Returning bass after changing strings?

[JRA]

I'm about to return it for a replacement.

Why are you returning it? Is it defective?

 

[micguy]

seems like all you'd have to do is buy a low B....

Moving strings over one spot can be fraught with the issue that...."oh yeah, this string is not long enough to reach the tuner".

 

[dbsfgyd1]

What's Not Covered
The warranty is void if, upon inspection by RIC factory personnel, the defect is determined to be the result of damage due to misuse, exposure to environmental extremes, modification, or the use of replacement parts, including strings, not in conformity with factory specifications, or due to damage not resulting from a manufacturing defect.

Been there and got the Tee Shirt.

 

[GIBrat51]

Rickenbacker's warranty basically say's you better have the factory strings on the instrument or they could deny warranty!!!!

Actually...
Several years ago, members of the RickResource Forum (and I was one of them) pinned RIC's CEO (John Hall) into a corner over the "inappropriate string" thing, and got him to state - in writing - that any strings that were equivalent to RIC's factory strings, would not void the warranty. So, if they were "normal" 45-105 (or lighter) round wounds? Not a problem. La Bella "Jamerson" flats OTOH? Big problem...
However: that was then; this is now. John Hall no longer runs RIC, and I can't say if the policy is the same - or if it is not. All 3 of my Ricks are waay past their warranty period (50 years, in one instance); but, IMO? If I were to buy a new Rick, there would be a set of Rick rounds in my Big Box 'O Strings - just in case...

 

[charliethomas]

So for those asking, I'm returning it for an exact replacement because it has some electronics issues. Turning the tone down is causing the audio output to be distorted. I was originally going to take it to a guitar tech because I really don't like shipping instruments.. such a hassle. But it's so new, and the electronics have a circuit board, so I figured it's best to just get a new one.

One thing I thought of - they don't require me to ship it back until the replacement arrives, so I could take the strings off the new one and put them on the one I'm returning... I may just do that.

Of course, if the new one has issues, I'll be right back in the same boat.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

I would not do this. The right thing to do is to send back in the same condition as you received it- this includes it being correctly strung.

 

[logdrum]

Buy a new set. Why nickel and dime this. You modified the bass from it's intended use that is providing a low B to the ~3rd octave G. They are in their right to upcharge you.

 

[KellyC]

That is 100% absolutely not the case at all whatsoever. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is your friend here - basically they cannot require the use of their own parts as part of the terms and conditions of the warranty.

They are within their rights to deny a warranty claim is the damage is due to the parts in question, but it would be difficult for them to prove in court or mediation that a simple change of strings, unless grossly out of step with factory spec, was the reason for a defective bass.

I'd say stringing a BEADG 5 string with EADGC strings is the very definition of "grossly out of step with factory spec."

 

[MCF]

So for those asking, I'm returning it for an exact replacement because it has some electronics issues. Turning the tone down is causing the audio output to be distorted. I was originally going to take it to a guitar tech because I really don't like shipping instruments.. such a hassle. But it's so new, and the electronics have a circuit board, so I figured it's best to just get a new one.

One thing I thought of - they don't require me to ship it back until the replacement arrives, so I could take the strings off the new one and put them on the one I'm returning... I may just do that.

Of course, if the new one has issues, I'll be right back in the same boat.

This. Just swap the strings. Sweetwater gives you something like ten days or so to ship the one you’re returning back to them. It’s an easy process. Unpack the new one, put the old one in the box, print the shipping label, tape it on, and call FedEx to come pick it up.

 

[JRA]

I could take the strings off the new one and put them on the one I'm returning...Of course, if the new one has issues, I'll be right back in the same boat.

of course, you've learned something here: you won't change anything about the 'new one' until you know that it's a keeper, right?

 

[MultiScaleMale]

You learned your lesson, just put a new set of original strings on the bass before you return it. Or since you’re returning it because there is an issue, call your rep and ask what you should do.

 

[gr8avocado]

Just go buy a new set of strings. Problem solved.
If you messed with the nut that, would be a big problem.

 

[mikeswals]

Yup, you veered from stock. Go buy a cheap 5 string set, and keep your E-C string set for the replacement bass. You're gong to have to get a set anyway....

 

[HolmeBass]

Why would you cut them off if you were not sure about keeping the bass? Why not just uninstalled them non-destructively?

 

[bigdaddybass12]

This is after the fact, it is better to un-tune strings to remove opposed to cutting them off. Less shock to the neck.

 

[Gluvhand]

This is after the fact, it is better to un-tune strings to remove opposed to cutting them off. Less shock to the neck.

I detune then cut. He may have done the same. Or not.

 

[gregmon79]

I don't think they'd care. As long as you installed them correctly, they probably won't even notice unless you say something...

 

[stevensivak]

Why cut strings to remove them in the first place?

 

[Pilgrim]

This might be a silly question but I just wanted to see if anyone has any insight. I bought a new bass from Sweetwater, and I'm about to return it for a replacement.

Only thing is, I cut off the original strings and replaced them. I'm not worried about recuperating the cost of the strings, I can eat that cost, but would there potentially be any problems with returning a bass with different strings from the original?

And then, let's say it's a 5 string bass, and when I replaced the strings, I used high C tuning (EADGC). Does that change the situation? I can't put the original strings back on, but is it ok to return it with the EADGC strings even though it originally came with BEADG? Should I put a set of regular 5 strings with a low B on it before I ship it back? Or am I just worrying about nothing?

Moral of the story: don’t make changes you can’t reverse until you’re sure it’s a keeper. It would have been easy to simply remove the strings NON-destructively and re-install them.

 

[Meghans Dad]

I see it this way...If I bought a new instrument, or even a discounted return expecting to be strung with factory strings and found it had cheap replacements and had been set up for a non-standard tuning, including a truss rod adjustment, I would be a bit more than perturbed. You may be causing problems for a future bass player. Do unto others...