Has Gretsch been lying to us for over a decade?

[M.R. Ogle]

Actually I think this is just a marketing mistake. Some summer intern making their website and catalog. Reason I suspect, some of the Jet Guitars the pickups are called "mini humbuckers". And indeed they look like humbuckers. Then when the bass marketing stuff was made, this intern who probably knows nothing about guitars figured the bass had the same type of pickups since they are big shinny rectangles!

or not......

I'm betting on THIS being the case.
Big shiny rectangles= humbuckings, right?

 

[M.R. Ogle]

I worked for a (hobby industry) radio control car company in the late 90's to early 2000's, and I remember adding this little block of text next to a photo of the chassis of the car. As best as I recall...:

"Due to ongoing R&D, kit components may not exactly match those pictured."

So, I've been in companies that had to deal with changing product specs like this. But we acknowledged it, at least.

 

[LBS-bass]

I worked for a (hobby industry) radio control car company in the late 90's to early 2000's, and I remember adding this little block of text next to a photo of the chassis of the car. As best as I recall...:

"Due to ongoing R&D, kit components may not exactly match those pictured."

So, I've been in companies that had to deal with changing product specs like this. But we acknowledged it, at least.

I bought mine online through I don't even remember who. I'm pretty certain that when you agree to use a vendor's site for a purchase you have to acknowledge their terms of service. Does anyone actually read that? I wouldn't be surprised if that doesn't contain verbiage that covers this sort of thing.

 

[Johnny Alien]

This is from their website. Just as I assumed. Legal text that basically says they can't guarantee the accuracy of content. They will update the text and that will be the end of it.

 

[Snert]

^^ Weasel words like that might save them in the US, but it won't everywhere.

 

[BigAlBass69]

This is from their website. Just as I assumed. Legal text that basically says they can't guarantee the accuracy of content. They will update the text and that will be the end of it.

That applies to the web site not the actual product as stipulated.

 

[ragetoca]

Wow I will Never buy another Fender again! Oh wait, I already hate Fender and don't buy any of their stuff

 

[Johnny Alien]

^^ Weasel words like that might save them in the US, but it won't everywhere.

Its a disclaimer because mistakes happen. I know the common theme is to think that somehow the company is swindling customers out of money because everyone thinks that a humbucker is more desirable on a $300 bass (I disagree because a cheap pickup is a cheap pickup) but it's more likely that this is a mistake somewhere along the line and companies need to protect themselves against mistakes. I guess my point is its not weasel words and they are not out to swindle people over a half a cent on a cheap pickup.

That applies to the web site not the actual product as stipulated.

It literally says "technical" information. Its referring to specs that could be published inaccurately.

 

[evil dewars]

I learned a lot in this thread. And a little bit about my own single coiled heart.

 

[Johnny Alien]

And I am not saying that its not disappointing that the company has been publishing false information and I am not saying that someone buying it for the pickups (not sure who that person is) shouldn't be upset (although many were happy until someone told them they shouldn't be) but I AM saying that I highly doubt this is intentional fraud.

 

[Snert]

Its a disclaimer because mistakes happen.

Of course.

I know the common theme is to think that somehow the company is swindling customers out of money

I never said that, nor even remotely implied it.

But it's up to the seller to make sure it is as described where I am, so no matter what they put on the site, it will be inaccurate, especially as it seems to have been going on for many years and they will be required to make it as per description, or refund, at the customers choice.

I think it's laziness and incompetence on the part of the people handling the spec and ongoing manufacture not to have picked up on such a glaringly obvious fault.

 

[BunchyMutt]

I learned a lot in this thread. And a little bit about my own single coiled heart.

Are you 100% sure it's single coiled?


I crack myself up

 

[Crawforde]

I can’t wait till my paper gets here so I can how my heart is wound. and my pickups.

 

[sleddogn]

So now everyone knows the magnetic paper trick should reveal what pickups are in these?

 

[sleddogn]

Oh, and CRICKETS over at that other thread...bet not one will say they were wrong...

 

[MrClassicMetal]

Its a disclaimer because mistakes happen. I know the common theme is to think that somehow the company is swindling customers out of money because everyone thinks that a humbucker is more desirable on a $300 bass (I disagree because a cheap pickup is a cheap pickup) but it's more likely that this is a mistake somewhere along the line and companies need to protect themselves against mistakes. I guess my point is its not weasel words and they are not out to swindle people over a half a cent on a cheap pickup.



It literally says "technical" information. Its referring to specs that could be published inaccurately.

I'm not sure whether such a disclaimer really covers all of that that. Because sometimes companies will use that type of language, but then it doesn't even hold up in court when an angry customer with deep pockets and time to spare decides to go to battle.

So the best thing to do if you want to make sure, is to ask a lawyer.

 

[Doctor Morbius]

I'm hoping Elon Musk will by Gretsch and straighten things out!

 

[Adagietto]

I'm hoping Elon Musk will by Gretsch and straighten things out!

Will Neuralink improve my playing?

 

[Johnny Alien]

I'm not sure whether such a disclaimer really covers all of that that. Because sometimes companies will use that type of language, but then it doesn't even hold up in court when an angry customer with deep pockets and time to spare decides to go to battle.

So the best thing to do if you want to make sure, is to ask a lawyer.

If someone decides to go to court over the cheap pickups in the $300 bass I will be happy to watch from the sidelines. Again....disappointing (and I am not a Gretsch/Fender apologist) but I do think that a little bit of perspective could go a long way with this.

 

[MrClassicMetal]

If someone decides to go to court over the cheap pickups in the $300 bass I will be happy to watch from the sidelines. Again....disappointing (and I am not a Gretsch/Fender apologist) but I do think that a little bit of perspective could go a long way with this.

The chances are rather slim of course. I don't see it happening, realistically.