"USED" stamped on Geddy Lee headstock?

[Arizona Jones]

Anybody know the story behind this?

On the rear of the headstock on some GL basses, near the G-string tuner, the word, or letters, USED are stamped into the wood.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120278984313&indexURL=4&photoDisplayType=2#ebayphotohosting

I did a search but didn't turn up anything.

Thanks!

 

[fenderhutz]

Returns or refurbs maybe?

 

[bass_fish]

"Our guitars are sent from the factory to an authorized refurbishing center for any number of reasons, mainly due to small blemishes in the finish. The blemishes are repaired by professional luthiers or if they are insignificant, they are simply left alone. A “2nd” or “Used” stamp is then placed into the back of the headstock."

maybe I didn't understand the question, or you didn't read the text... but I think that's the answer... As for why a store would do that? hell I don't know, seems like a stupid thing to do, 'cause I for one, wouldn't buy that bass anymore...

 

[Arizona Jones]

I'm seeing three different used GL basses for sale that have this marking. The basses are in different states, and it seems unlikely, to me anyway, that they all passed through this store in Tennessee.

Maybe though, because I doubt the Fender has anything to do with it.

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http://cgi.ebay.com/Fender-Geddy-Lee-Jazz-Bass-Black_W0QQitemZ330248767425QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item330248767425&_trksid=p3286.m14.l1318 Hard to see this but something is stamped there.

 

[bass_fish]

well it could be just what that ebay store says(they probably aren't the only ones getting B-stock, that's the correct name for it right?)
maybe Fender just send over the flawed/damaged ones to a luthier/store who fixes them, sells them, and they end up on ebay and such...

I have no clue if this is how it goes... just thinking out loud...
I know of a dutch store that works this way, great guitar builders and some times they just buy guitars/basses, straight out of stores or dealers, fix them and sell them for a nice price...

 

[Ron W.]

That is how some companys mark thier factory seconds.

Some companies like Alvarez will put an additional sticker inside thier acoustics to denote a less than perfect unit.

 

[silverburst]

Epiphone does the exact same thing with their B-stock Les Pauls. Pretty much it means that you do not have a warranty any more, is my understanding.

I have never seen a Fender marked this way before, though.

 

[DeanT]

If the bass is sent by the manufacturer out for repairs or touch up, it can't be sold as new. So they put a "used" stamp on it to let the retailer know it's not fresh off the assembly line, 100% perfect. 99% of the time there's nothing wrong with the bass and it's as good as new anyway. The manufacturer is just covering their butts this way. If not the retailer could complain the manufacturer is sending them "B" stock disguised as new.

 

[ProfGumby]

Either way, that is a good price on what amounts to a new Geddy....like buying a used one that sat in a case under the bed and was never played....