New Stingray Special Concerns

[nebadon]

I got a New Special 3 weeks ago and have had some problems from the beginning

First it came out of the Box in awful condition; Bad backbow took 4 1/4 turns of trussrod to get .008 relief
also G side of pickup was full up; looked like ski slope going to E side
with my preferred Action[ 5/64 E and 4/64 G; notes were choking out[not just buzzing] on G & D Strings from 14th fret to 22nd
Came to realization that didn't give neck time to settle after such large adjustment

Since then I have been able to get within a tad of 5/64 & 4/64 any lower and for some reason 18th & 19th fret on G choke out; all before and 20-22 are fine?
I would expect Bass would be capable of even lower action than what I prefer.

Also Edges on neck are rolled[soft] EXCEPT from nut to first fret [can feel it when playing a low F] it is squared and sharp; Normal in design?

I am still within return window and seriously considering it; I have wanted a Stingray for a good bit now

Every thing else is Great; Build, Fit and Finish, bridge alignment over pickups on to fretboard perfect[important to me] playability and Tone

Bass is GC Exclusive Burnt Apple [finish I almost bought back in 2019] so worried if I try another one it may be a bad batch

The condition out of the box has me concerned about EBMM in general[yes it was factory packed with no signs of repack]

Am I just being a prickly

 

[DrKev]

Hi and welcome to the forum!

You're not being picky, you have every right to an instrument that (at the very least) can be set up to play (within reason, and you are) the way you need it to. Fret buzz on just two frets suggest a too high or too low fret somewhere.

If you are within the return window, call Sweetwater and talk to them. Their customer service folks have a good reputation for a reason. Let them make it right for you.

 

[nebadon]

Thanks for the reply; Bass was Guitar Center Exclusive; I checked frets with Music Nomad Action Gauge as straight edge seemed ok

If and when I go to return I will have tech at GC look at it 1 more time; he is a friend and knowledgeable

Are edges of neck in space from nut to 1st fret not rolled[soft] for a reason or possible defect?

 

[DrKev]

Thanks for the reply; Bass was Guitar Center Exclusive; I checked frets with Music Nomad Action Gauge as straight edge seemed ok

If and when I go to return I will have tech at GC look at it 1 more time; he is a friend and knowledgeable

Are edges of neck in space from nut to 1st fret not rolled[soft] for a reason or possible defect?

Sorry, I dont why I said Sweetwater when you clearly said GC!

 

[gluvhand]

I have a 2019 I got in a trade about 2 months ago and it does the same thing in the same spot. As soon as I have the time and some extra cash it's going to my tech for some fret leveling. If it was brand new I'd probably return and exchange it.

 

[tbonesullivan]

Do you know if GC had it on display, or was it kept in the box the whole time?

 

[nebadon]

Do you know if GC had it on display, or was it kept in the box the whole time?

They just became available about 6 weeks ago; at the time I bought it they had 3 new in a box and I got one of those and when it arrived it was sealed without prior opening

 

[nebadon]

I have a 2019 I got in a trade about 2 months ago and it does the same thing in the same spot. As soon as I have the time and some extra cash it's going to my tech for some fret leveling. If it was brand new I'd probably return and exchange it.

Frets seem fine[checked with straight edge] but I am no expert; Yes I going to return it but am apprehensive about exchange based on could be bad batch with no QC based on awful condition out of box [as I wrote in original post.]

It has been very frustrating and disappointing; I was really looking forward to getting this Bass

Have also emailed EBMM Customer service twice still waiting for a reply[ 2nd time was over weekend so hopefully will get their opinion today or tomorrow]

 

[nebadon]

Update:
I did a lot of research but not to bore you I got subject frets to play [19th can't hammer on but it will play clean] at my preferred low action[ neck has settled hasn't moved in 10+ days, intonation now spot on and holds]

The nut to first fret not being rolled I can live with; still not sure if it is normal or QC Issue no one can answer including EBMM Customer service
Hoping someone here would just look at their Special but rolling can be done by me or Tech if it starts to bother me

So it is a keeper as I said before Build quality, fit and finish, bridge/string/ pickup poles symmetry perfect[important to me] and playability and sound Great.