It's easier and causes less damage than trying to pull the coiled strings through the bridge holes, assuming I am not re-using them.
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Returning bass after changing strings?
- Thread starter charliethomas
- Start date
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?
Definitely! Live and learn! I loved it so much when I first got it that I couldn't imagine returning it. It was one I was eyeing for the better part of a year before buying. Of course, each instrument is unique, and can have its own unique problems and quirks, so I'll try not to repeat this mistake in the future.
The problem didn't present itself until a week after I had it to be fair, so I guess I need to wait a lot longer next time!
No one is gonna notice.
I went temporarily insane about 10 years ago and bought a 6 string Warwick. It weighed about 3000 lbs and the strings were dead, so I replaced them.
By the end of the weekend I wanted my $1200 back, so I brought it into Sam Ash and told them the bass was not for me. I may have been charged a restocking fee, but no one is looking at strings on a return...
I went temporarily insane about 10 years ago and bought a 6 string Warwick. It weighed about 3000 lbs and the strings were dead, so I replaced them.
By the end of the weekend I wanted my $1200 back, so I brought it into Sam Ash and told them the bass was not for me. I may have been charged a restocking fee, but no one is looking at strings on a return...
Strings are designed to be temporary, despite all the arguments on TB from folks who have the same strings on their bass since the Reagan era and who require a tetanus shot before a gig
Now this... I don't know about. Until I set up the instrument, how will I know if it plays well or if I like it? Sure, someone who's inexperienced can mess things up with a setup, but if you know what you're doing... I can't imagine a proper setup with neck adjustment, action changes, and setting intonation to be something that would void a warranty or upset any future player. If the new player doesn't like the action as it arrives, they can change it themselves. I don't really expect a new bass from a factory to be set up perfectly or to my taste.
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To answer this and other people asking why change something if I'm not sure I would keep it... I was sure that I loved it and was keeping it. Everything about the feel is perfect. The electronics issue didn't start happening until a week after I got it. I know a week isn't a long time, but I'm fairly impulsive sometimes. I promise I'll do better
I detuned them before I cut them. I just didn't wanna bother threading them through the bridge. The stock strings were pretty bad, to me. Unbalanced tone, kinda gross feeling. The new set on them sounded so much better. But yeah, live and learn - I won't be doing that again.
I actually tend to keep my old strings when I put on a new set, just in case I need a backup. I just really hated the stock strings here.
Yeah, thought I made it clear in my original post, but I have no intention of nickel and diming anything. Kind of a weird assumption to jump to. I wouldn't be upset if they charged me. I just never returned anything before, and I didn't want it to be rejected if I sent it back. For all I know, they ship the returned instrument back to the manufacturer, where it's then completely broken down and rebuilt, or scrapped. Unlikely in this case since it's just a problem with the electronics, which can be easily replaced. But yeah, not trying to be cheap here, just wanted to get some insight into best practices for returning.
The comments about making sure it's as close or exact to factory specs upon return make a lot of sense to me - I'll make sure not to return it with my EADGC strings on it.
I definitely didn't make any nut adjustments or anything permanent. Just a different set of strings. The instrument didn't transform into a monster when I put a high C on it.
Just chuck a cheap set of strings on it tuned B-G. The shop won't notice (or care probably) and anybody that buys it will likely do what you did and change strings immediately.
Look at like an opportunity to try a new set of strings, and if you don’t like them, they are going away with the return. Or look up what strings it came with, and buy a set.
Or, if you can move all the strings over one slot, buy a single B, and ship it back.
I’m totally with you. First thing I do is put on my favorite strings and do a full set up. And any five strings were going to be E-C. How else would I know if it’s a keeper? The stock set might go in the string box, labeled. Or if they are stainless, I’d give them away to a buddy to try. Or I’d toss em, some strings are just horrible.
Since I do the E-C thing, I’ll put extra wraps around tuning posts to try and preserve my options. So strings aren’t too short to move over a slot.
I’d put it back to B-G, ship it back, and insist that since this is a return for a defect, that they cover return shipping. I’d also be looking for a sweetener on the next one, like a discount or credit.
You bought a bass, retail, you are within the return period, and it has a defect. It’s up to them to make it right. But put it back to B-G first. I like the idea of using the replacement bass’s strings!
Or, if you can move all the strings over one slot, buy a single B, and ship it back.
I’m totally with you. First thing I do is put on my favorite strings and do a full set up. And any five strings were going to be E-C. How else would I know if it’s a keeper? The stock set might go in the string box, labeled. Or if they are stainless, I’d give them away to a buddy to try. Or I’d toss em, some strings are just horrible.
Since I do the E-C thing, I’ll put extra wraps around tuning posts to try and preserve my options. So strings aren’t too short to move over a slot.
I’d put it back to B-G, ship it back, and insist that since this is a return for a defect, that they cover return shipping. I’d also be looking for a sweetener on the next one, like a discount or credit.
You bought a bass, retail, you are within the return period, and it has a defect. It’s up to them to make it right. But put it back to B-G first. I like the idea of using the replacement bass’s strings!
Wow.... Given how often people tend to complain about problems when the bass they purchased (from GC, SW, or a seller on eBay or Reverb) is delivered with something they don't like and would not expect — a deficient setup, cheap or otherwise unsatisfying strings, etc. — I find it surprising to see numerous TBers blithely telling the OP to just go ahead and send back the problematic bass with different strings and changes because the seller "probably won't notice or care" and it's not really important anyway, etc, yadda-yadda-yadda....
Frankly, I would now be more hesitant about buying anything being sold by fellow TBers if this kind of attitude is even a little bit common here. Sheesh! I'd hate to think of the kind of moral example these folks might be displaying for their kids: "Don't worry about doing the right thing. As long as you can get away with it, it's okay."
Frankly, I would now be more hesitant about buying anything being sold by fellow TBers if this kind of attitude is even a little bit common here. Sheesh! I'd hate to think of the kind of moral example these folks might be displaying for their kids: "Don't worry about doing the right thing. As long as you can get away with it, it's okay."
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Context and point of view are everything: Strings aren't permanent hardware despite what some may believe. On a personal note: Strings are an immediate change on any bass I have bought since the beginning of time because they almost always come in 45s and I play with 40s....Regardless, and in all likelihood, whether they have the original set or not, the company will change the strings out again anyway just out of sanitary reasons: because of unknown variables of the previous owner's hygiene status or if the person has practices like self rectal exams before playing the bass, but mainly so that the next potential customer has a re-zeroed set of whatever strings the factory originally ships with itWow.... Given how often people tend to complain about problems when the bass they purchased (from GC, SW, or a seller on eBay or Reverb) is delivered with something they don't like and would not expect — a deficient setup, cheap or otherwise unsatisfying strings, etc. — I find it surprising to see numerous TBers blithely telling the OP to just go ahead and send back the problematic bass with different strings and changes because the seller "probably won't notice or care" and it's not really important anyway, etc, yadda-yadda-yadda....
Frankly, I would now be more hesitant about buying anything being sold by fellow TBers if this kind of attitude is even a little bit common here. Sheesh! I'd hate to think of the kind of moral example these folks might be displaying for their kids: "Don't worry about doing the right thing. As long as you can get away with it, it's okay."
Slightly played strings are kind of like a slightly used toothbrush, but your mileage may vary
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A lot of techs cut strings off because it supposedly saves time in the process of re-straining. I don’t cut them because I don’t care about the tine saving cuz I’m not on the clock, and I really don’t think it saves any time.
Not sure why you cut the original strings or why you strung it for a different tuning before you were sure you wanted it.
Not sure what SW will do but if I was in your shoes I’d pay my stupid tax and buy a new set of correct strings, then set it up right for them before trying to return it, but that’s just me. Everyone has aw poopie days/moments. The right thing to do is own it and make it right before trying to return it.
Not sure what SW will do but if I was in your shoes I’d pay my stupid tax and buy a new set of correct strings, then set it up right for them before trying to return it, but that’s just me. Everyone has aw poopie days/moments. The right thing to do is own it and make it right before trying to return it.
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Read what I just wrote. I can link you to the Wikipedia article if necessary, but the fact that you can put non-OEM tires on your car without voiding your warranty is but one example of Magnuson-Moss.
And yet that’s irrelevant to the question of whether you need to keep original brand strings.
For reference:
15 US Code § 2302
(c)Prohibition on conditions for written or implied warranty; waiver by Commission
No warrantor of a consumer product may condition his written or implied warranty of such product on the consumer’s using, in connection with such product, any article or service (other than article or service provided without charge under the terms of the warranty) which is identified by brand, trade, or corporate name; except that the prohibition of this subsection may be waived by the Commission if —
warrantor satisfies the Commission that the warranted product will function properly only if the article or service so identified is used in connection with the warranted product, and
Commission finds that such a waiver is in the public interest.
15 US Code § 2302
(c)Prohibition on conditions for written or implied warranty; waiver by Commission
No warrantor of a consumer product may condition his written or implied warranty of such product on the consumer’s using, in connection with such product, any article or service (other than article or service provided without charge under the terms of the warranty) which is identified by brand, trade, or corporate name; except that the prohibition of this subsection may be waived by the Commission if —
warrantor satisfies the Commission that the warranted product will function properly only if the article or service so identified is used in connection with the warranted product, and
Commission finds that such a waiver is in the public interest.
I write this as someone who worked for Sweetwater for a decade:
If there’s an issue with the original bass, I don’t think the strings you return it with will matter.
Your intention was to keep the bass so you changed the strings to your liking, but there’s an issue with the electronics. That’s your get out of jail card.
If there’s an issue with the original bass, I don’t think the strings you return it with will matter.
Your intention was to keep the bass so you changed the strings to your liking, but there’s an issue with the electronics. That’s your get out of jail card.
