Cheers dGlen.....
The store knows this and are a li'l embarrassed at FMIC's response.
I'll go in on Monday.
The store knows this and are a li'l embarrassed at FMIC's response.
I'll go in on Monday.
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Fender Bassman Neo 115 weight issue
- Thread starter rodl2005
- Start date
Several possibilities. The store owner is lying because he doesn't want to get stuck with it. Fender Australia has no customer service, in which case an email to Fender Corporate can remove that problem.
In the US, I would have this resolved in minutes because I always pay with credit card and that charge would have a hold on it by now. Also I buy from places I know who will let me return items I don't want for any reason including I changed my mind. That brings me back to the guy you got it from. He is the Fender dealer, not you. Like it or not Fender's problem is his problem. He needs to make you happy. He must lack competition or he would be kissing your butt to make you happy. Start telling everyone the store's name that won't return it. That will cost him business and he learns a lesson in why customer service is important. Maybe your "dealer" is selling counterfeit Fender items.
Business truth: "A satisfied customer tells a few close friends; whereas, a disgruntled customer tells everyone."
In the US, I would have this resolved in minutes because I always pay with credit card and that charge would have a hold on it by now. Also I buy from places I know who will let me return items I don't want for any reason including I changed my mind. That brings me back to the guy you got it from. He is the Fender dealer, not you. Like it or not Fender's problem is his problem. He needs to make you happy. He must lack competition or he would be kissing your butt to make you happy. Start telling everyone the store's name that won't return it. That will cost him business and he learns a lesson in why customer service is important. Maybe your "dealer" is selling counterfeit Fender items.
Business truth: "A satisfied customer tells a few close friends; whereas, a disgruntled customer tells everyone."
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Greetings from the North,
That ain't right! Escalate it right to the top if you have to. Other Fender Neo 115s have been delivered at the proper weight and so should your 2nd cab be.
Rezdog
That ain't right! Escalate it right to the top if you have to. Other Fender Neo 115s have been delivered at the proper weight and so should your 2nd cab be.
Rezdog
Hi rodl2005 and all,
This looks like a "mea culpa" situation and considering my job title, I'm the one saying it. So, my apologies to you rodl2005, first and foremost. While it's true that every product that we make has the disclaimer "prices and specifications are subject to change without notice" somewhere in their existing literature, the larger question is always "what's the right thing to do here?"
I was just made aware of this today, but from what I can see so far, there was a change in wood used to build the cab and the subsequent change to the specs on the website have not been changed to date (working on that).
So far it is looking like this was a running change and not all the "T's" were crossed or the "i's" dotted. From what I can see at this point, it's not looking like we can replace the heavier cab with a lighter cab to match your original.
So yeh, I think we need to work something out to where you're taken care of. If it the only solution ends up being a refund, then we'll figure out a way to get that done between the 3 involved parties. (FMIC-Fender Aus- Dealer). I'll touch base with Fender Australia and we'll figure it out. Meanwhile, feel free to drop me a PM with your information-----serial number- where you bought it etc. and we'll get something going.
Again, my apologies for the hassle and thanks for posting it on here so I was made aware of it.
All the best,
rob
This looks like a "mea culpa" situation and considering my job title, I'm the one saying it. So, my apologies to you rodl2005, first and foremost. While it's true that every product that we make has the disclaimer "prices and specifications are subject to change without notice" somewhere in their existing literature, the larger question is always "what's the right thing to do here?"
I was just made aware of this today, but from what I can see so far, there was a change in wood used to build the cab and the subsequent change to the specs on the website have not been changed to date (working on that).
So far it is looking like this was a running change and not all the "T's" were crossed or the "i's" dotted. From what I can see at this point, it's not looking like we can replace the heavier cab with a lighter cab to match your original.
So yeh, I think we need to work something out to where you're taken care of. If it the only solution ends up being a refund, then we'll figure out a way to get that done between the 3 involved parties. (FMIC-Fender Aus- Dealer). I'll touch base with Fender Australia and we'll figure it out. Meanwhile, feel free to drop me a PM with your information-----serial number- where you bought it etc. and we'll get something going.
Again, my apologies for the hassle and thanks for posting it on here so I was made aware of it.
All the best,
rob
Well done Rob for fronting up on this, kind of locks in a return of the old style Fender love 
where you feel you are not just dealing with corporate number crunchers.
Rod, I suppose the heavy cab will have to be the bottom one and for single cab gigs just take the lighter one. Makes me wonder now whether the older cabinets will become more sought after by those who are in the know - I just popped out to check and my neo 810 was built in 2012 so it is obviously the lighter wood. There is a QC sticker on the back with the date on it - I wonder when Fender changed the wood?
where you feel you are not just dealing with corporate number crunchers.Rod, I suppose the heavy cab will have to be the bottom one and for single cab gigs just take the lighter one. Makes me wonder now whether the older cabinets will become more sought after by those who are in the know - I just popped out to check and my neo 810 was built in 2012 so it is obviously the lighter wood. There is a QC sticker on the back with the date on it - I wonder when Fender changed the wood?
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Yes. Agreed Tim.
I just pm'd you Rob Sat Fender. Thanx for chiming in. Appreciate it.
I wouldn't really mind but as I ain't getting any younger and I already have the Fender Super Bassman which is a goodly amount of amp to schlep, I did buy the Bassman 115 neo with weight VERY much in mind.
Will check my options.
Again, thanks all.
I just pm'd you Rob Sat Fender. Thanx for chiming in. Appreciate it.
I wouldn't really mind but as I ain't getting any younger and I already have the Fender Super Bassman which is a goodly amount of amp to schlep, I did buy the Bassman 115 neo with weight VERY much in mind.
Will check my options.
Again, thanks all.
Thanks again rodl2005,
well my profile picture isn't exactly recent either and I recall lugging gear to upstairs recording studios, so I absolutely relate.
Will talk more soon.
All the best,
rob
well my profile picture isn't exactly recent either and I recall lugging gear to upstairs recording studios, so I absolutely relate.
Will talk more soon.
All the best,
rob
Update:-
TBer RobSatFender pmd me and has arranged thru Fender USA & Aus that I can get a refund from my local.
I just hope my local is on board with this. They should be.
Trouble is, I WANT two Fender Neo 115 Bassman cabs.
I'm gonna look around and see if I can find out exactly when they heavier cabs started the try n find an earlier lighter weight one, otherwise. ... I dunno. I may just stick with the heavier cab.
Thanks for the help RobSatFender, & others for their input.
TBer RobSatFender pmd me and has arranged thru Fender USA & Aus that I can get a refund from my local.
I just hope my local is on board with this. They should be.
Trouble is, I WANT two Fender Neo 115 Bassman cabs.
I'm gonna look around and see if I can find out exactly when they heavier cabs started the try n find an earlier lighter weight one, otherwise. ... I dunno. I may just stick with the heavier cab.
Thanks for the help RobSatFender, & others for their input.
- Mar 8, 2011
- 12,232
- 51,187
- Disclosures
- Authorized greenboy designs builder/Owner of BNA Audio
In this day and age I can't see how a neo loaded 115 should even weigh 45lbs, let alone 57! Without a tweeter, low 30's are a piece of cake to achieve
Yeah that sucks! I was just about to buy the 1x15 neo to go with my Ashdown LB30.
Not a chance I would buy it now if it's going to weigh just as much or more than my fender 4x10 neo at "55 lbs"
Thanks makes no sense at all!
Not a chance I would buy it now if it's going to weigh just as much or more than my fender 4x10 neo at "55 lbs"
Thanks makes no sense at all!
My local store, where I purchased the 115 neo cab, got in touch today and informed me that I can get a full refund. Which I'll take em up on.
Will think on where to go from there. Thanx to all and RobSatFender for your replies and help.
Will think on where to go from there. Thanx to all and RobSatFender for your replies and help.
I think I know why they changed wood. I have one of the early/lighter ones and recently had the mounting plate from the removable caster rip out of the wood.
I bought a full set of permanent casters and installed one where the removable was - and after a few rolls, the screws just fell out. Soft "light" wood...
I bought a full set of permanent casters and installed one where the removable was - and after a few rolls, the screws just fell out. Soft "light" wood...
Not my experience when I had my neo 610 and checked/tightened all the cabinet screws (something I always do after the first few gigs). There was plenty of resistance and grip, never had a problem with the mounting plates either with the 610 or new 810. Wood seems pretty tough to me, don't know what it is though....
Pretty similar thread about the Berg CN212 - advertized at 46lbs. A guy got one that weighed 54lbs. - http://www.talkbass.com/threads/new-cn212-54lb.1113175/
From that thread...
____________________
This issue was a surprise to [Bergantino] and until my contact he had no idea there was a weight increase. He found another current production CN212 with a weight similar to mine. Then he checked the weight of the wood used to build the light weight cabs and it was heavier than the weight agreed-to with his supplier.
These light weight cabs are built from Italian Poplar and it has apparently been a constant struggle to find a supplier than can deliver a consistent product. Baltic Birch doesn't seem to vary much. Italian Poplar OTOH seems to have much more seasonal variation in density.
____________________
Seems like a few guys weighed their cabs and most of them were over the 46lb advertized weight. But didn't seem to bother most people and the consensus was - it's a great cab, light weight (even at 8lbs extra), and that it would be good for Berg to change the website.
From that thread...
____________________
This issue was a surprise to [Bergantino] and until my contact he had no idea there was a weight increase. He found another current production CN212 with a weight similar to mine. Then he checked the weight of the wood used to build the light weight cabs and it was heavier than the weight agreed-to with his supplier.
These light weight cabs are built from Italian Poplar and it has apparently been a constant struggle to find a supplier than can deliver a consistent product. Baltic Birch doesn't seem to vary much. Italian Poplar OTOH seems to have much more seasonal variation in density.
____________________
Seems like a few guys weighed their cabs and most of them were over the 46lb advertized weight. But didn't seem to bother most people and the consensus was - it's a great cab, light weight (even at 8lbs extra), and that it would be good for Berg to change the website.
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Got my refund.
Now to either find a LIGHT Bassman Neo 115 or spring for and lug the Ampeg 810 that's for sale locally.
- Love the sound of the Neo 15 and 45lb weight is OK.
- 57lb version (making a 102lb modular rig) is a deal breaker.
- Instead gets an 810 that weights 140lbs!!!
Fender should update the info on the cab.
