CyberBass Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 (edited) I just purchased a Fender Mike Dirnt Bass from someone from Ireland. The Bass was originally advertised on ebay, but didn't reach the reserve. I negotiated an out of ebay purchase and payed via paypal. He state that this bass is a Fender Precision Mike Dirnt Bass and that it was a floor model in his shop and that it is in great condition and rarely played. It has a hairline crack in the scratchplate and a small ding at the back of the bass. Having looked at the bass, I am unsure about what he has sold me. For a start the neck plate on this bass isn't a Mike Dirnt one as the Mike dirnt one has a star on it and this one hasn't. there are far more chips and a scratch than he described, and the scratch plate has more than a hairline split. On the front and reverse of the headstock there the varnish is inconsistent and separating/chipping and the bass is light in weight in comparison to what I was expecting a Fender Mike Dirnt Bass to be, although I haven't weighed it. I haven't had the pick ups checked, but I am suspecting that this bass might be a made up bass What are your thoughts Edited November 6, 2015 by CyberBass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franzbassist Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 (edited) If it's from a shop it's been on the floor for a long time, as that serial number dates the bass to 2002/03! If you are unhappy, as it's from a shop I'd suggest you return it in accordance with your statutory rights as a consumer. Edited November 6, 2015 by walbassist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skidder652003 Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 If it were me, Id send that straight back if you can get Paypal to refund you of course. If its not as described then its not worth having. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CyberBass Posted November 6, 2015 Author Share Posted November 6, 2015 (edited) I have submitted an escalated paypal dispute, so fingers crossed under buyer protection hopefully I should be ok. If it is a fake it should be confiscated so they don't catch someone else out. But if payal say send it back, then I will. Must admit I am gutted as I was looking forward to getting this. Edited November 6, 2015 by CyberBass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 (edited) As has been said, if you're not happy then return it, but Fender Mike Dirnt are made in Mexico, so that's correct. I wouldn't say that because the neck plate doesn't have the star that it's necessarily a fake, though. And I've never heard anyone complain before that a bass is too light! In the end it's about how it feels, plays and sounds. If you don't like it, you don't like it. But I'm not sure if instantly escalating with PayPal is the way to go... did you contact the seller and discuss your concerns with them first to see what they say? Edited November 6, 2015 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CyberBass Posted November 6, 2015 Author Share Posted November 6, 2015 (edited) Ive tried contacting the seller. During the enquiry and buying stages he was easily contactable, answered queries quickly etc. Once I had paid, he was slow in despatching, and various excuses, I had to chase through paypal before it got despatched. Now ive tried phoning and emailing about these concerns and can't get hold of him by phone, nor any response via email. I should have gone with gut instinct when he was slow in despatching. The weight query was because a lot of ex and current Fender Mike Dirnt owners state how heavy they are, yet this is a little heavier than the squier mike dirnt i used to own and feels similar weight to my Yamaha BB414, so to me this bass doesn't seem as heavy considering it is meant to be a big slab of Ash, but like I said I haven't weighed it. the varnish inconsistency on the neck makes me query authenticity along with the wrong neck plate also. Edited November 6, 2015 by CyberBass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikay Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 Are there any other Fender MIM models with that shaped headstock? Not sure where the neck would come from if it's not a kosher Mick Dirnt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1446818921' post='2902626'] As has been said, if you're not happy then return it, but Fender Mike Dirnt are made in Mexico, so that's correct. I wouldn't say that because the neck plate doesn't have the star that it's necessarily a fake, though. And I've never heard anyone complain before that a bass is too light! In the end it's about how it feels, plays and sounds. If you don't like it, you don't like it. But I'm not sure if instantly escalating with PayPal is the way to go... did you contact the seller and discuss your concerns with them first to see what they say? [/quote] A lot of guys love those basses. I have 2 Fender PS. But me, when it comes to Fender it has to be MIJ. I can't get use to those MIM necks. Blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jezzaboy Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 The Dirnt I had was bloomin heavy, `14lb if I remember. I also had the Squire version at one time and it was a good bit lighter. The tuners look ok, 70`s style but I seem to recall that the neck was quite square at the body end unlike a normal P bass. That is some "hairline" crack!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 The Dirnt, being made of ash, is quite a heavy bass. My old one certainly was. I`m not sure about this one, but the sudden lack of comms rings alarm bells. Re neck plate, someone could have changed it on a genuine one but why would be my question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RussFM Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 I had one of the very first Dirnt basses, and it didn't have a star on the neck plate so I wouldn't worry about that. But it was heavy. This one looks like it fell down the stairs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 I'd be worried - looks like a bitsa to me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davegriffiths91 Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 Is there no way to verify the serial number? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CyberBass Posted November 7, 2015 Author Share Posted November 7, 2015 Paul Thunderbird kindly checked the bass, lots of inconsistencies, neck not only has been refinished the serial number came away as Paul handled it. The neck was warped and truss rod maxed out. Am hoping I get PayPal refund as seller mysteriously isn't responding to my comms or Paypal comms. I paid for it via PayPal invoice so should be covered under PayPal protection I hope. If not I'll have to sell the genuine parts to recover some money :-( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 You should be covered - the bass as well as not being the item as advertised is also faulty. Well done to Paul for helping out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 As a point though, if I was faking fender basses - I'd pick a more obvious model... I have a Mexican Nate Mendel (ash body) and its 7.3lbs. But, if the neck is goosed ands not as described, send it back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gareth Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 (edited) It looks just like my Mike dirnt with exception of the neck plate It looks genuine to me but if the neck is warped and us otherwise not as described you should return it Edited November 7, 2015 by gareth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cameltoe Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 I would need to see more photos if I was going to make a judgement. Ultimately though if it's not in the condition it was described then send it back. Weight wise, I wouldn't get too hung up on this, as Fenders can vary massively in weight especially when made from Ash. Plus of it's an earlier model then it may not be consistent with what you hear about later models, I.e neck plate, heavy weight etc. Did they even make Mike Dirnt basses back in 2003? In my head it was way later than this! Ah well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 Most of it sounds like Fender QC, to be honest, but the bass is certainly not as described, hopefully paypal will have your back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CyberBass Posted November 8, 2015 Author Share Posted November 8, 2015 Something I also overlooked was on his advert he described it as new condition. Surprisingly or not so supringly the seller hasn't responded to either my requests nor that of PayPal, 3 days so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macker5 Posted November 8, 2015 Share Posted November 8, 2015 This model is not shown in the 2003 Fender catalogue but is in 2004. I don't have a great knowledge of Mexican Fenders but was surprised to see Fender logos on the machine heads - thought that was more USA style. Hope you manage to get a full refund. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted November 8, 2015 Share Posted November 8, 2015 [quote name='CyberBass' timestamp='1446980637' post='2903842'] Something I also overlooked was on his advert he described it as new condition. Surprisingly or not so supringly the seller hasn't responded to either my requests nor that of PayPal, 3 days so far. [/quote] It clearly isn't new, whether genuine or not and as the seller's gone quiet you've done the right thing. The bass is obviously not as described so I don't think you'll have much trouble getting a refund from PayPal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted November 8, 2015 Share Posted November 8, 2015 If he's not replying then you'll just get your money back. I had a similar issue with something on eBay. This just backs up my personal decision that I won't buy an instrument if I can't collect it in person, unless it's from somewhere reputable like bass direct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted November 8, 2015 Share Posted November 8, 2015 What a rotten turn-out. Paypal should sort you out tho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted November 8, 2015 Share Posted November 8, 2015 I know nothing about the model it is supposed to be...but that bass looks like it has been abused and that would make me unhappy especially as you don't think it is in the condition you expected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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