Got a new ATK205 off the bay. Came today, box undamaged, I'm stoked. Unwrapped it, it looked great. Plugged it in and got loud white noise and static. The bass tone is weak and thin. New battery did not help! It's going back.
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NBD(isappointment)
- Thread starter Stinsok
- Start date
probably just a bad solder joint, but back it goes...
yeeks...if brand new, probably a loose wire (solder joint) inside due to shipping.
edit: bholder beat me to it.
edit: bholder beat me to it.
...and someone will probably get a great deal on it out of the sellers returns / open box bin. I've always wanted to try an ATK after reading about them. OP, mind pming me the seller?
The seller responded quickly and asks if I want it to be repaired by an Ibanez service center. They say turn around is quick. I've never done this. The seller does not have a replacement that can swap for. Is getting the service center route worth it?
Sounds like it might be - how long, how far? Honestly, it's probably a half hour bench job or less. The more you can do to isolate where the problem is the better, but shouldn't be hard for a good tech to figure out - unless there's actually a bad component like a pickup, but seems unlikely.
I'd bring it to your local tech, and send the seller the bill. If it's something simple like a broken solder joint or loose connection, you could even fix it yourself if you're handy with a soldering iron. Bust out a multimeter and check continuity. Contrary, it wouldn't cost too much to fix something like that, so I'm sure the seller wouldn't mind picking up the tab, as shipping a heavy bass around would probably cost much more.
The seller has been very responsive and willing to assume the responsibility/cost of sending it to the repair center.
If you unilaterally start repairs with your tech, all deals are off and you've violated the warranty.
If its not just a solder joint, now all of the repairs are at your cost and you won't be able to return the bass.
And the seller has no obligation to reimburse you for repairs that you request from your tech.
Send it to the repair center.
If you unilaterally start repairs with your tech, all deals are off and you've violated the warranty.
If its not just a solder joint, now all of the repairs are at your cost and you won't be able to return the bass.
And the seller has no obligation to reimburse you for repairs that you request from your tech.
Send it to the repair center.
That's a really good idea. If you can convince the seller they won't get gouged... (Sorry, was thinking used, it's new..)
Well, now that's true, too, it's new, sure, go with the official warranty support. There was a time when some companies would have normally covered work by unaffliliated local techs, that was a very long time ago.
no kidding... I got a great trade for a Schecter recently as it supposedly had problems. Turns out the pickup wasn't plugged in, the connector somehow got loose.
I agree with ddnidd1 above though- even though it sounds like a quick and easy fix, don't chance it and send it to the repair center on the off-chance that it's something more complicated than that. Opening it up, having it looked at by someone else may void the whole repair/warranty agreement.
Ibanez sent me a call tag and I am letting them repair and ship on their dime.
Don't know if there's an authorized Ibanez repair center near you as I don't see one listed in Alabama, so it will have to be sent in instead of taking it physically to one so the turnaround time will likely be longer. Here's the list of authorized Ibanez repair centers:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
According to this, if sent:-
call customer service at 800-669-4226 to set up a Return Authorization
Turnaround time for RMA's is approximately 2 weeks from when we receive the guitar back
per our policy you will be responsible for shipping to our facility in PA
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
According to this, if sent:-
call customer service at 800-669-4226 to set up a Return Authorization
Turnaround time for RMA's is approximately 2 weeks from when we receive the guitar back
per our policy you will be responsible for shipping to our facility in PA
Sounds like you played that hand perfectly, given that standard "policy" would have had you paying the shipping.
Sounds like you played that hand perfectly, given that standard "policy" would have had you paying the shipping.
Had I not just received it today, they wouldn't have issued the tag, and shipping would have been on me. In that case I would have got a refund from the seller. I like the way it feels and it seems to play well. I was thinking about hedging my bet and buying a SUB five string just in case this didn't work out.
Worked out great for you and has a good resolution especially in regards to the shipping cost to the repair center. I would say the ATK205 is worth giving a shot (fully functional of course).
Sounds like Ibby did the right thing, as did the seller Would have been nice if it was perfect out of the box, but sounds like all will be well fairly shortly.
Would have been nice if it was perfect out of the box, but sounds like all will be well fairly shortly.
