New bass, neck defect/blemish, worth keeping? (RESOLVED)

[beaglesandbass]

So I picked up a new bass today, and I noticed a little bump in the 2nd fret across 3 of the strings, it's raised ever so slightly. When I say slighy, I mean it doesn't even look raised when looking at it from the side and it doesn't register anything on a string action ruler. Playing around on the bass for about 15 minutes, it doesn't seem to affect any notes at all.

It’s a roasted maple neck, list price on the bass was $899.

So I'm wondering ...
1) Is this a manufacturing defect where the neck just wasn't sanded all the way in that area? If not what else could have caused this.
2) Is this something that's going to get worse over time?
3) Is it unacceptable for a brand new bass? In which case would I be better off contact the store I bought it from or going through the manufacturer?

The fret in question:

 

[Reedt2000]

That is odd, must have slipped through QC. Is this a bass with a price that demands perfection? If it was a $500-$1k, mass manufactured bass I'd be a lot more accepting of minor stuff like that which doesn't affect how it functions. If it's a custom shop, or really expensive piece purchased brand new I'd don't think I'd be so forgiving...

 

[BurningSkies]

Sure looks like something dripped on it... I agree though...if it's a bass that I'm paying 500$ for and the bass plays well, feels good and sounds good, I can overlook it. If its an expensive production bass where another one might do the same thing, I'd pass on it.

 

[Reedt2000]

Sure looks like something dripped on it... I agree though...if it's a bass that I'm paying 500$ for and the bass plays well, feels good and sounds good, I can overlook it. If its an expensive production bass where another one might do the same thing, I'd pass on it.

You might be right. It's a maple fretboard so it could be a run in whatever finish is on it. If that's the case it would probably level out with use. Still not acceptable if we're talking about a really high end piece.

 

[beaglesandbass]

That is odd, must have slipped through QC. Is this a bass with a price that demands perfection? If it was a $500-$1k, mass manufactured bass I'd be a lot more accepting of minor stuff like that which doesn't affect how it functions. If it's a custom shop, or really expensive piece purchased brand new I'd don't think I'd be so forgiving...

Sure looks like something dripped on it... I agree though...if it's a bass that I'm paying 500$ for and the bass plays well, feels good and sounds good, I can overlook it. If its an expensive production bass where another one might do the same thing, I'd pass on it.

You might be right. It's a maple fretboard so it could be a run in whatever finish is on it. If that's the case it would probably level out with use. Still not acceptable if we're talking about a really high end piece.

List price on the bass was $899, I paid less than that. And it’s a roasted maple neck.

 

[BurningSkies]

List price on the bass was $899, I paid less than that. And it’s a roasted maple neck.

Toss up...do you love the bass enough to overlook it? I don't think it's a problem in terms of later issues...more aesthetics.

 

[Reedt2000]

Toss up...do you love the bass enough to overlook it? I don't think it's a problem in terms of later issues...more aesthetics.

Agreed. If it rocks, it stays. If it's meh, then take it back. At that price I'd be able to overlook that little blem as long as the bass was cool

 

[C Stone]

Wait is it a bump on the fret or the board? I'm having trouble seeing anything.

 

[beaglesandbass]

Wait is it a bump on the fret or the board? I'm having trouble seeing anything.

The board between the frets. A little more than half way up you'll see a discolored area covering the ADG strings. That's the bump.

 

[Reedt2000]

So... what bass is it? Pics?

 

[C Stone]

Ah I see, It wouldn't bother me.
On an older bass I might try to hit the slightly higher poly drip? area with light wet sand or '0000' steel wool. Pics?

 

[beaglesandbass]

So... what bass is it? Pics?

Ah I see, It wouldn't bother me.
On an older bass I might try to hit the slightly higher poly drip? area with light wet sand or '0000' steel wool. Pics?

I intentionally didn't post more pics or tell what bass it was so there was no brand bias from anyone. If i decide to keep it, I will surely make a NBD thread.

 

[Chrisk-K]

The neck is roasted maple, so you can simply sand the offending spot.

 

[C Stone]

If i decide to keep it, I will surely make a NBD thread.

Ah what a tease...
I figure if it's an otherwise fine player you got the finish you were after and made it to you unscathed it's a win! Good Luck.

 

[Bassclef46]

The board between the frets. A little more than half way up you'll see a discolored area covering the ADG strings. That's the bump.

Now I see it. It would bother me and I would try to exchange or just return for a refund. It would totally bother me. And knowings it’s there and seeing it everytime would bother me because you just don’t know if it can become a bigger problem later.

the real question is does it bother you?

 

[Stewie]

It's character. If that's the ugliest part of the bass I'd keep it. How do you like playing it?

 

[Beej]

I intentionally didn't post more pics or tell what bass it was so there was no brand bias from anyone. If i decide to keep it, I will surely make a NBD thread.

Excellent, then I shall save my biased opinion for that thread.

Seriously though, it looks pretty minor and if it doesn't really affect playability, then for me personally it would not be a dealbreaker.

 

[beaglesandbass]

So after giving it some thought, this is where I'm currently at..

Even if it doesn't affect the sound or playability, the bump is definitely going to bother me. I don't mind the discoloration, but the bump is going to nag at me.

I sent a message to the store and and explained my concerns. I basically told them that if I knew about this issue I would not have bought the bass. The manufacturer would probably replace this under warranty as is it's a brand new bass, but that involves me sending the neck to them. There is a local luthier that I would trust to work on it, but again that costs money. I'm not willing to pay to fix a brand new bass.

So basically, either they give me a partial refund to fix the bump (whether it's from the manufacturer or a local luthier), or they're going to have to eat return shipping. This was a Reverb purchase and I'm fairly sure I would win this if it came to a dispute.

 

[pigpen ridding]

if its not effecting the playability and its a neck you like and would be happy with if it didnt have a defect then no keep it but in saying that if it was me and i was going to keep the neck i would still flick the manufacturer an email with some picks and maybe circle the defect and explain even though its not bothering you and your keeping it they still might like to know there was a problem

 

[beaglesandbass]

And by the way folks, this is why I make a video of me opening the box and doing a full inspection of the bass. There's no way the store could claim this was something I did to the bass, as it's on video coming out of the box/gigbag and then inspecting the bass with no cuts in the video.