NBD x2 leads to utter disappointment

#43
Koshchei said:
So, you're "gutted" because you considered it too onerous to spend 5 minutes cleaning your new basses? And rather than spending those five minutes, you spent half an hour packing them back up, filling out the RMA form, and then however much you've spent on this thread on Talkbass.

What happens when one of your other basses gets sweat on it from a performance?
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Pedulla Pentabuzz (new from Mike), Fodera YY5 (weeks old from Ish guitars) Fodera Emperor Fretless 5 (used from here) ‘99 Music Man SR5 (used from here) were all in perfect condition. No cleaning needed.

When my basses get sweat marks or dirty, I clean ‘em. But it’s MY sweat. MY dirt. MY oils. These things were supposed to be brand new. And there’s damage. There’s dirt. There’s QC issues.

Really don’t appreciate you trying to talk down to me homie. You COULD just unwatch and walk away.
 
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#47
Element Zero said:
View attachment 7030442
Ibanez ANB205

First the good.

Sure is pretty. The fit of everything is excellent. Flawless finish. 18mm string spacing feels nice. I prefer 17.5 or 16.5, but on this, 18 is comfy. Playing position is spot on. Been a decade since I’ve held a Soundgear body.

The bad.
View attachment 7030450View attachment 7030451View attachment 7030452
Factory sealed and the neck is filthy. Also quite a bit chunkier than I thought it would be ever though I already knew it was beefier than a normal SR bass. Poorly covered up tool marks, marred finish that is quite annoying to my thumb, gouges in fret board near frets, high frets, corroded frets, saddles are almost max low but SUPER stiff nearly maxed truss rod still squishy feel fretting makes is really off putting. Had such high hopes for this one.

View attachment 7030455
Ibanez GWB205

The good.

Plays effortlessly. Neck is tiny and string spacing is a nice and tight 16.5mm. B string sounds awesome up to the 6th fret. Plays like a fretless should. Although…

View attachment 7030464View attachment 7030465View attachment 7030466View attachment 7030467View attachment 7030468View attachment 7030469
Ugh. Again a filthy neck with darkened smudges that left my thumb dirty. Slightly dirty and dinged headstock, stripped screw on the ramp, finger funk gunk in the pickup adjustment screws, gunk in neck pocket, loose eq pot, weird discoloration on headstock face at the tuning machine nuts, truss rod was completely loose out of box, lots of string marks in fingerboard, and the finish looks cheap. Weirdly, tone seems to be lacking Mids a bit and doesn’t really “sing” unless I really dig in toward the neck.


I’m gutted.
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Issues like this are not exclusive to the realm of basses.
Particularly over the last 5 years, I've noticed (in many areas) a massive decline in QC, customer service and "care-factor".
I could write an essay, but will spare you from my further cynicism.
Despite your valid disappointment and the exhausting prospect of "going into battle" to actually get what you paid good money for, that's exactly what I'd encourage you to do.
Best wishes.
 
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#48
VW fan said:
Issues like this are not exclusive to the realm of basses.
Particularly over the last 5 years, I've noticed (in many areas) a massive decline in QC, customer service and "care-factor".
I could write an essay, but will spare you from my further cynicism.
Despite your valid disappointment and the exhausting prospect of "going into battle" to actually get what you paid good money for, that's exactly what I'd encourage you to do.
Best wishes.
Click to expand...
Overall the ANB205 just didn’t jive with my left hand. I may get another GWB from a competitor in hopes that it’s in perfect shape but probably not the silver/black finish.
 
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#52
Micha84 said:
Thanks for that post. I am strongly contemplating getting a new Ibanez Soundgear 5 string.
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I think it depends on where it came from. I don't think this is on Ibanez. 🤔

I got an SR5MDXEGL as a "floor model" shipped/bounced banged and bobbled from a place about 1200 Miles away, and even though listed "floor model" was basically Perfect condition.
(no scratched dings dents, or.. black stuff).


ibanez_SR4FMDXEGL_5_string_bass_emerald_green_low_haggertys_02.jpg


It wasn't $2K (was 1400 ish).
:bassist:

T$
 
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#53
The QC is horrible, really disappointing. Sorry that you had to experience this.
I was seriously considering the ANB 205 and now I’m hesitated :(
I live in the UK and no shop stocks this. I have to pre-order if i want to get one, so i can’t go to shops to try it before purchasing it
 
#54
sambass0124 said:
The QC is horrible, really disappointing. Sorry that you had to experience this.
I was seriously considering the ANB 205 and now I’m hesitated :(
I live in the UK and no shop stocks this. I have to pre-order if i want to get one, so i can’t go to shops to try it before purchasing it
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Just FYI… I returned it today and the sales manager at GC told me sure could secure the 1 left in the whole chain that was in a warehouse factory sealed. She told me straight up the one I got came from a store. I opted just for the refund. Don’t know if GC ships internationally.
 
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#55
Bassdirty said:
I think it depends on where it came from. I don't think this is on Ibanez. 🤔

I got an SR5MDXEGL as a "floor model" shipped/bounced banged and bobbled from a place about 1200 Miles away, and even though listed "floor model" was basically Perfect condition.
(no scratched dings dents, or.. black stuff).


View attachment 7031398

It wasn't $2K (was 1400 ish).
:bassist:

T$
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Nice. A similar model piques me interest. Curious how the double P sounds in reality vs YouTube.
 
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