Stunned and Appalled

[Corktip100]

Hi Everyone, 

 

I don't often post on forums, but something just happened that has left me stunned.

 

I like D'Addario flatwound strings, and ordered a set from Amazon - usually the best price around. D'Addario pack their strings in a sealed plastic bag inside a cardboard sleeve.

 

The strings arrived and, without thinking, I just pulled the ripcord (the perforated opening strip) on the cardboard pack to reveal the plastic bag inside. Instantly, I saw that something wasn't right. The bag wasn't sealed, and in fact had clearly been opened with a pair of scissors. What's more, inside the bag was a random set of roundwound strings. I think they were still D'Addario - they had the colour-coded ball-ends, but the silk windings were the wrong colour (a very pale blue). They'd also been previously fitted as the silk was frayed and the ends were bent.

 

Someone had ordered a set of roundwounds, opened the bag, replaced them with a set of used strings, and then returned them for a refund. On inspecting the cardboard sleeve, they had obviously sliced the pack open carefully so as not to disturb the opening strip and then stuck it back down with double-sided tape. I then innocently ordered a set and got the results of someone else's little crime.

 

I am absolutely appalled that a fellow bass player would stoop so low. Shame on you, sir!

[Beedster]

Shit happens, send them back, get a replacement set, sorted 👍

[Corktip100]

@Beedster, you're right, I shouldn't be so bothered. Amazon have provided their normal excellent customer service and replacements have already been shipped. I guess I was just amazed at someone's bare-faced audacity.

[neepheid]

It takes all kinds... unfortunately.

[Dan Dare]

1 hour ago, Corktip100 said:

I am absolutely appalled that a fellow bass player would stoop so low. Shame on you, sir!

 

Bass players are exactly the same as any other group of people. Some of them are tw@ts.

[SteveXFR]

Seems like the sort of thing a guitarist would do

[SICbass]

May his next turd be a hedgehog.

Onwards and upwards 👍

[Mickyk]

Now you've told everyone someone will copy the abhorrent crime.

[Corktip100]

1 hour ago, Mickyk said:

Now you've told everyone someone will copy the abhorrent crime.

I really hope not....

[Corktip100]

1 hour ago, Dan Dare said:

 

Bass players are exactly the same as any other group of people. Some of them are tw@ts.

Unfortunately, that is true...

[dave_bass5]

7 hours ago, Corktip100 said:

 

I am absolutely appalled that a fellow bass player would stoop so low. Shame on you, sir!

A bass player is nothing special as far as society goes. 

[Steve Browning]

And might be female. 

[dmccombe7]

I've stopped buying thru Amazon as i bought a set of D'addario EXL's and they didn't sound their usual bright tone when i fitted them but had no option but but gig them the following night but they literally lasted 1-2 gigs and they were dead. To be fair these had no signs of being used and the pack was sealed when i got it but no trust in Amazon suppliers that they were genuine strings.

Now i stick to Strings Direct, Andertons, Guitar Guitar or other well known shops for my strings.

Dave

[Misdee]

8 hours ago, Steve Browning said:

And might be female. 

If indeed any such construct exists.

[Misdee]

16 hours ago, dave_bass5 said:

A bass player is nothing special as far as society goes. 

To be fair, many would say a bass player is nothing special as far as music goes.

[Misdee]

On 15/11/2025 at 16:49, Corktip100 said:

Hi Everyone, 

 

I don't often post on forums, but something just happened that has left me stunned.

 

I like D'Addario flatwound strings, and ordered a set from Amazon - usually the best price around. D'Addario pack their strings in a sealed plastic bag inside a cardboard sleeve.

 

The strings arrived and, without thinking, I just pulled the ripcord (the perforated opening strip) on the cardboard pack to reveal the plastic bag inside. Instantly, I saw that something wasn't right. The bag wasn't sealed, and in fact had clearly been opened with a pair of scissors. What's more, inside the bag was a random set of roundwound strings. I think they were still D'Addario - they had the colour-coded ball-ends, but the silk windings were the wrong colour (a very pale blue). They'd also been previously fitted as the silk was frayed and the ends were bent.

 

Someone had ordered a set of roundwounds, opened the bag, replaced them with a set of used strings, and then returned them for a refund. On inspecting the cardboard sleeve, they had obviously sliced the pack open carefully so as not to disturb the opening strip and then stuck it back down with double-sided tape. I then innocently ordered a set and got the results of someone else's little crime.

 

I am absolutely appalled that a fellow bass player would stoop so low. Shame on you, sir!

This all sounds too much for ordinary coincidence to me. Can you think of any reason why you might be targeted for a hate crime?

[White Cloud]

8 hours ago, dmccombe7 said:

I've stopped buying thru Amazon as i bought a set of D'addario EXL's and they didn't sound their usual bright tone when i fitted them but had no option but but gig them the following night but they literally lasted 1-2 gigs and they were dead. To be fair these had no signs of being used and the pack was sealed when i got it but no trust in Amazon suppliers that they were genuine strings.

Now i stick to Strings Direct, Andertons, Guitar Guitar or other well known shops for my strings.

Dave

Same here with Rotosounds purchased through Amazon. 

[dmccombe7]

22 minutes ago, Misdee said:

a bass player is nothing special as far as music goes.

Jings Crivens, help ma boab whit are you saying. Do you know the penalties for such blasphemy on BC. ? 🤫

It was nice knowing @Misdee, you have my deepest sympathies. 😂

Dave

 

[Beedster]

26 minutes ago, Misdee said:

To be fair, many would say a bass player is nothing special as far as music goes.

My band certainly would 👍

[Reggaebass]

30 minutes ago, Misdee said:

To be fair, many would say a bass player is nothing special as far as music goes.

I wouldn’t say that in a reggae studio, you might not get out 😁

[Misdee]

24 minutes ago, dmccombe7 said:

Jings Crivens, help ma boab whit are you saying. Do you know the penalties for such blasphemy on BC. ? 🤫

It was nice knowing @Misdee, you have my deepest sympathies. 😂

Dave

 

 

18 minutes ago, Reggaebass said:

I wouldn’t say that in a reggae studio, you might not get out 😁

Don't shoot the messenger! I'm sorry to break the news but in wider society being a bass guitarist is not regarded as the prestige occupation which it ought to be. Although I would concede that in Jamaica I expect that might be a bit different.