Should I return new bass for replacement?

[Coconut_Head]

Just had a new Sire V5 5-string bass delivered.

Several of the frets buzz (only two of which on the low B). The guitar also was delivered in a tuning a half-step down with the G string actually a whole step up (totalling 3 away from being where E flat standard above be)

1) I assume this guitar was set up before shipment. Does that mean that they set it up with this tuning in mind, potentially causing the to change things? I noticed the action is a bit high (I imagine to compensate the low tuning potential buzz, yet it still buzzes). I assume they didn't switch strings, so I assume the nut hasn't been fiddled with.
2) Will the fret buzz likely go away as the bass adapts to the humidity? The state it delivered from should have roughly the same climate. I'd think it'd be more uniform fret buzz that would be due to climate, not this seemingly across the board random buzz.

Also the packaging of the bass in the box was horrible. Hardly any protection: a thin (non-formfitted) box inside a thin box, few small pieces of styrofoam not really holding the bass in place, 2 brown paper streaks, and absolutely no bubble/air wrap. Can damage in transit cause this fret buzz? Surprisingly the outer box had minimal noticeable damage.


The tuning things make it seem like maybe this was the demo bass played inside the local store by potential customers. No idea why else the tuning would be that way. It comes from American Musical Supply FYI.


I'm thinking of just demanding a replacement, but I don't want to wait for another bass. Maybe they'll send it before I have to ship this one out. Anyway… any thoughts? Thank you!

 

[Geri O]

Sounds like the bass just needs a good setup. I would be surprised if that particular bass had any attention whatsoever after it left the factory until it reached your door.

If there's no visible damage and it only plays badly, a setup will take care of that.

 

[MuseChaser]

Stringed instruments really can't be "tuned at the factory." That phrase is actually a running joke in orchestral circles. Don't give the tuning a second thought.

If there are no visible signs of damage, just grab a straightedge and check the two problematic frets and see if they are the same height as the frets surrounding them. Play with the setup... what's the relief like? Flat, or an appropriate amount of slight relief? What's the string height?

As Geri I said above...probably just needs a setup, which should be expected after shipping.

 

[evs]

I wouldn't return a bass simply because it's arrived to you out of tune!
Tune it up, do a set-up and you should be good to go.

 

[Lava]

No

 

[Geri O]

No

Nothing to add, but love the profile pic!....

 

[Coconut_Head]

People, I did not say the untuning itself was the problem. Obviously a guitar detunes in shipping. The fact that it was specifcally tuned to something other than standard (and a significant degree on one string) is what makes me think it was set up with that tuning in mind. It being out of tune isn't the problem, it's that it was in tune to a different tuning.

And I'm currently observing the relief. It's super low (touching the fret when checking/pressing down on either end), so about to learn how to raise it (lol) and see if that fixes the problem

 

[Sharko]

So, just to be clear, you're wondering if the Sire V5 comes from the factory designed and set up to be played in Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, A, which is a tuning no one has ever heard of before?

 

[Coconut_Head]

So, just to be clear, you're wondering if the Sire V5 comes from the factory designed and set up to be played in Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, A, which is a tuning no one has ever heard of before?

No

 

[pcake]

if it was set up for that tuning, which would be a first in my experience and from reading about on TB, it could be a return or had been on the shop floor for potential buyers to try. i've never had any retailer set up a bass or guitar for me. even the places that claim to inspect them is pretty iffy since i've received basses with retailer and manufacturer inspection certs that no one obviously inspected.

 

[Element Zero]

I wouldn't return an instrument because it came out of the box in some funky tuning. If it were damaged in some way yes. But from what you're describing, no.

 

[Killing Floor]

You can tune it properly if you prefer.

You can adjust the action, intonation, anything.

 

[Coconut_Head]

That's what I was thinking, it was probably an in-store display bass that some random person tuned to that for some reason (some people like it Sharko. But I keep reading in other forums that retailers or the original shop do setup the guitars before shipping, and this literally just got back in stock this past week so if Sire set it up it was very recent, I guess before the retuning.

 

[Coconut_Head]

Thank you to those that are actually offering some advice, insight, or some other form of help - it is very much appreciated. I do keep getting conflicting responses between here and Gearspace though...

I did what I feel comfortable doing to the relief. I'm going to bring it in for a proper setup tomorrow morning, hopefully for a reasonable fee.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

That's what I was thinking, it was probably an in-store display bass that some random person tuned to that for some reason (some people like it Sharko. But I keep reading in other forums that retailers or the original shop do setup the guitars before shipping, and this literally just got back in stock this past week so if Sire set it up it was very recent, I guess before the retuning.

Or it left the factory out of tune, the saddles moved in transit, the neck moved while internationally shipped?
A setup is a basic skill that any player should learn to be competent at, that's why a new bass comes with the tools to do so.

Stings of different tension will require a setup different gauged strings and player preferences.
Set the bass up!


One of the literally thousands of videos on the process.

Or take it to a shop, buy your preferred strings and have the tech set it up for you, pay him the bench fee.

 

[MindinAction]

Some stores deliberately tune basses down a half step before shipping so any drastic temperature or humidity changes won't stress the neck. I just received a bass that was tuned down 1/2 step on all strings. I assumed the store did it for that reason. I wouldn't read anything into the particular tuning.

Setup is not set and forget. Even if someone does a perfect setup and tunes the bass before they ship it, it will most likely need adjustment once it arrives due to the aforementioned temperature and humidity changes. Same with it being in your home. In my experience, some basses are stable over time and some need regular adjustment. No reflection on the quality of the bass. It's good that you're learning how to do some of the setup. Get it looked at and set up, and then Enjoy Your New Bass! Congratulations!

 

[mcnach]

Just had a new Sire V5 5-string bass delivered.

Several of the frets buzz (only two of which on the low B). The guitar also was delivered in a tuning a half-step down with the G string actually a whole step up (totalling 3 away from being where E flat standard above be)

1) I assume this guitar was set up before shipment. Does that mean that they set it up with this tuning in mind, potentially causing the to change things? I noticed the action is a bit high (I imagine to compensate the low tuning potential buzz, yet it still buzzes). I assume they didn't switch strings, so I assume the nut hasn't been fiddled with.
2) Will the fret buzz likely go away as the bass adapts to the humidity? The state it delivered from should have roughly the same climate. I'd think it'd be more uniform fret buzz that would be due to climate, not this seemingly across the board random buzz.

Also the packaging of the bass in the box was horrible. Hardly any protection: a thin (non-formfitted) box inside a thin box, few small pieces of styrofoam not really holding the bass in place, 2 brown paper streaks, and absolutely no bubble/air wrap. Can damage in transit cause this fret buzz? Surprisingly the outer box had minimal noticeable damage.


The tuning things make it seem like maybe this was the demo bass played inside the local store by potential customers. No idea why else the tuning would be that way. It comes from American Musical Supply FYI.


I'm thinking of just demanding a replacement, but I don't want to wait for another bass. Maybe they'll send it before I have to ship this one out. Anyway… any thoughts? Thank you!

I am not sure if you're serious or joking...

 

[mcnach]

Some stores deliberately tune basses down a half step before shipping so any drastic temperature or humidity changes won't stress the neck. I just received a bass that was tuned down 1/2 step on all strings. I assumed the store did it for that reason. I wouldn't read anything into the particular tuning.

That never made sense to me, unless one loosens the truss rod as well

 

[BismarckHerring]

The only thing here that is somewhat suspicious is the tuning of the G string, but I doubt it is significant. It seems highly unlikely to me that the bass was set up at the factory with that tuning, I just don't see how anyone could make that mistake. And even if that were the case, that wouldn't make the bass defective.

The bass most likely just needs a setup, that is perfectly normal for a new bass. That's a downside of buying online. In my experience, when you buy a bass from a store, they will always check and, if necessary, adjust the setup. If you can't do a setup yourself (it's not that hard and well worth learning), you need to factor in the cost of a setup when buying online. Only if the bass can't be setup properly you have a valid reason to send it back, IMO.

 

[UNICORN BASS]

The OP has used the word assume a lot. We all know what that means.