NBD bitter disappointment

[SpanishDave]

Mod edit: This thread is now closed per OP request. We have a resolution, so keep reading. Thanks!


Bought a Fender JBS fretless which finally arrived today.

I’m gutted. Seller wasn’t “entirely truthful” with his description/photos. I have given the bass a through cleaning because it was flithy. it had mold and I wore a mask.

I even restrung it with new Fender Flats.

but I am now thinking i should have sent it straight back. It has a scartchbonnthe neck that wasn’t it any pic or the despriction. It’s only a scratch but I think it should have been mentioned.
It doesn’t show very well it the pics but the paint, mainly on the back, is dimpling/raising slightly and I am worried that there is mold under the the paint on the body.
Also, the skunk stripe on the back is very noticeable, so that is also worrying. I have other Fenders and never felt. The owner just text me and said it’s been in a cupboard for 7/8 years. So is it possible for a skunk stripe to come unglued?

I am going to drive to the nearest reheasal rooms this evening to try it, I’ve played it at home just to make sure the electrics work.

The seller has called to tell me he has a better offer from a different buyer for the bass. Seems very sketchy. Wants me to send it back.

What a bummer in General……
Pics before during and after cleaning.

 

[thunderstation]

Looks like it cleaned up o.k. But the real test is how does it sound how does it feel?

 

[SpanishDave]

Looks like it cleaned up o.k. But the real test is how does it sound how does it feel?

Feels much better than it did when it arrived.......
I will know about how it sounds in about 2/3 hours.
But the condition of the bass is a real worry to me. The Skunk stripe has a noticable edge for 3/4 of its lenght.
It is not something that i think would bother me playing....but if it is coming unglued that would bother me quite alot!

 

[J Posega]

I would raise each concern with whatever platform you bought this on.

As in, if I bought this on Reverb, I'd contact them and send them what you just posted. Tell them that the item wasn't as described, arrived filthy and potentially biohazardous, and it took deep cleaning before you could see some of the additional flaws.

Mold doesn't usually happen without moisture. The bridge looks tarnished. How's the truss rod nut, also tarnished? I wouldn't be surprised if it were also rounded out and unadjustable based on the way the seller already lied to you about the condition.

If you just send it back to him, there are no repercussions or accountability, and he actually comes out ahead thanks to your cleaning job.

A skunk stripe can come loose, but it could also just be bulging a bit due to the way that different species of wood expand and contract with climate shifts. If the truss rod isn't rattling, it probably isn't loose.

You deserve at least a partial refund.

You need to fully disassemble the bass and clean in every nook and cranny. Remove every screw and piece of hardware. Have you look under the pickups or in the electronics cavity yet?

 

[ScottfromCalgary]

You're not happy with it and the seller is willing to take it back, so I say send it back AFTER you get your money back.

 

[SpanishDave]

@J Posega its a secondhand selling platform here in Spain. I can return it to the buyer now and receive a full refund.
I didnt mention a refund but the seller said straight away that he is not willing to negotiate or give a partial refund as he says he has another buyer.

@ScottfromCalgary I really wanted the bass. I love fretless, only want unlined bass. but I have 32 hours left to make the claim via the website and ship it back.

The seller is definitely in a Win Win situation if he really has a buyer.
Seems odd that he is still negotiating the sale of a bass that was sold to me.

 

[Michael Stanley 2112]

You're not happy with it and the seller is willing to take it back, so I say send it back AFTER you get your money back.

Amen! The original seller didn't send it before Reverb had O.P.'s money.

 

[Michael Stanley 2112]

... The seller is definitely in a Win Win situation if he really has a buyer.
Seems odd that he is still negotiating the sale of a bass that was sold to me.

He had it on a different website for a higher price.

 

[SpanishDave]

He had it on a different website for a higher price.

yup could be. guy seems off via text/website.

 

[FunkHead]

That scratch looks pretty deep. More like they tried to hack saw it in 1/2.

 

[J Posega]

@J Posega its a secondhand selling platform here in Spain. I can return it to the buyer now and receive a full refund.
I didnt mention a refund but the seller said straight away that he is not willing to negotiate or give a partial refund as he says he has another buyer.

@ScottfromCalgary I really wanted the bass. I love fretless, only want unlined bass. but I have 32 hours left to make the claim via the website and ship it back.

The seller is definitely in a Win Win situation if he really has a buyer.
Seems odd that he is still negotiating the sale of a bass that was sold to me.

Make a claim with whatever payment company you used... PayPal, your credit card, your bank, whatever. You should get to keep your bass and some of your money. The buyer should not win over you.

 

[FRoss6788]

Send it back as soon as your money is returned.

You'll never be truly happy with this purchase, nor would I.

Be patient, you'll find another without all the damage, and drama.

Good luck

 

[kesslari]

Sending it back seems risky as it seems likely that the seller will claim that you damaged the bass. You cleaned it up and restrung it.

 

[Stewie]

Too bad, I had one of those. Best playing fretless I ever had. Pickups were so so, but that’s an easy fix. Keep looking, there’ll be another

 

[SpanishDave]

Sending it back seems risky as it seems likely that the seller will claim that you damaged the bass. You cleaned it up and restrung it.

I hadnt thought of that at all..................

But i filmed the unboxing/opening so although i do not want anymore drama, that should be some cover

 

[FRoss6788]

Sending it back seems risky as it seems likely that the seller will claim that you damaged the bass. You cleaned it up and restrung it.

Maybe not, as supposedly, the seller has another buyer lined up for more money.
Though that's an unusual situation and barring that I totally agree with you.
Tread carefully.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Cosmetic issues aside, if it plays/feels/sounds good, I say keep it. It looks like a really cool bass. Personally, I really enjoy “restoring” a beat up old instrument.

 

[MonetBass]

Send it back and buy the one exactly like it from the TB classifieds.

 

[SpanishDave]

Cosmetic issues aside, if it plays/feels/sounds good, I say keep it. It looks like a really cool bass. Personally, I really enjoy “restoring” a beat up old instrument.

hi, I am OK cleaning and can happily live with dinks, dinks and knocks, but the idea that the bass is on its way to falling apart at some point soon scares me.

Dont get me wrong, it feels solid, but I have no idea if the skunk stripe has been like that for 10 years and will be the same for 10 more, or if one hot sweaty gig will see it pop.

Will also have a better look at the truss rod in the studio.

 

[SpanishDave]

Send it back and buy the one exactly like it from the TB classifieds.

Id love to but Shipping to spain is probably gonna be an issue