Got into a Jazz Jam using the house bass, a Gibson Ripper copy with very high action playing a very up version of "I Got Rhythm" behind about 5 sax players - lasted about 20 minutes.
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Lets Hear About Some Bad Bass Experiences!
- Thread starter Adamthebassist
- Start date
Well, luckily I've only had a few more-or-less minor bad experiences, but a couple come to mind.
My very first bass, literally a pawn shop Ibanez SR300, did me well for my first year and a half, but one thing I found out quickly is the beauty of the strap lock.
One time just playing in my room, I was walking around and playing and all of a sudden SNAP goes the strap off the thing and the bass lands nut first into the middle of my foot. More specifically the spot in between my second and middle toes on my right foot, so it got something of a pressure point with very little of anything protecting me from getting hit straight to the bone.
And as for the Guitar Center comment, I whole heatedly agree.
I've played multiple EBMM StingRay's at GC and not one of them has done anything other then make me cringe.
I know these basses are great instruments, but apparently GC has a tendency to make them seem not. Specifically this one time I got a 5'er off a wall, which in itself was terrifying because of how high it was even for my 6' tall self. Then I tried playing it.
The action was so terrible I couldn't believe it. The worst I've ever seen. It was in the used section, but still, do they even take a look at these things? I literally put it back saying "What have they done to this beautiful instrument?"
My very first bass, literally a pawn shop Ibanez SR300, did me well for my first year and a half, but one thing I found out quickly is the beauty of the strap lock.
One time just playing in my room, I was walking around and playing and all of a sudden SNAP goes the strap off the thing and the bass lands nut first into the middle of my foot. More specifically the spot in between my second and middle toes on my right foot, so it got something of a pressure point with very little of anything protecting me from getting hit straight to the bone.
And as for the Guitar Center comment, I whole heatedly agree.
I've played multiple EBMM StingRay's at GC and not one of them has done anything other then make me cringe.
I know these basses are great instruments, but apparently GC has a tendency to make them seem not. Specifically this one time I got a 5'er off a wall, which in itself was terrifying because of how high it was even for my 6' tall self. Then I tried playing it.
The action was so terrible I couldn't believe it. The worst I've ever seen. It was in the used section, but still, do they even take a look at these things? I literally put it back saying "What have they done to this beautiful instrument?"
I purchased an ESP LTD B155DX with the nicest trans blue finish over FM that was a total lemon.
It had a bad short, bad fretwork, and there was a section on the neck where raw wood was showing because it wasn't milled right, but it did look good.
I'm not going to trash ESP LTD, but I was quite displeased with that kind of poor quality.
Sold it, and got another Ibanez SR
It had a bad short, bad fretwork, and there was a section on the neck where raw wood was showing because it wasn't milled right, but it did look good.
I'm not going to trash ESP LTD, but I was quite displeased with that kind of poor quality.
Sold it, and got another Ibanez SR
A '97 Made in USA passive Fender Jazz. Sounded OK in the shop, I swear, and preferred it over the thud of a P-Bass. Just couldn't make it work after the cash was in the register - tried it in studio, live, etc. Anemic, dull tone. Spent a tonne and years trying to solve the problem - took it active, tried different pickups, slotted in EMGs, slotted in Basslines... now taking it back to passive again but not to use as my main axe. Just could not hit it off with that bass for some reason.
I've been mostly lucky on choosing the bass except once. after I had to sell my fodera for tuition, I saved up quite amount of cash then decided to try LeDuc 6-string headless then it turns out one I got had serious electronic problem and intonation wasn't right on first 5-fret. in addition, body had few spot of cracks and dents although it was new. The store didn't have return policy and wasn't much of help, I ended up trading with Jorg for Mesa head which cost whole lot less then half of what I paid to the store.
I could have replaced the electronics and send it to other luthier for fixing this and that but I decided to just let it go since I didn't even want to see that thing month after I got the instrument. I believe actual bass was pretty well-built, it's just people at the store didn't do well taking care of it.
well, that's the only bad experience with all the basses I've owned although it was pretty pricey
I could have replaced the electronics and send it to other luthier for fixing this and that but I decided to just let it go since I didn't even want to see that thing month after I got the instrument. I believe actual bass was pretty well-built, it's just people at the store didn't do well taking care of it.
well, that's the only bad experience with all the basses I've owned although it was pretty pricey
I owned a Washburn 5 string AEB and it was so top heavy that it would spin around like the 2nd hand on a clock. Probably the worst bass I've ever owned.
- Jun 24, 2006
- 2,560
- 90
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: MTD basses and strings; Bergantino Amps & Cabs
Yup...
you forgot about how heavy it was, and the neck dive...and frets that corrode over night and leave your fingers all black and that then stain your clothes...
My ex bounced - BOUNCED! - my Pedulla Hexabuzz off the bed 4' onto a cement floor once...it bounced three times before coming to a rest. It was fine, but what a horrible feeling/sound/visual - everything happened in slo-mo. And a club owner knocked my Kinal 35" six string neck through off the stage onto the floor, a good 5.5 foot drop. Awful....he was SUCH a dick...
Cheers,
Cameron
Borrowed a Steinberger for a gig once, way back in about 93, when they were still cool. Spent the whole night not compensating for the lack of headstock i my peripheral vision and playing about 3 frets too high. Not good...
Oh, and I always wanted a T-bird, til I tried putting one down without a stand. I may be a little too practical.
Oh, and I always wanted a T-bird, til I tried putting one down without a stand. I may be a little too practical.
Guitar Center, well certain ones.
Went to the one in Youngstown, all but one bass I tried had the strings laying against the frets, and I tried ike 10. THe one that had a nice action was used, so they must not mess with the actions at all there. Most of the employees were "shredding away".
Went to the Pittsburgh one two weeks later, they were all well set up, maybe the action was a tad high but I'm used to that. Basses that I couldn't stand at the other store floored me. And there was a knowledgable bassist salesman.
Went to the one in Youngstown, all but one bass I tried had the strings laying against the frets, and I tried ike 10. THe one that had a nice action was used, so they must not mess with the actions at all there. Most of the employees were "shredding away".
Went to the Pittsburgh one two weeks later, they were all well set up, maybe the action was a tad high but I'm used to that. Basses that I couldn't stand at the other store floored me. And there was a knowledgable bassist salesman.
I got a killer deal on a used Rick from a bassist I'd met and was on hard times. Picked up the bass at his apt but he wouldn't turn the lights on because his wife was watching TV. That kind of put me off until I noticed the dots around the place were moving and I realized there were roaches everywhere. The next day I took the bass down to Erlwine's shop for a setup and the tech takes the truss rod cover off in front of me and guess what was in there? I was terribly embarassed and was told that was the first bass they'd ever gotten they'd had to fumigate. Rick = Roach motel!
After nine years off, I returned to playing in 2002. I used my old Peavey Patriot for awhile, but wanted something with better playability, and ended up with an active Ibanez SRX500. It was just awful. The playability was great, but it couldn't support a rock band mix at all, whether live or in the studio. I think this was partly the electronics, and partly the bass's inherent acoustic properties. This was the classic "sounds great solo, but terrible in the mix" phenomenon, and I really learned something from the experience.
So I bought a DiPinto Belvedere semi-hollow, and a few months later an American Series Jazz. Problem solved!
Also, in 2003 I visited my brother in Johannesburg, where he plays in bands and operates a recording studio and small record label. I saw his band, and stuck around for another act, which was an excellent pop/punk outfit. I talked to their bassist, and tried his axe -- and to my horror, the strings were literally about a half inch off the fretboard! It was a complete piece of junk otherwise too. I've never seen anything like it, and I couldn't believe the dude actually got through their set. I almost wanted to buy him a bass on principle.
So I bought a DiPinto Belvedere semi-hollow, and a few months later an American Series Jazz. Problem solved!
Also, in 2003 I visited my brother in Johannesburg, where he plays in bands and operates a recording studio and small record label. I saw his band, and stuck around for another act, which was an excellent pop/punk outfit. I talked to their bassist, and tried his axe -- and to my horror, the strings were literally about a half inch off the fretboard! It was a complete piece of junk otherwise too. I've never seen anything like it, and I couldn't believe the dude actually got through their set. I almost wanted to buy him a bass on principle.
Sorry to hear so many anti-GC comments in this thread. I work at GC in Lancaster, PA and as our resident bass guy, I gotta say I spend ALOT of time showing love to the instruments we get. Every one is set up pretty nice.
So I guess if you're down on Guitar Center, come see me. Maybe I can ease the pain. Our guitar guys actually know whwat we're talking about most of the time.
So I guess if you're down on Guitar Center, come see me. Maybe I can ease the pain. Our guitar guys actually know whwat we're talking about most of the time.
CrashClint
I Play Bass therefore I Am
Back in high school before I saved up enough money to buy a used jazz bass I had a cheap bass that had an SG style body I paid $35 for a week earlier. I was playing in the jazz band and we were playing outside during a pretty hot day. I heard a pop/crack sound and the neck screws gave way and off popped the neck. 
For a 15 year old it was pretty embarrassing at the time. That was 31 years ago and my friends still bring it up and laugh about it.
For a 15 year old it was pretty embarrassing at the time. That was 31 years ago and my friends still bring it up and laugh about it.
Well, the two GCs around me are completely different as I said earlier. I believe that some can have knowledgable people and good setups, while others are very lacking in that area.
CrashClint
I Play Bass therefore I Am
Unfortunately all GC people get stereotyped for the incompetence of the few. I know at the one in Raleigh, there are a couple guys that are pretty sharp and excellent musicians.
This is like the thread I started on the EB forums. Long story short, never let the lead singer touch your bass.
