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Intonation Is Overrated ...

#73
MarkA said:
I logged into ebay for the first time in awhile and sent this message to the seller:

Hello!

I assume that this listing is made in good faith, but I'm guessing that you don't play bass (or guitar) or that, if you do, you haven't tried to play this bass. Why? Because the bridge is missing the four screws and "saddles" that the strings ride on. Even if everything else is in good condition and working properly, the bass is functionally (if not totally) unplayable without them. They are inexpensive but critical parts. If any actual bass player buys this instrument without this being explicitly disclosed, there is a good chance that they will take action against you (seeking a refund or some sort of compensation) and/or that you will receive negative feedback.

To be clear, I am not looking to buy the bass, but I thought I'd give you a heads-up. I would take the bass to a local shop to have it checked out and/or sorted out before selling.

Cheers.
​
I'm not sure how to report someone on eBay (though no doubt I could find out). Beyond that, I am not sure what the ramifications are for a seller and, at the moment, this seller has 784 feedback, 100% positive. I'm giving him or her the benefit of the doubt that they don't play and picked this up at some yard sale somewhere without checking it out, rather than knowingly selling a non-funcitoning instrument.

Addendum: On looking at the description, seller specifies [sic] "AWESOME" sound (now I get where you were coming from, @gln1955), so maybe not so scrupulous, but, still, I've sent them the above note. If someone wants to report them, maybe give them a day to act -- or not.

I'll let you know if I hear back.
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First, the saddles are there - they are fully adjusted back, towards the far end of the tail.

Second, you are amazingly naive if you think this is someone's innocent mistake. Look at the input jack placement!

I don't get why people are willing to be kind to thieves.
 
#74
Altitude said:
I'm not discounting the need for intonation adjustment, at all. But I do point out that we've had upright basses, cellos, and violins for centuries that don't have any.

Sure, those are all fretless instruments, but don't you want the note to be where it's supposed to be?
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Intent of post aside, you can move the entire bridge on bowed instruments, as well as file the contact point for individual strings on the wooden bridges.
 
#75
It's probably just some kid selling his bass through their dads account. Probably wants to sell it to buy video games.

I bet this person would realize the power of the internet if they discover this whole thread on TB dedicated to their EBay listing.
 
#76
Sunset Shalom said:
I had a guitar with all the strings uncut and wound in a giant ring on the headstock. It seemed like a good idea in my head but turned out as a circular mess, still better then loose strings flopping around or sharp ends pointing out.

Now I just try and get extra string wound to the tuners and then clip them as close as possible.
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I have a simple practical reason for not cutting them. It's easier to put the strings back on the bass after I have washed (cooked) them. The long whiskers may look stupid, but I don't really care :)
 
#77
Yeah, the saddles do appear to somehow be there, and being drawn all the way back to the tailpiece would account for the outside string's misalignment with the pup polepieces, but........damn.

Maybe he detunes 2 octaves down, and that's where it intonates properly.......yeah, that's it......sure.
 

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