Should I send it back? Opinions, please!

[Fernando Costa]

I think that since no two instruments are alike, you should use the tone and playability of this bass as criteria. When I buy an instrument online and I like the tone, comfort and playability I don't mind small aesthetic flaws.

The fact is, the next instrument - if you return this one - might be aesthetically perfect and be a bad instrument to play, and sound worse. That's how I do it, I ignore small details that don't technically interfere with the instrument.

In any case, you have the right to change the instrument until you are satisfied with it. I've already bought B-stock instruments that sounded great, and I've also returned aesthetically perfect instruments because they didn't sound like anything at all. Good luck and be happy with this one or the next bass.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

no no and no

If you plan on actually playing it, it's absolutely going to get banged up a little.

 

[bluesblaster]

If you didnt notice anything in the first couple days of playing it then its a non issue. I think your going to find this sort of thing on most mass produced instruments.

 

[2groggy]

Repeat after me: "Honey, I love that bass so much that I played it for hours and scratched the fretboard already".

 

[Kipp Harrington]

I guess the bottom line is that I was wondering if someone (or many people) would confirm that the damage won't eventually get worse. If I knew that was the case... then case closed. Since I haven't got any definitive replies as to the possibility of issues with the gouge, I will take this on with my wife. I guess I was just hoping for replies that made me confident in keeping the bass. In retrospect, probably an unrealistic approach.

Thanks to all for contributing your thoughts. I truly appreciate it!

 

[Huw Phillips]

Keep it otherwise you will hear about it again when you least expect it married life experience 36 years

 

[Kipp Harrington]

Keep it otherwise you will hear about it again when you least expect it married life experience 36 years

I can't argue with that! Lol.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

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.

Nope. I've seen them going the other direction before. But, they were gouges. I'd say, if you fell in love with it, love it. It's not a problem, right? I think it looks pretty cool too.

 

[Ostie]

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

Then by all means take it with you and exchange it. It’s still a gift from your wife. You will both be happy that you got what you wanted.

 

[Bonafide]

I guess the bottom line is that I was wondering if someone (or many people) would confirm that the damage won't eventually get worse.

It's under the urethane finish? It won't get worse in your lifetime.

 

[Yummy Notes]

You said it was a gift from your wife. Maybe ask her opinion.

Yes, I will be doing this soon.

I agree with what has been stated above—it is the right thing to do.

Another way of thinking about this—If the gift were not a bass, but something else and it was the wrong size or defective, would one feel obliged to just keep it or is an exchange less or more appropriate? I know Mrs. Yummy would not want me to keep anything I did not enjoy whether the wrong bass or ill fitting underw...alas, I said too much.

My point is that the gift giver ultimately wants to bring joy to the recipient (sometimes life is made a bit easier with a gift receipt in the box).

 

[Kipp Harrington]

It's under the urethane finish? It won't get worse in your lifetime.

This is possibly the reply that will make me sweep this "issue" under the rug and allow me to get some sleep! THANK YOU!

 

[Tommy V]

if it were mine.... i'd return it. I wouldn't feel like I got what I paid for, and it would me off every time a seen the mark.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Yeah, return it. If you bought your wife a really nice coat and discovered it had a ripped lining, and the identical coat is available via return, would you be even the least bit offended if she returned it? Nope. Thats crappy QC, never should have left the factory like that. I take the best care of my basses I can, if I dent it, I own it. They dent it THEY own it.

 

[kodiakblair]

Just concerned that gouge might start chipping/peeling the finish eventually.

There is no reason why it should.

Whatever caused the gouge it was done before the lacquer. The lacquer in the gouge will have the same adherence there as it does over the rest of the neck.

 

[Johnny Alien]

I guess the bottom line is that I was wondering if someone (or many people) would confirm that the damage won't eventually get worse. If I knew that was the case... then case closed. Since I haven't got any definitive replies as to the possibility of issues with the gouge, I will take this on with my wife. I guess I was just hoping for replies that made me confident in keeping the bass. In retrospect, probably an unrealistic approach.

Thanks to all for contributing your thoughts. I truly appreciate it!

Even if it wasn't under the finish I can't picture a scenario where it would "get worse" and cause an issue. I have plenty of dings on my guitars and basses and none of them got worse after the original ding.

But as pointed out...under the finish...no chance of it getting worse.

 

[nonohmic]

I would return it just because it sets a precedent for QC.

On the other hand I would happily walk in right after you and buy it at a discount, then rock the snot out of it.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

Yeah, return it. If you bought your wife a really nice coat and discovered it had a ripped lining, and the identical coat is available via return, would you be even the least bit offended if she returned it? Nope. Thats crappy QC, never should have left the factory like that. I take the best care of my basses I can, if I dent it, I own it. They dent it THEY own it.

Great way of putting it

 

[LanEvo]

With production basses, it’s hardly a given that they’ll play well and sound great. There are a lot of “meh” basses out there.

If you find one that plays well, has a solid neck joint, no dead spots, and sounds great then you may want to leave well enough alone.

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

Looks like a stray screw got smushed against the wood before it was finished.

 

[chris_b]

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

It's not guaranteed, but I guess you couldn't rule that out.

Don't let me influence you. . . . but I'd take it back, because wear and tear doesn't bother me but manufacturing defects do.