My SR4 has some issues!

[b-unit]

So as I was grooving on my SR5 the other day, I was staring blissfully at my SR4 sitting on the stand when it occurred to me that the strings looked funny in their relationship to the neck. I began to take a long hard look at my beloved SR4 which I bought new in October last year and realized that there was something amiss.

It appears that the low E string is sitting too far inside the fingerboard and all four strings are sitting over to the left of the fingerboard. When looking straight on at the fingerboard, the strings are all over to the left. (its a left handed bass) The dot markers are not evenly spaced between the strings from left to right.

I began to surf the net for images of SR4's and after comparing many images to my bass, I went to my local retailer and confirmed that the strings are perfectly positioned on the fingerboards of every other SR4 I could find, except mine.

The real kicker was standing up and holding the bass on the floor and looking down the neck from the headstock towards the bridge. From this angle it looks like the bridge has been mounted too far over to one side as the strings seem to veer off to the left side.

You can imagine my distress at realing this after having the bass for 6 months already. The bass seems to play well but i have had trouble getting rid of fretbuzz and the compensated nut has a very messy slot for the G string. I absolutely love this bass but realized that these issues were going to have to be dealt with.

So I fired off an email to EB customer service and Dan replied the very next day. He has been fantastic so far and re assured me that although I worry that this may seem like a possibly trivial matter, he plans to make it right.

I returned the bass to the retail store (Long & Mcquade) the next day and they shipped it out the following morning to California. Dan has assured me that he will let me know whats going on once the bass is examined back at the factory.

At first I thought my bass must just need a new nut, but I'm a little worried about the way the strings seem to be on a slightly different path then the neck. The really weird thing is that only the low E string is out of alignment to the pickup pole pieces. the other three seem to fall right over their respective magnets.

As you can imagine I am anxiously waiting to hear what ends up needing to be done to repair this. If the issue is not the nut, I would imagine the entire bass may have to be replaced if the bridge was indeed installed in the wrong place.

The good thing is that I don't think I could be dealing with a more upstanding company. My experience with Dan in customer service so far has been very supportive and professional. Thankfully I have my SR5 to keep me in the pocket until things are sorted out.

I will keep you updated.

Bruce

 

[Aussie Mark]

It could be something just as simple as loosening the neck screws and re-aligning the neck in the pocket. That said, I'm not sure why you would post in a public, searchable forum about this being an "issue" when the company has said they'll put it right and the bass is in their hands as we speak.

 

[b-unit]

It could be something just as simple as loosening the neck screws and re-aligning the neck in the pocket. That said, I'm not sure why you would post in a public, searchable forum about this being an "issue" when the company has said they'll put it right and the bass is in their hands as we speak.

I hope its something simple. My purpose in posting this was not to complain or give the impression that my bass is a lemon, but simply to express how happy I am that I'm dealing with EB as opposed to another company with a lesser reputation for customer service.

I am fully confidant that my bass will be made right and despite being bummed that I don't have it for awhile, I am just really impressed with how I have been treated so far.

I just wanted to share this to show how even if there is a problem or an "issue" with a new EB insttument, its good to know you will be taken care of.

 

[TNT]

Yeah,

Isn't it funny what we do when we have a little time on our hands!! lol,lol,lol,

You know, there's just not a "perfectly" produced item out there every single time by any company. I won't bore you with my BMW issues.

I know it's hard to NEVER talk about our "fantastic guitars and basses" (which they truly are) on a forum like this, without ever mentioning ANYTHING even "slightly" detrimental - even if we don't mean to be critical.

Obviously, we wouldn't have a "great/reputable " customer service dept. if no one ever had to use them.

At he same time, I realize it's not the place for it here. This forum is designed to reflect and highlight the "positive" side of Musicman Instruments.

I agree that repair issues and things of that nature should be addressed privately! Maybe just post how amenable and competent the CS dept was when it's resolved.

Just my opinion

 

[RobertB]

No offense guys, but these replies remind me of something Jack said once about folks around here sometimes thinking & acting like they've got some turf to defend here & how there's only 1 person who really does.

I do understand your points. I'll admit that when I read b-unit's post, I was a little confused. But it doesn't at all read like a bashing - it's polite & respectful, and if his description of the thing with his bass is accurate, well, it is what it is.

But granted, b-unit, your post might've been more well received if you had even just entitled the thread a little differently. Since you say your main point/intention was to express your pleasure & satisfaction with EB Cust Svc, maybe a "better" thread title would've reflected that, since that's how titles are conventionally used ... to convey main points, etc...

Anyhoo ... guess I just had to get my 2 in too, huh? DRAMA!!

 

[b-unit]

I agree I could have picked a better title for the thread. I was being called away from the computer and wanted to finish up so the title was thrown in at the end.

I also have to admit I was not aware that it is not kosher to discuss any problems or warranty issues here on the forum. Again, I was only expressing my appreciation for a problem with my bass being dealt with in such a positive way.

Now I'm going to go re-enact the shower scene from "The Crying game" until you all forgive me and my bass comes home!

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

I agree I could have picked a better title for the thread. I was being called away from the computer and wanted to finish up so the title was thrown in at the end.

I also have to admit I was not aware that it is not kosher to discuss any problems or warranty issues here on the forum. Again, I was only expressing my appreciation for a problem with my bass being dealt with in such a positive way.

Now I'm going to go re-enact the shower scene from "The Crying game" until you all forgive me and my bass comes home!

Hi b-unit.

All's fine.

Sometimes threads can get out of hand with "issues" being nothing more than minor adjustments.

Your Bass is in good hands.