NBD Fender MIM disappointment

[Thebrownarrow]

Okay, first, I will say that I LOVE this midnight wine color. I have never seen it in person before. I am a fan. I have a black pickguard that would look great on it.

Anyways, the story behind this bass is that the seller found it brand new in a music store. Never been used, still has all the tags, comes with the original gig bag, etc.

All the pictures this guy posts look pretty good! Fretboard looks good. Body looks good. White pickguard was the only thing I thought looked ugly. Well, I snagged it for a little less than what he was selling it for. It was a pretty good deal in my eyes.

Then I get it. I will say the the neck feels amazing in my hands. Frets aren’t sharp. Wood doesn’t look all dried out. It’s a 2007 MIM standard.

Anyways, it takes about ten seconds to realize something: There are scratches. One really long noticeable scratch that looks white. The other ones look smaller and are kinda like spider webs.

to say I am a little disappointed is an understatement. What would you guys do? I included the pictures of the scratches and his original post.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/304762600843?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=wKuLMeOkQES&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=qcyX8dt6SuO&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

[Lujon]

Was it damaged in shipping? They look like cracks in the finish more than scratches, and they don't appear to be visible in the ebay photos. The seller has good feedback and doesn't mention the damage even though it's extremely obvious in the photos you posted. I would reach out to them first and go from there.

 

[neo 7]

Those ain't scratches, they're finish cracks. Possibly due to cold temperatures while shipping.

 

[Bass]

Or possibly the finish cracked over time while in storage.

I can see how the OP is very disappointed, cracks aren't indicated in the ad.

 

[Thebrownarrow]

I just contacted the seller. He got back to me. Said it was probably due to the freezing temperatures. He said it was perfect when it left his shop. What a bummer.

 

[odarellmc]

Okay, first, I will say that I LOVE this midnight wine color. I have never seen it in person before. I am a fan. I have a black pickguard that would look great on it.

Anyways, the story behind this bass is that the seller found it brand new in a music store. Never been used, still has all the tags, comes with the original gig bag, etc.

All the pictures this guy posts look pretty good! Fretboard looks good. Body looks good. White pickguard was the only thing I thought looked ugly. Well, I snagged it for a little less than what he was selling it for. It was a pretty good deal in my eyes.

Then I get it. I will say the the neck feels amazing in my hands. Frets aren’t sharp. Wood doesn’t look all dried out. It’s a 2007 MIM standard.

Anyways, it takes about ten seconds to realize something: There are scratches. One really long noticeable scratch that looks white. The other ones look smaller and are kinda like spider webs.

to say I am a little disappointed is an understatement. What would you guys do? I included the pictures of the scratches and his original post.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/304762600843?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=wKuLMeOkQES&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=qcyX8dt6SuO&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPYView attachment 4934510 View attachment 4934511 View attachment 4934512 View attachment 4934513 View attachment 4934514 View attachment 4934515

If it wasn't mentioned in the ad I would return it OR if it was a deep discount that's probably why. So it's up to you...

 

[P. Aaron]

Finish checking. Can happen over time and/or extremes of temperature, possibly even from just sitting in a case for long periods. I don't really see them as a long term negative.


If the bass works for you, keep it.

 

[Lujon]

I just contacted the seller. He got back to me. Said it was probably due to the freezing temperatures. He said it was perfect when it left his shop. What a bummer.

Either way it didn’t arrive in the condition stated in the ad. Obviously totally up to you, but if it were me I would initiate a return for item arriving damaged.

 

[350125g0]

I can see how it would be disappointing, but it feels like one of those situations where it's out of your and the seller's control.

It's still a pretty bass. I'd say keep it and enjoy it.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

Did you let it acclimate to your indoors environment before opening the box? If not, this might be on you.

Personally I've never had the patience for waiting 24 hours befor opening the box like many dealers recommend. And then there's all the gigs I've played after shipping the bass in the back of a freezing van in the winter or in the cargo hold in airplanes. Waiting for hours before opening the case is just not an option for a touring musician. For some reason I've NEVER had any issues with the finish cracking (including nitro) even though I've done absolutely nothing to prevent it but it CAN happen and unfortunately this looks like one of those cases.

It's still a very cool looking bass though. Think of the cracks as REAL relic'ing rather than the fake stuff people are willing to pay a fortune for. A MIM Standard isn't a rare collectors piece. It'a rock solid workhorse. A couple of scars just add to it's charm IMO. If it plays/sounds great you've got yourself a winner there as far as I'm concerned!

 

[captainofsmooth]

Yeah, if it happened in damage the seller is still responsible. That’s what shipping insurance is for. If it really bothers you, I’d definitely initiate a return. If not, I’d try to work out a partial refund discount with the seller.

 

[MovingPitchers]

I’m personally jealous for you because I also love midnight wine red and the best P Bass I’ve ever played EVER was a 2001 MIM in that colour. I’ll never forget that Angel

 

[rpt50]

Yeah, if it happened in damage the seller is still responsible. That’s what shipping insurance is for. If it really bothers you, I’d definitely initiate a return. If not, I’d try to work out a partial refund discount with the seller.

Partial refund would be ideal, but it might be hard to work out. Would the bass have to be returned for an insurance claim by the seller?

The finish damage is certainly not something I would worry about if the bass works well otherwise. Just a little real-life patina!

 

[covermego]

That is a total disappiontment, right there. Yes, it does look like it happened in transit. I had this happen to 2 basses last year: a Squier Jaguar SS bass in Silver and a 1 year old SBMM Stingray SS in white. These finish cracks didn't show too bad due to the lighter colors, but the darker colors (I totally love the Midnight Wine) seem to magnify those cracks right through the clear coat. I'd attempt a return, but I also see the seller's reluctance to take it back. Will the shipping company cover it? I'd think the seller would have to file that claim with them.
Also, reading all the different posts where folks ask if it's an old "wives' tale" about having to wait for the bass to acclimate kinda hit home right here. I know I am now very gun shy when it comes to tearing a bass box open.

 

[350125g0]

I’m personally jealous for you because I also love midnight wine red and the best P Bass I’ve ever played EVER was a 2001 MIM in that colour. I’ll never forget that Angel

I feel like we all have an MIM that got away... I sure miss mine!

 

[landrybass]

eBay states: Open box: The item is in excellent, new condition with no wear. The item may be missing the original packaging or protective wrapping, or it may be in the original packaging but not sealed. The item includes original accessories. The item may be a factory second. See the seller's listing for full details and a description

seller is required to accept a return if you choose to do so. This is where eBay is better than reverb. eBay will protect the buyer where reverb will require the buyer to prove to reverb the problem.

 

[Relsom]

I don't know where you reside OP, but the bass was shipped out of Georgia....hardly a cold weather state. @Thebrownarrow , I feel that you're at the mercy of the seller's good graces to be fair with you to sort this out. It would take guts for the seller to pass this off as NOS, unplayed, etc etc. without mentioning those blemishes if they were there. I can't see any issues in his original ebay listing. Your only move then would be to take it up with Ebay. I wouldn't accept it.

 

[GregT]

I agree that that is just weather-checking. You ought to see what the gigging guitars look like in Fairbanks, Alaska where I grew up.

 

[TjMetalhead]

The climate shift can cause that depending where it came from. I had a 2009 P bass show up with a split down the skunk stripe. I should've sent it back, I took the neck off and tried to sell the body and neck separately. Then USPS destroyed the neck during shipping and I took a loss. Basically if it's gonna bother you a lot, send it back.

 

[TinyE]

i bought some of this Amazon.com: Meguiar’s Quik Scratch Eraser Kit, Car Scratch Remover that Removes Blemishes, Includes Meguiar’s ScratchX, Drill-Mounted Pad, Microfiber Towel - 3 Count (1 Pack) : Automotive for my car. it works amazing. i'd say any type of scratch filler. i don't know how it works, but it sure hides stuff like that. you might try it!