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NBD...I'm kinda pissed...what would you do?

#61
LBS-bass said:
All minor issues that would be expected on a bass that sat unused, which is probably why the guy sold it. He hasn't played it in a while, never plugged it in after deciding to sell but said it was "perfect" because it probably was fine the last time he played it three years ago.

The setup means he's heavy handed; you should be able to set it up to your liking fairly easily. The rest is just internal cleaning and replacing that foam, there probably is no reason to replace parts unless the pots are actually bad, but what you describe is common when they just need cleaning.

If you don't know how to handle these issues take it to a good tech for a once over. I'd expect to do that with any used bass. Tech should be able to get it cleaned up internally and set up to your liking.
Click to expand...

Exactly this. It sounds like a bass that has sat around for a couple years untouched. A lot of the time you can work the scratchiness of the pots out yourself by working the knobs back and forth, a lot. Next step would be cleaning them and worst case replacement.

A bass like that may well be worth taking it to a tech and having it set up to your liking and dealing with the noisy pots.
 
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#62
Dark Horse said:
Pots get dirty. Shoot a little cailube electronics cleaner in them and rotate back and forth for a minute.... should clean them out. If not, then the pot is bad and will need replacement. But electronics cleaner normally does the trick.

As for the other stuff, sounds like you have it handled.
Click to expand...

that^^ ...if you have some cleaner, do that. If not, while you're waiting for the amazon package with your cleaner, try turning the pots back and forth with a little gusto for 30 seconds or so. I've had several that just needed a little exercise to eliminate most of the crackle.

Same with the neck...99% of the time, in my experience anyway, a truss rod adjustment will clear up action issues.

I'm not hearing any scary issues, and I haven't found minor electronics work to be expensive. Take it to a good setup guy and voice your concerns...barring some huge neck issue I bet that thing could be made great for maybe $100 of TLC.

P.S. I think asking for a partial refund of $100 from the seller would be reasonable. Worth a try anyway, and you'd both walk away happy I bet.
 
#64
Been there... The most recent was getting a "not cheap" bass that arrived in what could only be described as a throwaway case that stunk to high heaven. It took weeks to get the bass's odor to neutralize and I just threw away the case. Once my replacement pups arrive I'll be scouring the filthy fingerboard and swapping the dead strings.

I guess I'm too honest. When I sell product I put in a lot of time to make it "gig ready" not to mention eligible for the sales floor.

Some people are just lazy, have no shame or completely clueless.
 
#65
casualmadness said:
View attachment 3915881


Sigh...so yeah, I just got my long awaited Modulus Graphite 6 Quantum. Been wanting one of these for a while. Finally arrived today. First, the idiot UPS guy literally left it almost on the curb in front of my house. Luckily I was home and saw on the Ring camera that he was out there. I went out and confronted him for leaving it literally just a few feet from the curb rather than bringing it to my door and ringing the doorbell and getting a signature, as is required. His excuse? "Oh I heard your dogs barking and I was afraid they would get out." Really?!? But UPS is another rant...

So anyway, I bought this bass used on Reverb. Lots of back and forth with the seller. He talked about how immaculate this thing was. He described it as "perfect." I asked in convo if there were any issues...anything I should know? "Nope! It's perfect!"

So I pulled the trigger. Today I find, that right out of the bo, the action is high enough to drive my truck under. I mean it's like cheap Squire Guitar Center high action. It's crazy But not a big deal. As I'm holding it and moving it around in my hands giving it a once over, I hear something tumbling. After not seeing anytjing obvious, I open the cavity.

The tumbling was the battery tumbling around in there. The gross, little corrosion on it battery has nothing to secure it. Next I see that the foam is brittle and broken into a thousand tiny, microscopic little pieces. It seems this bass has been neglected. So I cleaned out all the foam pieces and put a new battery in. Plug it in and am delighted to hear it sounds wonderful-like a Modulus sounds. But the pots are very scratchy. Like I'm playing and the volume just decreases on its own. I touch the volume pot and the volume comes back. Turning any of the pots, its very very scratchy.

I immediately reach out to the seller. He's being cordial but he did suggest that maybe this happened during transit. Nope! Try again dude. We're going back and forth at the moment. I will say, he seems to be very cooperative and seems he genuinely wants to make things right. As I type this, I'm cooling down.

So my first thought is; this is a bass I've wanted for a long time. The price I paid is much cheaper than what I see other quantum 6 strings selling for on Reverb. So there's a part of me that say's "Just fix it and drive on" The finish is immaculate-no scratches, no dings, nothing It looks amazing. And it has that Modulus piano sound on the notes that I can actually fret. I really am enamored with this thing. On top of everything else, the finish matches my Fodera 6 Emperor. Sending it back would be a hassle and his store policy is the buyer pays to return and refunds are minus shipping. So I'm out a couple hundred $$ if I return it. If I keep it an fix it...I haven't had electronic work done on basses so no clue what this would cost to fix. But my assumption is, maybe it would be cheaper to fix than to return.

So what would you do?

eta: pics or it didn't happen...
Click to expand...


Sounds like it's been sitting for a long time, should be an easy fix.
 
#67
You said:: The price I paid is much cheaper than what I see other quantum 6 strings selling for on Reverb. His idea of perfect may be reflected in the price. Few bucks for foam, adjust the neck, spin the pot back and forth a bunch of times, & you are still ahead of the game,
 
#68
So after spending some time with this bass, and reading replies from all of you, I'm more concerned now about the neck than the electronics. The bridge seems like it's as low as it can go. I did talk to the seller. He admitted that it's been sitting some a long time untouched. He mentioned just not playing 6 string bass anymore so this one has been neglected. He does seem very cooperative (I think I said this already) but he also seems like he's leaning toward it was damaged in shipping. I explained that the neck being warped wouldn't have occurred during shipping. but overall he seems like he's going to be easy to work with.

I've already reached out to the tech guy I've been going to for years. I'm taking it to him tomorrow. I really love this bass (except for the issues of course) and I really want to keep it. Sincerely...I really want it. So I'm really hoping my tech guy say's "Yeah the action can easily be lowered to where you want it and the electronics issue isn't an issue at all." That's my ideal outcome. I'm trying to be optimistic though I am a pessimist by nature.

So I'll know more tomorrow evening after the tech gets his hands on it. Thanks everyone for your weighing in. I appreciate your insight and opinions. Keep your fingers crossed for me that this is no big deal.
 
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#71
Neck needs the rod tightened and pots need to be rolled back and forth a few times...

Still amazing to me that when buying a used bass people don't immediately:

1. Clean it / remove all possible former DNA
2. Change the strings
3. Set it up
4. Play it

It's like buying a used car - you're on the hook for the maintenance once it arrives to you, if even for peace of mind.
 
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#72
casualmadness said:
View attachment 3915881


Sigh...so yeah, I just got my long awaited Modulus Graphite 6 Quantum. Been wanting one of these for a while. Finally arrived today. First, the idiot UPS guy literally left it almost on the curb in front of my house. Luckily I was home and saw on the Ring camera that he was out there. I went out and confronted him for leaving it literally just a few feet from the curb rather than bringing it to my door and ringing the doorbell and getting a signature, as is required. His excuse? "Oh I heard your dogs barking and I was afraid they would get out." Really?!? But UPS is another rant...

So anyway, I bought this bass used on Reverb. Lots of back and forth with the seller. He talked about how immaculate this thing was. He described it as "perfect." I asked in convo if there were any issues...anything I should know? "Nope! It's perfect!"

So I pulled the trigger. Today I find, that right out of the bo, the action is high enough to drive my truck under. I mean it's like cheap Squire Guitar Center high action. It's crazy But not a big deal. As I'm holding it and moving it around in my hands giving it a once over, I hear something tumbling. After not seeing anytjing obvious, I open the cavity.

The tumbling was the battery tumbling around in there. The gross, little corrosion on it battery has nothing to secure it. Next I see that the foam is brittle and broken into a thousand tiny, microscopic little pieces. It seems this bass has been neglected. So I cleaned out all the foam pieces and put a new battery in. Plug it in and am delighted to hear it sounds wonderful-like a Modulus sounds. But the pots are very scratchy. Like I'm playing and the volume just decreases on its own. I touch the volume pot and the volume comes back. Turning any of the pots, its very very scratchy.

I immediately reach out to the seller. He's being cordial but he did suggest that maybe this happened during transit. Nope! Try again dude. We're going back and forth at the moment. I will say, he seems to be very cooperative and seems he genuinely wants to make things right. As I type this, I'm cooling down.

So my first thought is; this is a bass I've wanted for a long time. The price I paid is much cheaper than what I see other quantum 6 strings selling for on Reverb. So there's a part of me that say's "Just fix it and drive on" The finish is immaculate-no scratches, no dings, nothing It looks amazing. And it has that Modulus piano sound on the notes that I can actually fret. I really am enamored with this thing. On top of everything else, the finish matches my Fodera 6 Emperor. Sending it back would be a hassle and his store policy is the buyer pays to return and refunds are minus shipping. So I'm out a couple hundred $$ if I return it. If I keep it an fix it...I haven't had electronic work done on basses so no clue what this would cost to fix. But my assumption is, maybe it would be cheaper to fix than to return.

So what would you do?

eta: pics or it didn't happen...
Click to expand...

It is a Modulus that you've been waiting/wanting for a while and got at a good price.
Both of these things are bordering on the 'rare as hen's teeth' realm.
I'd say it's a keeper and something you'll enjoy working on.
Nothing sounds too complicated that you can't do yourself.
You'll get to know your bass intimately better besides just playing it.
Have fun.
Enjoy your new to you Modulus. :bassist:
I guarantee you that if you send it back you'll be regretting it later.
 
#73
stefanb said:
Neck needs the rod (as mentioned, there is no truss rod in this bass) tightened and pots need to be rolled back and forth a few times...

Still amazing to me that when buying a used bass people don't immediately:

1. Clean it / remove all possible former DNA (I did clean it including using canned air to blow out about ten thousand tiny particles of what used to be the foam)
2. Change the strings (Plan to do that I just don't happen to have a pack of six on hand...but yes I always change the strings on a new basses if needed)
3. Set it up (Like the strings, I do that if needed. This one however, has crazy high action and the bridge seems like it's as low as it can go...as I mentioned previously)
4. Play it (Of course I've been playing it...who buys a new bass and doesn't play it???)

It's like buying a used car - you're on the hook for the maintenance once it arrives to you, if even for peace of mind. Sure...unless the seller say's its perfect and you get it and find it has issues.
Click to expand...
 
#74
Similar thing happened to me...bought a USA Geddy Lee Jazz on Reverb from a really friendly and communicative guy. When it arrived the action was high and the neck was bowed. The pots were also scratchy and the E string saddle groove was set too far to the right. I was a bit annoyed, but after adjusting the truss rod, filing a new groove in the saddle, adjusting the saddle heights and hitting the pots with some Deoxit I was left with the best sounding and playing Jazz I've ever played. Have someone set it up (or do it yourself) and the odds are good you'll be left with a killer bass!
 
#76
casualmadness said:
View attachment 3915881


Sigh...so yeah, I just got my long awaited Modulus Graphite 6 Quantum. Been wanting one of these for a while. Finally arrived today. First, the idiot UPS guy literally left it almost on the curb in front of my house. Luckily I was home and saw on the Ring camera that he was out there. I went out and confronted him for leaving it literally just a few feet from the curb rather than bringing it to my door and ringing the doorbell and getting a signature, as is required. His excuse? "Oh I heard your dogs barking and I was afraid they would get out." Really?!? But UPS is another rant...

So anyway, I bought this bass used on Reverb. Lots of back and forth with the seller. He talked about how immaculate this thing was. He described it as "perfect." I asked in convo if there were any issues...anything I should know? "Nope! It's perfect!"

So I pulled the trigger. Today I find, that right out of the bo, the action is high enough to drive my truck under. I mean it's like cheap Squire Guitar Center high action. It's crazy But not a big deal. As I'm holding it and moving it around in my hands giving it a once over, I hear something tumbling. After not seeing anytjing obvious, I open the cavity.

The tumbling was the battery tumbling around in there. The gross, little corrosion on it battery has nothing to secure it. Next I see that the foam is brittle and broken into a thousand tiny, microscopic little pieces. It seems this bass has been neglected. So I cleaned out all the foam pieces and put a new battery in. Plug it in and am delighted to hear it sounds wonderful-like a Modulus sounds. But the pots are very scratchy. Like I'm playing and the volume just decreases on its own. I touch the volume pot and the volume comes back. Turning any of the pots, its very very scratchy.

I immediately reach out to the seller. He's being cordial but he did suggest that maybe this happened during transit. Nope! Try again dude. We're going back and forth at the moment. I will say, he seems to be very cooperative and seems he genuinely wants to make things right. As I type this, I'm cooling down.

So my first thought is; this is a bass I've wanted for a long time. The price I paid is much cheaper than what I see other quantum 6 strings selling for on Reverb. So there's a part of me that say's "Just fix it and drive on" The finish is immaculate-no scratches, no dings, nothing It looks amazing. And it has that Modulus piano sound on the notes that I can actually fret. I really am enamored with this thing. On top of everything else, the finish matches my Fodera 6 Emperor. Sending it back would be a hassle and his store policy is the buyer pays to return and refunds are minus shipping. So I'm out a couple hundred $$ if I return it. If I keep it an fix it...I haven't had electronic work done on basses so no clue what this would cost to fix. But my assumption is, maybe it would be cheaper to fix than to return.

So what would you do?

eta: pics or it didn't happen...
Click to expand...
First of all, be careful what you say about UPS drivers. My brother is a proud worker for that company and he's been confronted by aggressive, barking dogs on more than one occasion. Secondly, it's a used bass. Scratchy pots are absolutely cheap to fix. Just get it fixed and enjoy the thing. And be thankful for people like my brother who are out there breaking their tails 10, 12 hours a day (with no A/C in their truck) so we can have the things we want.
 
#78
stefanb said:
Neck needs the rod tightened and pots need to be rolled back and forth a few times...

Still amazing to me that when buying a used bass people don't immediately:

1. Clean it / remove all possible former DNA
2. Change the strings
3. Set it up
4. Play it

It's like buying a used car - you're on the hook for the maintenance once it arrives to you, if even for peace of mind.
Click to expand...
Assuming the bass came from a fair distance away, wouldn't it make sense to give it time to acclimate to the new climate before setting it up?
 
#79
Nev375 said:
You lost me at "High enough to drive a truck under", "It's crazy" ...However you also said "It's not a big deal".

So what is it?
Click to expand...
Well I said it was no big deal initially thinking a good setup would square it away. Not thinking at the time that this bass has no truss rod. After reading through some comments, I realize that (to my eyes at least) the bridge seem to be as low as it can go. This sets off alarm bells in my mind as now I wonder if there is a neck issue. I can do basic setups and have on most all of the basses I've owned. But I'm not a guy who goes deep into working on basses. Anything more than just a basic setup., I take it to the pro. So intially I thought "No worries. I'll lower the action. But now I realize there could be an issue with the neck. Now it's a big deal.
 

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