I just got a new bass and it’s got two imperfections, you can’t tell unless you look really close. Other than that it plays amazing and has great tone. What would you guys do?
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To return or not to return…
- Thread starter Captain Chaos
- Start date
Fender player Jazz bass with flame maple top
It sounds and plays amazing? Keep it.
It would bother me, but if I was happy with the tone and playability, I’d get over it.
There is an expectation that there should be no imperfections when a consumer buys a new product. With that being said, exchange it for one that does not have imperfections. It really is that simple. 
There is an expectation that there should be no imperfections when a consumer buys a new product. With that being said, exchange it for one that does not have imperfections. It really is that simple.
Also, I own one of these and mine has zero imperfections. It plays, sounds, and looks wonderful. You should settle for nothing less if you are the original purchaser.
I would go with my own subjective take. If it really annoyed me, I would return it. If I was "feelin' the love" I would keep it.
If I felt it was necessary to get the opinion of others, I'd take that as a sign that I was leaning towards returning it.
Would live with it - And, I would ask for a discount.
She's freakin' gorgeous!!!
She's freakin' gorgeous!!!
Maybe on something more expensive you should expect that guarantee, not for $799....There is an expectation that there should be no imperfections when a consumer buys a new product. With that being said, exchange it for one that does not have imperfections. It really is that simple.
Why is everybody expecting flawless instruments for under 1K these days?
Edit: $679 at GC
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I might be able to live with minor blemishes on a relatively low budget instrument. That said, it should absolutely be the expectation of the buyer of a brand new instrument that it will be mint, unless advertised otherwise (B-stock, floor model, etc). And in fairness, $700 is a substantial amount of money to many people. As others have said, it just depends on your tolerance level. If it’s not a huge hassle to exchange it, you might as well.
D
Sounds and feel A-OK? Keeper 
Good playability and good tone trump cosmetics for me. You are the winner by having playability and tone iMO. Sooner or later you'll put your own marks on it anyways. I think Ihaveshingles has it right.
I agree with @OldSchoolFlats. And maybe try to get a discount if you keep it.
BTW: I don't think price should be an excuse for issues with a brand new instrument, just keep expectations realistic - and I don't consider your Fender cheap.
I did buy a cheap new Harley Benton PB-20 for € 89 ($100).
Cheap tuners (although they keep in tune fine), cheap bridge, cheap stock strings, cheap pots, the pickguard had some rough edges, etc.
I expected this and did some upgrades, a complete setup and it's a pretty decent instrument now.
But the finish looked fine, no blemishes whatsoever - and those would be a lot harder / more expensive to fix.
So I wouldn't except issues with that.
BTW: I don't think price should be an excuse for issues with a brand new instrument, just keep expectations realistic - and I don't consider your Fender cheap.
I did buy a cheap new Harley Benton PB-20 for € 89 ($100).
Cheap tuners (although they keep in tune fine), cheap bridge, cheap stock strings, cheap pots, the pickguard had some rough edges, etc.
I expected this and did some upgrades, a complete setup and it's a pretty decent instrument now.
But the finish looked fine, no blemishes whatsoever - and those would be a lot harder / more expensive to fix.
So I wouldn't except issues with that.
I'd contact the seller and ask for their opinion on the matter and the options they'd offer.
Maybe a discount, maybe throw something in to sweeten the deal (strap, cables, strings), or a return.
See what they offer and ask yourself then.
Maybe a discount, maybe throw something in to sweeten the deal (strap, cables, strings), or a return.
See what they offer and ask yourself then.
I would run it through my tree chipper in a fit of rage.
