Ibanez ATK310- Factory 2nd?

[CriminalCypress]

IBANEZ ATK310-WH 4 STRING BASS GUITAR RED COOL WHITE | eBay

This is an ATK310 going for $209 on ebay. After looking at the description, it says its a factory 2nd with a flawed finish. I think i might go ahead and purchase it, but since it's a factory 2nd, is it worth the risk?

 

[Funk Factor]

IBANEZ ATK310-WH 4 STRING BASS GUITAR RED COOL WHITE | eBay

This is an ATK310 going for $209 on ebay. After looking at the description, it says its a factory 2nd with a flawed finish. I think i might go ahead and purchase it, but since it's a factory 2nd, is it worth the risk?

I think it would be

 

[godofthunder59]

Factory seconds have slight cosmetic blemishes, structurally and playing wise they are fine, in fact in most cases you would be hard pressed to find the flaws. Seconds are usually a very good bargain. BTW I love Ibanez stuff Very well made and good bag for your $. That's a cool looking bass! That is something you could play for the rest of your life. I have my first Ibanez I bought in '76.

 

[CriminalCypress]

Awesome, i'll go on ahead with the purchase

 

[Staccato]

It may be stamped or etched with 'used' on the back of the headstock. The price sounds low!

BTW, I own a Samick-built LP copy with 'used' on the back of the headstock due to a small flaw in the finish which has been filled, smoothed, and fixed! And, it was priced low on ebay (after the repair), too!

 

[jefwho]

Looks like a good deal

 

[Bongolation]

Factory seconds have slight cosmetic blemishes, structurally and playing wise they are fine

This is absolutely not true.

I have pretty extensive experience with factory seconds and they generally have more than purely cosmetic problems. I have had some through here that required major remedial work to their defects to be even playable as we generally define the term.

I have had some that were not even completed instruments.

I have seen seconds that were even made up of rejected subassemblies and shipped in a "seconds" case.

Because the average buyer is unaware of any but the most gross flaws, he assumes that the flaws are limited to only a paint drip.

Have the seller fully warrant that the instrument is in 100% working order and that all flaws are only cosmetic.

Do a thorough, hostile evaluation of the piece when you receive it in terms of any functional issue.

Otherwise, you're asking for it.

One of the worst problems among seconds is that fairly frequently they won't set up without surgery. They look like they "need a setup," but they won't take it. Such problems include curved-back neck pockets that are too deep or jammed/stripped bridges. Bad nuts are also common.

 

[godofthunder59]

This is absolutely not true.

I have pretty extensive experience with factory seconds and they generally have more than purely cosmetic problems. I have had some through here that required major remedial work to their defects to be even playable as we generally define the term.

I have had some that were not even completed instruments.

I have seen seconds that were even made up of rejected subassemblies and shipped in a "seconds" case.

Because the average buyer is unaware of any but the most gross flaws, he assumes that the flaws are limited to only a paint drip.

Have the seller fully warrant that the instrument is in 100% working order and that all flaws are only cosmetic.

Do a thorough, hostile evaluation of the piece when you receive it in terms of any functional issue.

Otherwise, you're asking for it.

One of the worst problems among seconds is that fairly frequently they won't set up without surgery. They look like they "need a setup," but they won't take it. Such problems include curved-back neck pockets that are too deep or jammed/stripped bridges. Bad nuts are also common.

I have some experience with factory seconds. I have been in music retail since '76. If it is a true factory second they have only cosmetic flaws and carry full warrenties.

 

[Justin Tuskey]

I bought from barryclarkmusic before. thats where I got my '07 trifade burst atk that was listed as a second as well. the mid and treble pots were switched. saved $200 because of that. easy fix for me. NO other blems whatsoever. thats obviously not the be-all-end-all case, but I thought I would share that with you. maybe this seller has a thing for atks. I love mine though...all three

I say move on it. I want a white 5er fretless to match my black one

 

[Bongolation]

I have some experience with factory seconds. I have been in music retail since '76.

I've been working on them substantially longer than that.

If it is a true factory second they have only cosmetic flaws and carry full warrenties.

You can argue the "truth" and the actual meanings (if any) of "seconds," "blems," "restocks," "scratch & dent" or whatever as much as you want, but a lot of instruments sold under these creative rubrics are seriously defective.

Many do not have any manufacturer warranty. Much of the Bain stores' "used" (and therefore manufacturer-warranty-void) stock are actually new seconds.

Many large musical companies lie and say they do not sell "seconds," but they do -- they just call them something else.

If the seller and manufacturer explicitly warrant the item as 100% fully functional and fully warranted you're OK, as I said. But the buyer needs to get that in writing before the sale, because you definitely can't assume it.

That's good, prudent advice. ESPECIALLY ON EBAY!

 

[godofthunder59]

What you say it true it is wise to be careful on ebay. That is why I said true factory second. I also have been working on basses for most of my life. I am a restorer/preservationist by by profession. Anything from 1930's wooden boats to period American antiques to vintage Thunderbirds. I also design and market replacement parts for vintage Thunderbirds.