Need your help, TB. Would you return this bass??

[bassstrangler]

It took you a bit to notice that? I'd have noticed it immediately and would have been on the phone with elevated blood pressure and steam coming out of my ears holding back a furious amount anger, wondering why the heck I just spent 5k on that.

I'm surprised anyone would actually need to ask if they should return this.

 

[mongo2]

Not acceptable to me if it was delivered that way.

 

[Snaxster]

Where can I see the rest of the bass?

Here, Edward:

It is a Deluxe, made with a dovetail neck joint.

 

[bassstrangler]

Taking a closer look at the picture, I find it interesting that the crack is directly coming from the corner of the nut. Maybe it did take a hit somewhere, directly on the nut to cause enough pressure to start that crack.

 

[garp]

It bothers you. It will continue to bother you.

Indeed. Fomenting over a Fodera is no way to go through life.

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

...made with a dovetail neck joint.

Nice bass. Yeah, the set-neck joint kinda' makes my suggestion useless. I can't imagine there'll be any hassle returning it though.

 

[Snaxster]

Nice bass. Yeah, the set-neck joint kinda' makes my suggestion useless. I can't imagine there'll be any hassle returning it though.

But it was a good suggestion nonetheless!

 

[Mastodon2]

Completely unacceptable. I guess now you know why the salesman was so keen to give you a hot deal, no one would knowingly buy a Fodera with a flaw of that magnitude if it didn't come with a whopping discount.

 

[DownUnder_Funk]

I'd be returning it.

 

[BadSanta1281]

If I bought a Glarry for $69.48 and it had that crack it would get sent back for refund or replacement.

 

[4001]

I too wonder what "after a hit" meant.

Maybe he played a very popular song before he noticed that.... crack......

 

[Ostie]

if it was a bass I was going to play hard and use as my #1, I wouldnt worry about it. Looks like a minor finish issue.

True, but I’d still ask for more discount.

 

[4001]

if it was a bass I was going to play hard and use as my #1, I wouldnt worry about it. Looks like a minor finish issue.

It does look like a finish crack... I really cannot tell though..... I'd have to get a real close look at it....

 

[sikamikanico]

I’m no expert, but it looks like a finish crack. If it’s more than a finish crack, of course return it... If it’s indeed just a finish crack, I’d carefully consider my options before talking to Sweetwater to negotiate.

I’m thinking there are multiple options, and I wouldn’t necessarily default to returning it:

• Return for a refund. You get your money back, but are left with no bass.... however, it may be hard to get another deal on a Fodera like that (or not? Maybe a used one?), so maybe it’s not a good solution?
• Return for a new one. This would work well, unless there’s something about this one that makes you want to keep it. But Sweetwater may not be able or willing to offer you a new bass with the same discount?
• Further discount. You get to keep the bass, but get compensated. Not sure how much I’d ask for, but maybe get a repair estimate (ideally from Fodera, or a trusted local place). This leaves you the option to repair the crack or just love with it (and some extra $$$).
• Repair (paid by Sweetwater). This could work, but I’d only accept if they offered to get Fodera to do the repair.
• Keep the bass, as is. Obviously not great, but if you missed some small print, it might be your only option. It may also be an option worth considering if the best Sweetwater can do is offering a refund, and yet you want to keep the bass. After all, you DID get a 25% discount, and all in all may still be a good deal.

I may be missing some options, but regardless, I’d consider how much you want a Fodera, and also this particular Fodera, and what you’re willing to pay. To me, returning the bass is not necessarily the best choice...

 

[tb-player]

Here’s the original listing for this bass.

Thanks for all the responses.

Sweetwater is a great company and my sales guy is the best. I know they’ll make it right. I’ve bought a lot of gear there and they’re excellent to deal with. I'm also very aware that they're short-handed in their warehouse and the sales guys have been working from home for 2 months, due to the quarantine. So that may have something to do with their QC right now.

As someone noted earlier, Sweetwater does a 55-point inspection on every guitar above a certain price threshold. The inspection happens at the same time they take the photos of the bass, not on the day they ship it. And since many of these basses hang in their showroom, it’s most logical that this damage happened in the months between the original inspection and my purchase... especially if the bass was hanging by the headstock, given the location of the damage (all my guitars sit on a rack. No pressure on the headstock).

The big downside is, this is the last one they have in stock. As you can see from the link, Sweetwater posts photos of the very bass you’re buying, so you can see the wood grain, color and weight. I’ve been gassing over this exact bass for months. If I send it back, there’s no exchange. I’ve simply lost out on what would have been an incredible deal on a stellar bass. If I work it out to keep it, my concern is that the crack in the finish will get worse, since it extends from the corner of the nut. It’s not just a random flaw.

I've already emailed my sales rep and sent pics. He’ll reply on Monday. I’ll be sure to post the outcome.

 

[Slaphound]

Here’s the original listing for this bass.

Thanks for all the responses.

Sweetwater is a great company and my sales guy is the best. I know they’ll make it right. I’ve bought a lot of gear there and they’re excellent to deal with. I'm also very aware that they're short-handed in their warehouse and the sales guys have been working from home for 2 months, due to the quarantine. So that may have something to do with their QC right now.

As someone noted earlier, Sweetwater does a 55-point inspection on every guitar above a certain price threshold. The inspection happens at the same time they take the photos of the bass, not on the day they ship it. And since many of these basses hang in their showroom, it’s most logical that this damage happened in the months between the original inspection and my purchase... especially if the bass was hanging by the headstock, given the location of the damage (all my guitars sit on a rack. No pressure on the headstock).

The big downside is, this is the last one they have in stock. As you can see from the link, Sweetwater posts photos of the very bass you’re buying, so you can see the wood grain, color and weight. I’ve been gassing over this exact bass for months. If I send it back, there’s no exchange. I’ve simply lost out on what would have been an incredible deal on a stellar bass. If I work it out to keep it, my concern is that the crack in the finish will get worse, since it extends from the corner of the nut. It’s not just a random flaw.

I've already emailed my sales rep and sent pics. He’ll reply on Monday. I’ll be sure to post the outcome.

How did you have a link to the original listing?
I just purchased a bass from Sweetwater yesterday and when I went back to them later in the day, I see that the original listing was taken down and some generic photos are in place and a sticky saying 'more on the way'. I'd like to drool a little bit before I get it.

 

[tb-player]

How did you have a link to the original listing?
I just purchased a bass from Sweetwater yesterday and when I went back to them later in the day, I see that the original listing was taken down and some generic photos are in place and a sticky saying 'more on the way'. I'd like to drool a little bit before I get it.

You can search by the serial number. The listings remain up even though they're not searchable once sold.

 

[tb-player]

I’m no expert, but it looks like a finish crack. If it’s more than a finish crack, of course return it... If it’s indeed just a finish crack, I’d carefully consider my options before talking to Sweetwater to negotiate.

I’m thinking there are multiple options, and I wouldn’t necessarily default to returning it:

• Return for a refund. You get your money back, but are left with no bass.... however, it may be hard to get another deal on a Fodera like that (or not? Maybe a used one?), so maybe it’s not a good solution?
• Return for a new one. This would work well, unless there’s something about this one that makes you want to keep it. But Sweetwater may not be able or willing to offer you a new bass with the same discount?
• Further discount. You get to keep the bass, but get compensated. Not sure how much I’d ask for, but maybe get a repair estimate (ideally from Fodera, or a trusted local place). This leaves you the option to repair the crack or just love with it (and some extra $$$).
• Repair (paid by Sweetwater). This could work, but I’d only accept if they offered to get Fodera to do the repair.
• Keep the bass, as is. Obviously not great, but if you missed some small print, it might be your only option. It may also be an option worth considering if the best Sweetwater can do is offering a refund, and yet you want to keep the bass. After all, you DID get a 25% discount, and all in all may still be a good deal.

I may be missing some options, but regardless, I’d consider how much you want a Fodera, and also this particular Fodera, and what you’re willing to pay. To me, returning the bass is not necessarily the best choice...

I think you broke it down perfectly. This is the specific bass I wanted. I've been looking at it for months. I won't find another one exactly liked it and I certainly won't get this deal again. Ugh!!

I'm going to send the damage photos to a luthier I know. He's the man. He'll be able to tell me if I should expect more issues down the road.

 

[Slaphound]

Thanks. Excuse me, I have to go drool.

 

[bassstrangler]

How did you have a link to the original listing?
I just purchased a bass from Sweetwater yesterday and when I went back to them later in the day, I see that the original listing was taken down and some generic photos are in place and a sticky saying 'more on the way'. I'd like to drool a little bit before I get it.

They should send you an email with links to the pictures, letting you drool before arrival. In fact the email says something to that effect IIRC.