This had a rocky ride through shipping based on the box, but all the tuners were coming out of the headstock by around 1mm or so. I'm not prepared to take a risk on what might be sloppy installation and QC, poor fit (and poor QC) or something that happened in transit. It's not an expensive bass but I've not seen this before on a new bass, even for a fraction of the cost.
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Unhappy G&L Tribute L-2000 experience
- Thread starter -Asdfgh-
- Start date
Fairly certain your issue is entirely shipping damage. G&L did QC on these in Fullerton. As someone who bought 3 Tributes sold as factory seconds, they were picky. Seriously doubt all tuners pulling away is something they would have missed.
Thanks. That somewhat vindicates my decision to return it, then.
Whilst the tuner sleeve things pulling out might be the only issue and could be potentially fixed with some taps from my fret hammer, I worry about other issues due to rough treatment. And whilst there is a generous three year warranty from the retailer, it would still be a pain to deal with.
You have probably seen, but just in case... G&L has shut down. Any warranty you are getting on G&L or Tribute at this point is retailer backed if any (the factory backed one is going to be gone). Most retailers do not offer their own warranty, but I know some will (In the US Sweetwater offers 2 year on most guitars).
With that in mind, I would certainly return this particular example.
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To the OP - all the best with sorting it out.
As counterbalance, I just bought one in Australia and it arrived in beautiful condition. I've bought from the retailer before who have a great record of handling transactions and shipping.
I chose to collect from the depot in my city to skip 1 phase of handling where something could go wrong. I'm happy
As counterbalance, I just bought one in Australia and it arrived in beautiful condition. I've bought from the retailer before who have a great record of handling transactions and shipping.
I chose to collect from the depot in my city to skip 1 phase of handling where something could go wrong. I'm happy
Yes, it would be retailer backed but entitle me to repairs or refund for issues at the point of sale. Longer warranties are not uncommon in the UK and the only you really had although some retailers seem to not understand the law here even when you quote paragraphs of it (long story regarding a non-musical item but requiring small claims court - open and shut case)
I got the bass because of the shutdown as last chance to get one outside second hand sales, but a problematic bass is not ideal. It might be fine, but I'm not sure I'm prepared to risk it.
The slight worry about retailer-backed is longevity of UK retailers these days
. Although some seem to get bought by G4M.
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It's within the no questions asked return period. The courier lost the package for ten days and I warned I expected that the package would end up damaged on delivery and it was partially crushed and scuffed and ripped, etc. Single boxed only.
If I'm selling and posting I either double box if the buyer wants to take the risk or price in a hard case plus outer box.
Ok now I have to ask.
How on earth do "all" the machine head screws become loose?
It must have slipped by QC in a perfect-storm scenario or turn-of-events during the manufacturing of the bass.
How on earth do "all" the machine head screws become loose?
It must have slipped by QC in a perfect-storm scenario or turn-of-events during the manufacturing of the bass.
I bought a new G&L LB-100, not a tribute, a few years ago, and it came with both a missing tuner screw and the threaded screw that locks the bridge saddles in place.
I bought a Tribute JB-2 that was also missing the saddle lock screw. I called my rep at Sweetwater and I had a the screw within a few days. I don't know if they pulled it off of another one they had in stock or what. all I cared about was that I got the screw. I had already found a similar screw I could use online and had purchased a couple of them just in case. Now I have the factory screw in the bridge. So, now I have the others as backups.
So the above ferrules/bushings were all (all four) proud of the surface of the headstock by 1 to 2mm (eyeballed, I didn't go in with feeler gauges, maybe I should have done), revealing the vertically ridged portion that helps prevent them rotating in place and generally secures them.
I do have a bass in which they occasionally used to begin to pull out, but that's 40 years old now. I took them out, super glued a sliver of paper in the holes and replaced them and all has been fine since. Even then, it wasn't across the board. I didn't want to have to do that to a new instrument but then my concern was the cause given the apparent rough handling during transit. Is a blow that can cause dislodgement possible without any other sign of damage? I don't have a stock of test instruments...
