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Return Used Fender Custom Shop Bass?

Would you return this?

  • Yes

  • No

Results are only viewable after voting.
G

goldendomer04

Supporting Member
Sep 30, 2018
446
1,338
#1
Hey TB,

I am torn making a decision and thought I would see what the masses would do.

I love the classic Fender Jazz Bass sound, but have become seriously spoiled by lightweight basses and that usually makes Fender Custom Shop Jazz Basses a no-go for me.

This past week I wasn’t really looking for a new bass, but I came across a FCS Jazz bass that was advertised as under 8lbs (with covers) so I had to see it. The bass arrived weighing just over 8lbs on my scale and is the lightest FCS Jazz I’ve come across.

The neck shape feels great, pickups sound great, but there are some issues. A shim has been added, the truss rod is maxed out and the action still is not quite where I like it. It’s good but not great.

Would you all return the bass ($3k) or fix the issues and enjoy it?

The reasonable part of me wants to return the bass on principle, but I really am excited about adding some Gotoh Res-O-Lites and enjoying this for years to come.

Thanks!
 
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#8
A shim is not an issue at all.

If the truss rod isn’t able to keep the neck straight, and there is too much relief in the neck with the rod maxed, that is an issue. Strings would be closer to the fretboard at the ends of the neck, further in the middle.

Of course if the neck is straight, and a person were to remove the shim and then be unhappy with the action at the high end of the neck, that would be user error.
 
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#10
goldendomer04 said:
Hey TB,

I am torn making a decision and thought I would see what the masses would do.

I love the classic Fender Jazz Bass sound, but have become seriously spoiled by lightweight basses and that usually makes Fender Custom Shop Jazz Basses a no-go for me.

This past week I wasn’t really looking for a new bass, but I came across a FCS Jazz bass that was advertised as under 8lbs (with covers) so I had to see it. The bass arrived weighing just over 8lbs on my scale and is the lightest FCS Jazz I’ve come across.

The neck shape feels great, pickups sound great, but there are some issues. A shim has been added, the truss rod is maxed out and the action still is not quite where I like it. It’s good but not great.

Would you all return the bass ($3k) or fix the issues and enjoy it?

The reasonable part of me wants to return the bass on principle, but I really am excited about adding some Gotoh Res-O-Lites and enjoying this for years to come.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

The "truss rod is maxed out and the action still is not quite where I like it" situation is a show-stopper, IMHO.

Send it back.
 
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#13
IF there is a genuinely qualified, experienced guitar repairman available to you, I'd have him evaluate it, then make a decision. I've seen enough poorly set up axes that could be brought to heel by someone who knew what they were doing without major surgery.

This might be a strategy IF the numbers work, i.e., buy it cheap enough due to these issues that even with the work, you're still good numbers wise. And since it's an FCS piece, be sure you get all the case candy and the genuine FCS case it came with.

If none of this is possible, walk away. Like the old song says, 'too many fish in the sea', unless later you want to be a subject of a 'gee is this a legit FCS bass' thread . . . .
 
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#14
goldendomer04 said:
Hey TB,

I am torn making a decision and thought I would see what the masses would do.

I love the classic Fender Jazz Bass sound, but have become seriously spoiled by lightweight basses and that usually makes Fender Custom Shop Jazz Basses a no-go for me.

This past week I wasn’t really looking for a new bass, but I came across a FCS Jazz bass that was advertised as under 8lbs (with covers) so I had to see it. The bass arrived weighing just over 8lbs on my scale and is the lightest FCS Jazz I’ve come across.

The neck shape feels great, pickups sound great, but there are some issues. A shim has been added, the truss rod is maxed out and the action still is not quite where I like it. It’s good but not great.

Would you all return the bass ($3k) or fix the issues and enjoy it?

The reasonable part of me wants to return the bass on principle, but I really am excited about adding some Gotoh Res-O-Lites and enjoying this for years to come.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

There's nothing bad or at all unusual about neck pocket shims on Fender basses. That's a non-issue as long as it wasn't a misguided, failed attempt at fixing something else that a shim won't resolve.

The truss rod is more complicated/too complicated to diagnose through this forum.

What I'd do/consider before deciding: I'd look into what strings are on it and consider lighter or lower tension strings (less pull in terms of pounds) I'd investigate whether the truss rod is truly maxed. I'd try taking the strings off, releasing the truss rod/backing the nut off and consider adding a washer or two behind the truss rod nut.

If it were me and after all, if I found or feel I wouldn't be able to set it up to my standards and maintain that setup with my preferred strings and considering seasonal variations then I'd send it back.
 
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#15
Grinderman said:
What I'd do/consider before deciding: I'd look into what strings are on it and consider lighter or lower tension strings (less pull in terms of pounds) I'd investigate whether the truss rod is truly maxed. I'd try taking the strings off, releasing the truss rod/backing the nut off and consider adding a washer or two behind the truss rod nut.
Click to expand...

I use lighter strings, so this is what I would do.

I'd start with 2 washers.
 
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#16
Aren't those issues part of being the reliced flavor where an instrument shows years of wear
and abuse?

The OP didn't specify if it was used or bought new from a dealer. Either way, it's a shame on a pricey instrument there is a truss rod problem which can cause action issues.

Maybe I'm in the minority but I can’t see spending thousands of dollars on a relic or trashed out looking "new" instrument.

When I was considering a C.S. Fender Jazz the only ones readily available were reliced. The only way to get a closet classic is special order which had a year or more lead time.

If the Bass was bought new, I would get it repaired while under warranty if this Bass is truly what you want. If not, getting the neck repaired could be pricey where I would just return it and look around for another but maybe buy new where you have a warranty.
 
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#17
fourstringburn said:
Aren't those issues part of being the reliced flavor where an instrument shows years of wear
and abuse?
.
Click to expand...

That is funny.

That's like getting a classic 50s car restored or kit-built and leaving in bad seals, old motor oil and any warranty fixes that made that particular model dangerous or unreliable.

The idea behind a relic is to get an instrument that feels and sounds vintage, while updating any old design flaws or making it more playable by modern standards
 
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#18
Maxed out truss rod? Return it. That's a problem, could be a soft neck but whether it is or not you need a functioning truss rod. You could take the truss rod nut off and put a couple of washers behind it to see if you get some play in it but I'd return it. I wouldn't play around with a 3 grand bass. Incidentally, wide straps make basses feel lighter.
 
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