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NBD: Kiesel IC5 :-(
- Thread starter Bliff Curton
- Start date
I keep fairly close tabs on things. This bass isn't very old. It showed up on social media shots in September and was only on the in-stock section for a couple of weeks, before you bought it. And nobody has pre-owned it, because it's raw tone finish, which is non-returnable.
Kiesel does in fact make instruments specifically for their in-stock section. It's usually a mix of mostly Kiesel made, a couple of returns, and occasionally a used loaner from an endorser.
Kiesel does in fact make instruments specifically for their in-stock section. It's usually a mix of mostly Kiesel made, a couple of returns, and occasionally a used loaner from an endorser.
I was underwhelmed by the stock pickups on my old Kiesel - I actually liked the carvin pickups better - they may have been bland, but at least they had full low end and overall sounded good.
shame! the woodworking / quality control stuff at Kiesel has stayed strong, but the designs, and especially the electronics, seem to be loosing most of us.
shame! the woodworking / quality control stuff at Kiesel has stayed strong, but the designs, and especially the electronics, seem to be loosing most of us.
Seems shady from them...an instrument with electronics issues that can not be returned! They knew about the problems, I am certain of it.
well first off.... Im really sorry about your new bass. I've had that happen where you spend a bunch and are really underwhelmed and it sucks.
Now... on to the bass.. fortunately, there might just be an issue with a bogus preamp or some faulty wiring as others have suggested. I really hope thats the case but tbh, "nothing's wrong but nothing's right" is the exact impression ive gotten from every carvin/kiesel ive ever played.
Now... if you ask them nicely and in a cool manner, they might just let you return it since their mail order business model rests heavily on word of mouth and common opinion. If they dont... I'd talk to your credit card company about it. If you get the green light from them, they might let you just mail the bass back and theyll yank the money from kiesel. Of course thats a last resort though.
Now... on to the bass.. fortunately, there might just be an issue with a bogus preamp or some faulty wiring as others have suggested. I really hope thats the case but tbh, "nothing's wrong but nothing's right" is the exact impression ive gotten from every carvin/kiesel ive ever played.
Now... if you ask them nicely and in a cool manner, they might just let you return it since their mail order business model rests heavily on word of mouth and common opinion. If they dont... I'd talk to your credit card company about it. If you get the green light from them, they might let you just mail the bass back and theyll yank the money from kiesel. Of course thats a last resort though.
Sorry man. If they don't refund it I would try new pickups.
This sort of stuff is why I've never had the guts to order something from them.
Probably was a return. I can't imagine if someone returns a bass they just shrug and toss it in the dumpster.
This sort of stuff is why I've never had the guts to order something from them.
Probably was a return. I can't imagine if someone returns a bass they just shrug and toss it in the dumpster.
- Dec 21, 2007
- 15,222
- 45,000
- Disclosures
- Lark in the Morning Instructional Videos; Audix Microphones
Pushing for a refund sounds smart. You bought a brand new bass. If you'd bought one from most other major music retailers, you'd have a time period to be able to return it, right?
If they don't allow you to return it they should have a whole lot of egg on their face.
My sentiments exactly.
Its not just that its a nasaly bass who’s tone I dont like, it is at least an electronics issue.
They say “give us 4 days for shipping to allow us to do a final inspection and setup.” So how does someone at Kiesel OK this lemon?
Thanks buddy.
Thats a savage idea as a last resort. But, indeed, CC companies do have guarantees on purchases so it is a possibility. Though I would feel bad doing that if Kiesel were non-pliable.
Buying from the In Stock page is fine as long as they have what you want and MOST IMPORTANTLY it comes with a 10 day trial period. My Xccelerator came from In Stock and I'm very happy with it.
Aggressive yet cold.
Fret ping is evident.
Very scooped tone with muted highs...not the low-end resonance I was looking for — E string resonates the body but not the B-string.
Right-hand muting after a pluck creates unwanted harmonics.
I seriously doubt that they will deny you a refund or return if the instrument is defective. It sounds like they have a no-return policy for instruments that have that finish, but that policy would assume the instrument is otherwise in good working condition. A defective instrument should be a different thing altogether. Hope that you'll get satisfaction from them; I'd be awfully unhappy if I'd spent that kind of money and gotten something like that.
Agreed. Sound is subjective, not necessarily a quality control issue. I hope the OP gets a resolution.
I think you shouldn't even try to repair the bass. Those are not mass-produced instruments. What are the odds they do repairs right if they failed for you before. "Right" is subjective for musical instruments and business should understand it. Suggest them to read the thread. Get credit company involved if they decline the return. Let better business bureau know about "selective" return policy. Remain respectful and professional at all times, it's easy to get emotional in such cases.
Good luck on Monday.
Good luck on Monday.
I hope it is a defect; that is the way I would present it to them. Others mentioned the possibility of a wiring issue, could be a defective preamp as well. When something sounds as off as the OP describes, it's usually an issue with the electronics somewhere. The only other thing I could think of is strings laying way too close to the neck and pickups. That happened to me once with a mail-order bass and a good setup fixed everything. Wishing the OP the best in getting it sorted out!
I also hope it's a defect that can be easily fixed with an electronics change but the OP is not crazy about the unplugged sound, which doesn't bode well. Years ago I sent back a BB75 because the tone didn't wow me. I could have kept it and done a pickup swap but since the acoustic tone of the bass wasn't awesome I decided not to take any chances and I returned it.
That really sucks, man! I was eye-balling that bass in the in-stock section because I really liked the wood combo.
Is it possible you could record and post a few samples of how it sounds?
Is it possible you could record and post a few samples of how it sounds?
I do hope you will post their response after you talk to them.
Is there anyone around you that you trust to give you an unbiased opinion regarding the sound from your bass?
A friend or music shop close by?
I don't ask this with any condescension, but I live a million miles away from people so that's where I'm coming from.
Of course, if you are in a normal town, you probably tried that.
Hope you get this resolved.
Have a great day.
Tom
Is there anyone around you that you trust to give you an unbiased opinion regarding the sound from your bass?
A friend or music shop close by?
I don't ask this with any condescension, but I live a million miles away from people so that's where I'm coming from.
Of course, if you are in a normal town, you probably tried that.
Hope you get this resolved.
Have a great day.
Tom
