OT: Rant

[Moondog]

Last week purchased what I believed to be a quality non-EBMM bass (on-line). My experience after opening the case was as follows:

-the finish was terrrible, looked like it had been buffed w/brillo
-the "g" was hanging off the fretboard (fixed w/a neck adjustment)
-one strap holder screw was loose and found to be stripped
-when I turned the bass over to check out the backside, the volume knob fell off
-the neck bolts were over-tightened, the finish around the neck plate was cracked
-almost every fret was sprouting out from the fretboard

This was a $1300 bass . . wtf?!
It had a pleasant tone but I couldn't even compare this bass against my Rays. I returned the bass and on the same day went to my dealer and ordered a new StingRay 5HH. I'm counting the days . . again.

 

[BigBallz]

Gotta ask...what brand was it?

 

[Moondog]

Sorry, should warn you guys.

F*nder American Vintage 57RI

Always was a p-bass guy . . . until I played my 1st Ray.

 

[Figjam]

How did i know it was a F*nder. Thats really dissapointing, actually.

 

[Joshua]

Did you buy it new from a reputable shop?

 

[Moondog]

Musician's Friend - the bass was straight from the factory in orig. box.

I don't wish to slam F*nder, I've heard of quality issues but played some really nice ones . . . this bass was pretty bad tho.

Not that I didn't already, but this experience made me really appreciate EBMM

 

[BigBallz]

That's really to bad Moondog. You know, I have heard that some manufactures ship their "seconds" or not so perfect product to online sellers. I have had this happen to me as well. There is just no excuse why I should recieve the same brand amplifier, numerious times with different quality control problems. Of course when I brought this up I was labeled a "basher". So while it's a bummer it happened to you, it just reinforces my original observations that happened to me also.

 

[Freddy-G.]

Switching to a 5 string, Ken?

 

[AnthonyD]

Wow...

Sorry to hear, though I expect in 4-6 months you'll actually look back on this experience and be thankful for it!

 

[Moondog]

Thanks guys, yeah - I figured this happened for a reason . . another EBMM!! a HH!

Switching to a 5 string, Ken?

Well, not entirely . . I prefer SR4's but I had a SR5 I liked but traded w/Bill for his SR4. I kinda miss it now (knew I would) - the B came in handy on a few tunes & I loved the neck feel and string spacing.

 

[bottle12am]

Last summer, when I was finally able to order a new axe, I had my choices narrowed down to a C**vin, a F**der, and an EBMM. I asked around on another bass site for recommendations. What I heard from many was that F**der was having quality control problems, even on the American side of things.

I hate to see that reputation confirmed. There's a lot of people that swear by them, and it's a shame for those customers to have those kind of problems.

BTW...

The EBMM Sterling I did order was in PERFECT condition upon arrival, even after being subject to two cross-country trips (thanks to a UPS mix-up).

I hope this doesn't come off as too Fan-Boyish or too F**der-bashing. Just my personal experience.

 

[Bill]

Sorry to hear that, Ken! That's terrible that a brand new bass would arrive in that condition.

 

[flywheel]

dammit Moondog! Us four bangers forever gotta stick together! Just kiddin...I see you're turning the Sterling loose. Remember if for some reason the Trans White and/or the Honeyburst leave your arsenal...contact ME! I know you'll probably not letting go of either

 

[Figjam]

oo, a sterling like mine for sale........one year earlier though...1996,...they still have the bridges with the string mutes right?

 

[Moondog]

dammit Moondog! Us four bangers forever gotta stick together! Just kiddin...I see you're turning the Sterling loose. Remember if for some reason the Trans White and/or the Honeyburst leave your arsenal...contact ME! I know you'll probably not letting go of either

I'm Still a 4-Banger!

I remember your interest and you'll be the 1st to know
if that day ever comes. I don't think I'll ever part with
my # 1 & 2 tho.

 

[Moondog]

oo, a sterling like mine for sale........one year earlier though...1996,...they still have the bridges with the string mutes right?

Fig - this one has the "mutable" bridge but came without mutes.
Also has birdseye fretboard, original Tolex case (mint), & hipshot
d-tuner & black & tort pickguards. It's one fast bass in "like new"
condition. I'll post pics soon.

 

[phatduckk]

i only play EBMM basses now but I had a couple from the F company and i didnt have any issues w/ em but i got them from a retail store and was able to give em a good once over to make sure they were in good shape

I trust EBMM's quality and do not worry when I buy their stuff unseen but i dont think id buy an axe from any other company w/o being able to try it out and inspect it myself

 

[copperbass]

Sorry to hear about your bad experience with the 57RI. I've got one and I love it, but it needed some TLC before gigging. On the other hand, my Stingray was ready to roll right out of the box.

 

[flywheel]

I remember your interest and you'll be the 1st to know
if that day ever comes. I don't think I'll ever part with
my # 1 & 2 tho.

You'd be something of a crazy man if you let either one of those go...I was teasin' more than anything. You and Gavin both have a couple Stingrays I'm crazy about. Gav also has the Trans White and he has this AWESOME natural it's like an '85 or something.

 

[strummer]

i only play EBMM basses now but I had a couple from the F company and i didnt have any issues w/ em but i got them from a retail store and was able to give em a good once over to make sure they were in good shape

I trust EBMM's quality and do not worry when I buy their stuff unseen but i dont think id buy an axe from any other company w/o being able to try it out and inspect it myself

I second that. All of it.

I have owned some F*****, and they have been good instruments. But the last time I bought a new one, A 2004 Am Std P, I checked about 20 of them until i found one that "only" had drying cracks in the body finish. the rest was perfect, so i bought it.
The F japan stuff seems a bit more consistent, but EB is just lots of notches above the rest of the manufacturers. All of them.