Did you check to see if the strings sre twisted? I sometimes got a phase effect when I had a twisted string
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NBD: Kiesel IC5 :-(
- Thread starter Bliff Curton
- Start date
But your case isn't a "I don't like it" scenario, but rather a "it's defective" scenario which has absolutely nothing to do with their 10 day trial period.
No 10 day trial/no return is one thing. No 5 year warranty is another. Diagnosing is the path and will lead to one decision or the other. Hard for me to guess how this will turn out. I suspect no return is going to be allowed, but a warranty check with necessary repair will be offered.
Contacting the credit card company or bank used to make the purchase and get them to reverse the charge is a completely valid option. I would not want to chase a fix on a bass that was obviously pushed out the company doors with what I suspect are known issues. But, I could be wrong? Perhaps some Kiesel Basses and are meant to sound like turds?
Precisely what I had said. As far as I see it, he was sent a bogus product and shouldn't be required to give them a chance to chase down the issue and alter it. Ive worked in customer service/management and a major rule to business is that nobody owes you a second chance.
I love that you equated these two things.
The OP has ruled out strings, but I agree. Super Brights are my go-to string of choice, but they aren't for the faint at heart.
As for the bass, I'm not a "wood matters" guy, but I'd never go for a bass with an oddball fingerboard wood choice. Call me superstitious, I guess.
Nah, zebrawood is great. Feels like a waxed surfboard.
I don't think Kiesel generally knows about instruments shipping WITH issues. Because, I have the impression that their final QC checks aren't that good. So, when there are QC issues, they can get missed. Get shipped.
As an example, I do not think sound tests are done in a quiet room. They seem to be done in the noisy shop. So, I can easily see how nuances of tone issues could easily be missed.
I don't think Kiesel generally knows about instruments shipping WITH issues. Because, I have the impression that their final QC checks aren't that good. So, when there are QC issues, they can get missed. Get shipped.
As an example, I do not think sound tests are done in a quiet room. They seem to be done in the noisy shop. So, I can easily see how nuances of tone issues could easily be missed.
+1. It would give us a better idea of what’s going on.
OP, Have you asked someone else to play it and give their opinion?
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Write them an email.... Seriously. Leave a paper trail. You will appreciate being able to accurately quote their responses to your communications. Voicemails and phone calls can be vague, details can be forgotten, etc....
Voicemail? I've never called during business hours and gotten voicemail. The sales guys always answer the phone. Hit the option for sales.
I went to GC testerday and plugged into an Ampeg 7pro and 4x10 Classic.
This is the rig on which I had been testing the other Carvin Icon5 (brown dot pickups), Stingray 5 Special and Anniversary models, BTB 1800 series, Soundger blue 2ksomething, Fender Elite Jazz 5, G&L2000, SR505.
So Im familiar with the sound in comparison with other basses.
At the end of the hour I came across a single sound that was workable. Cut mids all the way, boost treble 1/5, boost bass1/4, solo neck or 50/50. Classic Ampeg scooped sound, but cold.
It didnt impress anyone there, even though their guitar tech was eyeing this bass when I pulled it out of the bag - he lost interest when I plugged it in.
In comparison, When I played the Stingray or Jazz, people flocked to check it out.
If I didnt cut the mids completely, the bass was plagued by that harminc sustain when muting the string (anywhere). Even a two-finger mute would make the sound, though it decayed almost immediately.
It makes the same effect unplugged so its not an electronic issue.
When plugged into the Ampeg, any use of the blend knob sounded like a phaser effect unless the strings were very well muted.
Today I tried optimizing the setup - near-flat fret board and ~2-2.5mm action. My old LB70 performed amazingly with this setup and coupd go from warm to aggressive depending on how I dig in.
The Icon buzzed out bad.
Now I see why it left the factory with pretty high action and neck relief....but I dont see why it left the factory at all.
Aside from the pretty wood and great fret-dressing, it gives a very cheap impression like a low-end BTB or Cirrus Bxp.
This is the rig on which I had been testing the other Carvin Icon5 (brown dot pickups), Stingray 5 Special and Anniversary models, BTB 1800 series, Soundger blue 2ksomething, Fender Elite Jazz 5, G&L2000, SR505.
So Im familiar with the sound in comparison with other basses.
At the end of the hour I came across a single sound that was workable. Cut mids all the way, boost treble 1/5, boost bass1/4, solo neck or 50/50. Classic Ampeg scooped sound, but cold.
It didnt impress anyone there, even though their guitar tech was eyeing this bass when I pulled it out of the bag - he lost interest when I plugged it in.
In comparison, When I played the Stingray or Jazz, people flocked to check it out.
If I didnt cut the mids completely, the bass was plagued by that harminc sustain when muting the string (anywhere). Even a two-finger mute would make the sound, though it decayed almost immediately.
It makes the same effect unplugged so its not an electronic issue.
When plugged into the Ampeg, any use of the blend knob sounded like a phaser effect unless the strings were very well muted.
Today I tried optimizing the setup - near-flat fret board and ~2-2.5mm action. My old LB70 performed amazingly with this setup and coupd go from warm to aggressive depending on how I dig in.
The Icon buzzed out bad.
Now I see why it left the factory with pretty high action and neck relief....but I dont see why it left the factory at all.
Aside from the pretty wood and great fret-dressing, it gives a very cheap impression like a low-end BTB or Cirrus Bxp.
Wow...
Just got off the phone with Kiesel.
Sales manager made it clear they will not accept refund or replacement or return, only a repair that would be covered under the 5-yr warranty.
So I said well what if the guitar is a lemon, he said “it is not, we set it up and tested it, so it works.”
I was left with no option other than sending it in to have them see if there is a set-up issue (I explained its not a problem with the setup because I adjusted it every which way).
I said, “well, I’ll send it back in to get looked at”
The manager reaffirmed that their acceptance if the instrument by delivery does not constitute Kiesel accepting it as a return or refund. Then he hung up on me.
I got the impression that they were very upset at me for not being ecstatic about this bass after they read my email.
Im beside myself right now.
What do y’all think?
Just got off the phone with Kiesel.
Sales manager made it clear they will not accept refund or replacement or return, only a repair that would be covered under the 5-yr warranty.
So I said well what if the guitar is a lemon, he said “it is not, we set it up and tested it, so it works.”
I was left with no option other than sending it in to have them see if there is a set-up issue (I explained its not a problem with the setup because I adjusted it every which way).
I said, “well, I’ll send it back in to get looked at”
The manager reaffirmed that their acceptance if the instrument by delivery does not constitute Kiesel accepting it as a return or refund. Then he hung up on me.
I got the impression that they were very upset at me for not being ecstatic about this bass after they read my email.
Im beside myself right now.
What do y’all think?
Call your bank or credit card company and let them know you’d like a refund. It might not be easy, but if you truly feel you got a lemon, they should back you.
I wont buy one.
I Would keep on them. Go to the owner and send a letter. Post your expierience in many places. A sales rep is really at the bottom of the food chain. I always ask for a manager. If a sales rep gives me issues. Do the “one up“ thing. An owner or manager would want to make it right if he is truely sincere to his company. Its up to fellow tbers to spread some word about poor customer service. It is easy for a company to have its reputation tarnished. It does hurt their bottom line. A business can’t flourish with a bad rep. Darren Huff probably cant walk down the street without being frowned upon. Just my 2 cents.
I previously stated my discomfort at this action, but after the way the sales manager treated me....Im definitely pursuing this route.
I ended up with the Sales Manager after speaking to the Sales Rep.
The Rep was actually nice and asked if I want a return. I said yes so he connected me to the manager, Noble. It was the manager who was gruff and unaccommodating.
Indeed, I am done with Kiesel, I regret ever sending other bassists to buy their products and now am a warning story for why not to go with Kiesel.
QC and Customer Service are what make or break companies.
I did found it suspicious when I was ordering the bass and Noble (sales manager) wrote to me saying that the soft case is better than the hardshell when I was disappointed that Kiesel does not offer any hard casses for basses (check out my thread, “That Smell” as it was a factor in me purchasing a Kiesel).
“Unfortunately we no longer offer them on basses. The soft case is what I have and I trust it over the hard case.”
“Unfortunately we no longer offer them on basses. The soft case is what I have and I trust it over the hard case.”
