Gibson ES335 Bass - New thread

[stiles72]

So, I just had to send mine back. I noticed some awful fret buzz only at the 16th fret and then the entire E string started to buzz as well. Had a tech look at it and concluded that the fret work on the higher frets was off pretty bad and the neck had actually warped. Needless to say, I sent it back for a refund and ordered up a Fender 74' AVRI. Was very disappointed.

Also, as mentioned above...upon closer inspection, the pain job was awful. There was smudged red paint on the white binding near the body of the bass. Not what you would pay $2200 for.

I'm dealing with this on my Midtown also. The first cherry Midtown I received was drop dead gorgeous. None of the typical Gibson issues (orange peel, over spray, sloppy this sloppy that). It was spotless and got an A+ in my book for fit and finish. Unfortunately, the finish started flaking off at the end of the neck and around the neck pickup. Never seen anything quite like that before on an instrument. Flaked off like latex house paint. Anyhow - AMS took it back and sent me another. This one (while having a great feel and sound) has orange peel all around the neck joint, and the black paint applied to the F holes looks like a 5 year old did it with finger paint. The binding on the fret board was not cut as neat and precise around the frets as the first bass was, and the wood and inlays just looks "cheap". Not sure how else to describe it - definitely nothing like the first one. Hopefully third time will be a charm, as this one is going back for one more round. If the third one poops out - maybe I'll look at a 335.

 

[Mastermold]

I'm dealing with this on my Midtown also. The first cherry Midtown I received was drop dead gorgeous. None of the typical Gibson issues (orange peel, over spray, sloppy this sloppy that). It was spotless and got an A+ in my book for fit and finish. Unfortunately, the finish started flaking off at the end of the neck and around the neck pickup. Never seen anything quite like that before on an instrument. Flaked off like latex house paint. Anyhow - AMS took it back and sent me another. This one (while having a great feel and sound) has orange peel all around the neck joint, and the black paint applied to the F holes looks like a 5 year old did it with finger paint. The binding on the fret board was not cut as neat and precise around the frets as the first bass was, and the wood and inlays just looks "cheap". Not sure how else to describe it - definitely nothing like the first one. Hopefully third time will be a charm, as this one is going back for one more round. If the third one poops out - maybe I'll look at a 335.

Hopefully 3rd time is the charm. The Midtown has been a great find for me, had it out twice on gigs and really enjoying it.

 

[RVRSCO]

I'm dealing with this on my Midtown also. The first cherry Midtown I received was drop dead gorgeous. None of the typical Gibson issues (orange peel, over spray, sloppy this sloppy that). It was spotless and got an A+ in my book for fit and finish. Unfortunately, the finish started flaking off at the end of the neck and around the neck pickup. Never seen anything quite like that before on an instrument. Flaked off like latex house paint. Anyhow - AMS took it back and sent me another. This one (while having a great feel and sound) has orange peel all around the neck joint, and the black paint applied to the F holes looks like a 5 year old did it with finger paint. The binding on the fret board was not cut as neat and precise around the frets as the first bass was, and the wood and inlays just looks "cheap". Not sure how else to describe it - definitely nothing like the first one. Hopefully third time will be a charm, as this one is going back for one more round. If the third one poops out - maybe I'll look at a 335.

Certainly hope the new one is much better! What a bummer!

 

[stiles72]

I suspect the third one will be a better one. I noticed the first one was shipped from Nevada, and when I returned it - it went to New Jersey. The second one came back from New Jersey, so I'm guessing they sent me another customer return or a scratch and dent unit. The latest one shipped from Nevada just liek the first, and the rep said it is a factory fresh bass- so we'll see...

 

[RVRSCO]

Keep us posted!

 

[stiles72]

The replacement Midtown arrived - and all is good! I posted over in the Midtown Club thread some of the differences between the three units I received. This one should be a keeper...

 

[RVRSCO]

Cool beans!