Got slightly stung on Ebay...

[Ryan L.]

Cleaned up the thread. Let's keep it on track, please, guys.

 

[king_biscuit]

It definitely was NOT a cost cutting measure - much more cost effective to just dunk the whole neck in poly, really.

To poly coat a neck, the neck has to be taken to the spray booth, sanded, sprayed, sanded, buffed, etc. And in the case of maple fretboards, the poly must be hand scraped from the frets. It takes the EB ladies like 30 seconds to wipe the oil on the necks on the current EB necks. And EB never dunked the necks in poly. There is no way, NO WAY it is more cost effective to poly the necks!

 

[Smallequestrian]

To poly coat a neck, the neck has to be taken to the spray booth, sanded, sprayed, sanded, buffed, etc. And in the case of maple fretboards, the poly must be hand scraped from the frets. It takes the EB ladies like 30 seconds to wipe the oil on the necks on the current EB necks. And EB never dunked the necks in poly. There is no way, NO WAY it is more cost effective to oil the necks!

Just because there may have been a cost savings, does not mean it was a cost cutting maneuver. Correlation != Causation

Many high end makers, including some of the more respected makers in the business do not poly finish their necks. In fact, I have a Skjold and a Rob Allen sitting right next to me that are not finished with Poly, and I probably wouldn't have bought either of them if they were. Gloss necks will always be a personal preference.

Who cares if it is more cost effective, you are never going to please everybody and somehow, someway, EB has managed to sell their cost cutting unfinished necks.

 

[lowrez]

My sterling was looking like that for a while when it was getting heavily used. A good washing followed by some tru-oil and she is all set. mine is an older sterling 94/95? or maybe 93, I don't recall but I have owned her since new and yours looks like it just needs a good cleaning. If you want to have that "wow" factor have someone else clean it and you can be all surprised

 

[ggunn]

I was wondering if you guys could tell me what my options are here? I just picked up the 2002 Stingray 5 I won in this auction here, the auction describes it as 'very clean'. When I got it out of the case, I realised the neck is absolutely FILTHY. Not just dirty, but stained along the length of the neck. I've taken some pics, the camera and lighting conditions aren't great but it should give you some idea.

FWIW, IMO you are overreacting just a bit. How does it play and sound? You bought a used bass; if it takes a bit of a cleanup to get it up to your standards, then just do it. Caveat emptor.

If I were the seller, I'd take it back and sell it again to someone else if it's too much for you to deal with, but I wouldn't make any adjustment on the price.

 

[JonathanD]

Sweaty players can cause more wear in the places they play, especially if their sweet is acidic.
jonathan.

So we're under the impression that this is normal? That surprises me to be honest. The neck feels very different between approx the 9th and 15th frets, it feels very rough. It's definately not a consistant feel. I definately don't believe that this amount of discolouration is the result of 5 years use. You have to see it to believe it.

Re: the definition of 'clean': I make every effort to fully disclose the condition of any items I sell. I would NEVER have used the word 'clean' to describe this bass even if I was talking about the body, because I know that people would take it to mean that the bass was in very good condition. I don't care if I did get a good deal on it, if he didn't describe it correctly I'm gonna be annoyed.

I'll probably give the guy a ring tomorrow. Thanks for all your input guys!

 

[Baird6869]

I just recieved a 1997 Fender MIA '62 Reissue P that apparently "has a few dings" that looks like it was dragged behind a truck. It is a disaster.

You are lucky.... your eBay bass is just a bit dirty.