NDB Blues, Ibanez body finish question...

[zenabi]

Today I received what I was going to use as my learning/practice bass. An Ibanez SR300EB in Candy Apple Red.

It was supposed to be new, but a few things point towards it being either a demo or returned item. It appears to be an honest mistake, as the guy I'm in contact with at this Dealer has been really helpful, but it will be going back to be replaced.

The main issue is that around the edge of the recess for the jack output, the finish has been damaged and it appears white, so it kinda stands out.

My question is... has someone been a bit aggressive when plugging/unplugging a cable, or is the finish on the various SR300E models susceptible to this happening quite easily?

I'm wondering if the Pearl White might be a better option.

 

[fretno]

That looks like finishing compound residue. Take a slightly damp towel and see if you can rub it off. Or use a gentle cleaner like a typical guitar polish.

 

[two fingers]

Agreed. If it were wear from plugging in "aggressively" I believe it would be chipped, not evenly worn like that.

 

[Deleted member 365158]

That looks like finishing compound residue. Take a slightly damp towel and see if you can rub it off. Or use a gentle cleaner like a typical guitar polish.

That was my first thought too.

i owned an sr300 (not an eb) and the finish was darn near indestructible.

 

[zenabi]

That looks like finishing compound residue. Take a slightly damp towel and see if you can rub it off. Or use a gentle cleaner like a typical guitar polish.

The guy at the Dealer thought it might be guitar polish, but I've tried wiping it and no difference.

 

[zenabi]

This situation may be more like poor quality control at Ibanez, as the guy at the Dealer has sent a couple of photos of 2 other basses that have the same issue around the jack recess, although not quite as bad.

But I also still feel a bit uncomfortable about the clear signs of use on the bass, when it was supposed to be brand new. A couple of years ago I had issues with being sent used items, which were advertised as new, from a few different online Dealers, to the point where I gave up trying.

So I feel like giving up, again!!!

 

[Marko 1]

I have far less stress in life by dismissing such things.

I'd touch it up with sharpie or something...

But in your case, the white one sounds like a great idea.

 

[themickster]

I have the same model. A Boss wireless sender was big enough to take a tiny bit of red off the sharp edges. Underneath is white.

 

[zenabi]

I have far less stress in life by dismissing such things.

I'd touch it up with sharpie or something...

But in your case, the white one sounds like a great idea.

Clearly too many people have dismissed such things over the years, to the point where manufacturer's and retailers think it's acceptable to supply damaged/flawed products. Not me.

 

[hypercarrots]

Could be the primer under the color coat is showing from aggressive sanding/polishing at the factory. Possibly before the clearcoat was applied.

 

[zenabi]

Could be the primer under the color coat is showing from aggressive sanding/polishing at the factory. Possibly before the clearcoat was applied.

It looks to me like the finish has been scraped off. As the red does stick out a little more than the white. I just don't understand how or why it happens and is allowed past quality control at Ibanez. They aren't finishing properly inside the recess or the inside the neck bolt holes on the back. It's just sloppy manufacturing.

 

[ardgedee]

It's a bummer that seems to be happening, but you have one of Ibanez's low-to-middle price point instruments, and you can't expect the same quality control that you should from their higher tier products.

 

[Plain Old Barry]

Clearly too many people have dismissed such things over the years, to the point where manufacturer's and retailers think it's acceptable to supply damaged/flawed products. Not me.

Nail polish or auto touch up pens are also great for small touch ups like that, but the Sharpie would definitely color the white enough where few would notice it.

Don't take this the wrong way, but you might be better off buying in person, even if it requires some travel. That's not a knock, being able to inspect an item very closely before buying might provide extra peace of mind for you.

It's worth mentioning that you're holding a bass that retails for $350. It probably wholesales from Ibanez in the $175 range. If it plays nicely, you're getting an quality instrument at a good price. You may need to manage your fit and finish expectations for that price level of instrument.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

You paid for a brand new, unblemished bass, so return it. Otherwise it will always irk you. If it's clearly visible to you, should have been visible to their Final QC Inspector as well.

 

[mikezimmerman]

Did you notice this before you actually plugged it in? Honestly, that is the kind of thing that could happen very easily with a couple of careless plug-ins, and is almost certain to happen with regular use in short order even if it wasn't like that when you got it...

 

[zenabi]

It's a bummer that seems to be happening, but you have one of Ibanez's low-to-middle price point instruments, and you can't expect the same quality control that you should from their higher tier products.

Middle price or not. It should not be happening and buyers should not be expected to accept it.

 

[zenabi]

Nail polish or auto touch up pens are also great for small touch ups like that, but the Sharpie would definitely color the white enough where few would notice it.

Don't take this the wrong way, but you might be better off buying in person, even if it requires some travel. That's not a knock, being able to inspect an item very closely before buying might provide extra peace of mind for you.

It's worth mentioning that you're holding a bass that retails for $350. It probably wholesales from Ibanez in the $175 range. If it plays nicely, you're getting an quality instrument at a good price. You may need to manage your fit and finish expectations for that price level of instrument.

A brand new product should not need to be "touched-up", it should be finished properly to begin with.

Not everyone has instrument retailers close to them or transport to be able to travel to check something in person.

My expectations are quite reasonable. I have worked in retail myself and the industry I was in, this kind of thing would not be acceptable.

 

[zenabi]

Did you notice this before you actually plugged it in? Honestly, that is the kind of thing that could happen very easily with a couple of careless plug-ins, and is almost certain to happen with regular use in short order even if it wasn't like that when you got it...

It was like this when I took it out of the box earlier today, not long before I started this thread. It still has not been plugged in, as I took photos and boxed it back up.

 

[zenabi]

You paid for a brand new, unblemished bass, so return it. Otherwise it will always irk you. If it's clearly visible to you, should have been visible to their Final QC Inspector as well.

Precisely.

 

[bolophonic]

Another “customer is always right” thread where OP argues with everyone who says the microscopic problem is no big deal.