New bass not as pictured on site

What site did you buy this from? Was that price the seller's asking price or did you negotiate for that lower price?

 

Only you can answer that question. If the inlay is of great importance to you, then call the dealer and see if they will accept a return or offer a discount for the misrepresented item. If it's not important, then who cares?

 

I have never seen a natural Lakland with pearl blocks in the neck. If it's not the neck in the picture, they misrepresented the item to you, and you deserve a refund.

 

Given my experiences of Bax, receiving something vaguely approximating what you paid for is a real result. Respectable maybe, hopeless definitely.

 

I agree that it's odd and that you should be bothered. Bring it to their attention and see what they say.

I'd be interested to see photos.

 

I would be curious about serial #s as well. If there's a different neck, then maybe you got a bass with a different serial # than the one that was listed.

It's possible the operators of the shop threw a different model of bass in with other similar-looking Laklands, unaware that it was actually a different model.

Was the listing for that bass specifically, like when buying used, or was it like sweetwater where you're buying and they send you the next one out of their stock?

Even if that's the case, it doesn't mean the problem shouldn't be corrected for you.

 

In other words, they may not have swapped necks on that bass, but given you an entirely different bass. Are there any "landmarks" in the grain on the body that you can match to the photos?

 

This as well, some pics from the listing and pics of the bass in person from you would help some people who are more well versed in bass ID figure out the exact nature of the negligence you were victim to

Okay, last message in a row, not trying to spam.

 

I mean, this isn't in definite "dealbreaker" territory as far as I can tell. Especially if it is indeed the right bass that you ordered. But it's odd, and the shop should, at the very least, try to offer some explanation for what happened, and attempt to address your concerns

 

Pearloid blocks are an upgrade over black dots. I think you got an improvement for the same price. I'd be happy with it!

 

So Anyway, you know the TB rule....Pictures or it didn't happen!

Considering the discount, the different inlays wouldn't bother me too much. I'd be more concerned with how it played and the ergonomics. Does it feel like a good 'fit' for you?

 

Pearl blocks would be a nice surprise, IMO.

Also: no pictures = you bought a Barbie dollhouse.

 

I’ve never seen a DJ with dots. Did they use the correct picture in the listing? You can tell by the curved control plate.

 

Don't think OP said there were dots on the bass in the pic. I think listing showed black blocks.

 

You are crazy if you don't keep it for the price you got it. That's great looking wood.

 

It would bother me.

They definitely stuck a different neck on a DJ5 body.

If the bass was sold to you as new, it could mess up your warranty (not familiar with the Lakland warranty), if you run into an issue where you need it, you'll provide the serial and Lakland will say "don't know what you're smoking but that serial doesn't go to a DJ5 natural."

Also, to me it looks jarring, because the black pickguard clashes with the white binding and pearls. Maybe it would look better with a white or pearl pickguard.

The seller pulled something shifty on you. If you like the bass enough you don't need to let it bother you, for those reasons or any other.