The only way I'd get it is if it were still under warranty, but it sounds like it's not. If G&L will sell you a neck, then it might be worth it. Or if you can get the truss rod replaced.......the question you have to ask yourself is how far are you willing to go to make this bass work for you?
 
#9
Update: talked them down to $400... retaining the 30 day return policy... I'm kinda thinking of doing it... worst comes to worst and it's not an easily fixable problem, I'll return it... honestly, I would mind dumping an extra $300 into it if I'm only paying $400, so long as that's the most I'm gonna spend... again, as is, it's playable, and I don't reeeaaallly mind a project bass... so long as it's not gonna cost me over a grand in the long run... let me know your thoughts... thanks again
 
#13
I've changed out truss rods on a Rickenbacker, and it is one of the few basses where the owner can do this, and even then, he better know what he is doing.
Plan on spending $250 or more to fix the G&L properly - does it still look like a bargain? There are too many good basses for good prices available out there, so don't be drawn into buying a POS simply because it has a nice blue sparkle finish - as the old saying goes, "You can't polish a turd".
 
#14
superdick2112 said:
I've changed out truss rods on a Rickenbacker, and it is one of the few basses where the owner can do this, and even then, he better know what he is doing.
Plan on spending $250 or more to fix the G&L properly - does it still look like a bargain? There are too many good basses for good prices available out there, so don't be drawn into buying a POS simply because it has a nice blue sparkle finish - as the old saying goes, "You can't polish a turd".
Click to expand...

Honestly, I think this bass is worth up to $400 to fix up... if it winds up being much more than that, I won't buy it, or return it. There doesn't seem to be any warp in the neck... and it really seems to be that there's a part missing... as far as I can gather (again, I have an in w. the people at the shop) the reason they haven't fixed it thus far is because they're selling it for less than they paid.... honestly, at the moment, the plan is to buy it and concider it a fixer-upper... from what I know right now, it's minimal work and repairs for what the bass can ultimately be worth. Worst comes to worst, I can always flip for what I paid with more finances than what I have... as I stated before, I would consider the bass as is as "gig-able".
 
#19
Had a similar situation with my pawn shop 2k. Previous owner stripped the t.r. nut. $9 part, a few washers, plus luthier time to get the darn thing off ($150 in my case), and she's a bad B*tch. He used an easy out on an extentsion after soaking in penetrating oil. Part of the cost was the tools he had to buy, but such is life.

+1 on parting it out if you can't fix it. I'm sure someone would want the bridge, pups, pre, tuners, body, etc... G&L bass parts are rare, even on the bay.

Best regards future G&L brother,

Mike
 
#20
Fat.Mike said:
Had a similar situation with my pawn shop 2k. Previous owner stripped the t.r. nut. $9 part, a few washers, plus luthier time to get the darn thing off ($150 in my case), and she's a bad B*tch. He used an easy out on an extentsion after soaking in penetrating oil. Part of the cost was the tools he had to buy, but such is life.

+1 on parting it out if you can't fix it. I'm sure someone would want the bridge, pups, pre, tuners, body, etc... G&L bass parts are rare, even on the bay.

Best regards future G&L brother,

Mike
Click to expand...

Thank you... honestly, I'm getting psyched again for this bass... seriously, I was considering buying a Tribute for awhile, simply because my gf would get pissed if I bought up a bass for more than $600 at once... I can manage a project bass much easier... make her understand the extra costs... she's cool...

I don't mind dropping $400 now and buying a new neck later if I end up with an awesome bass in the long run.
 

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