I'd say take it to a different guitar guy, particularly somebody who works with active stuff, and have him take a look at it. Tell HIM the problem, and explain what you think happened. Chances are, if he knows his crap, and has any compassion on the fellow man, he'll be able to tell you pretty quickly.
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Help! I've been ripped off.
- Thread starter Vanceman
- Start date
Making and installing a nut results in a lot of fine dust. Maybe the tech was a little sloppy and just blew off the bass and wiped it down and a lot of dust got on and in the pots AND your battery is dieing.
of all things to pilfer from a store... non-collectible mediocre parts from a customer's instrument are way at the bottom of the list.
Cuz you'd have to buy or steal the replacement parts, too, and rewire it during a nut job.
Just doesn't compute to me.
Cuz you'd have to buy or steal the replacement parts, too, and rewire it during a nut job.
Just doesn't compute to me.
If the cavity was opened there might be some possibly scratches on the front cavity screws{assuming you havent opened it}, the inside would have a different solder job on the inside than your factory job. The pics would be key here..hope that makes sense
- Aug 5, 2005
- 7,243
- 92
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: J.C. Basses
just a hunch, based on everything everyone else said, but instead of finding swapped parts in there, I think you`re more apt to find remnants of a spilled Pepsi. No reason to steal stock Fender parts. If a shop needed a used pre, they could get one on Ebay for cheap and mark it up. I can`t see a shop that has celeb clients stealing from a customer - especially Fender parts when more valuable stuff comes through there. The dummy tech spilled his soda and hastily took it apart, wiped it out, and threw it back together before the boss came through.
The greater crime would be someone actually installing Fender stock preamps!!!!
Just kidding! I actually think the deluxe pres are pretty nice. I really liked the one in my ADPV although it was noisy. Just thought a little ice breaker was in order!!!
Always someone with nothing productive to say.
Hope this gets cleared up. Definitely take a look in your control cavity.
I surely won't go in there half-cocked and ignorant. I do that at home all the time and it gets me nowhere. 
It's my bass, recorded the serial number on the work order.
I printed the parts list and wiring diagram off the Fender website, so maybe the part numbers are on the pots and preamp. Will check the battery first, though. This was just a simple nut change, and he told me the the stock nut was plastic, and replaced with bone, but the parts list for the deluxe J shows a bone nut stock.
It's my bass, recorded the serial number on the work order.I printed the parts list and wiring diagram off the Fender website, so maybe the part numbers are on the pots and preamp. Will check the battery first, though. This was just a simple nut change, and he told me the the stock nut was plastic, and replaced with bone, but the parts list for the deluxe J shows a bone nut stock.
Be sure they messed around with the bass BEFORE you show up with a large friend or your detective friend, otherwise it could not go as you'd planned when they can throw it back in your face.
And in the future, know what you put in. I have a very trust worthy guy who does all my work, I have no fears that he'd pull one on me - but I still go over what he's going to do when I drop off and what he's done when I pick up. If you do it right, the tech won't be offended, b/c you are really just doing a bit of CYA for both of you.
And in the future, know what you put in. I have a very trust worthy guy who does all my work, I have no fears that he'd pull one on me - but I still go over what he's going to do when I drop off and what he's done when I pick up. If you do it right, the tech won't be offended, b/c you are really just doing a bit of CYA for both of you.
There's certainly damage the shop could have done unintentionally or inadvertently, but a complete swap-out of the electronics of a common Fender seems a little far to go, even for a mischief-making lowlife. I mean, what would they have replaced them with, other Fender guts?
As I said, seems like a long way to go.
Inspect everything and totally know your facts before you move in. It ain't about what you think or what you know, but what you can prove.
As I said, seems like a long way to go.
Inspect everything and totally know your facts before you move in. It ain't about what you think or what you know, but what you can prove.
+1. If you go in with "a large friend" trying to intimidate someone on their own property, you`ll land in jail instead of him, regardless of his guilt. And as far as fingerprinting the guts....do you think the police are going to devote their specialists to this ? And do you think a judge is gonna issue an order to have the shop workers come in to get printed ? Not gonna happen.
Do the photo comparison. If your suspicion is correct I wouldnt bother dealing with the shop personally Id go straight to the cops. If youre right then what theyve done is theft. If someone robbed your house would you go and ask them nicely to give your stuff back? the people giving that advice are quite naive.
Indeed. It could be that they merely cleaned up your pots during a general "tune up" (not an uncommon thing). I'd REALLY make sure something is different before I went of half cocked...
What do you expect them to do, admit guilt?
One guess would be that the tech had another bass with crappy innards and swapped them for yours.
Good luck proving anything.
One guess would be that the tech had another bass with crappy innards and swapped them for yours.
Good luck proving anything.
^^ Not necessary.
Let's stick to advice that might help the OP out - not throwing sarcasm out there.
Let's face it - regardless how far out the charge may seem to any of us, if you came to TB with a complaint, or problem looking for advice, you'd want to at least be treated like you would treat your fellow man.
Let's stick to advice that might help the OP out - not throwing sarcasm out there.
Let's face it - regardless how far out the charge may seem to any of us, if you came to TB with a complaint, or problem looking for advice, you'd want to at least be treated like you would treat your fellow man.
