How would you grade this bass?

[Corevalay]

The only time you should be making a “what’s that smell?” face with regards to a bass is when you play something so funky, you just can’t help it.

Genuinely made me laugh!

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Did you note the “excellent condition” part of the listing or the “no marks except this one on the back”?

If so, hmm.

yup. That stuff simply doesn't bother me as I understand that there's some risk in purchasing an almost thirty year old instrument sight unseen.

 

[tbz]

yup. That stuff simply doesn't bother me as I understand that there's some risk in purchasing an almost thirty year old instrument sight unseen.

So you side with the seller that mis-represented his bass, because you personally don’t trust online marketplaces.

Interesting logic.

 

[mrjim123]

Absolutely NOT excellent, more like fair.

 

[groooooove]

meh. looks fine. all cosmetic.

certainly not "excellent" condition, but if you like the bass i'd keep it.

 

[rtslinger]

agree with those who would grade it "good" if it were me I would certainly start the refund process

 

[Smooth_bass88]

So you side with the seller that mis-represented his bass, because you personally don’t trust online marketplaces.

Interesting logic.

we can debate what used-excellent means all day; I'm not bothered by cosmetic stuff. Btw, can you post a pic of the entire bass not close up, for context?

 

[tbz]

we can debate what used-excellent means all day; I'm not bothered by cosmetic stuff. Btw, can you post a pic of the entire bass not close up, for context?

Excellent condition is factually defined by reverb on their site. It isn’t really debatable.

I wasn’t aware of Reverb’s definition until someone posted it here. But this bass is factually not in the category of “reverb’s definition of excellent condition” by any stretch.

I’m glad you aren’t bothered by cosmetic stuff. I am when something is advertised one way and arrives in dramatically worse condition. That’s a huge red flag on any purchase imo. Especially any online ones.

 

[drewphishesp]

reverb doesnt pull ads when stuff sells. post the link

 

[drewphishesp]

did you happen to buy it from a guy in colorado?

 

[Grinderman]

This subject reminds me of Dr Samuel Johnson.

"As Samuel Johnson paused to rest on a London park bench one hot summer's day, his profusely sweating bulk caused a young woman sitting next to him to accuse him of smelling. ''No, Madam,'' he replied. ''You smell, I stink.''"

 

[tbz]

did you happen to buy it from a guy in colorado?

Nope.

Not sharing the ad as I’d prefer to not dox the seller. As unfortunate as this is, public shaming seems uncalled for.

If people want to find it, it’s a seller in West Virginia. You’ll probably see my recently posted 1 star feedback on their profile.

 

[Lovep]

@UpperBout beat me to it, but copied from Reverb:

Good: Good condition items function properly but may exhibit some wear and tear.

Very Good: Very Good items may show a few slight marks or scratches but are fully functional and in overall great shape.

Excellent: Excellent items are almost entirely free from blemishes and other visual defects and have been played or used with the utmost care.

Based on these metrics, the bass is in very good condition. The smell is likely something that will likely go away with a nice wipe down of the bass.

Outside of the imperfections, do you like the bass? If so, I think I would keep it and asked that the seller send you $$ back.

 

[pepj]

Not too impressed with sellers response though.

I guess I'd be wanting to reconcile the now confirmed condition versus going rate and factor in if the difference is 'fair'

 

[tbz]

Not too impressed with sellers response though.

I guess I'd be wanting to reconcile the now confirmed condition versus going rate and factor in if the difference is 'fair'

I think that’s more or less where I’m at.

If I get $600 back on this bass then I got a great deal on a used, heavily loved, Alembic epic.

If I get like $400 back then I’ve paid about fmv on a bass this used. Anything less and I’ve been ripped off.

 

[lbbc]

It does look like honest wear ...but it's certainly not Excellent condition. With the smell ..I'd send it back!

 

[drewphishesp]

I found the ad.
I know its not what you want to hear but as an unbiased 3rd party, no matter what the listing said the condition was, He pictured everything pretty clearly, including the back divot, and def all the brass was visible in all the pictures.
I wonder if the bass didnt arrive with a smell would you be having second thoughts.

 

[tbz]

I found the ad.
I know its not what you want to hear but as an unbiased 3rd party, no matter what the listing said the condition was, He pictured everything pretty clearly, including the back divot, and def all the brass was visible in all the pictures.
I wonder if the bass didnt arrive with a smell would you be having second thoughts.

Smell, all of the extraneous bumps and dings when the condition was noted as Excellent.

Smell is a huge factor but the bumps and dings matter as well.

edit: Most of those shots weren’t very high res or close up either. You can see that the brass is tarnished but the actual state of it wasn’t highlighted by the photos. Those make it look somewhat tarnished. In person they’re very badly tarnished, with lots of weird green and white flecks that just didn’t come out in the seller photos.

 

[Jazzdogg]

The smell alone, if previously undisclosed in the ad, would have me starting a return. There’s no reason one should be blindsided by the smell of a bass.

Several years ago I bought a Cort Curbow online; talk about a unique fragrance!

 

[MaidenVT]

Hey folks. Wanted to get the hive minds consensus on this one.

Purchased a used Alembic Epic on Reverb recently. Was advertised as “Used - Excellent” with one mark noted on the back.

Bass arrived today and I’m having a hard time accepting that the seller has acted in good faith. On top of the bass having a distinctive, offensive, mold/mildew odor it has very badly pitted, scarred and tarnished brass hardware and a ton of surface scratches and bumps.

Am I wrong for starting the refund/return process?

View attachment 4638305 View attachment 4638306 View attachment 4638307 View attachment 4638308 View attachment 4638309 View attachment 4638310 View attachment 4638311 View attachment 4638312 View attachment 4638313[/QUOTE
Did the seller highlight the defects? At best good condition