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Should I return this?
- Thread starter Eekum
- Start date
Be VERY careful, both in removing/ re attaching the neck, and in your choice of method to square up the pocket! Those custom color paint jobs, or any paint- for that matter can easily attach itself to the neck, and chip out upon removal. If you have removed it, and no chipping issues- then DO NOT use a coarse file or sandpaper. Id use a block of wood, almost the width of the pocket- and 320 grit, working slowly, test with a small steel ruler for flatness. You can chip the finish with too coarse a grit. And, you can round off the edge if not careful. Good luck with the bass!
If it's a great player and you want to keep it, you or someone who knows what they're doing will need to slacken the strings and remove the neck bolts and the neck from the pocket and investigate. There could be all kinds of things going on under there, most of which might be a very easy fix to clear debris, ensure a good mate between neck heel and pocket, and bolt her back together. It's also an opportunity to ensure the neck is aligned in the pocket correctly so the strings ride along the center of the fretboard with equal margins between outer strings and edge of the neck, which is something I have to do with the majority of my bolt on basses at first.
If you get it cleared and squared up better, it will need a new set up.
Sometimes when they drill the screw holes through the neck heel and into the pocket they don't clear out the resulting wood debris from the holes. Excess paint build up is another possibility. Chances are slim that this is an incorrectly cut neck heel or pocket, but if that turns out to be the case you have a much bigger chore to correct it. In that case, I'd be inclined to return it.
If you get it cleared and squared up better, it will need a new set up.
Sometimes when they drill the screw holes through the neck heel and into the pocket they don't clear out the resulting wood debris from the holes. Excess paint build up is another possibility. Chances are slim that this is an incorrectly cut neck heel or pocket, but if that turns out to be the case you have a much bigger chore to correct it. In that case, I'd be inclined to return it.
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If you like it, I wouldn’t worry about it. Just remember if you do try to wood work the pocket that any wood you take out will have an effect on the action and playability. If the bass is setup well with the neck pocket as is, it won’t be when you’re done. Unless you’re cool with potentially adding a shim (which is NBD) and a new setup, I would either leave it alone, or if it really bothers your OCD, send it back, I guess.
... the whole “return it” thing is just amazing to me. I’ve never returned a bass in 34 years of playing them. I guess I just don’t sweat the small stuff and I guess if I commit to buy. Since I’ve joined TB, I’ve seen folks returning basses for everything from bad setups, to microscopic neck pocket gaps, to imagined finish flaws, to just straight up not liking how it looks or feels.
People who wonder why the used market is so terrible as a seller and why their used basses aren’t worth anything are probably the same folks that return a new bass at the drop of a hat and flood the market with used instruments which kills the resale value.
... the whole “return it” thing is just amazing to me. I’ve never returned a bass in 34 years of playing them. I guess I just don’t sweat the small stuff and I guess if I commit to buy. Since I’ve joined TB, I’ve seen folks returning basses for everything from bad setups, to microscopic neck pocket gaps, to imagined finish flaws, to just straight up not liking how it looks or feels.
People who wonder why the used market is so terrible as a seller and why their used basses aren’t worth anything are probably the same folks that return a new bass at the drop of a hat and flood the market with used instruments which kills the resale value.
It looks as if the neck is sitting on the paint and pocket.
That should have been touched up and squared to accept the neck.
Would theorize, sounds better than guessing that the neck corner will point lead that painted radius and eventually crack the paint.
Senfpd it back if in doubt.
Is it worth it to you to have it fixed professionally?
Are you willing to take a shot at fixing it yourself?
If you return it, there is another one available.
Are you willing to take a shot at fixing it yourself?
If you return it, there is another one available.
I think someone said this is a $600. If you back up the costs into the instrument and a profit for the retailer, it probably left the Fender Mexico factory with under $250 of components and labor costs. It had free shipping, not really. Free shipping is just shipping included in the sale price. Labor is expensive, even in Mexico. It's why we don't think more expensive basses are worth what they cost. We just add up the cost of the components and expect everything else to be free. It's the Fodera tastes and Squier budget effect. The good news is that the lower end is a lot better than it was even ten years ago and light years beyond what it was 20-30 years ago.
If it is bugging the hell out of you and causes you to fixate and over obsess about it, do yourself a favor and return it. The joy has been destroyed........
Decide if you're going to fix or return. Once you start the "fix", the return should be off the table as it would be a modified instrument.
I do a lot of woodworking (not instruments, but just about everything else you can think of) and what I've learned is that it is often hard to tell what is causing a problem. Looking at the picture, it appears to me that there might be a bit of paint buildup causing the neck not sit flush properly - but its hard to tell without taking it apart and closely examining everything with an accurate straightedge and small square. Removing material in the wrong place could make the problem worse. If you are comfortable doing so, its probably an easy fix, but you really want to be sure before you start with any modification. If its the paint and its close to the edge of the neck pocket (as it appears from the photo that you posted), it could result in chipout.
Regarding the ‘just fix it’ posts...what other product would you purchase brand new for $750 only to have to immediately fix it before you can use it. Your iPhone? You’d have a fit, right? Just get ‘a tool’ (what tools specifically?) and fix it, what kind of advice is that? People go to luthier schools for years to learn how to do these repairs, not some goober like me with a sharp tool whacking at the neck pocket on a brand new instrument. ‘Just shim it’ is another one. I’m just gonna smash a piece of wood into the neck pocket of my brand new instrument? Sure, that’s going to look great and work great, I have lots of 1/16” shims laying all around the house, doesn’t everyone? ‘take it to a luthier’-what? Has anyone been to a luthier lately? Do you know how much they cost? If you can find one, it’s not cheap. And you may need to leave it there for weeks until they can get to it. I’m a musician, not a luthier or carpenter or electronics tech.
OP, I’d find that an unacceptable quality failure, and would return it. Boxing takes about 15 mins tops, especially because you have the packaging it came in. Whatever you end up doing, though, beware of voiding your warranty.
Edit: To clarify, I am of the opinion that you should be able to change strings, adjust intonation and truss rod, etc. using the simple tools that generally come with a new instrument.
OP, I’d find that an unacceptable quality failure, and would return it. Boxing takes about 15 mins tops, especially because you have the packaging it came in. Whatever you end up doing, though, beware of voiding your warranty.
Edit: To clarify, I am of the opinion that you should be able to change strings, adjust intonation and truss rod, etc. using the simple tools that generally come with a new instrument.
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You can have perfect fit and finish, but it's going to cost a lot more than $750. The factory could put another 3-4 hours in the fretwork and fit, but nobody would want to pay for that.
OP you should also return it because that bass clearly has a sinus infection. That very same color came out of my nose this morning. All jokes aside, I just bought a Player Jaguar bass, and if it had an imperfection like that I would want it remedied. I'm notoriously cheap so $750 is by far the most I've ever spent on a bass, and I'd expect better quality even at that price point. I've had many MIM Fenders and have always been impressed with their quality, so fwiw, I think you should send it back.
Smooth_bass88
vaxx!
- Oct 31, 2006
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It's a mass-prodced import. It's not gonna be absolutely 100% perfect. As long as it plays good, sounds good, and holds a set up, there is absolutely nothing to worry about here.
Nah, nah, nah. Stop with these excuses. It's the opposite; PEOPLE ARE OKAY TO PAY LOW PRICES AND WHAT THEY GET CRAP IS CRAP. And the opposited opposited, I have 3 made in China Classic Vibe Squier basses that are better finished that. Stop the excuses.
Nobody said it had to be fixed before it could be played. It's a cosmetic issue that probably would never cause any playability issues if left alone. We're only suggesting ways the OP could make it fit and look better. Many of use do this stuff all the time. It's no big deal. If the OP doesn't feel comfortable tackling this himself, he can have someone else do it, return it or live with it. It's that simple.
Keep it and rock it - that color is way too much fun. So many cool choices for pickguards as well.
