Mismatched wings on a brand new bass. Keep or return?

[pbass74]

I'm a bit taken aback by the mismatched woodgrain on this bass I received today. However, it does make it unique. The "E" side is beautifully highly figured, almost a burl and the "G" side is a beautiful wavy striated grain. It seems like a quality control issue, but I'm still wavering on whether to keep it. What does the Talkbass world think of it?

 

[electracoyote]

I see your point, that might bug me too.

The two wings almost look like they are made from very different woods.

The main question is, will an exchange guarantee you a bass with better matched wings? If you're that determined to achieve this goal, you or a sales rep will need to personally inspect the bass.

 

[Lammchop93]

For me, I would return it. I like symmetry in my wood grains.

But I could see how someone may love that.

 

[Dark Horse]

They are so dissimilar....That would drive me nuts.

 

[Maxdusty]

Personally, I would return it. I can understand the woodgrain may not match but this is a little too drastic of a difference. As mentioned, some may like the uniqueness of it, but last time I saw someone with a bass onstage with this kind of er...problem, I couldn't help but think it looked weird like maybe he replaced a wing altogether on his bass.
If you want to send it back, contact customer service, tell this of the issue and have them open the box and make sure they don't send you something similar. I don't know why this wasn't a Factory second.

 

[M.R. Ogle]

This is strictly a question of aesthetics, no consideration of whether or not the oddly-mated wood components make a better or worse instrument... soo....

If I had seen that kind of mismatch "purposefully" done by a builder, I would find that somewhat unique and interesting.

HOWEVER.. I would have done it with a bit MORE mismatch, like a lighter or darker color to one side to really show off the concept. Think Neopolitan (3-flavor) ice cream... Those two sides just look like a swing but a miss, in my opinion. Not similar enough to be a good match, not different enough to be "daringly" different.

 

[leegreenman]

Since it's an easily replaceable bass, I'd return it.
If it was a used item, at the right price, I'd probably have no problem getting used to it.

 

[GIBrat51]

It's that way for the TONE, man... the tone...

 

[pbass74]

Personally, I would return it. I can understand the woodgrain may not match but this is a little too drastic of a difference. As mentioned, some may like the uniqueness of it, but last time I saw someone with a bass onstage with this kind of er...problem, I couldn't help but think it looked weird like maybe he replaced a wing altogether on his bass.
If you want to send it back, contact customer service, tell this of the issue and have them open the box and make sure they don't send you something similar. I don't know why this wasn't a Factory second.[/QUOI

"Factory second" was my thought as well after I looked at it for a few minutes.

 

[pbass74]

It's that way for the TONE, man... the tone...

Well, it does have an awesome tonal variety. The PJ active/passive options really sound great!

 

[BaileyMan]

Looks terrible to me. I'd be sending it back in a heart beat. Either one by itself is fine, but the contrast looks like an attempt to minimize waste.

 

[Amano]

I would send it back.

 

[SJan3]

How does it play/ sound?? If it's killer, I'd keep it and get used to the unique looks!

 

[Maxdusty]

If you do send it back, hopefully you won't be getting a bass with the same beautiful wavy striated grain on top and the burl on the bottom.

 

[Gizmot]

Yeah - I'd send it back

 

[monsterthompson]

Send it back. That's not good, unless you wanted it that way.

 

[pbass74]

If you do send it back, hopefully you won't be getting a bass with the same beautiful wavy striated grain on top and the burl on the bottom.

Ha! Makes you wonder if there isn't an opposite bass out there somewhere.

 

[pbass74]

How does it play/ sound?? If it's killer, I'd keep it and get used to the unique looks!

Sounds awesome! Plays like butter! Looks weird.

 

[SJan3]

Sounds awesome! Plays like butter! Looks weird.

Is this a pricey instrument? I dont know what it is.

 

[five7]

tort would help