Defective Basses Sent To Developing Countries?

[logdrum]

I gather that most of you have never been to Turkey. Even in this day of Google and street view, unless you were there please do not dismiss what the OP is saying about Turkey's economic status

Istanbul and Ankara are cool places though. And as a cymbalholic my counter to the OP is that we are getting defective and inferior cymbals in the States and the best ones remain in Turkey

 

[Jeff Scott]

Being a brazilian, I wouldn't be surprised if defective basses are sent to developing countries.

Perhaps, but it is unquestionable that Brasil has the best looking women.

 

[zubrycky]

Perhaps, but it is unquestionable that Brasil has the best looking women.

That's true!

 

[Alper Yilmaz]

Hey Kerem,

I have come across some very decent Fenders and Squires in Tunel (a neighborhood in istanbul with a strip of music stores for those who are not familiar with the city), but I definitely understand what you mean.

Just thinking out loud, the issue you have experienced might be due to the fact that most of these basses might be imported into Turkey disassembled (for easy transport), and when they are put together, it is not done by serious luthiers but rather by some random guys who are far from setting up the instrument properly. I remember trying some MIA Fenders which had some crazy high action, a significant bow with the neck, etc.

Also, I do not think the standard is any better at your average Guitar Center in the U.S.

Cheers,

Alper

 

[HelpImaRock]

LOL. Fender can't even get the truss rod channel centered. And it's 2019. If that were true, it makes the USA a developing country.

 

[user362432]

It's all about money. Have you heard of Invalid Link Removed?
Same thing.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Weight is not really a flaw. It varies. The trend is to lighter basses. In the 1970s, Fenders were very heavy. Everybody wants good sustain but nobody wants excess weight. Everybody wants exotic woods but.....

 

[charlie monroe]

It's all about money. Have you heard of Invalid Link Removed?
Same thing.

Thanks for the link

 

[jj.833]

Excess weight

As for the weight, I heard luthiers say: "Electric instuments: what really matters is the wood. The heavier wood, the better sound. There are special woods like swamp ash, which are dense enough yet not so heavy." With Fender type bodies, simple slab of wood as they should be, the weight probably should not be your main factor to think about. I understand that lighter instrument is more comfortable, but I believe the construction benefits from heavier material. If you want a light Fender, you would probably need to reconcile with a sound quality compromise.

This said, I think that there's no 'right sound, right weight' rule. My old Fender Jazz is swamp ash, it's nicely light. My luthier made P is european ash, thick slab, quite heavy, and the (dry) sound is stronger in mids. Both are likable, both are different. Since the construction is very similar, I wouldn't be surprised if the sound difference originated from wood density.

 

[two fingers]

The G string dead spot affects virtually every FSO (Fender Shaped Object) unless measures were taken to avoid it, such as stiffening rods and whatnot.

The weak G had also plagued many a MM bass.

As for setup and whatnot, that's all on the store.

 

[kodiakblair]

imported into Turkey disassembled (for easy transport), and when they are put together, it is not done by serious luthiers but rather by some random guys

Basses come in cardboard boxes for the simple reason it's easier to ship,store and palletize them that way.Pallets go in shipping containers heading to one of the 5 Fender distributors in the Middle East,probably 4 times a year.

A box of necks and another with bodies makes no sense when they get shipped in 40 ft containers along with amps.

 

[Aloe]

I live in a developing country and don't find anything weird about guitars and basses that importers deliver here. not really sure about Fenders, but surely nothing wrong with Yamahas or Warwicks that get to shops here.

On other hand, I had a bad luck buying a powerbank (for my PJB Double Four) in the US, then shipping it to my country only to find out it does not power on.

 

[mouthmw]

Fender has very lackluster QC. I've seen plenty of duds here in our store, and have heard these theories plenty of times. But nah, I don't think so. Fender distributes their stuff worldwide and I doubt they hand pick stuff.

My colleagues were on NAMM last year. Fender's booth had instruments with fret ends that would cut your hand. They asked the guy there "what the heck are you guys doing with your fretwork?" The guy jokingly replied "They must have iron hands in the factory so they don't feel the sharp fret ends hehehe". And that was it. That's Fender's reply. They don't give a flying rat's ass.

Duds happen more often with mass production. You just might find a better specimen when you have more options, and guys in the States more often have more stuff in stock, so it's easier to find "the one".

As for the Stingray Specials, check out the Stingray Specials thread. There's several guys that had QC issues, it happens. And they're from all over the world, not just poopy countries like ours.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

It's amazing. We're talking about basses around the other side of the planet, and someone's gotta run down Guitar Center. Sheesh guys, give us a break!

 

[Kerem Koseoglu]

I thank all the participants for their contributions. My (new) general opinion is, the situation is the same in all countries. The grass looks greener on the other side though

 

[Jeff Scott]

The grass looks greener on the other side though

But, it is!!!

 

[Kerem Koseoglu]

But, it is!!!

View attachment 3494257

This should be titled as "Jazz Bass or Precision Bass?"