sirmuppet

Just bought an Ashdown ABM 600 from Rich. He'd had it up for sale but withdrew it. Took a chance and emailed him. Deal was done quick and the amp here in less than 4 days. A true gent and a pleasure to deal with. Very happy with the amp, just as described. Hope to deal with Rich again. Thanks man. 

5 minutes ago, PaulThePlug said:

For info Planet Guitars are local to me. Although not used them personaly...

https://www.planetguitar.org.uk/our-services/fret-work/

Seems reasonably priced 👍

18 minutes ago, Hellzero said:

You can just ship the neck, it's all that's needed. 😉

 

A new neck might end up being very different from the one you have, and you might not like it.

 

A refretting means you keep the neck and same sensations, without all the previous issues.

 

Most of the time a refretting means a way lower action and no more fret(s) buzz(es), of course, depending on the luthier skills.

I did think about that but wasn't sure if the luthier would be willing to work on just the neck or would be happier with the whole instrument. Again, something I've never had to do. 

14 minutes ago, Hellzero said:

Do you put new tyres on your car even if it's an old cheap one, I guess, so why not refretting a bass you like and already customised when rounding the fretboard edges?

 

But get it done by a luthier, and not the friend of friend whose cousin knows a pal who knows someone who might get it done. 😉

Fair point. I think it would be closer to say would you spend the money repairing an engine or replace it with a different new one but I get the sentiment 🙂. I'm just wanting to know the sides as it costs roughly the same to replace the neck as to refret it. Is there any down side to refretting?

100%, would never get someone to do anything like that who didn't do it professionally. I do have my eye on one of 2 luthiers to do the work but it means travelling a fair distance or shiping the bass. I don't know of anyone local to me who does this. 

5 minutes ago, Reggaebass said:

Old pic ,  it’s a maple board and jazz neck profile but the same model I think 

Nice! Yup, looks to be the same. They were offered with Rosewood or Maple. I always wanted mine to be maple but in the years of owning have come round to liking the rosewood more now. Also red and gold is the best colour combo (Iron Man!).

54 minutes ago, Reggaebass said:

I’ve got the same bass from 1999 I think, if yours is anything like mine the necks are fantastic, if mine got to that stage I would have a refret 

More than likely is. For the first 2-3 years they were all passive. It should be a Jazz profile neck. Mine is glossy on the back. I also modded it to have rolled fingerboard edges which =just made it all the nicer.

It makes me feel a little better knowing you own the same bass and if were in the same position would refret. Just it would cost more for a neck or refret than what I originally paid (£220 I think) which is why I'm not sure which way to go with it. 

Hi all. I have a Fender Precision Bass Special MIM from the deluxe series. It's one of the original ones from 2000 that were passive (see picture). I got this used in about 2012 for very cheap and the frets were pretty worn back then. Recently I've noticed a buzz on the A string around Frets 2 & 3. I've taken it to have this fixed by having a level and crowning done on the neck but this hasn't solved the problem. I was told the next option was a refret but that the bass would need sent out to have this done.

Since the bass isn't vintage or vastly high value it occured to me that it might be cheaper to buy another neck though this might leave me with a vastly different feeling and maybe sounding bass. 

So I'm torn as to what to do. I've never had a refret done and was wondering if any of you had some insight into this? I've had a look online but most of the posts I can find are those with vintage instruments which mine isn't (well not quite yet 😆).

15 minutes ago, Ruiner said:

Thanks, I'll take a look. I did notice there was no mention of the Seymour Duncan SPB3 on the HMNIM page.

 

Is the replacement Fender stock one a similar sound?

They had supply issues at Fender for them so they put in the stock Alnico 5 you get in the Player series. I was skeptical it would be similar. Gigged it last Sat and was amazing at how powerful it was. I wouldn't say it's the same as it lacks the low end in my opinion of the SPB3 but certainly it's hot. So much so I took the pickguard off to see if I'd been given the previous generations ceramic bar version but no. Watch though, that pickguard is super sharp, slice my finger open on it. Have never had that happen before. I have an SPB3 on hand to go in when I get the replacememt. May look to put a cap in to reign in the output a little but will see. 

Have to say though the Pau Ferro is really nice to play. I was unsure I'd like it since I'm such a fan of rosewood. Feels very similar to Ebony but I'm not convinced on the grain of it visually.

6 minutes ago, Ruiner said:

Thanks mate. Hopefully there will be another run as you say. My Hoppus bass is still my go to bass after almost 20 years.

 

Hope your replacement is sorted soon

No worries. If you have any questions at all give me a shout any time. Are you on the HMNIM Discord? If not you should as you get a heads up on special runs and release dates ahead of everyone else. 

Just now, Ruiner said:

What did it set you back with postage and import fees if you don't mind me asking. Been keeping a (not very good) eye on these runs and keep missing out.

Not at all. That was a question I kept asking so I knew too 😁. I remember the import fees were £273.56. $129.21 for shipping but not sure what that is in UK pounds. 

12 hours ago, OliverBlackman said:

You may have already tried but a query to Fender customer service may get a response

I did think about this. Since it's coming direct from the states I didn't know if I should contact US or UK customer services.

12 hours ago, Maude said:

I had to Google HMNIM (Hi my name is Mark) and now the one pickup one volume makes sense, being that the Mark in question is Mark Hoppus. 

 

If it's a strictly limited run then Fender might not have a say whether they let you keep it or not. 

I don't know if this is the case, but say it was a run of fifty. Yours is damaged so they are making you another. If they let you keep the damaged one then there will be fifty-one out there. The number of basses may have been stipulated as part of the deal so an extra one is a no go. Who knows. 

 

Nice bass though, I like it. 😎👍

It's not a limited number run, it's a run based upon interest. They did 50 but a lot missed out so they did another 300. If there's enough interest they will do more. They've said as long as people want it they will keep doing runs albeit small ones. So no guarantee there will be more or not. 

I actually got an email from HMNIM last night saying they're awaiting the delivery of the replacements to the California factory. So sounds like they're already made which is was, way quicker than I thought (less than 2 weeks). So when they get in touch about delivery I'll maybe ask the question then. 

Thanks. The one pickup thing without a tone makes it sound really agressive. So as long as you set up your tone for that bass you're fine. The colour is weird as it's way brighter and pink in person.

2 hours ago, OliverBlackman said:

I think your problem here is you are asking people who don’t know the answer to your very specific query.

It was a long shot but if I'm going to ask and someone is going to know then here would be the best place.

56 minutes ago, PaulThePlug said:

When did the damage start!

Only Jokin'
Very Much of the Jag-esq and Squier Paranormals...
Nice 'n Simples

what was the 'Brand'

I feel it would be unlikely of a re-run...

I'd be seeing what discount you can get from the supplier to keep it.
I'd be hoping on a reply starting at Half Price...

Haha. 

Yeah, nice and simple. One pickup, one volume. The neck is lovely. 

The brand was HMNIM. They got in touch with Fender to produce the bass. 

There's talk of another run but nothing solid yet. They were talking about doing one in Sonic Blue. So that might be more likely. 

The plan is  exactly that. I know I'm getting a replacement but until thet tell me what's happening with this I'm not pressing it. I'm guessing unless there's another run then Fender won't be able to reuse the body and neck, nor the neckplate or gigbag. So the value to them would be in the remaining parts. I just wanted to know if I was right in my thinking or if there was something Fender may do with it that I hadn't thought of. This would have an affect on the offer I made to them or counter offer to any made to me I guess.

1 hour ago, Maude said:

Just tell us what the damn bass is and put a picture up! 

 

Please 😁. 

It's not to everyone's taste but I like it. The colour is hot pink 

23 hours ago, PaulThePlug said:

If it was a Super Special Limited Run, Is it likely they (Fender) will make 1 more?

What is the company etc -  if they have all now been sold can you let us know who's and what, pics etc. 
Is it the clothiong shop who are offering you a replacement and negotiating a Single (Another One) from Fender?
You say company in the US, are you and/or the shop UK or US...

No gaurantee they will make another run. There is talk of it but nothing as yet. There were more than one damaged in this batch, I think someone said 10 in total. 

52 minutes ago, Sibob said:

Almost certainly wouldn't go back to Fender I don't think. Fender would just offer some ridiculous discount to the shop and they'd then sell it as B-stock.

Cheaper for Fender to do than pay for it to come back to them and then junk it.

 

Si

This is the odd thing. Another store can't sell it as it was a specific custom design for this particular store. The store I bought it from isn't even a guitar store, they're more of a clothing store. So they wouldn't want to sell a B-stock bass I would think. If they did they'd still have to get it uplifted back to them. From what they said, Fender are replacing the bass and taking responsibility for it, but it would take some time since it would need to be worked into the schedule and is below the minimum 50 for a factory custom order. 

To give a little insight the bass normally features a PJ configuration but in this instance has only a P pickup that is reverse. The birdge is normally top loading but has been spec'd with a USA string through version. The neck is normally a J style with do inlays but is spec'd to have a P-bass with block inlays. Neck plate and gig back have company logo on them. Even the pickguard is a custom shape. 

I'm going to make them an offer to keep this one but if it's gonna be junked and just reuse the pickup and tuners then I'll make a lower offer. I think this will probably be the case. The only other option is they fix and respray what's damaged and hope that the store order more. I'm just trying to get a grip on what might happen so I can go in with all the info.

1 minute ago, PaulThePlug said:

Keep Quiet and Wait on what they ask... cost of return may be prohibative...

When (If) they provide return detail, enquier about a cost to retain v return expenditure....

Yeah, I'm not contacting them first. Am doing exactly what you're saying. Just if/when it comes to that I'd like to know all the info. If Fender can't reuse/resell it then it will be a greater loss for them so I would have that on my side which I think it the case here. Certainly unless they reroute and also fill the body, they couldn't use that. The neck is a 63 p-bass with block inlays but labelled under a different model of bass. So they'd have to re-badge that to even have a chance of reusing it. So I'm guessing it's just hardware value. 

5 minutes ago, AndyTravis said:

Things may have changed…but there used to be a warehouse in Essex (East grinstead…)

 

Shops would be invited down to b-stock sales and receive big discounts which would be passed on in store as “b-stock” sales.

 

the level of discount would obviously be according to the level of b-stockness 😏

 

could well be different now.

It's similar still. I know my local store can go on and see items that have either been demoed by Fender or may have a blemish etc... 

The specific thing here is Fender wouldn't be able to do that. This bass was ordered specifically for one store and only to be sold through them. So I can't imagine Fender could take it back and resell it like that. 

So I'll give you a little backstory. A company in the US comissioned a custom Fender bass. The neck is specific to this instrument, the body colour is only available on this bass, the pickup routing is unique to this bass. They made  a short run and I got one. It arrived and had been damaged. The headstock has taken a little bash causing the hole where the nub of the back of the tuner where it sits in the split through and the body has a large dent and crack on the lacquer. 

All that aside it's a stunner, plays wll and sounds good. The dent/crack is more to the back and only cosmetic and the tuner issue is fixed by tightening the nut of the tuner and making sure it's set correctly. 

I've been promised that they will replace it with another but this will need specially made. My concern is does anyone know what happens to an intrument like this? It's not like the neck or body can be reused on another model as it's specific to this. I'm going to offer to buy this one as well if I can but I'ld like to know all the information prior to discussing this with them. If it's going to be destroyed then I don't want to offer too much. Since it's a custom order I can't see if being reused, perhaps the hardaer but not the neck and body. There will also be return shipping at their cost to consider.

Any one know what happens to something like this or had experience of this?

Thanks.

14 hours ago, Bunion said:

I did prefer the paper wrapper and the card insert to add substance to the flimsy outer.

This blew my mind. Had no idea they came in paper wrapers and had backing cards. I'm old enough to remember the logo change and also before the gold drop shadow. 

It's a fair point about the cost of things at the moment. Fender will likely be feeling the strain just as any other company is. Cost of labour, power, materials, shipping (It's through the roof and at one point was 8 times as much as it was pre pandemic). Though it's the first time I've seen the dollar amount for say a Super Bassman head lower than the pound amount. 

Lets not forget right before Fenders "price increase" they were found guilty of price fixing in Europe and fined £4.3 million. That could also explain the high price this side of the pond. 

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/jan/22/guitar-maker-fender-fined-45m-for-price-fixing-in-uk#:~:text=The guitar maker Fender has,online discounting for its guitars.

Where about are you based?

So I have a 2004 Fender bass with the old style tuners. Hipshot say I need to BT4 which they don't make anymore due to the tuners not being made. So is there an alternate tuner I can install? Would a BT8 or BT12 be ok since they are the new syle Hipshot ones? I don't mind it not matching, just need it to work and fit. Thanks.

Awesome. Cheers All!