Returning bass after changing strings?

[stevensivak]

huh?

 

[DaveParker39]

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.

I highly doubt that, in dealing with anyone other than Rickenbacker directly, the string change will be an issue to worry about. Especially with Sweetwater. And especially because you are getting a replacement rather than just returning it and getting your money back.

They have an insanely liberal return policy.

That said, I usually am truthful in this situations and it tends to lead to good outcomes. When my Fender Rumble 800 started making noise I emailed both Fender and Sweetwater. Sweetwater who offered to fix it, I told them I needed an amp to use so it would be hard for me to be ampless so they offered to send a replacement despite it being past the return window... and then FENDER, who I had emailed a week before, offered to send me a new Rumble with NO expectation of me returning the other one, told me "you can get it fixed or donate it to charity". So I told Sweetwater they could keep the one they had intended to replace mine with because Fender made things right. I was just honest and I felt better about it and everyone knew what everyone else was doing.

And now I have a backup Rumble that's noisy that I still need to get fixed, and one that works perfectly well, and I paid nothing for any of those transactions (except the original amp purchase) and was honest the whole time.

 

[Spidey2112]

I'm sure their 55 point inspection would catch it... wait a sec... never mind.

 

[Wood and Wire]

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?

They might charge you a restocking fee (or they might just eat the cost of putting the correct set of strings back on the instrument).

For future reference, it is actually possible to take the strings off a bass, without cutting them...

 

[ThePez]

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?

no

 

[Rabidhamster]

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.

Returning it because it’s defective they shouldn’t likely fuss over strings if you don’t alter the instrument to install them. The defect cost you the pack of strings, just like you didn’t cost Sweetwater the strings the defect did.
Either it’s going back to the manufacturer, most likely, or getting blown out as defective as-is on eBay….

 

[sonojono]

I've done this once at a Guitar Center. Worker knew the strings were different so he called up the manager to see if he can take the return. So the manager looked at the worker pissed and said yes, then proceeded to go about his business.

In the end, they really don't care unless you cosmetically altered the bass.

 

[Stranger Danger]

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?

Buy replacement strings. You messed up by chaging them so eat the cost

 

[charliethomas]

The variety of responses I got on this thread is wild! I don't know what I expected, but I definitely didn't expect to get polar opposite suggestions on what to do.

Thankfully, one good thing to come out of this thread is that I came up with a solution - I'll just switch out the strings when I get the replacement bass. Done, resolved.

If you want to pontificate further on the general idea of switching strings and then returning a bass, go ahead, but don't bother addressing my situation directly if you're not taking the time to read through what's already been discussed.

Still, it's fun to watch just how many people don't actually bother reading through the replies and just repeat the same context-less answer that's already been said 5 other times. Gotta say, I'm a big fan of the posts suggesting that switching out the strings for different gauges is a gross alteration to the instrument, or that it's somehow analogous to ripping out the frets. Looking forward to seeing more variations of "cutting strings bad" and "buy more strings" even though both of those points have been addressed by this point. Keep it up!

 

[SteveCS]

...
Turning the tone down is causing the audio output to be distorted.
...

...
The electronics issue didn't start happening until a week after I got it.
...

Sounds like a dying battery to me - I assume you've done the obvious and tried a fresh one?

 

[MingusBass]

The variety of responses I got on this thread is wild! I don't know what I expected, but I definitely didn't expect to get polar opposite suggestions on what to do.

Thankfully, one good thing to come out of this thread is that I came up with a solution - I'll just switch out the strings when I get the replacement bass. Done, resolved.

If you want to pontificate further on the general idea of switching strings and then returning a bass, go ahead, but don't bother addressing my situation directly if you're not taking the time to read through what's already been discussed.

Still, it's fun to watch just how many people don't actually bother reading through the replies and just repeat the same context-less answer that's already been said 5 other times. Gotta say, I'm a big fan of the posts suggesting that switching out the strings for different gauges is a gross alteration to the instrument, or that it's somehow analogous to ripping out the frets. Looking forward to seeing more variations of "cutting strings bad" and "buy more strings" even though both of those points have been addressed by this point. Keep it up!

You expect us to read every response before throwing our two cents in?

You asked for advice, you got it.

Beyond that, get over yourself.

 

[Indiana Mike]

Read their return policy.
If they notice they are gonna dock your refund.
Or
They won’t.
It’s a coin toss IMO.
Be ready to pay. If you don’t have to great. If you do you were prepared.

 

[Hounddog409]

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?

You cut the strings? Why?

Also, on you to return the bass to how you recieved it.

Not sure why one would replace strings/chamge tuning until you are 100% sure you are keepimg it.

 

[HolmeBass]

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 found it unusual because I never cut my strings off. The fewer pieces of string fragments to police up after a change the better.

I probably wouldn’t even change the strings until after the return period was over. I wouldn’t use it at a gig either.

On the bright side you didn’t swap out the nut yet so hopefully your sales engineer can help you out here.

 

[HolmeBass]

I highly doubt that, in dealing with anyone other than Rickenbacker directly, the string change will be an issue to worry about. Especially with Sweetwater. And especially because you are getting a replacement rather than just returning it and getting your money back.

They have an insanely liberal return policy.

That said, I usually am truthful in this situations and it tends to lead to good outcomes. When my Fender Rumble 800 started making noise I emailed both Fender and Sweetwater. Sweetwater who offered to fix it, I told them I needed an amp to use so it would be hard for me to be ampless so they offered to send a replacement despite it being past the return window... and then FENDER, who I had emailed a week before, offered to send me a new Rumble with NO expectation of me returning the other one, told me "you can get it fixed or donate it to charity". So I told Sweetwater they could keep the one they had intended to replace mine with because Fender made things right. I was just honest and I felt better about it and everyone knew what everyone else was doing.

And now I have a backup Rumble that's noisy that I still need to get fixed, and one that works perfectly well, and I paid nothing for any of those transactions (except the original amp purchase) and was honest the whole time.

Something something best policy.

 

[Qlanq]

What bass is it?

 

[HaphAsSard]

You expect us to read every response before throwing our two cents in?

So you read the OP's latest? Pfft! Heck, why even read the opening post at all? Just reply to the title!

Amateurs...

 

[rtslinger]

Yup either that or put a a set of EADG back on it and set it up before you send it back. would be a working solution IMO.

 

[micguy]

There are posts that say things like “they won’t notice” on here . Hmmmm.

Any purchase transaction is a two way street - when it comes to a return, even more so. Whenever someone senses that a seller might have “tried to get away with something”, they will hop on line and make a fuss about it, shaming the seller for not doing things in good faith.

Folks, this goes both ways. If we want sellers to treat us fairly, it’s not helpful if we don’t do the same. Any time you’re thinking “ they won’t notice”, think for a bit - is it OK if the store approaches things that way?

Sweetwater has been through this many times, they understand pretty much every thing that can go wrong, and they’re good at dealing with it. I find if you are completely up front and honest ( just like you want them to be), you’ll get through it just fine. Once in a while, with some sellers, it doesn’t go that way, but that gives you useful data - you know not to deal with them in the future.

 

[dune]

The variety of responses I got on this thread is wild! I don't know what I expected, but I definitely didn't expect to get polar opposite suggestions on what to do.

First day on the internet?