Truss rod damage in shipping possible?

Jordac

Jordac

Mar 12, 2022
31
43
1,216
Lebanon, New Hampshire
www.jordanphoto.com
#1
Hi all, I recently purchased a used bass from a well rated seller on Reverb. It was rated excellent condition, fully functional, etc. It arrived detuned. What initially struck me as odd is that the strings were the wrong length (short scale length) and so when tuned, it was unplayable b/c the tapering of the wounds were within the fingerboard. Ridiculous. So I replaced these with my usual strings and initially things started looking better. When I started to dial in an initial setup, I discovered the truss rod was not working. The neck is gaining relief daily and the truss rod won’t move. I’ve been in contact with the seller who insists all was perfect prior to shipping. He suspects the bass received a blow in shipping which broke the rod. This doesn’t seem all that likely. No major damage to the packing materials beyond usual scuffs, to an already well-used box. What nags me is those suspect short gauge strings it arrived with. No one could claim that the bass went out the door playing and functioning perfectly with those ridiculous strings.

I’ve requested a complete refund from the seller, who is now trying to blame the shipper. How likely do you all think the damage happened in shipping, versus going out the door with a bad truss rod?
 
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#3
I've never heard for strings shrinking in shipment. :rollno: Even if they did, they would come off either the bridge or the tuners. I don't know for a fact but I suspect to damage the truss rod in shipment would also require major damage to the neck wood. :spit: I think you 'well rated seller' is too highly rated. He sounds like a scam artist to me. :poop:
 
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#6
seller is trying to screw you over. Not only did he ship the bass detuned it had the wrong scale length strings on it as well. He's acting like it's your fault the bass was damaged in shipping. Besides IF it was indeed damaged in shipping, that is NOT your fault nor concern. Any claims for shipping damage must be between the seller and the shipper. Seller must refund you and then get reimbursed from the shipper. My guess is the seller KNEW the truss rod was bad when he shipped it and was planning on blaming it on shipping damage. Then trying to tell you that you had to file a damage claim. Tell seller you wish to return it for a refund. Take pictures of the bass and a video of you re-packing it and the seller's prepaid shipping label on the box. If the seller doesn't comply just turn the whole thing over to reverb. Keeping your pictures and video if Reverb asks for it.

I had a similar experience with a neck I bought off Reverb. It wasn't as described and had damage not disclosed. Seller was a real jerk. Reverb sided with me and he had to pay return shipping and refund. Be patient but Reverb will side with you.
 
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#7
60bass said:
seller is trying to screw you over. Not only did he ship the bass detuned it had the wrong scale length strings on it as well. He's acting like it's your fault the bass was damaged in shipping. Besides IF it was indeed damaged in shipping, that is NOT your fault nor concern. Any claims for shipping damage must be between the seller and the shipper. Seller must refund you and then get reimbursed from the shipper. My guess is the seller KNEW the truss rod was bad when he shipped it and was planning on blaming it on shipping damage. Then trying to tell you that you had to file a damage claim. Tell seller you wish to return it for a refund. Take pictures of the bass and a video of you re-packing it and the seller's prepaid shipping label on the box. If the seller doesn't comply just turn the whole thing over to reverb. Keeping your pictures and video if Reverb asks for it.

I had a similar experience with a neck I bought off Reverb. It wasn't as described and had damage not disclosed. Seller was a real jerk. Reverb sided with me and he had to pay return shipping and refund. Be patient but Reverb will side with you.
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I appreciate you sharing this as it helps me maintain my perspective. Gotta trust the nose when something stinks.
 
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#8
Jordac said:
Hi all, I recently purchased a used bass from a well rated seller on Reverb. It was rated excellent condition, fully functional, etc. It arrived detuned. What initially struck me as odd is that the strings were the wrong length (short scale length) and so when tuned, it was unplayable b/c the tapering of the wounds were within the fingerboard. Ridiculous. So I replaced these with my usual strings and initially things started looking better. When I started to dial in an initial setup, I discovered the truss rod was not working. The neck is gaining relief daily and the truss rod won’t move. I’ve been in contact with the seller who insists all was perfect prior to shipping. He suspects the bass received a blow in shipping which broke the rod. This doesn’t seem all that likely. No major damage to the packing materials beyond usual scuffs, to an already well-used box. What nags me is those suspect short gauge strings it arrived with. No one could claim that the bass went out the door playing and functioning perfectly with those ridiculous strings.

I’ve requested a complete refund from the seller, who is now trying to blame the shipper. How likely do you all think the damage happened in shipping, versus going out the door with a bad truss rod?
Click to expand...
The facts you lay out suggest the problem existed before shipping. Did the photo on reverb show strings that are too short? Even if the bass was damaged in shipment, I believe it's still on the seller.

1728758448425.png


I had a similar problem within the last year with a bass I bought from GC used. Bass had a too-good-to-be-true price. I had the bass shipped to me. When it arrived the strings were slack. Tuned to pitch the neck had way too much relief/bow, but actually played. When I turned the truss rod nut, the truss rod would spin with. Seems pretty obvious the damage was known, likely before the bass was even listed.

I drove across town and returned it to my local GC for a full refund. They did not inspect the bass in my presence.

In my experience Reverb usually sides with the buyer, whether it's warranted or not. From what you describe, I think it's warranted. IMHO, Formally request a refund.
 
#9
Jordac said:
Hi all, I recently purchased a used bass from a well rated seller on Reverb. It was rated excellent condition, fully functional, etc. It arrived detuned. What initially struck me as odd is that the strings were the wrong length (short scale length) and so when tuned, it was unplayable b/c the tapering of the wounds were within the fingerboard. Ridiculous. So I replaced these with my usual strings and initially things started looking better. When I started to dial in an initial setup, I discovered the truss rod was not working. The neck is gaining relief daily and the truss rod won’t move. I’ve been in contact with the seller who insists all was perfect prior to shipping. He suspects the bass received a blow in shipping which broke the rod. This doesn’t seem all that likely. No major damage to the packing materials beyond usual scuffs, to an already well-used box. What nags me is those suspect short gauge strings it arrived with. No one could claim that the bass went out the door playing and functioning perfectly with those ridiculous strings.

I’ve requested a complete refund from the seller, who is now trying to blame the shipper. How likely do you all think the damage happened in shipping, versus going out the door with a bad truss rod?
Click to expand...

The TR won't move in either direction? What's the bass in question?

Riis
 
#11
Jordac said:
I appreciate you sharing this as it helps me maintain my perspective. Gotta trust the nose when something stinks.
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Yes you do. Don't sit on it for very long. Contact the seller right away if you haven't already and ask for a refund . If the seller doesn't work with you to get your refund processed and get you a return shipping label then by all means contact Reverb right away.
 
#14
I don’t understand, is the shipper supposed to give you the refund?

This is the sellers problem and reverb will tell him so if he pushes back. He should also cover return shipping. The bass is not as described.

He can file a claim with the shipper that they damaged his truss rod hahahahaha
 
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#15
kmon said:
I don’t understand, is the shipper supposed to give you the refund?

This is the sellers problem and reverb will tell him so if he pushes back. He should also cover return shipping. The bass is not as described.

He can file a claim with the shipper that they damaged his truss rod hahahahaha
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^^^^
This is the way!
 
#17
Something is fishy with the short scale strings. I’d get those back onboard and if you haven’t mentioned changing the strings yet, I wouldn’t.

How long has the seller been on Reverb? Do they have much feedback? Anyway, good luck, I hope it works out for you.
 
#18
Wasnex said:
The facts you lay out suggest the problem existed before shipping. Did the photo on reverb show strings that are too short? Even if the bass was damaged in shipment, I believe it's still on the seller.

View attachment 7052062

I had a similar problem within the last year with a bass I bought from GC used. Bass had a too-good-to-be-true price. I had the bass shipped to me. When it arrived the strings were slack. Tuned to pitch the neck had way too much relief/bow, but actually played. When I turned the truss rod nut, the truss rod would spin with. Seems pretty obvious the damage was known, likely before the bass was even listed.

I drove across town and returned it to my local GC for a full refund. They did not inspect the bass in my presence.

In my experience Reverb usually sides with the buyer, whether it's warranted or not. From what you describe, I think it's warranted. IMHO, Formally request a refund.
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I'd bet money that GC put it back up for sale with the same description.
 
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#19
Jordac said:
Hi all, I recently purchased a used bass from a well rated seller on Reverb. It was rated excellent condition, fully functional, etc. It arrived detuned. What initially struck me as odd is that the strings were the wrong length (short scale length) and so when tuned, it was unplayable b/c the tapering of the wounds were within the fingerboard. Ridiculous. So I replaced these with my usual strings and initially things started looking better. When I started to dial in an initial setup, I discovered the truss rod was not working. The neck is gaining relief daily and the truss rod won’t move. I’ve been in contact with the seller who insists all was perfect prior to shipping. He suspects the bass received a blow in shipping which broke the rod. This doesn’t seem all that likely. No major damage to the packing materials beyond usual scuffs, to an already well-used box. What nags me is those suspect short gauge strings it arrived with. No one could claim that the bass went out the door playing and functioning perfectly with those ridiculous strings.

I’ve requested a complete refund from the seller, who is now trying to blame the shipper. How likely do you all think the damage happened in shipping, versus going out the door with a bad truss rod?
Click to expand...
Doubtful without evidence of extreme physical damage.
 
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