How? He's saying the bass itself was defective. It never should have gotten to MF in the first place.
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OK, I've gone from disappointed to a bit angry.
- Thread starter Salicete
- Start date
How? He's saying the bass itself was defective. It never should have gotten to MF in the first place.
I recently posted a thread about a Fender American bass I received from Musician's Friend that had "issues." I won't rehash that whole thread, but I will say it was NOT a bash Fender thread, and M.F. cheerfully handled the exchange of that particular bass. I am, and always will be a Fender bass player and am what you would call a "Fender Fan Boy."
No company is perfect, but a good indication of their ethics and quality is how they handle issues, and the fact that they do, or do not stand behind what they sell.
I opted to exchange the blemished Jazz bass for an American Vintage Reissue, '64 Jazz Bass in Lake Placid Blue. I really liked the look of the painted-matching headstock. Sure, it cost about twice as much as the return bass, but in fact it was what I really wanted in the first place, so I pulled the pin and bought it.
That bass arrived this morning....
(See comment below regarding points 1,2 and 3 please.)
1. Inner box was obviously opened previously. Perhaps MF inspected it, who knows...
2. Hang tags removed from tuning keys and crammed into case compartment.
3. Plastic protective covering removed from tuning keys and from pickguard, maybe the reissues don't come that way, but I'm betting they are supposed to.
4. Big honking 6-inch blemish across the upper body of the bass. It looked like a scratch. It was EASILY visible but you could not feel it when you ran your finger over it, as it is IN the finish, not on the finish, leading me to believe it was not damage, but a factory blemish. Odd, on what is supposed to be a higher end bass. Not Custom Shop, but substantially more expensive than an American Standard.
I strongly suspect that this bass, which was sold to me as first quality/new was in fact a return. I am also wondering why Fender would let a bass like this out the door. OK, I can't prove how it happened or where, but the fact that it was a blemish under the surface of an otherwise smoothly finished guitar strongly suggests it was not done aftermarket.
I'm not one of those hyper-picky people. In fact, I usually buy used, which means dents, dings and mojo; I have no problem with well worn bass guitars, but when I pay for new, I expect unblemished NEW.
Two in a row may be just bad luck, but I won't go for number three, and yes, I've gone from disappointed about the situation to, as the thread says, "a bit angry."
MF, again, cheerfully accepted the return and sent me a return shipping label, so they stood behind their product, and I'll still use them for little things like stands, picks, strings, and other widgets, but I'm going back to putting my hands on every bass I buy before I plop my money down.
EDIT: TO CLARIFY, 1,2 and 3 are offered simply as evidence that the bass was sold at least once before I got it, NOT general quality issues, so hold your fire on the snarky picky-buyer comments.
Send it back and get another one. No need to get angry. Quality control is something that is unfortunately lacking in a lot of formerly thorough companies (both in manufacturing and sales). If they give you a hassle about giving you the pristine bass that you should have received in the first place... then get mad!
Best of luck.
I'd say both - shouldn't have escaped Fender as a first, and MF certainly shouldn't be sending out returns as new. More than enough blame to go around.
I don't really get what there is to get angry about. They made things right no questions asked. It's a huge company with hundreds of orders a day, this stuff is bound to happen.
I don't like buying guitars without playing them but online retailers have better prices and no tax. Most of the local stores don't have a good selection of basses either, so it's not like there's much of a choice.
I bought a blemished sg bass from musicians friend for $420. I couldn't even find the blemish and the same bass was $765 plus tax at my local music store.
I don't like buying guitars without playing them but online retailers have better prices and no tax. Most of the local stores don't have a good selection of basses either, so it's not like there's much of a choice.
I bought a blemished sg bass from musicians friend for $420. I couldn't even find the blemish and the same bass was $765 plus tax at my local music store.
We don't even know that it was a return. That's still just an assumption.
From the OP's thread from about 2 weeks ago, he seems to be pickier than most:
A Fender Lemon | TalkBass.com
From the OP's thread from about 2 weeks ago, he seems to be pickier than most:
A Fender Lemon | TalkBass.com
I've bought lots and lots (most) of my instruments online without any chance to play first, I've only had a very few dissatisfied experiences. YMMV.
I'd like to see the blemish.
Any manufacturer of any consumer item that lets flawed product slip through QC has erred, I think we can all agree on that. Most factory line music instrument companies are guilty of this to some extent. We could easily be discussing a bass made by many companies. That's the plain and simple hard-to-argue part of this discussion.
However, if I'm a retailer, and I am FULLY AWARE of the above reality, but then I add to the problem by not closely inspecting my inventory and dealing with the manufacturer accordingly when necessary, I am even more negligent. I had the opportunity to keep the bad taste out of a customer's mouth, both about my business and the manufacturer. I am the gatekeeper, the last stand against flawed merchandise, and when I let flawed merch slide through the last gate unchecked, I have failed the customer.
OP, can we see pics of that blemish?
Any manufacturer of any consumer item that lets flawed product slip through QC has erred, I think we can all agree on that. Most factory line music instrument companies are guilty of this to some extent. We could easily be discussing a bass made by many companies. That's the plain and simple hard-to-argue part of this discussion.
However, if I'm a retailer, and I am FULLY AWARE of the above reality, but then I add to the problem by not closely inspecting my inventory and dealing with the manufacturer accordingly when necessary, I am even more negligent. I had the opportunity to keep the bad taste out of a customer's mouth, both about my business and the manufacturer. I am the gatekeeper, the last stand against flawed merchandise, and when I let flawed merch slide through the last gate unchecked, I have failed the customer.
OP, can we see pics of that blemish?
I got angry because it was the second bass they had sent me in less than two weeks that had to go back, it just got old fast.
Hey guys, just got a brand new $25000 Fodera and it is defective! sorry i don't have any pics of the bass! 
My point is this:
ps. i was kidding about my "new defective $25000 defective fodera" of course.
My point is this:
ps. i was kidding about my "new defective $25000 defective fodera" of course.
With regard to pics, I don't have any.
Within 5 minutes of opening the box, I spotted the damage, picked up my phone and called MF for a return shipping label. The bass was re-boxed right away and went to UPS within 2 hours.
For those who think that for some reason I would lie about this issue, I would ask, what on Earth would I have to gain? If you think I am a liar, move on, why waste your time posting? I posted to share my experience and thinking others would post about similar experiences, that is it.
The bass was blemished. That is a fact. It appeared to me to be a crease in the paint that was subsequently covered by the clear coat. It looked like a thin scratch, but could not be felt when running one's fingers over it. It was glaring and obvious, and I saw it before I even lifted the bass out of the case.
As to the folks who keep shaking their heads at the open box, hang tag, tuning key protector remarks, ONCE AGAIN, I only mentioned that as support for my belief that this was a returned bass, NOT a QC issue. Come on down off your high-horses and play with the rest of us kids.
MF took it back, no complaints. I didn't ask for a replacement because two blemished guitars in less than two weeks was enough. I am getting a refund as soon as they get it back, and I'll buy something locally that I can lay hands on before I buy, lesson learned.
I'll be open and say the only reason I went through MF was that I have a MF credit card, and they offer zero percent, as in no interest, financing if you pay it off in 12 months. I can easily handle that, and it is like using their money for something I want now, but can't pay off for 3 or 4 months.
I wasn't looking for drama, but this is the Internet, so I guess I should have expected it. At any rate, thanks for the tips and info on your experiences!
Within 5 minutes of opening the box, I spotted the damage, picked up my phone and called MF for a return shipping label. The bass was re-boxed right away and went to UPS within 2 hours.
For those who think that for some reason I would lie about this issue, I would ask, what on Earth would I have to gain? If you think I am a liar, move on, why waste your time posting? I posted to share my experience and thinking others would post about similar experiences, that is it.
The bass was blemished. That is a fact. It appeared to me to be a crease in the paint that was subsequently covered by the clear coat. It looked like a thin scratch, but could not be felt when running one's fingers over it. It was glaring and obvious, and I saw it before I even lifted the bass out of the case.
As to the folks who keep shaking their heads at the open box, hang tag, tuning key protector remarks, ONCE AGAIN, I only mentioned that as support for my belief that this was a returned bass, NOT a QC issue. Come on down off your high-horses and play with the rest of us kids.
MF took it back, no complaints. I didn't ask for a replacement because two blemished guitars in less than two weeks was enough. I am getting a refund as soon as they get it back, and I'll buy something locally that I can lay hands on before I buy, lesson learned.
I'll be open and say the only reason I went through MF was that I have a MF credit card, and they offer zero percent, as in no interest, financing if you pay it off in 12 months. I can easily handle that, and it is like using their money for something I want now, but can't pay off for 3 or 4 months.
I wasn't looking for drama, but this is the Internet, so I guess I should have expected it. At any rate, thanks for the tips and info on your experiences!
Thanks for explaining why there are no pics. A lot of needless douchbaggery in this thread.
If you feel like taking a small step away from Fender, take a good hard look at some of the kids in the same family: Either G&L or Ernie Ball Musicman. Both of these companies make outstanding quality instruments that will certainly put a smile on your face... and your ears.
I bought a Fender off the internet once. It's a bad idea. They just are not consistent enough to be purchased sight unseen if you are are super picky. I don't even care about a blemish - I play bass I don't encase it in glass. But the ski jump fretboard makes playing in the upper octaves impossible. There are issues like that about Fenders that always made me play them in person for this reason.
If you are going to buy online, you need to prepare for stuff like this to happen. Or you can order from more high end bass makers with better QC.
If you are going to buy online, you need to prepare for stuff like this to happen. Or you can order from more high end bass makers with better QC.
Help me understand why you single out Fender for ski jump issues. Why wouldn't this issue be just as prevalent with any other brand of bass? Getting the Facts about Ski Jumps | TalkBass.com
Wow! You're like a former guitarist I knew. Maybe, like him, you're just in the wrong job? Sounds like you'd be happier as a luthier (or even a tech) than you currently are being a player.
Maybe time to think about a career change? He did. Went to school for it, apprenticed for awhile to get some real-world experience with the business end of things, and then went on to open his own shop. Said he never regretted it once. (He still plays too.)
