Should I return this?

[Ric5]

You can see that corner of the neck pocket isn’t routed or finished square. You can easily fix that with a wood file if it bothers you enough.

that is what I would do

 

[96tbird]

It appears to me that the green paint ran into the corner a bit. So there's a lump of it there holding the neck up. You could clean that out easily with a flat file.

I agree. My classic 50s P Fiesta red is not really paint as much as coloured plastic VERY FLEXIBLE “jacket”, no clear coat just solid color and its thick! . In fact, where the “jacket” meets the pocket bottom, it was separated from the wood and I shot some CA in to stabilize it. I then realized that the “jacket” of plastic sat high all along the rear of the pocket, and when the neck was cranked down, it pushed on the lip of the “jacket” and pulled it away from the wood. It didn’t chip or crack, it merely flexed away from the wood. I trimmed it with a flat file and it’s fine.

It looks like the the same type of finish here. I think it’s a lump of plastic “jacket” finish right there in the right corner or farther in.

if under inspection it is a lump right on the edge and op wants to fix it, a flat file will clean it up quickly but only use strokes inward to not pull the “jacket” finish away from the wood.

 

[SBassman]

I have to similar thoughts to what has been expressed previously.

If it was a 600 dollar plus bass, it might disappoint. If it is a lower end bass, I wouldn't be surprised at all, and it is highly unlikely, even as is, that it would affect playability. As a matter of fact, it could Improve it. [with a shim]

If it was mine, and a low end bass, I would definitely not ship it back. I'd keep it, and maybe or not fix it.

 

[JungleXray]

Personally, if it doesn’t effect the playability I’d keep it and leave it as is.

 

[DISCOSTUVW]

It should be easy to fix. I had a Bass VI that had an uneven pocket. I ended up fixing it with a mouse sander. Oh those pre-router days.

 

[MustangWally]

OP, where are you located? If you are in Houston you can come over and I will do it for you. That color is fantastic, the repair is as minor as it is possible to get and an easy fix. Keep your beautiful new bass and love on it, it will repay any care that you can give it manyfold. Think of it as a beautiful car that you just love, but the license tag is missing a screw - you love the car (bass) and fixing the tag (pocket) is simple - why would you return the car for such a small thing?

 

[Yellow Bang66]

So I got a bass the other day from a music store on reverb. The bass came and everything is great with it except there seems to be a slight gap on one side where the neck meets the body. Here is a pic:

View attachment 4158204

Is this an issue? Should I return this? It doesn’t seem to have any play in the neck, it stays in tune. I tried removing the neck and reattaching it and the gap is still there. The bass plays awesome though. This is a limited edition color and I am not sure I could get another in this color since the store only seemed to have one. Thoughts?

Nice color, If you love,love,love it Just shim it. it'll lower the action maybe help the gap. return it if it aint love.

 

[KB5]

It sounds like you are enjoying the instrument. I say fix it or have it fixed. That way you will likely have the only one in existence with a good neck pocket fit and it will enhance your enjoyment of the instrument. Win, win.

 

[Bassclef46]

i am stunned at the number of people willing to accept QC issues like this. This is the reason why the big manufacturers let things slide by QC. As buyers you accept it and as sellers they throw it up and see if it sticks.

 

[JIO]

I would fix it, a-couple-of-dollars/euros fix is not worth the impact and cost of returning. Free-of-charge is definately NOT free-of-charge.

excellent point

 

[MultiScaleMale]

i am stunned at the number of people willing to accept QC issues like this. This is the reason why the big manufacturers let things slide by QC. As buyers you accept it and as sellers they throw it up and see if it sticks.

They certainly can bump up the QC. The question is - would you be willing to pay for it?

 

[BassToGoGo]

I agree with the comment about the holes in the body for the neck screws possibly being too tight, the screws should slide into the body holes.

Take the strings off, unscrew the neck then place the neck in the pocket, If you can get the neck to sit flat (no gap) without the screws, there is nothing wrong with the pocket. If it does not sit flat then the pocket is the culprit.

Looking at the picture again I do agree that it appears that the paint in the bass side of the pocket could use being filed down but I would try seeing if the neck sits flat in the pocket without the screws first.

I still would hit up the store you purchased it from (first before doing anything), they might give you a partial refund/discount.

 

[SBassman]

i am stunned at the number of people willing to accept QC issues like this. This is the reason why the big manufacturers let things slide by QC. As buyers you accept it and as sellers they throw it up and see if it sticks.

You don't think price point plays into this? If this was a 200 dollar bass, would you really expect to not see things like this? If the answer to these is no, would you be willing to share what you do for a living?

You are stunned by people accepting this, and I am stunned by people expecting custom instrument quality for burger meal prices. The parts add up to a cost. The design adds up to a cost. The marketing adds up to a cost. The build adds up to a cost. The shipping adds up to a cost. The distribution adds up to a cost.

 

[Silky Johnson]

I always tell people they need to return, if we don't send these kind of issues back then that informs the manufacturer that it's acceptable and ok to do that. Then quality slips a tiny bit more

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I always tell people they need to return, if we don't send these kind of issues back then that informs the manufacturer that it's acceptable and ok to do that. Then quality slips a tiny bit more

Quality is much higher than it used to be. More likely, what will happen is that free returns will disappear.

 

[SBassman]

None of the dialog is relevant without - price point.

 

[Silky Johnson]

Quality is much higher than it used to be. More likely, what will happen is that free returns will disappear.

That doesn't look better than anything I've bought ever...IDC if returns aren't free, send me a bass free of defects please

 

[Bassclef46]

You don't think price point plays into this? If this was a 200 dollar bass, would you really expect to not see things like this? If the answer to these is no, would you be willing to share what you do for a living?

You are stunned by people accepting this, and I am stunned by people expecting custom instrument quality for burger meal prices. The parts add up to a cost. The design adds up to a cost. The marketing adds up to a cost. The build adds up to a cost. The shipping adds up to a cost. The distribution adds up to a cost.

Its a $750 bass. Its not a $200 bass. Ibanez can provide excellent QC on their basses less than $500. G&L provides high end QC on their tribute series basses. I dont think anyone is saying custom quality, but at the same time why should a brand new bass have the expectation of being defective regardless of the price.

Where does the price of QC begin? Should it be exclusive to custom quality? Should i expect defects in my $3000 Yamaha? What about my $2200 Stingray? Or my $2000 P Bass? The OP spent $750 on a defective bass and alot of people are telling him to keep it and fix it like its no big deal. So people are saying its ok for Fender to let this stuff slide by QC and I dont agree with that. But to each their own.

 

[skycruiser]

None of the dialog is relevant without - price point.

$700 Fender MIM Precision.

 

[Bassclef46]

None of the dialog is relevant without - price point.

he posted $750....but what difference does it make what he paid? Should i expect my $200 TMB30 to be defective because i paid $200 for it?