Is this to be expected from a "900 dollar" instrument?

[BobaSeth]

@Spidey2112
I sure hope she is what she seems to be in the pictures, which is absolutely gorgeous, I also hope the replacement body for mine looks nice. Ironic to pick the bass you want based on appearance only to wind up with a random body later on, lol.
Ibanez assures me than mine was a fluke, so yours should be ok. Looking forward to your report :]

 

[Spidey2112]

@Spidey2112
I sure hope she is what she seems to be in the pictures, which is absolutely gorgeous, I also hope the replacement body for mine looks nice. Ironic to pick the bass you want based on appearance only to wind up with a random body later on, lol.
Ibanez assures me than mine was a fluke, so yours should be ok. Looking forward to your report :]

... and a report, you will get.

 

[BobaSeth]

I actually hope we both get lucky on this one, I'm getting more and more nervous. I might get out of this ok, with just a couple weeks without a bass. But I could very well wind up with a bass I don't like, I'm nervous about the body they have according to the rep's conversation with the tech " He advised that it didn’t look as bad as the bass you had"
I know I"m being paranoid, but is it just paranoia? Seems a bit scary that they are going to put my neck on that body and send me back one that "didn't look as bad as the bass you had"

 

[Davey28]

Don't let them mess you around until you are outside the refund window!!

 

[BobaSeth]

Don't let them mess you around until you are outside the refund window!!

That is a HUGE concern of mine. I've only got 30 days from the order date which was last wednesday. Very likely that by the time I get it back, that I'll be outside the return window.
I'm also quite concerned that if I have the "repair" done, that that window my be closed anyway.
I mean, I would totally understand if the retailer refused to take it back at that point.
This is why I don't gamble, lol, for me its too stressful.
I could wind up with a great 900 dollar bass for 600 bucks plus some aggravation
or I could very well wind up with a substandard bass for 600 bucks plus aggravation
It could go either way

 

[Spidey2112]

I've only got 30 days from the order date which was last wednesday.

Maybe, without issues... but seeing as you did encounter a few, I'd throw that out the window...

 

[Reedt2000]

That is a HUGE concern of mine. I've only got 30 days from the order date which was last wednesday. Very likely that by the time I get it back, that I'll be outside the return window.
I'm also quite concerned that if I have the "repair" done, that that window my be closed anyway.
I mean, I would totally understand if the retailer refused to take it back at that point.
This is why I don't gamble, lol, for me its too stressful.
I could wind up with a great 900 dollar bass for 600 bucks plus some aggravation
or I could very well wind up with a substandard bass for 600 bucks plus aggravation
It could go either way

Did you send the bass to Bensalem? I don't live too far from there and I've known folks who worked for Ibanez. They have a good reputation so I suspect they'll take care of it.

I also worked for an Ibanez dealer and sold lots of them. In my experience their quality at lower price points and consistency were better than most other brands. With such a big company things are bound to slip through the cracks, it just stinks you ended up with it.

 

[BobaSeth]

Did you send the bass to Bensalem? I don't live too far from there and I've known folks who worked for Ibanez. They have a good reputation so I suspect they'll take care of it.

I also worked for an Ibanez dealer and sold lots of them. In my experience their quality at lower price points and consistency were better than most other brands. With such a big company things are bound to slip through the cracks, it just stinks you ended up with it.

I don't know where they will have me send it, I'm still waiting on the shipping label

 

[Maxdusty]

I actually hope we both get lucky on this one, I'm getting more and more nervous. I might get out of this ok, with just a couple weeks without a bass. But I could very well wind up with a bass I don't like, I'm nervous about the body they have according to the rep's conversation with the tech " He advised that it didn’t look as bad as the bass you had"
I know I"m being paranoid, but is it just paranoia? Seems a bit scary that they are going to put my neck on that body and send me back one that "didn't look as bad as the bass you had"

I think you're in capable hands. You're returning it to the company repair center itself. Pretty sure the battery issue will not be a problem any longer. Who better to fix it right? If you get a bad bass in the process then that will reflect badly on Ibanez not being able to repair it's own basses -so I doubt that's going to happen. Also in terms of the dings, it's imperfections in the wood rather than damage dings from what you mentioned before- I think it'll all be good. I suspect it's his way of saying not to expect a smooth finish like you would on a glossy finish, it's going to have some natural imperfections. As long as the cavity's not chewed up, it should be up to Ibanez qc standards.
Now if they keep your neck and put it on the replacement body, how would anyone know it isn't the original bass to begin with? The serial number tied in with your purchase is usually on the back of the headstock and not on the body. How's Sweetwater or anyone else going to know you even replaced the body?

 

[Maxdusty]

Maybe, without issues... but seeing as you did encounter a few, I'd throw that out the window...

My confusion and trepidation is that Sweetwater thought those qc issues (like the chewed up cavity edge) were normal expectations for the SR805. Makes one question whether they got a shipment of factory seconds by mistake or simply just full of bull and saying what they said so that the op would not return his?
Anyway, I wish you all the best with yours and you've got a good one coming your way.

 

[Spidey2112]

My confusion and trepidation is that Sweetwater thought those qc issues (like the chewed up cavity edge) were normal expectations for the SR805. Makes one question whether they got a shipment of factory seconds by mistake or simply just full of bull and saying what they said so that the op would not return his?
Anyway, I wish you all the best with yours and you've got a good one coming your way.

Probably never get straight answer, no matter who you ask... @Maxdusty, thanks, though... if it's true they think this is normal, I will do everything I can to help clear up their confusion...

Update: ... speaking of confusion... was 'in transit' since 2:04 pm, yesterday... 'arrived (scanned) at local facility', about 30 minutes, ago...

... I could make the trip, myself, in about 3 and 1/2 hours...

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Maybe I'm just being picky, but this looks pretty gruesome to me. Just got this bass yesterday, brand new. I put 900 in quotes because I got it cheaper since it was an older model.
Anyway, its an Ibanez SR805, I LOVE the neck. I'm concerned about a few quality issues.
Also, while I love playing it, and I like the bedroom tone (haven't had a chance to play in a group setting yet), the output is EXTREMELY low and I THINK it's getting quieter, despite a new battery.
What do you guys think, would you keep it or take it back?
For the price I paid for it (600), I'm not going to find much else, but even at the price I paid, I would hope for better quality control than this. Or is this just how it is with Ibanez these days?
pic doesn't show well, neck pickup is level, bridge pickup is heavily canted back toward bridge. no adjustment for angle
View attachment 2824126
they say the finish is supposed to have these dents, the description doesn't tell you that, but the follow up emails said that all of them come like that
View attachment 2824127
View attachment 2824128
and this doesn't make me very happy either for an instrument at that price
View attachment 2824129
so am I just nitpicking, or for the price, should I expect more at that price point?
Financially I'm very limited, I have no cash to spare, and the only way I got this was on my credit card that I can only use at that dealer. So if I return it, I have to pick something for 600 or less.

2 things, one send it back, not so much the wood, but if you have electronic issues, it’s a deal killer. The second thing is be patient. “My momma told me, you’d better check around”. Great lyrics, good sense. There are TONS, of basses for sale in your price range right now as you read this. I find it hard to believe this is the only one you can find.

Ok if you are h*ll bent on keeping it, before you decide to keep it, get some Caig’s Deoxit and thoroughly clean the input jack. That bass (and I can’t immagine why) May have been sitting around a while and your loss of sinal could be from oxidation.

 

[Spidey2112]

My confusion and trepidation is that Sweetwater thought those qc issues (like the chewed up cavity edge) were normal expectations for the SR805.

Bet they weren't 'normal expectations' on anyone's part, when they were recently selling for $899... my Winter '18 catalog still has the SR805 (Deep Twilight Flat) for that same very price...

... it could be half that price, and I would still put the discrepancies in dispute.

 

[Maxdusty]

... it could be half that price, and I would still put the discrepancies in dispute.

Yes....I wouldn't expect the qc issues even from their most inexpensive bass for $179 let alone one for $899. It's just unfortunate that the op has to take it upon himself to contact Ibanez to get the right answer and a resolution for his issue. Sweetwater basically gave him the run around on it and didn't sound very helpful. Shame on them. Kudos to BobaSeth for contacting Ibanez and doing something about it and I believe they'll set things right. $600 is a terrific price for this bass though, both of you are very fortunate. I suspect and sincerely hope your particular bass won't have the same issues and it's all a matter of one lemon bass amongst their stock, the exception rather than the rule.

 

[EatS1stBassist]

I bought three basses from Sweetwater and they were perfect!! So you should be ok. Thank god for their return policy. I made the mistake of throwing out the original packing/shipping boxes and then it became a problem returning it to another online retailer without costing me a third of what I was paying for the Bass.

 

[EatS1stBassist]

I bought three basses from Sweetwater and they were perfect!! So you should be ok. Thank god for their return policy. I made the mistake of throwing out the original packing/shipping boxes and then it became a problem returning it to another online retailer without costing me a third of what I was paying for the Bass.

The return policy window should coincide and start with the bass you are willing to accept.

 

[Spidey2112]

The return policy window should coincide and start with the bass you are willing to accept.

EatS, so true... plenty of levels of protection for the consumer, these days... no worries...

... and yet, I still worry... !

 

[BobaSeth]

2 things, one send it back, not so much the wood, but if you have electronic issues, it’s a deal killer. The second thing is be patient. “My momma told me, you’d better check around”. Great lyrics, good sense. There are TONS, of basses for sale in your price range right now as you read this. I find it hard to believe this is the only one you can find.

Ok if you are h*ll bent on keeping it, before you decide to keep it, get some Caig’s Deoxit and thoroughly clean the input jack. That bass (and I can’t immagine why) May have been sitting around a while and your loss of sinal could be from oxidation.

Thanks for the advice, and if I had the cash to spend, or credit anywhere else, I'd get a used Carvin and call it a day. But it's the only place I have credit so its got to be something there.
I'm not going to bother trying to solve the electronics issue myself, it's louder with either pickup than it is wtih both, I'm sure cleaning the jack won't solve that, or the battery drain issue.

 

[BobaSeth]

Yes....I wouldn't expect the qc issues even from their most inexpensive bass for $179 let alone one for $899. It's just unfortunate that the op has to take it upon himself to contact Ibanez to get the right answer and a resolution for his issue. Sweetwater basically gave him the run around on it and didn't sound very helpful. Shame on them. Kudos to BobaSeth for contacting Ibanez and doing something about it and I believe they'll set things right. $600 is a terrific price for this bass though, both of you are very fortunate. I suspect and sincerely hope your particular bass won't have the same issues and it's all a matter of one lemon bass amongst their stock, the exception rather than the rule.

Thanks for the kudos. Starting to get on my boobies though. Got an email from Ibanez with an update. "The electronics issue is covered under warranty and we are willing to fix that. Warranty does not cover cosmetic damage"
Guess how pissed off I am right now

 

[WaynerBass]

Low volume... I’d try to raise those pups

Control cavity looking like spaghetti.... If it doesn’t hinder the tone or playability then who cares..

The imperfections in the wood.... I had that on both an Ibanez SR and a Schecter, I think it’s inherent in the wood and just having a stained and semi sealed finish..

Pickup level... my last Ibanez had pickups with 1 screw towards the low E and 2 screws toward the G... those 2 screw adjustments on pickups with that configuration allow you to angle the pickup to your liking.

I’m thinking this... you pretty much got a helluva deal. Does the bass play well? Does it sound well? If so.. these are all trivial.

Last year I bought my first American Fender Jass Active Deluxe.. when I got it, played very well but the pickups (noiseless variety) buzzed like a beehive.. when you removed your hand from the bridge it buzzed louder (apparently a grounding issue) and the neck pickup routing was aligned properly but was jaggedy.. needless to say when you’re dishing out $1700 I send it back... next one I received was perfection.