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TalkBass Trade Gone Bad
- Thread starter Arizona Jones
- Start date
- Status
Thank you. I'd say at this point I've handled between 1100 and 1300 guitars and basses. Most used; many abused. I've probably owned 4 or 5 '51 P-basses and 3 or 4 RW Jazzes. RW's have traditionally cost more on the used market by $100-$200.
All I'm saying is for the upheaval that seems to have occurred in the thread it doesn't seem to justify the situation. Just my opinion.
That is an insanely large, recurring case of gas you have! About how many instruments do you own at any one time?
Of course, "between 1100 and 1300" sounds more like "thousand" than "thousands," so, despite the extremely high number of instruments, it sounds like DWBass's skepticism was justified.
On topic, the bass in question had its finished gouged, which is IMO worth noting regardless of whether the bass is a Roadworn or a Custom Classic. The other party's post-trade behavior appears to support the idea that he was looking to unload the instrument by any means necessary. I don't think he should be burnt at the stake, but since this is a reputation-based community, it is reasonable to post about the experience.
Did you look at the pictures in the first post of this thread? Would you describe any bass (RW or not) with the damage reflected in those images a bass with "NO issues at all"?
I only used that term metaphorically since the phrase "witch hunt" was being thrown around, I don't believe anyone should be burned alive, but metaphorically speaking LAG already has.
Feel sorry for you op, I'd be upset myself. However, I'd chalk this up as a lesson learned for all of us. Even on TB, you have to protect yourself and don't take anything for granted.
That being said, the other guy did mention he was willing to provide other photos of the actual bass. I would definitely have requested that as you provided adequate pictures of your own bass. Unless the bass has playability issues, then he is somewhat correct in saying the bass is "good" and nothing wrong with it. Misleading, yes but technically correct- there are no issues that affect playability. Again, requesting photos would have given you the option to make the decision for yourself and would have nipped this bad experience in the bud.
What's a little strange about this situation, is that it's apparently a roadworn bass with some pretty nasty custom gouges (for no extra charge) - a little like those designer ripped jeans having extra holes in them. I know some people who actually would have been okay with those gouges as long as there was nothing structurally wrong with the bass. Not me personally, but I know people who would shrug their shoulders and be okay with them. Perhaps the trader is one of such folks.
What to do? I would leave negative feedback for the trader for not disclosing the additional non-factory designed "wear", but I would also realize my own part in this and perhaps being a little too trusting by not requesting additional pictures. Move on and chalk this one up to a horrible trading experience that'll hopefully never happen again.
That being said, the other guy did mention he was willing to provide other photos of the actual bass. I would definitely have requested that as you provided adequate pictures of your own bass. Unless the bass has playability issues, then he is somewhat correct in saying the bass is "good" and nothing wrong with it. Misleading, yes but technically correct- there are no issues that affect playability. Again, requesting photos would have given you the option to make the decision for yourself and would have nipped this bad experience in the bud.
What's a little strange about this situation, is that it's apparently a roadworn bass with some pretty nasty custom gouges (for no extra charge) - a little like those designer ripped jeans having extra holes in them. I know some people who actually would have been okay with those gouges as long as there was nothing structurally wrong with the bass. Not me personally, but I know people who would shrug their shoulders and be okay with them. Perhaps the trader is one of such folks.
What to do? I would leave negative feedback for the trader for not disclosing the additional non-factory designed "wear", but I would also realize my own part in this and perhaps being a little too trusting by not requesting additional pictures. Move on and chalk this one up to a horrible trading experience that'll hopefully never happen again.
Lag's account is still open and he posted on TB in January. Just sayin...
http://www.talkbass.com/search/4514379/
http://www.talkbass.com/search/4514379/
Wow what a thread. I have bought some basses that had a bit more going on with them than aevertised but nothing that bad or anywhere near it. The OP tried to keep this between him and the trader but the trader did not do the right thing. AFAIC any bass being sold by me will have pictures of that bass... even if it is brand spanking new... To do anything less is misrepresentation even if it all turns out well. To sell/trade any instrument with those kinds of marks on it whether "factory" or not is also gross misrepresentation. I have obtained 8 basses through TB... 7 by sale and 1 by trade .. Out of those 8 I had to invest a bit more in one of them that would have been questionable or could have been disclosed in the sale but it was nowhere near the mess the OP faced. I still have that bass to and have since upgraded it.
MikeBass
Supporting Member
- Nov 4, 2003
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- Endorsing artist- Suhr basses, PedalTrain, GHS, Ultimate Ears
The nice thing about relic or road worn basses is that they are always in "show room new" condition.
I agree, there was some misrepresentation here, but what I do find kinda funny is, well, the OP is upset because it's beat up.
How do you buy a worn instrument and then be upset that its, well worn?
As for how old it was claimed to be, there is a shop here in town that has a road worn Jazz and they've had it for a few years now.
If you bought it last week then you could make a claim that it was only a week old.
I agree, there was some misrepresentation here, but what I do find kinda funny is, well, the OP is upset because it's beat up.
How do you buy a worn instrument and then be upset that its, well worn?
As for how old it was claimed to be, there is a shop here in town that has a road worn Jazz and they've had it for a few years now.
If you bought it last week then you could make a claim that it was only a week old.
There's a difference between well worn and poorly executed intentional damage. I'm not really a fan of "relic" basses, but that aside, "relic" is merely the finish on this particular bass. The extra gauging/sanding/sharpie-ing would not be considered acceptable on a non-relic instrument, just because this particular instrument is made to look old and well used doesn't make it any more acceptable. The bottom line is the seller said it was issue free, this is false, it has damage, the "relic" aspect of the factory finish is irrelevant, it didn't come from the factory with that damage, that's the issue.
Don't you ever just wish that people would read the entire thread if they feel the need to blast the OP. So many of the points of these late posts were covered long ago...
Okay I was really lazy attempting to read this entire thread, I was hoping adleast in the first 3 pages that the OP got everything settled but I'm guessing maybe he didn't, does anybody know if this was ever resolved, kinda of scary if you ask me when dealing with dishonest people on Talkbass classifieds.
Hey thank you for the info, I'm really sorry this happened to you, it just shocks me that this could really happened on Talkbass Classifieds.
As it turns out, the 51 reissue bass I received in this trade has an issue with the truss rod. The weather warmed up in my local and the neck bowed. I tried to tighten the truss rod to take out the bow and discovered it would not budge, not even a smidgen. I am stuck with a crappy player - neck on this bass. A functional, not an cosmetic issue at that.
I wish I would have known this as I would not have made this trade. Arizona told me the bass was all good with no issues. Probably the reason he unloaded on me about the bass I traded to protect himself from the unseen issue with his trade.
I wish I would have known this as I would not have made this trade. Arizona told me the bass was all good with no issues. Probably the reason he unloaded on me about the bass I traded to protect himself from the unseen issue with his trade.
I did not go off and bad mouth the heck out of the guy whom sold me this roadworn jazz. This is the way I received it from the guy I bought it from. I thought it was a nice bass. It looked old, was light in weight, and played real well.
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
Has your account been hacked? You ripped this guy off and came back to post this? You coloured on the freakin bass with a sharpie and called it new...
Reread my post. The bass I traded was the same as I received it from the fellow whom sold it to me as a stock roadworn.
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