Help! A Tough Situation... =S

[BluDawnBassDude]

Hi guys, haven't posted in a long time but I thought I'd share my current predicament. I bought a beautiful Blue Dawn SR4 last summer, one of the 2007 LE's, and after having the guys I bought it from lower the action I was noticing quite a lot of buzz. I assumed they didn't do that good of a job because of how unprofessional their timelyness was as far as getting it done, so I just assumed I would get it redone again sometime soon. That ended up being sometime in early 2008 and I asked a tech at a store I trust (not GC) to take a look at it, put some new strings on it and properly set the action, as low as playably possible. Well the next day I get a call saying there is something wrong with the neck and that he is going to take it home to his workbench because he has some better tools for this sort of thing, so I say ok. The next day I get a call saying he spent 8 hours on it and hasn't seen anything quite like it. He says there is a hump from the 5th to the 11th fret that only gets worse no matter which way he turns the truss rod. He told me that I need to call the people I bought it from or the manufacturor. I get the bass back eventually (my friend picked it up for me) and I notice that those aforementioned frets are all substantially shaved down. I assume this is just to compensate for the hump and that it won't matter as the neck will have to be replaced anyways (in his opinion). Notice how I took it in for essentially a tune-up and received major fretwork without my consent. So I continue doing college type things like homework and eventually get around to calling AJ (EBMM) and he says to send it in to have them look at it as it is still under warranty. So I send it in and get the dreaded voicemail that I need to call them about my bass. After a good conversation with AJ, one of the very nice people at EB who is looking out for my best interests (thanks AJ =) ), tells me that the neck appears to be just fine but because of the condition of the frets the bass is out of warranty. So this puts me in quite the bind, I definately trust the manufacturor's assesment of the instrument they made and if they tell me that the frets are messed up and the neck is fine, then I believe them. But now I have to find a way to pay to have the neck refretted and I don't feel that I should have to do it. I feel kind of bad because the guy who worked on it was trying to help me out but on the other hand his help voided my warranty and he charged my an extra $75 after the fact. I feel like the answer is obvious, I need to call him and ask for a refund or for him to cover the repairs, but he doesn't really have any reason to listen to me since he already has the money and I'm from out of town. And also I am pretty terrible at this particular type of confrontation, so there it is. Thoughts? Opinions? Advice??? All will be greatly appreciated...Thanks

-BDBD

 

[rhythmCity944]

hard question but a good fret job on a maple board (being more difficult) will run around $300...it is really just too bad and i'm sorry bout your situation, this is why i do all my set up myself on my guitars...though the techs should have called you before they did anything to your bass like a fret level

 

[mynan]

I would at least try to get a refund for the cost of getting the neck refretted.

 

[maddog]

ick. Doesn't seem like a good situation all the way around.

1. Did you ok the fret shaving? Looks to be no so I don't see how you are responsible for the damage done to the frets. I would politely and firmly demand compensation. Professionals are there for a reason. They are offering peace of mind on a job WELL DONE in exchange for compensation. You can get sex from anyone. Prostitutes are paid to be discreet, disease-free and guarantee a good time. I'd start negotations at the price of EBMM to fix things and go no lower than a refund for "services rendered". Make sure you have leverage. Get a faxed quote from AJ. Unless you are willing to go to small claims court or have some other leverage be prepared to walk away with nothing. Just be sure to never recommend him to others.

2. Did the tech put the cart before the horse? Did he assume the action was where you wanted it then tried to fit the neck? Something just doesn't jive here. Accomplished professionals know better than to run off with drastic measures. Whether you can get damages paid for or not, I'd cut this guy loose and let him know this. His reaction will be a defining moment. I've had shops tell me the entire front end of my jeep cherokee needed to be replaced only to be told it is well within factory spec by the next shop. Diagnosis is only as good as the equipment and the mind running it.

3. Are you expecting too much in terms of low action? I've seen guys attempt to make basses play themselves in terms of string height. Just not going to happen. The electric bass takes after its dad, the double bass. Ditch them palmolive hands and get jiggy with it.

4. Take a larger interest in the welfare of your bass. Learn to set it up the way you want it. Takes a bit of time (an afternoon or two) to get it where you want it (within reason) but then you know. Easier and quicker every time it needs a tweak. Also helps avoid situations like this.

 

[maddog]

Within Reason

From the Ernie Ball FAQ. Seems like a good place to start then adjust towards your preference. Just remember, there'll be diminishing returns. You can only get the strings so low.

Q: How do I set up my Music Man bass?

A: First check relief in the neck by holding the lowest string down on the 2nd fret with your fretting (left) hand. Then, hold the same string down on the 12th fret with your plucking thumb and tap on the string in the middle to see how straight the neck is. There should be no more than the thickness of a business card between the string and the frets. If there is no relief in the neck, a little pressure in the middle of the neck (after adjusting the trussrod wheel) should help.
The standard string gauge is .45-.100 with a .130 on the low "B" for the 5 string at 440 tuning. If you decide to tune down, typically you would increase the gauge for every 1/2 step downward that you tune. This will keep most of the measurements close by having more tension on the neck.

Factory String heights are: Bass side 3/32 to 7/64 Treble side: 5/64" to 7/64" from the top of the 12th fret to the bottom of the string. The rest of the strings should have the radius of the fretboard when looking at the top of the string, (with the A string hidden from view by the E string, etc.), rotating the bass at the same time. The "right" string height is, of course, ultimately determined by your playing style.

The pickup should be 4/32" to 5/32" on the bass side and slightly closer (4/32" to 5/32" on the treble side. This is determined by tuning and volume of strings measured by the top of the pole piece to the bottom of the strings. If the G string needs more volume, adjust it slightly more toward the pickup. Again, if you tune down, more distance is needed here, as well; but in any case, no lower than 4/32".

If fret buzz occurs from the open to the fifth fret, the neck needs more relief. If it buzzes between the 5th fret and the 12th fret, the neck needs to be straighter (turn the wheel slightly clockwise). If it occurs all over the neck, the string height need to increase (by turning the trussrod wheel slightly counter-clockwise).

For intonation: Check the harmonics to the fretted note on the 12th note on the twelfth fret if you don't play much above that fret. If you do, also check the harmonics at the 19th fret after the 12th fret is set. If the fretted note is sharp, you need to make the string longer by turning the saddle screw counterclockwise, and vice versa. Make sure that the string are coming off of the saddle straight and not in an arch. All measurements must be rechecked after each adjustment.

 

[nashman]

Just my thoughts - using a car analogy - buy a new car with warranty, something goes wrong, take it to a private shop, they do work that does not fix the problem and causes damage, take back to car dealership and the warrant is deemed void - about what you would expect, right?!. Lesson learned should be to call EBMM Customer Service first - especially when it's under warranty. That being said, what's done is done. I would have EBMM fix your beautiful bass at cost and try to recoup what you spent with the tech via a letter/in writing - and move on.

 

[bovinehost]

Notice how I took it in for essentially a tune-up and received major fretwork without my consent.

There's the entire thing, in a nutshell.

 

[maddog]

Just my thoughts - using a car analogy - buy a new car with warranty, something goes wrong, take it to a private shop, they do work that does not fix the problem and causes damage, take back to car dealership and the warrant is deemed void - about what you would expect, right?!. Lesson learned should be to call EBMM Customer Service first - especially when it's under warranty. That being said, what's done is done. I would have EBMM fix your beautiful bass at cost and try to recoup what you spent with the tech via a letter/in writing - and move on.

Any 3rd party can change the oil and not void the warranty. Calling EBMM on what was, at the time, a setup seems a bit excessive. The tech did something "above and beyond" which should have involved a call to EBMM. But BD^2 was out of the loop at this point.

And as far as the shop causing damage, any good auto mechanic will fix his own mistakes on his dime. Most shops offer warranties these days on their work. Just too competitive a market out there.

 

[nashman]

Good points Tom. I can't imagine a Tech taking a file to the frets without prior consent. Maybe he should be liable for the lot. It's just going to be a hassle for BDBD to go through the process and as stated, he's not big on the confrontation thing - so I would get it fixed as suggested and seek restitution from the Tech via a formal letter of complaint.

 

[maddog]

Good points Tom. I can't imagine a good Tech taking a file to the frets without prior consent. Maybe he should be liable for the lot.

fixed it for you.

Yeah, unless the "tech" fesses up, it is going to be a confrontation. Maybe a good time for BD^2 to learn how to manage such things.

 

[Sweat]

Pretty easy here, if you trust your dealer then fine but if you have any doubt, do it your self.

But in all honesty you should have just called EBMM customer service and you would not be where you are at today.
Trust me I know from experience they will take care of you, warranty or not.
And your situation was warranty before all the BS happened.

Pretty much now cut your loses and pay for the proper repairs from EBMM.

 

[Caca de Kick]

Yup, me too thinks you're going to be eating this one....obviously it was handled wrong, and the bad tech never should have ground the frets, but what's done is done. Pay to have the work done, and present the guy with the bill, and at least try to get back what you paid him.

 

[jlepre]

Just my thoughts - using a car analogy - buy a new car with warranty, something goes wrong, take it to a private shop, they do work that does not fix the problem and causes damage, take back to car dealership and the warrant is deemed void - about what you would expect, right?!. Lesson learned should be to call EBMM Customer Service first - especially when it's under warranty. That being said, what's done is done. I would have EBMM fix your beautiful bass at cost and try to recoup what you spent with the tech via a letter/in writing - and move on.

+1
I couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[RobertB]

Yup, me too thinks you're going to be eating this one....obviously it was handled wrong, and the bad tech never should have ground the frets, but what's done is done. Pay to have the work done, and present the guy with the bill, and at least try to get back what you paid him.

I disagree with the notion of "what's done is done". The fact that it's done makes it wrong, not ok. I guess by that logic, I could commit just about any crime and then claim "well, what's done is done", and get of scott freaking free.

BDBD, I understand that you say you're not the confrontational type. Maybe just let the guy know that you don't want for it to become an escalated issue, but if he's not willing to do the right thing, you'll give the local CPA/Consumer Protection Agency office a call about him. Because of him, your warranty is void, and you're looking at a few hundred bucks to effectively undo his crappy work. I'd say don't just roll over - he's clearly in the wrong.

 

[BluDawnBassDude]

Thanks

Awesome guys, thanks for all of your comments. I kind of feel like when I took it in it wasn't to the point of calling EBMM, but when I found out that something of that level was wrong things had already happened. I think I'll try to get AJ to give me a good estimate on paper and then present the guy with a formal letter along the lines of..."I don't want to make a big deal out of this, but when you went ahead and filed the frets without my consent you voided my warranty and I feel that I shouldn't have to pay the amount needed to bring the frets back to good condition. Here is the quote from the factory to refret the neck." but more polite like. Like I said before, not a fan of the situation and the dude was real nice about it but being nice doesn't fix my lovely bass. So, guess I'll be calling EBMM tomorrow and getting the ball rolling. Thanks again for all of your input guys, definately makes it easier knowing that other people are looking at the situation in a similar light. Peace...

-BDBD

p.s.> time to start reading up on how to do all this myself =P
p.p.s> one good thing about this whole mess is that my boss let me borrow his bass that was in his closet for the last 30 years....low and behold I discovered a marred yet beautiful all-original '66 fender p-bass in candy apple red....yay for nostalgia!! it will at least help pass the time in style until i get to hold that beautiful blue bass of mine again

 

[nashman]

A well crafted letter of complaint (to the Tech) is the key. You can do so in a professional manner, often with good results - and IMO is the best way to document the situation/your position while eliminating direct confrontation.

Here's a link that provides good info on how to craft an effective letter of complaint ... Write Complaint Letters That Get Results

 

[SquidLizard]

It's a fundamental mistake to assume there is a "confrontation" involved when you discuss this with him. Think about it this way. By assuming he has no interest in stepping up because he already has your money, you are not giving the tech a chance to take responsibility for his mistake. You are not giving him the benefit of the doubt. You are, in a way, cheating him out of the opportunity for a huge learning experience. If he hears the new information from EBMM, it's may be that he will see things your way and cover your costs. If he doesn't, what have you lost? You wouldn't use him again anyway and your paths will probably never cross. And you don't have to be unpleasant with him, just calm and factual. Assume he'll do the right thing. At the very least, you've stood up for yourself and asked for what you need.

IMO, avoiding what you assume to be a confrontation is a bad habit to get into. The habits we train ourselves into are what we have to live with our entire lives. Sadly, we're in a society where you MUST advocate for yourself to survive. As one example, we're all going to have to be the ones who push for decent medical care for ourselves and loved ones. There is no longer a system that will help you if you can't ask for and, if needed, demand what you need and what you're entitled to. And you may have to do this when you're elderly or in ill health. So dealing with the less critical issues now is great practice for when you'll really need the skills later.

Sorry to throw out a sermon, but I feel very strongly that we train ourselves in our behaviors and what we avoid now because we don't want to have a "confrontation" will result in habits that hurt us later. There's nothing unpleasant or confrontational about asking for what's right. Just explain the facts, ask for what you think is fair, and see what happens.

 

[strummer]

Listen to the Squid-girl, that's what it's about!

 

[Caca de Kick]

I disagree with the notion of "what's done is done". The fact that it's done makes it wrong, not ok. I guess by that logic, I could commit just about any crime and then claim "well, what's done is done", and get of scott freaking free.

I didn't say the guy should get off scott free. He is in the wrong. here's what I said...

Pay to have the work done, and present the guy with the bill

If it were me, that tech would have one pissed off dude out for blood...but that's the way I am.
The OP said he's not the confrontational type, and even if he should be, I understand it's not my place to tell folks to grow a backbone.

 

[Russel]

I wouldn't write a letter.

I don't like letters. Text is an inefficient mode of communication-there is a whole lot more to a conversation, such as body launguage, voice tone, inflection.... If you write a letter, you'd be missing an experience that could teach you social skills for a productive, positive interaction with a person over negative conditions, which is a great thing. If he's a cool person, he'll own up and at least try to make it right, in a pleasant manner. If he's a dick, he'll be a tool about it. Either way, you're in the right, and there's not much chance for you to go wrong, unless you let him not give you anything. I understand you don't like confrontation; I'm the same way, but it's already been said-good habits.

Best wishes. I hope it comes out alright.