Should I send it back? Opinions, please!

[Kipp Harrington]

My wife got me a wonderful Squier CV 50s P bass for Christmas. Been playing it for a few hours the past 2 days and have fallen in love with it!

Last night I decided to give it a nice cleaning and discover a blem/imperfection on the fretboard. It's not even noticeable from a couple feet away but I can barely feel a very slight "dip" in the wood where it is located. I also discovered a tiny, tiny blemish on the body (this really doesn't bother me) and some minor wear marks on the control plate.

What do you guys think and have you ever seen a "mark" that looks like this on a fretboard?

I appreciate any suggestions, opinions or advice.

 

[chris_b]

It's a bit of damage that was there before the bass was finished. It's been hit and gouged by some carelessness in the manufacturing stage. It shouldn't be there, but that's Squier QC for you!!

I'd probably send it back, but it doesn't look like damage that will amount to anything serious. If it doesn't bother you carry on.

 

[HalfManHalfBass]

Before this post becomes 10 pages of 50/50 conflicting opinions, just remember this: if something is sold in and then subsequently bought in "NEW" condition, it should indeed be in "NEW" condition. If it wasn't, then you have to decide whether exchanging it NOW for another bass in "NEW" condition is worth it or not.

If you are the type of person who will never stop looking at the damage on the fretboard, I would advise you to exchange it NOW before the period expires in which the shop will allow for this.

If you aren't the sort of player who gets hung up on these kind of marks (unfortunately I would guess by the fact you have made this post asking for opinions, that you are NOT in this camp) then, you shouldn't give the matter another thought and just rock the hell of it.

New is new and damaged, marked, shop soiled, second hand etc. are not.

 

[Apolicious]

if you can feel it (not purely aesthetic) then yeah, send it back while you can. it's not going to get any better. it sounds like you got stuck with a refurb instrument, which is weird. that series usually has good QC. don't worry about the replacement instrument being as good - if anything it'll be better.

 

[jamro217]

Too much personal preference involved for an outsider to make that call. Is it a deal breaker for you? Would you be happy with a discount and keep the instrument? Can you prove it is a defect and not damage? What is the return policy? Is it such a rare instrument (or one with sentimental value) that you'd keep it anyway? The decision is yours. Sorry not to be more helpful.

 

[godofthunder59]

Yes send it back! Something impacted the neck pretty hard to have the string leave that impression.

 

[Texaspandj]

Isn't your squier heavy? I'd only take it back if I could one that weighs less.
The finishes on those particular squiers are excellent but fragile. It doesn't take much to ding them up...and some people pay more for that.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

Yes send it back! Something impacted the neck pretty hard to have the string leave that impression.

So you think the gouge is from a string? That was my initial thought. It does appear the gouge has a "winding-type" imprint. Thanks for the input.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

Isn't your squier heavy? I'd only take it back if I could one that weighs less.
The finishes on those particular squiers are excellent but fragile. It doesn't take much to ding them up...and some people pay more for that.

Yeah, it's on the heavy side but the four I viewed at Sweetwater were all around (or close to) 10 pounds.

 

[Yummy Notes]

that's Squier QC for you!!

If you are the type of person who will never stop looking at the damage on the fretboard, I would advise you to exchange it NOW before the period expires in which the shop will allow for this.

Once seen, it cannot be unseen. You'll always know where the gouge is. This knowledge may grow to disliking the very gift that was intended to bring you joy. If I were in your shoes, I would thank my wife for the wonderful thoughtful gift, but then I would let her know that I wanted to exchange it due to Squire's sometimes poor QC issues, which in no way reflect her thoughtfulness.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I would send it back. That is a big flaw in my book.

 

[chris_b]

The gouge wasn't caused by a string. The lines would be running across the neck if it were. The wood is damaged. Looks like something very heavy has fallen on and dragged across the neck. Looks like the finish isn't damaged so this gouge was caused before and the finish applied over it. Definitely a Squier QC fail on this one.

 

[lfmn16]

Last night I decided to give it a nice cleaning and discover a blem/imperfection on the fretboard. It's not even noticeable from a couple feet away but I can barely feel a very slight "dip" in the wood where it is located.

So you played it for a couple of hours, but didn’t notice it until you cleaned it? Sounds like you’re feeling it with your eyes.

 

[tpaul]

You do what you want. If my wife bought me that bass, I would keep it because it was her gift.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

So you played it for a couple of hours, but didn’t notice it until you cleaned it? Sounds like you’re feeling it with your eyes.

It doesn't affect playability (yet). I'm just not sure that that gouge won't start chiping/peeling with time.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

You do what you want. If my wife bought me that bass, I would keep it because it was her gift.

I was afraid I would get a response like this! Lol.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

The gouge wasn't caused by a string. The lines would be running across the neck if it were. The wood is damaged. Looks like something very heavy has fallen on and dragged across the neck. Looks like the finish isn't damaged so this gouge was caused before and the finish applied over it. Definitely a Squier QC fail on this one.

Would you be comfortable with keeping the bass? Just wondering if that gouge might chip/peel off the finish with time.

 

[Black Out Jazz]

I was afraid I would get a response like this! Lol.

Like I said, take her to sweetwater with you.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

Once seen, it cannot be unseen. You'll always know where the gouge is. This knowledge may grow to disliking the very gift that was intended to bring you joy. If I were in your shoes, I would thank my wife for the wonderful thoughtful gift, but then I would let her know that I wanted to exchange it due to Squire's sometimes poor QC issues, which in no way reflect her thoughtfulness.

Your response makes perfect sense and is a sensible and well-founded approach. Thank you!

 

[Kipp Harrington]

Like I said, take her to sweetwater with you.

We are going there together Monday anyhow for me to purchase some straplocks, strings and other accessories. Yes, we're going there together.