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Return Used Fender Custom Shop Bass?

Would you return this?

  • Yes

  • No

Results are only viewable after voting.
#61
i have a bass that the truss rod was maxed out on it and I did the neck repair myself
it took a while but I took the neck off the bass and loosen the truss rod and put a bit of back bow in the neck with some clamps easily and put the neck it in a homemade "oven" which is basically just some warm flood lights in a hot garage for about 7-14 days and this will alter the molecules in the neck a bit. After that I have now had this bass with the truss rod working as it should for over three years now and it is still perfectly fine.
 
#62
Just a suggestion. Some people (especially the guy I bought my P bass from) try to fix a perceived neck issue but, have no real clue as how to properly adjust it. In essence they go the wrong way making truss adjustments and the issue worse. Then they give up. If it were me, I would back the truss nut out and loosen the strings. Let it set for 2 or 3 days.

Grab some new strings and tune it. Adjust the truss slowly letting it set for a few hours between adjustments. If it doesn't adjust or bottoms out then send it back with the original strings of course. Good luck.
 
#63
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...
If you can't get it to play how you want, then return it. It doesn't matter how much it weighs if it plays poorly.
 
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#67
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...
Well... personally, you lost me at "Fender Custom Shop". They and I had a bad philosophical difference of opinion years ago about making me a left handed bass, and... let's just say that, if I told them now what I told them then? I'd probably be in jail... But, that's neither here nor there. Personal feelings about FCS aside;
- While I do have some basses in my herd that are... not exactly in tip-top mechanical condition, they are also old; pretty scarce - or unique, due to one thing or another; and would be very difficult or impossible to replace. So, my only choice is to either live with their... foibles; or, dispose of them. It took me decades to find the ones I have; I choose to live with their foibles...
- Assuming that you're a right handed player (which I am not); that bass is pretty easily replaced - any time you want to replace it. So, it might be a bit of a wrench to let that one go, but trust me; there'll be another one along shortly. Without a screwed up truss rod, and maybe not even a shimmed neck...
- Bottom line? I'd have the bass checked over, by someone who knows what he's doing; and, I'd do it quick as a bunny - before any return window closes. Unless the problem turns out not to be just a set-up issue, and the truss rod really is bad? Throw that carp back in the lake; get your $$$'s back; and fish for a bass that's a keeper. One that will function like it's supposed to...:whistle:
 
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#69
Sorry to hear your FCS bass is not quite up to par. If you purchased the bass new, FCS offers a lifetime warranty on the neck.

I purchased a FCS 59RI new and after 9 months developed a bowed neck. This coincided during a time in which I began using La Bella Deep Talking flats. They have high tension.

I took the bass to one of FCS approved techs in my area and he placed a spacer on the truss rod and that held for a few months. However, I was eventually back to a bowed neck. I returned it to the tech and we were able to get a new neck built for free due to the warranty. It took 3 months without my bass, but I had a very solid amazing neck after that.
 
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#70
80jazz said:
I didn't say he should put light strings on it and call it a day. I did suggest that fixes do exist.

It's fine that the OP didn't want to do that. Their bass, their choice.
Click to expand...


I wasn't necessarily targeting you, many people have had that attitude in this thread. Fixes of course exist but why pay 3 grand for a bass that has problems, incidentally maxed out truss rods are a pretty big problem, I had to buy a new neck for an American 1996 RI '62 Jazz because of that. It had washers put on, I brought it to two good luthiers and still within a day or two bowed again, the neck itself was soft which was a known Fender problem, that is a big reason truss rods max out.
 
#71
I have had truss rod issues with several FCS basses. Let us just say that Fender were somewhat less than helpful, including advice such as to allow a couple of years for it to settle. A couple of points: it is a wood issue rather than the truss rod. The wood just compresses, in some cases apparently forever. I never tighten a truss rod without first clamping the neck into a back bow, this helps to avoid the compression issue. I have one marvellous FCS precision that I kept and persevered with because it's tone and feel are special, it took many months and several spacers but it is now totally stable although there is absolutely no more give on the rod and I have never had to tighten one so hard before. The most stable and perfect neck I have on a FCS bass is roasted maple, and I think that is the way I will go with FCS in future. Finally, if I was the op I would return the bass.
 
#72
bobyoung53 said:
I wasn't necessarily targeting you, many people have had that attitude in this thread. Fixes of course exist but why pay 3 grand for a bass that has problems, incidentally maxed out truss rods are a pretty big problem, I had to buy a new neck for an American 1996 RI '62 Jazz because of that. It had washers put on, I brought it to two good luthiers and still within a day or two bowed again, the neck itself was soft which was a known Fender problem, that is a big reason truss rods max out.
Click to expand...

I did not assume you were; I just wanted to clarify my position.
 
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#75
Tim1 said:
I have had truss rod issues with several FCS basses. Let us just say that Fender were somewhat less than helpful, including advice such as to allow a couple of years for it to settle. A couple of points: it is a wood issue rather than the truss rod. The wood just compresses, in some cases apparently forever. I never tighten a truss rod without first clamping the neck into a back bow, this helps to avoid the compression issue. I have one marvellous FCS precision that I kept and persevered with because it's tone and feel are special, it took many months and several spacers but it is now totally stable although there is absolutely no more give on the rod and I have never had to tighten one so hard before. The most stable and perfect neck I have on a FCS bass is roasted maple, and I think that is the way I will go with FCS in future. Finally, if I was the op I would return the bass.
Click to expand...

Well, it shoud NOT be a wood issue in the first place, on such an expensive instrument. The wood should be top notch. I think CS should also DROP the neck pocket trussrod adjustement, it's way better at the headstock. I never had any Squier neck having a maxxed out trussrod, yet.
 
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#76
Its stories like this which do CS no favours, ime.
(thats another thread as to the value and QC type issues of CS)

To rectify, I'd consider a luthier job if it sorted it completely and there was money available in the deal.
If the money spent is something you'll never get close to getting back, I'd have to totally love it to throw more at it.
 

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