Did I get a dud Stingray Ray4?

[Stranger Danger]

I was looking for a knock-around bass that I can keep at work and use for practice. I came across the Sterling Stingray Ray4 on Musicians Friend's stupid deal for $249. All the reviews said that it's a solid build, good playing bass and you get what you pay for with the tone. Sounded perfect for my needs.

It arrived yesterday and was unplayable out of the box. On first tuning, the E string snapped and unraveled. No biggie on that because I would probably put better strings on it anyway. Once the other three strings are tuned, you can't even make a tone on the first three frets and there is significant fret buzz up to the middle if the neck. I raised the action at the saddle pretty high and now I can get tone across the fret board, but still with significant buzz. I believe the neck may be backbowed. I don't feel like I should have to make truss rod adjustments or major saddle adjustments to a new bass.

Also annoying is that I can feel the sharp edges of the frets on the sides of the fret board. I can live with that with a cheap bass, but I think this should be a little better quality.

My question to anyone who is familiar with this bass is should I exchange it for another one? If I just got a bad one I wouldn't mind trying another one. If this is typical, I'm just going to ask for my money back.

Thanks in advance!

It’s made of wood and it is winter. You should expect nine times out of ten to need a setup and half the time that will include a fret dress

 

[Artman]

Every bass guitar I have ever purchased except for two of them, and there have been many, needed a complete setup to meet my playing preferences.
A new bass needing truss rod adjustment is not unusual, especially if it came from GC or Musicians Fiend.

 

[Seth DuSith]

Didn't OP put this to rest on post 21

Yea but we're all just chatting now

 

[badinage]

Yea but we're all just chatting now

And creating helpful data points for future "Just Search it we've discussed this a million times conditions.

NTTAWWT

 

[Seth DuSith]

And creating helpful data points for future "Just Search it we've discussed this a million times conditions.

NTTAWWT

Yea exactly. This is a topic that needs more light for newer members, or other members who have these issues. Most don't seem to realize that instruments are something that ALWAYS need a set up, especially if you're a picky player. If you have specific tastes, you should always learn how to set up an instrument

 

[FRoss6788]

And expect the same from Mexican Fenders at 4x the price, nowadays.

Not at all my experience.

My roasted maple neck is excellent.