Author Topic: (x) 98W11388 (Read 325 times)

mubodude · « **on:** May 29, 2007, 03:38:43 PM »

Well, the Epic mentioned in my post below has arrived. It's in pretty bad shape after all. The serial is stamped on the headstock. Any info appreciated. In fact, it's a piece of garbage. It looks like it's been on 3 world tours with Motorhead. Hardly a square inch without dings, scrapes, gouges and scratches. Talk about the biggest case of buyer's remorse I've ever had! And a screw with the insert missing from the control cavity cover (how does THAT happen??), the pickup covers are trashed, worn, battered and hardly any paint left of the logos and it looks as if someone took a hammer to the top above the strings as noted in my Essence post and tapped it a couple hundred times. The back is as if shot with buckshot and literally covered with worming and dings. The neck needs serious truss adjustment, which hopefully I can bring it back to correct relief instead of the current warping and reverse bow it has, it's all over the place. I just want to chuck it out the freakin' window. Anyone know how to go about getting a factory refin and fixed up with new pickup covers along with everything else to bring it back to life? Or at least point me to the right forum. I shouldn't have paid over $500 for this crap. I know they're meant to be played, it just wasn't stated that it was THIS played and battle scarred. Please don't get me wrong, I see the diamond in the rough, but I got hosed. And to think I have inlays coming and THAT project to go along with a ground up restoration that's obviously needed. By the time the dust settles, I could've bought a new one.

mubodude · « **Reply #1 on:** May 29, 2007, 03:43:47 PM »

2400wattman · « **Reply #2 on:** May 29, 2007, 04:47:21 PM »

Was this the one on E Bay for $1499.00 B.I.N? If so I remeber this one. The pics did not show ANY of this damage, matter of fact the pics could not be enlarged and were creatively taken to NOT show any damage. Demand a refund and send it back. They flat out lied and they're scumbags for it. Especially for charging that much!!

mubodude · « **Reply #3 on:** May 29, 2007, 05:03:08 PM »

I'm not sure, it wasn't that high, but $1465 plus $80 shipping (gouge) at one of those drop off ebay middle man places, I think. The same photos I posted in the Essence post, so I thought the side damage was just glare. I've given them a piece of my mind, tactfully and calmly and told them I want to return it. At the same time, I'd like to restore it, but just how much is it worth to me..that's the question I'm tossing around. Amazingly enough, the frets are in decent shape, but still need some work. I may drive up to Santa Rosa with it tomorrow and see what my options are, if any.

(Message edited by mubodude on May 29, 2007)

2400wattman · « **Reply #4 on:** May 29, 2007, 07:06:59 PM »

I feel the labor cost of restoration would be more than what it is worth and you could find another one for the same cost or less. For starters, the p/up covers can't be replaced. The whole thing is cast in epoxy, so you would have to get new ones. New p/ups are quite costly, probably half the cost of what you paid for the bass. I love the flame maple top but with all of the damage......I'd just get my money back. This is no deal.

mubodude · « **Reply #5 on:** May 29, 2007, 08:05:58 PM »

As it's an ebay transaction, you probably know it's not always that simple to just return for a refund as if they were Musician's Friend. I'll see what they can do as they're not just an individual, either.

Being that it's natural wood I could strip it, sand it and refinish it myself back to factory new looking or just tung oil it, that's easy. Not like it's a top model, so you're right about spending that much for restoration. Strange about the pickups costing so much, I'll see what I can manage for sprucing them up. I didn't know that they were so costly. The frets and neck I can get back in shape, no problem. The electronics seem to be in original functional condition with no mods, so that's a plus. I love the flame and mahogany a lot, so it's kinda growin' on me. I could even stand that it's battered and leave it be if I could get a few hundred bucks back. There's just nothing worse than opening a case and goin'..Oh no... And I don't want to live with spending this much on a beater. We shall see. Thanks for the input, I'll keep everyone posted.

(Message edited by mubodude on May 29, 2007)

2400wattman · « **Reply #6 on:** May 29, 2007, 08:18:06 PM »

Good luck with her John.

mubodude · « **Reply #7 on:** May 29, 2007, 08:59:36 PM »

Thanks, man. I don't even mind eating the shipping and a re-stocking fee compared to how much money I spent. I've been wheelin' and dealin' guitars on ebay since 1998 and have seen it all, so I know how to play hardball if it comes to that. Also, the best trick is to just send it back. If they've got your money and the guitar, they have to give you your money back, from the legal standpoint of ebay as well as the law. I'm fortunate that it is an ebay re-bayer type store and seller rather than some guy in the middle of nowhere that can't afford to relist it. I'm sure we'll come to a civil agreement. I've also learned the hard way that it's best to remain calm or it can backfire badly. It was described as in excellent condition, so I can send ebay photos to show lots more detail of the actual condition. It'll work out. If there's no way to get a refund and I'm absolutely stuck with it, I'll restore it myself and make it perfect. Having no decals is a major bonus as far as that's concerned. I can work magic on the pickups with some fine grit sandpaper and gold paint. Again, I truly love the flame and mahogany combo. The ebony's fine and again, the frets have minimal wear. We'll see what they can do, heck, I'd even keep it for a total of a grand, but not $1500 and change. Plus, I've got inlays coming! Maybe I'll put frets and inlays on the fretless Essence... I'm KIDDING!

mauibassplayer · « **Reply #8 on:** May 30, 2007, 12:47:51 AM »

John, I am sad to read this post. I guess I am feeling this way because I think that anyone that is really into music, would not burn someone like this. But as I said, I guess I am gullable or something, but it is a shame that this should happen. With all the negative things going on in the world, it is sad to see something like this happen to someone who just likes to play music.
Ken

mubodude · « **Reply #9 on:** May 30, 2007, 04:31:45 PM »

Ken,

Don't worry, they are going to take it back, I got an email this morning and they're willing to refund my money, less shipping I'm sure, but that's fine. That's the thing, they're not people who are really into music, they're sellers. They don't know instruments, just that it's something to sell for more than they paid. Biz is biz, so there's no emotional connection to it. I'm fine, it'll all work out and I'm out just a little bit of money (maybe not), but I'm not burned completely in the big scheme of things. I'm still ecstatic over my fretless Essence and will perhaps land another model on down the road sometime. Thanks for your sentiments.

2400wattman · « **Reply #10 on:** May 30, 2007, 06:29:49 PM »

dig the Wenge Epic that's on the bay right now @ $1069.00 or best offer. Or the Vermillion topped Epic, that's a nice one as well.

mubodude · « **Reply #11 on:** May 31, 2007, 02:32:21 PM »

YES! I'm having a major tug of war with this...! I've been looking at it every day. Now THAT'S the price that matches the model and condition, which isn't perfect, but compared to the thing I just sent back, it's rather sweet. I'm thinking about it, trust me. It'd look nice with the inlay set that's on the way as well. After looking at the auction again, the case pretty much tells the tale. I'll have to pass and try and stay ahead of the game for once!

(Message edited by mubodude on May 31, 2007)

mica · « **Reply #12 on:** June 08, 2007, 04:16:28 PM »

I'm posting the details for this bass so the thread has the build record included for when it sells again.

top: Flame Maple
accent: Purpleheart pinstripe
body: Mahogany
neck: 3-piece Maple, 34 long scale
fingerboard: Ebony
finish: polyester gloss
pickups: MXY
controls: volume, pan, bass, treble, mono output
birthday: March 25, 1998
originally made for: Guitar Center

The damage on the bass is remarkable, especially with the polyester finish. I mean, it almost looks intentional in parts.

There are no previous registered owners. I've added these pics to the instrument file.

mubodude · « **Reply #13 on:** June 11, 2007, 01:55:12 PM »

Thanks, Mica!

I did manage to get a full refund. It is quite a shame that such an instrument was treated so poorly.

jacko · « **Reply #14 on:** June 12, 2007, 04:33:42 AM »

For what it's worth, my epic has similar damage on the front between the pickups. I put this down to the old satin finish not being has hard wearing as the newer full gloss. (and me picking rather too 'aggressively' aswell).

Graeme