Is there anything in an electric bass that's easily damaged?
Is there anything in an electric bass that's easily damaged?
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So

Original Poster:

28,176 posts

250 months

Tuesday 29th October 2019
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I bought a Fender electric bass from an online music store as a present for my son.

It arrived in an outer box that had apparently been re-used. It had a hole in it that had been taped up. The instrument was in a thin foam sleeve and there was some bubble wrap loose in the box. It will have rattled around in there during transit.

There was no Fender packaging or labelling of any sort, though the plastic film on the pick guard is still in place.

It looks like it was an ex display model, which they got the feckless work experience lad to package up.

Unfortunately I cannot easily obtain another one in the same colourway. Should I be unduly concerned or are these things pretty bomb proof?

Edited by So on Tuesday 29th October 18:09

lockhart flawse

2,101 posts

263 months

Tuesday 29th October 2019
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Pretty sure it'll be fine. They're built o go on tour and last for many decades even when they're not looked after.

hman

7,497 posts

222 months

Tuesday 29th October 2019
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Just check the pickups still give a good amount of volume and there’s no dents in the neck (where your thumb goes)

gazza285

11,067 posts

236 months

Tuesday 29th October 2019
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Earlier...


So

Original Poster:

28,176 posts

250 months

Wednesday 30th October 2019
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Thanks chaps. There is no physical damage and it seems to work OK.

With a new Fender, would there normally be some paperwork / warranty paperwork / little plastic bag with a washer that appears to have no useful purpose?

It came without anything at all.

CrgT16

2,517 posts

136 months

Wednesday 30th October 2019
quotequote all
That’s a bit off if new or ex-demo. Should have the instruction manual, etc.

Did you buy iron eBay or from a reputable music shop?

AdeTuono

7,620 posts

255 months

Wednesday 30th October 2019
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Any damage would have been obvious. If the neck's OK, then it should be fine.

Bit off for the retailer to have sent it like that though. I've bought 20+ guitars online, and they've all come in either the original box plus a gig-bag (generally) or fitted case if new, or very well protected. Even older guitars bought privately have always arrived well-packaged.

Amused2death

2,524 posts

224 months

Wednesday 30th October 2019
quotequote all
So said:
Thanks chaps. There is no physical damage and it seems to work OK.

With a new Fender, would there normally be some paperwork / warranty paperwork / little plastic bag with a washer that appears to have no useful purpose?

It came without anything at all.
I haven't got it to hand to say accurately, but when I bought mine new (USA made P Bass) it came with.......2 allen keys, Fender branded strap, cleaning cloth, a few bits of paper. The Bass itself had a label attached to the headstock with the serial number on it, which is also on the back of the headstock.

Possibly a few other minor things. However, at the time, this was one of their "top" models and came with a hard case.

So

Original Poster:

28,176 posts

250 months

Wednesday 30th October 2019
quotequote all
CrgT16 said:
That’s a bit off if new or ex-demo. Should have the instruction manual, etc.

Did you buy iron eBay or from a reputable music shop?
From a reputable music shop whose name might sound like catarrh catarrh.

It was sold new and not as ex demo.

My guess is that it was on display and someone couldn’t be arsed to pack it properly or ensure it had the correct bits and bobs with it:

Walter Sobchak

5,739 posts

252 months

Wednesday 30th October 2019
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I’d assume the Fender basses are as tough as a Stratocaster or Telecaster, in which case I’d not worry, they’re like the old Hilux of the guitar world in terms of durability.

anonymous-user

82 months

Saturday 2nd November 2019
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I'd definitely contact the store and kick up a fuss.

You should have had paper work and a few odds and sods with it.

CrgT16

2,517 posts

136 months

Saturday 2nd November 2019
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New should have paperwork otherwise just return it. You may have bought a lemon.

I wouldn’t be too bothered if I was experienced and the bass played well and was genuine (easy to tell if you know) as the Fender basses are workhorses regardless where made. Is it a a Precision or Jazzmaster?

So

Original Poster:

28,176 posts

250 months

Saturday 2nd November 2019
quotequote all
CrgT16 said:
New should have paperwork otherwise just return it. You may have bought a lemon.

I wouldn’t be too bothered if I was experienced and the bass played well and was genuine (easy to tell if you know) as the Fender basses are workhorses regardless where made. Is it a a Precision or Jazzmaster?
It's a P.

We've now got the correct paperwork and allen keys etc. I also got a stand and strap out of them for the trouble.

How lemon-like can a bass be? I'd have thought there were too few parts.