Silvia Bluejay Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 (edited) I have just received my new fretless Rockbass from Thomann and found a scratch on it. The lighting in the photo makes it look worse than it is, but still... What would you wise BC folk advise me to do? Return it? Is there any way I can try and fix the scratch by myself (furniture polish or something else)? Thank you! Edited January 12, 2012 by bluejay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 if there was a scratch on a bass i'd bought new it'd go back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvia Bluejay Posted January 12, 2012 Author Share Posted January 12, 2012 I've emailed Thomann through my Customer Page. I thought I'd better do so immediately, so that they can't think I scratched it myself while playing it. Waiting to see what they reply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 If you can feel it with your finger nail then it will require more than just cutting and polishing out - it will need sanded out first. It also looks to be in a wee bit of a PITA area to work on. I have a feeling T/mann just work a collect and replace pollicy but contact them and ask what your options are. If they offer a decent partial refund and you want to keep ithe bass take it .. as it is fixable... unless you like "mojo" and want to leave it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 Btw I've heard that replacements may take some time to finally get to you so bear that in mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvia Bluejay Posted January 12, 2012 Author Share Posted January 12, 2012 (edited) LOL @ the 'mojo' Yes, the bigger groove can be felt with your fingertip. The other, lighter grooves are much less deep. I'm waiting to see what options Thomann offer me. Thank you guys for your replies so far. Edited January 12, 2012 by bluejay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deanovw Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 Fender charge for this service. Think of the money you saved!! Seriously though. If you dont want to get a replacement bass maybe a local luthier could help out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvia Bluejay Posted January 12, 2012 Author Share Posted January 12, 2012 As the scratch is smaller than it looks in the photo, I think I can live with it, but I'm worried that the very presence of a scratch may mean that the bass has been handled roughly. While I wait for Thomann to get back to me, i will go through every possible check on the bass, and make sure it isn't damaged in any other way. Then I'll decide, depending on what options they offer me. Thanks, Dean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 [quote name='bluejay' timestamp='1326377127' post='1496283'] As the scratch is smaller than it looks in the photo, I think I can live with it, but I'm worried that the very presence of a scratch may mean that the bass has been handled roughly. While I wait for Thomann to get back to me, i will go through every possible check on the bass, and make sure it isn't damaged in any other way. Then I'll decide, depending on what options they offer me. Thanks, Dean. [/quote] it doesn't look like rough handling, more like something rubbing on the area every time the box was moved in transit. my guess anyway, was it one of the super cheap lefty ones? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvia Bluejay Posted January 12, 2012 Author Share Posted January 12, 2012 Yup, it was, and I like it in every other way. As mentioned in that thread, it's very basic and the pots aren't exceedingly powerful, but it's fine for me just playing at home. Thomann are taking their time replying. If I can get a discount voucher or sumfin' out of them I'll probably go with that. But I do want some sort of compensation, even if it's a cheap guitar - after all, the money I gave them had no 'defects' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 [quote name='bluejay' timestamp='1326384835' post='1496493'] ... the money I gave them had no 'defects' [/quote] You paid them in Swiss Francs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvia Bluejay Posted January 12, 2012 Author Share Posted January 12, 2012 Golden doubloons, actually Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leftyhook Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 (edited) tch tch. cheap bass or not, it's brand new. If it's packaging that's done it, then it wasn't properly packaged. I too would accept a gift voucher and live with the cosmetic scar, which will be repairable to a certain extent, Oh, the thought of re-packaging, sending it off, waiting a few weeks.......grrrrr Oh, don't forget to take the roundwounds off. So much damage to the fingerboard is possible with them. Edited January 12, 2012 by leftyhook Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvia Bluejay Posted January 12, 2012 Author Share Posted January 12, 2012 (edited) It was very well packaged. so it must have happened in the warehouse. And yes, the bass is fine everywhere else, so the scratch must have been due to contact with some object rather than rough handling. I'll keep you all posted with their reply. Edited January 12, 2012 by bluejay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry norton Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 [quote name='leftyhook' timestamp='1326386404' post='1496549'] Oh, don't forget to take the roundwounds off. So much damage to the fingerboard is possible with them. [/quote] !!!! Good job Jaco Pastorius didn't swap his rounds for something less abrasive. Where would modern Jazz bass playing be???? I agree on the gift voucher angle though - I wouldn't think one graze means the entire bass has been abused. Just push for decent compensation - even German companies will try to fob you off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvia Bluejay Posted January 12, 2012 Author Share Posted January 12, 2012 (edited) I'm still trying to find my way around it! I'm so used to the double bass that I need to look at the fingerboard here - which I rarely do when I play the fretted 5-stringer. But I love it Edited January 12, 2012 by bluejay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leftyhook Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 [quote name='henry norton' timestamp='1326386932' post='1496579'] !!!! Good job Jaco Pastorius didn't swap his rounds for something less abrasive. Where would modern Jazz bass playing be???? I agree on the gift voucher angle though - I wouldn't think one graze means the entire bass has been abused. Just push for decent compensation - even German companies will try to fob you off. [/quote] Yeah, but don't forget Jaco coated his fingerboard with an epoxy resin. I ripped up the ebony fingerbaord on my Wal with rounds and subsequently needed a layer taken off on 3 occasions, until there wasn't enough to take any more off. if yu are a light player, it will buy you some time. I have Daddario Chromes on my fretless. smooth and bright. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvia Bluejay Posted January 12, 2012 Author Share Posted January 12, 2012 I received a set of Thomastik flatwounds together with the bass (I ordered them alongside it). I meant to put them on the fretted 5, but I'll see; if Thomann give me a discount voucher I may buy another set. PS I am a light player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 (edited) Look at it this way - it's already got its first ding and it wasn't your fault, so you don't have to worry about it! [size=4][quote name='bluejay' timestamp='1326389425' post='1496634'][/size][size=4]PS I am a light player. [/quote] I'm not! [/size] Edited January 12, 2012 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvia Bluejay Posted January 12, 2012 Author Share Posted January 12, 2012 Heh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry norton Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 [quote name='leftyhook' timestamp='1326389194' post='1496628'] Yeah, but don't forget Jaco coated his fingerboard with an epoxy resin. I ripped up the ebony fingerbaord on my Wal with rounds and subsequently needed a layer taken off on 3 occasions, until there wasn't enough to take any more off. if yu are a light player, it will buy you some time. I have Daddario Chromes on my fretless. smooth and bright. [/quote] Yeah, epoxy helps but - asides from changing the sound/feel for many players - IMO it's important to arrive at the sound and feel you want regardless of whether it wears out the fingerboard faster or not. In other words I'd rather wear my board out than have it sit there unplayed because I don't like the sound. I earn my living (in part) by epoxying fingerboards but I don't believe it's for everybody, just like using flats on a fretless. I could understand with the values attached to Wal basses, you'd be worried about wearing ruts in your very expensive fingerboard but I'd think a Rockbass would be the perfect instrument to experiment on, especially as bluejay will hopefully be getting some kind of discount Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leftyhook Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 [quote name='henry norton' timestamp='1326401104' post='1496860'] Yeah, epoxy helps but - asides from changing the sound/feel for many players - IMO it's important to arrive at the sound and feel you want regardless of whether it wears out the fingerboard faster or not. In other words I'd rather wear my board out than have it sit there unplayed because I don't like the sound. I earn my living (in part) by epoxying fingerboards but I don't believe it's for everybody, just like using flats on a fretless. I could understand with the values attached to Wal basses, you'd be worried about wearing ruts in your very expensive fingerboard but I'd think a Rockbass would be the perfect instrument to experiment on, especially as bluejay will hopefully be getting some kind of discount [/quote] fair comment! However I never want o have to avoid certain positions on my fingerboard live again to avoid a nasty buzz coming through the P.A. "Once bitten..." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry norton Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 [quote name='leftyhook' timestamp='1326401388' post='1496864'] fair comment! However I never want o have to avoid certain positions on my fingerboard live again to avoid a nasty buzz coming through the P.A. "Once bitten..." [/quote] Ha! That's how I got into coated boards in the first place, although if I had a Wal I'd probably be too scared to use it.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvia Bluejay Posted January 13, 2012 Author Share Posted January 13, 2012 Thomann replied to my email this morning, requesting a photo of the scratch and also of the packaging. I only emailed them the photo I posted at the start of this thread, and confirmed to them that the packaging was fine inside and out - surely no point taking a pic of open boxes and ready-to-be-discarded plastic sleeves...? I'm waiting for further developments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
throwoff Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 The tiny bit of the fretboard in your photo looks amazing, lovely bit of tigerstripe ebony. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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