Exactly. I wonder why is so hard to adjust these cnc machines as Squier cv line has better constructed instruments for a lot less money.
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Should I Just Return It?
- Thread starter P Cheen
- Start date
I bought a Nate Mendel p bass From Sweetwater with a crooked bridge. I called my sales guy and he offered to have me return it or accept an additional 15% off the bass. I took the discount, bought a Hipshot bridge an fixed it myself.
Smooth_bass88
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- Oct 31, 2006
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Return while you can. Its always going to bug. Take it from me, I have OCD too. It would drive me nuts! lol
As far as the polepieces go - I've learned not to worry too much about them. That neck alignment is wonky though, maybe it's the nut? Somebody else has mentioned the bridge being out of alignment. I'd buy that explanation as well. Either way, I wouldn't sweat the polepieces too much but that alignment with the strings on the neck would drive me crazy.
Should I Just Return It?
Yes. This one is done for you.
However, I would suggest finding a finished instrument in a production, 'off the rack', and even most boutique axes that will pass OCD-ing it to the last millimeter . . . . . is a BIG ask. Best of Luck.
Yes. This one is done for you.
However, I would suggest finding a finished instrument in a production, 'off the rack', and even most boutique axes that will pass OCD-ing it to the last millimeter . . . . . is a BIG ask. Best of Luck.
I would return it. If it were used I would do as others suggested like replacing the bridge. New shouldn't come with any problems.
I mostly agree with your wife. The misalignment is not really that bad. You're looking for perfect and this one isn't perfect but the non-perfections do not impact playability or sound.
The part of me that disagrees with your wife is due to your prior OCD diagnosis. OCD is a monster living in a person's head. It isn't something that you can just ignore and those affected by it live differently than the non-OCD person does. Being bothered by may well be more of a true internals struggle that others would understand.
Solution? I'd probably get a different bridge with sideways adjustable saddles. KickAss, A Style or maybe the threaded barrel Fender bridge. I'd go A Style because I really like drop in load bridges but that's just me. Mind you with a different bridge you'll still have the issue that the strings sit crooked in the bridge but at least they'll be better over the pickups and over the neck.
Another alternative is plug & redrill the body to move the bridge 1/8" to toward the bass side. I'd rather have a nice drop in load bridge
I have a bass and the dots on the neck aren’t perfectly aligned with the strings. The strings are aligned with some pickup pole pieces but not all. I’ve gigged the bass, it sounds and plays great and one nice thing about playing it, you don’t notice the dots or pole pieces and neither does anyone else!
I think you'll be happier in the long run if you return it and find something in person that you can like before purchasing. You may need to bump your budget up a bit as well - just reality.
So is it that you think the bridge is off center or something else? I couldn’t see what you thought was off center besides the truss rod access hole, and you didn’t take a picture of it here.
The truss rod access hole is what it is
I think the Fender Mexico plant must have one CNC machine that's off. I got one of these, and the bridge was off in the same direction. I got it mint, from someone selling it due to the nack being off. I got such a discount that I was able to buy a whole new body and that fixed it. This isn't common with Fender stuff. I've owned a bunch of them and only had this issue once. I did sell a bunch of Fender stuff, but for other reasons.
I have OCPD, not OCD and I noticed the strings right away.
Brand new bass? Return it. You should expect it in better shape then what you received.
Brand new bass? Return it. You should expect it in better shape then what you received.
Return it! or they 'll never learn!
a while back ago I bought a new Fretless Fender J bass, I broke a screw installing a Badass II bridge, & had to send it to a well known Tech to fix my "F"-up & do a set up( he had to file grooves into the bridge also. whem I got it back he informed me the string alignment is off, "look at the pole pieces!,I had pull the strings way over to get them close!" he went to say bass would be fine, its the factory's jig is off. I couldnt send mine back cause I "altered" the bass. So I say return it. You paid good money for a new bass. It's within your right to get a new bass without any "issues". GL Also get the new one setup by a knowledgeable tech/luthier, they can do wonders!
Seen a lot of Rickenbackers with the same issue including crooked pickup mounting. Might as well send it back since you essentially paid for a "B" stock instrument and didn't know till you got it. I've corrected similar issues on used pieces with great success, but since you paid full price just send it back and get what you want. Sorry to hear this happened to you and wish you good luck.
