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I got my new Gibson non-reverse Tbird today

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by jakelly, Jul 13, 2013.

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  1. Jul 13, 2013 #1
    jakelly

    jakelly

    Nov 8, 2009
    Its a killer sounding and feeling bass. Love the neck. Very reminiscent of a Gibson SGZ bass I used to have.

    There are a couple of quality control issues and I want to know if you would let it slide and enjoy the bass or send it back to the dealer.

    1. Pelham blue finish. Looks fantastic from 3 feet away. Up close you can see how thin it was applied (not a bad thing necessarily), but the grain lines are visible through the blue and there are a couple of tiny dark specks in it. Nothing too major. The clear coats filled in the grain and the finish is nice & level & glossy.

    2. The pickguard. It doesn't lay flat in the area between the neck pickup and end of fretboard. It is arced up there. I don't know if a new pickguard is needed or what.
     
  2. Jul 13, 2013 #2
    SirMjac28

    SirMjac28 Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion

    Aug 25, 2010
    The Great Midwest
    I personally would send it back some will say big deal but those things would eat at me if they offered me some money back maybe I would keep it but otherwise back she goes.
     
  3. Jul 13, 2013 #3
    DrSpunkwater

    DrSpunkwater

    Sep 17, 2012
    If it were a "faded" model, I could see it. But a decided lack of grain filler on an $1200 instrument? That's unacceptable.
     
  4. Jul 13, 2013 #4
    Scott Sauna

    Scott Sauna

    Oct 12, 2012
    Oregon
    Who cares if the finish or whatever is a little off? If it doesn't hurt the sound of the instrument (The point of buying it) than why would you go to the effort of sending it back, waiting, and getting another one?
     
  5. Jul 13, 2013 #5
    DrSpunkwater

    DrSpunkwater

    Sep 17, 2012
    It beats being unhappy with the instrument.
     
  6. Jul 13, 2013 #6
    edpal

    edpal Inactive

    Oct 3, 2007
    Sounds like you ordered it new online - send it back is my vote. MIght have been a "Monday/Friday instrument that has more hidden defects & blemishes. If nobody complains they have no reason to do better. Returning is a method of voting with your wallet.
     
  7. Jul 13, 2013 #7
    Red Rover

    Red Rover

    Nov 5, 2007
    Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
    Maybe you wouldn't care but he does. Since he's the one who bought it then it's his opinion that matters.

    OP, if you're unhappy with the finish then return it and get another one. Otherwise those little imperfections will bug the hell out of you every time you look at it. As for what I would do... I would probably let it slide but that's because I generally don't mind the little imperfections. That's just me though.

    Little addon to my comment: I generally buy pretty cheap instruments so I expect imperfections. If I'm paying what you probably paid... it might bother me a bit more.
     
  8. Jul 13, 2013 #8
    georgestrings

    georgestrings Inactive

    Nov 5, 2005
    I'm guessing you've never spent over $1k on a new instrument...


    - georgestrings
     
  9. Jul 13, 2013 #9
    FunkHead

    FunkHead Supporting Member

    Mar 10, 2007
    Wood is wood so there's is NO such thing as Perfect. The scratch plate is a different story. Sometimes loosening all the screws will allow it to "Flatten" out. Then tighten them back up gradually letting the Scratch plate "float" before the final tightening. They'll probably swap the PG for you.
     
  10. Jul 13, 2013 #10
    georgestrings

    georgestrings Inactive

    Nov 5, 2005
    +1...


    - georgestrings
     
  11. Jul 13, 2013 #11
    SirMjac28

    SirMjac28 Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion

    Aug 25, 2010
    The Great Midwest
    I think the issue is the finish over the wood? yes wood is wood but that wood needs to be treated with respect and it doesn't sound like it was in this case.
     
  12. Jul 13, 2013 #12
    TBird1958

    TBird1958 As a matter of fact....I am your Queen! Staff Member Gold Supporting Member

    Mar 13, 2008
    Seattle Washington
    Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups
    I know several guys on another forum that have this bass , the OP's is just like theirs, no grain filler and there is a mild transparency to the finish. That is how Gibson intends it to be so either you like it or return it. I'd try the aforementioned adjustment on the PG but if that doesn't fix the issue I'd probably suggest you send it to me ;)
    Or back to the vendor.
     
  13. Jul 13, 2013 #13
    jakelly

    jakelly

    Nov 8, 2009
    OK, here's what I'm talking about.

    In the 1st photo, you can see grain lines under the clear coat. The clear coat itself is level and glossy.

    In the 2nd photo, you can see grain lines under the clear coat (its this way all over the guitar) plus a tiny dark speck in the clear coat. If you click on the photo and get the large version, you can see it greatly magnified. Actual size is about the size of a dot of ink on paper from a ballpoint pen. There are a few other, smaller specks.

    Photos 3 & 4 are the arced up pickguard. In the 4th photo, I'm pressing it flat. That pinkish residue at the end of the neck is only buffer rouge, not a flaw. It cleaned off easily with a Q-tip.


    https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/106998680044186330389/albums/5900164318615788337?cfem=1
     
  14. Jul 13, 2013 #14
    jakelly

    jakelly

    Nov 8, 2009
    OK, thanks for the info.
     
  15. Jul 13, 2013 #15
    darkstorm

    darkstorm

    Oct 13, 2009
    If it was a $300 bass Id say no big deal. But for $1200 its pathetic imo.
     
  16. Jul 13, 2013 #16
    Chadrtc

    Chadrtc

    Dec 30, 2012
    Cambridge UK
    Interestingly I had a look at one in a music store this afternoon and saw exactly the same issues, as well as black paint from the front of the headstock that had found its way onto the Pelham blue sides.

    I was interested in picking one of these up but seeing this one up close has put me right off.

    GAS killed!
     
  17. Jul 13, 2013 #17
    Kernkamp

    Kernkamp Supporting Member

    Jun 24, 2007
    St. Paul, MN
    I just bought the exact bass today from a dealer. This is how the finish is intended to be. The grain is visible under the finish. Its a light pelham blue with a gloss finish. Mine looks fantastic and the other 2 Gibson basses they had were finished the same way. The bass plays and sounds amazing. I am loving mine!
     
  18. Jul 13, 2013 #18
    wvbass

    wvbass Supporting Member

    Mar 1, 2004
    West Virginia
    Your finish is normal, based on mine and every other reent pelham blue Gibson I have seen. If you look closely, you will probably find some dirt/sawdust under the paint and some minor sanding gouges at the edges. And maybe glue bubbles at the neck joint. All normal - whether you live with it is up to you. They really are nice playing basses.

    The pickguard is not normal. If it is warped, you may want to seek a replacement.
     
  19. Jul 13, 2013 #19
    DrSpunkwater

    DrSpunkwater

    Sep 17, 2012
    No grain filler on a $1200 instrument? That's weak.
     
  20. Jul 13, 2013 #20
    TBird1958

    TBird1958 As a matter of fact....I am your Queen! Staff Member Gold Supporting Member

    Mar 13, 2008
    Seattle Washington
    Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups
    I had one of the G-3 re-issue to review for about 6 weeks, it had the same finish except in satin, I was really ready to not like it - Turned out that it was pretty cool. Still, I do prefer the more traditional approach with grain filler on most of my basses.
     
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