NBD bitter disappointment

[MrUsefulAlien]

Always buy a bass in person.

I've bought 30+ basses sight unseen, only 2 were problematic, Ibanez blazers with a ski jump.
Buying online is perfectly fine.

 

[Andy Marshman]

If you can't meet the seller in person because of the distance between you, I would keep it and if you were unhappy with how it plays, just sell it locally yourself. I would not trust the person you got it from. Yes, leave negative feedback comments against him unless you get some compensation back.

 

[MVE]

Keep it…

 

[Savage_Dreams]

You dont like it. Theyve offered to take it back. Whats the question?

 

[HubbardsFate]

Maybe it's just me, but I wouldn't even think about buying a bass with visibly rusty screws.

 

[Randomguitarist]

It's been kept somewhere damp for a long time. That damp has raised the skunk stripes, softened glues, rusted metal and possibly caused some paint issues with the body expanding. The wood is still internally damp and will dry out over time. Personally I'd put the old strings back on and send it back.

 

[DrBnz]

Not all people are dishonest.... some just lack the same values / knowledge. I had one guy who cleaned up a old P bass before selling it to me. But he didn't just "clean it", he polished it... he polished all the patina off of it. Where I would've had nicely tarnished tuners.... he put a shine of em. I was livid. But he was so proud of his accomplishment.... what could I say???? If they want that back, let them have it .... there are way too many really nice instruments in the world to be squabbling over that one. Thats assuming you haven't POLISHED it.

 

[OJ Dorson]

Do not keep it. You will never be happy with it. You're in a good position - you don't like the bass and the seller will take it back and give you your money. Get them refund and then send it back immediately.

 

[MonetBass]

Dude's in Spain.
Americans are notorious for not knowing how to ship things to other countries.

Thanks, but the OP already pointed that out.

 

[SpanishDave]

_______________________

^^^^^^^^that's me drawing a line under this thread.

The bass was sent back this morning. The Truss rod was not looking good. not rusty or corroded like the brigde, more like it had been adjusted with the wrong size allen key years ago. not stripped but rounded.

It had an uphill battle but I didnt fall in love with the bass playing it last night.
Still like the model, still need a fretless, just not that one.

Thanks to all who gave knowledgeable insight and helpful opinions.
And Carrots to those that get upset at people asking for help/suggestions on talkbass, I wont do it again!!

 

[Hummergeist]

_______________________

^^^^^^^^that's me drawing a line under this thread.

The bass was sent back this morning. The Truss rod was not looking good. not rusty or corroded like the brigde, more like it had been adjusted with the wrong size allen key years ago. not stripped but rounded.

It had an uphill battle but I didnt fall in love with the bass playing it last night.
Still like the model, still need a fretless, just not that one.

Thanks to all who gave knowledgeable insight and helpful opinions.
And Carrots to those that get upset at people asking for help/suggestions on talkbass, I wont do it again!!

I'm late to this but seems like the best possible conclusion - mould would be a deal breaker for me - and you have NOT done anything wrong by asking questions on here!

 

[SpanishDave]

I'm late to this but seems like the best possible conclusion - mould would be a deal breaker for me - and you have NOT done anything wrong by asking questions on here!

Thanks @Hummergeist

 

[Koshchei]

Is this what some call a "crack"? ...

View attachment 4934557

View attachment 4934559

View attachment 4934558

I would keep it, until something better shows up

It's a pen mark, probably to provide the player with a reference when shifting positions. Fretless, remember?

 

[Grinderman]

Original bridge was black. That's not original.

The rest looks legit, though. And you have OG knobs. That's a big deal, those knobs alone are worth money.

Just beat and stored underwater (not really but it's been sitting somewhere wet for quite a while). Weirdly the fingerboard looks to be in GREAT shape.

Long as the truss rod is functional I wouldn't worry about the skunk stripe. Yours is not the first and won't be the last where it's either raised or sunk a bit.

Yes, when it was new, it was finished in black chrome or a faux black chrome top coating.

The parts look to right me, in terms of physical form; the finish on them appears gray to my eye. That sort of black finish on steel and zinc alloy parts is susceptible to fade and wear off through sweat and abrasion over the course of 35 years. My recollection of mine, which was exactly the same as the OP's, is that there was already signs of the finish beginning to lighten after just a few years. I've definitely seen others since of that model and similar, from that era, that had fading black hardware, turning to smokey gray.

I'm not saying the bridge in question is original for certain but I'm not convinced it isn't.

If the metal finish color or state of it matters to anyone, it's easy enough to replace with a new black bridge, same as the original as it was new.

 

[Grinderman]

That "crack" across the neck has me concerned, How deep is it? Looks more like someone tried to cut it in half for shipping. The rest? If it feels good and you like the sound, then it's a keeper. The "crack" would have me return it though.

This black mark across the maple neck shaft, into the rosewood board? That isn't a crack.

 

[rogerbmiller]

If it has issues that were not pictured or disclosed, you should send it back. You will just be upset every time you look at it. It should bring you joy, not stress.

 

[MVE]

_______________________

^^^^^^^^that's me drawing a line under this thread.

The bass was sent back this morning. The Truss rod was not looking good. not rusty or corroded like the brigde, more like it had been adjusted with the wrong size allen key years ago. not stripped but rounded.

It had an uphill battle but I didnt fall in love with the bass playing it last night.
Still like the model, still need a fretless, just not that one.

Thanks to all who gave knowledgeable insight and helpful opinions.
And Carrots to those that get upset at people asking for help/suggestions on talkbass, I wont do it again!!

They are harder to find, especially a fretless, but the POWER Jazz Bass Specials from the same era, have a much cooler and more unique neck design with a graphite plate over the neck and headstock, but under the fingerboard. - truss at the heal.

 

[Ostie]

The middle knob is broken. Just FYI in case the seller didn't disclose that also.

Unless you got it for a really good price, I would return it. If you paid up for it, I would definitely return it.

 

[MonetBass]

Thanks to all who gave knowledgeable insight and helpful opinions.
And Carrots to those that get upset at people asking for help/suggestions on talkbass, I wont do it again!!

I hope you're just kidding. Don't be discouraged from asking questions. Most people on this site are very helpful, I've found. And I hope you get this situation resolved to your satisfaction!

 

[el murdoque]

Get that bass to a professional.
My feeling says that neither the skunk stripe nor the mold are an issue.
The body is basically coated in plastic, hard for liquid to get in and mold to spread underneath the surface.

I'd say that this bass will never get on your good side unless some expert has given it the pass.