TalkBass Trade Gone Bad

[Arizona Jones]

So, I picked up this Fender Road Worn Jazz earlier this week in a trade.

What was supposed to be a "less than 1 YO" bass with "NO issues at all" turned out to be a 2011 model with some seriously nasty looking modifications to the factory relicing. It appears that someone went over the paint chips and worn areas with a black marker, and then made a pretty big mess trying to get it back to stock. Someone also added a couple nasty gouges, last two pictures, to the back of the bass. It looks like someone tried their hand at relicing, with a screwdriver. It appears the same technique was used to create a rough truss rod channel. Nice.

What can I use to wipe down the body in an effort to clean up this mess, without hurting the nitro? Naptha?

How big a dent do these mods make to the resale value, any idea?

Any input appreciated, thanks.

Link to the Fender site, showing what Fender Road Word Jazz ought to look like -

Invalid Link Removed

 

[TorontoAlex]

I think I'd be asking for my old bass back. Seems like some pretty heavy misrepresentation to me.

 

[snyderz]

Were there no pre-trade pics?

 

[OutToPlayJazz]

Looks like someone tried to gouge chunks of finish off, which would look fine it it were really 40 years old.

I'd be getting any monies or equipment back if I were you.

 

[JACink]

Ouch!

I agree with TorontoAlex, any chance of undoing the trade?

 

[wvbass]

I have absolutely nothing against relics, but that is terrible. +1 for untrading.

 

[Arizona Jones]

Were there no pre-trade pics?

A stock photo was used in the "trade wanted" ad. I was emailed five actual pictures of the bass; three of the body, two of the neck. The top two pictures I posted are two of those three, with the top one being the one taken closest to the bass. The one I didn't post is a full frontal short of the entire bass. I didn't think to go over it with a fine tooth comb, as I had a supporting member with solid feedback telling me there were no modifications.

Me - "Any issues with the Jazz? Is it all original with no mods?"

Trader - "No mods. It is less then one year old."

After receiving the bass, I TB messaged the trader the following -

"On my end, I'm fairly disappointed that the body of the Jazz bass, that was said to have "NO issues at all" and "No mods", has been, IMO, heavy modified with a black marker, extra non-factory gouges, an area that has been possibly sanded, etc. Had you disclosed these mods before hand I would have never made this trade.

If, somewhere down the road, I decided to flip this bass, I would surely disclose these issues to all potential buyers, and I would surely take a hit in the sale price.

Please let me know your feelings on this matter, thank you."

His reply - "Road worn instruments come from the factory nicked, gouged and sanded. Sorry for any confusion."

Ugh.

 

[snyderz]

Definitely misrepresented. Deal breaker.

 

[bobalu]

I have a Fiesta Red RW Jazz. What was done to that bass is horrendous. It's more like "blacksmith-worn" than road worn...

Does it still play/sound o.k.? They really are gems to play otherwise....

 

[Dug2]

i never understood the whole road wore thing? try to get your bass back. good luck

 

[gidbass]

not cool...

+2 for untrading....

 

[Anthonyfranklin9000]

Trying to make distinctions between factory relic wear and actual wear after the fact seem like an inevitable grey area that has to be navigated anytime a used Road Worn changes hands. If this guy who traded it to you inherited it with all this wear, he might have assumed it was normal. It wouldn't be super astute of him, but just playing devil's advocate.

To me, subjectively, the gouges aren't terrible and really do add to the well worn and played vibe of this bass. The black sharpie mess is a bit off putting though, but it can likely be removed with isopropyl alcohol and some elbow grease with a buffing pad.
You didn't post any pics of the truss rod channel gouging. That is a bummer because that IS a mod and not remotely normally occurring wear and tear. Might be the only thing that hurts your resale if you ever get rid of it.

 

[pacojas]

it's time to "out" the lying sack a ....

I MEAN SERIOUSLY PEOPLE,... WHY LIE ABOUT YOUR GEAR???

 

[friendlybass]

Dude this guy sounds a little shady. I hope you can u trade, but if not perhaps a new fender replacement body and a nonaggressive sanding will make all your dreams come true?
Sorry this happened to you boss

 

[Dominic D]

His reply - "Road worn instruments come from the factory nicked, gouged and sanded. Sorry for any confusion."

What a load of crap! The Road Worn instruments absolutely do not come from factory with gouges. Nicked and sanded, yes, but not gouged. He's a liar. End of story. He didn't stretch the truth or mislead you. He flat out lied.

 

[moonshinegtrs]

If the bass was mis-reperesented or even if one party or the other isn't happy with the deal, I would expect both parties involved to be willing to return said basses or at least make it right by compensating the other party (if agreed upon)... That is if there was an obvious discrepancy in the description of one of the instruments and it sure sounds this is one of those cases.

YMMV.

Moonshine

 

[scourgeofgod]

What did you trade for it?

 

[inate_hex]

Definitely trade that bass back. "Less than one year old" - that is misrepresentation right there! If not fraudulent!

 

[ole Jason]

Pretty generous to call that crap a 'mod'

 

[EmptyCup]

I have a 2012 loaded Road Worn 3tsb body I bought off a fellow tb'er and it looks like the stock Fender photo.

Unfortunately it looks as though yours had a little more "work" done to it . Yes it probably sounds and (hopefully) plays fine, but still...

Most people who deal on TB are good folks, sorry you had a bad experience. Hopefully this can be resolved.