Folkesy Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 (edited) Hi, Similar thread to SpongeBob's. I had a JMJ Mustang Bass in Daphne Blue arrive on Friday and it sounds incredible and plays really nicely. But there are a few things that are bugging me:- 1) The bass was rattling when it arrived and after some hunting I found there was some solder loose in the control cavity. 2) There is a tactile knot on the back of the neck which you can feel whilst running your hand down the back of the neck (image 2). 3) The springs on the bridge are not under any tension and just rattle around. I am no expert it should these not be adjusted so that they do not rattle? (Image 3). I am not sure I am being too fussy and would like to get some other opinions. To me it feels like some poor QC on a £1k bass. Cheers, Jack Edited June 20, 2021 by Folkesy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 Lovely bass....sorry to hear of your issues. If you can feel the problem in the neck, that alone would make me return it...or maybe negotiate a discount? My mark couldn't be felt - and my mind was put at rest with the help on the thread. We're in the same position....these things aren't cheap, and for 1k, it should be faultless. Reason for my post yesterday, was in the past I've always accepted all issues as one of those things. They aren't - and if it bothers you, address it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nilebodgers Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 (edited) A problem you can feel in the neck is an instant fail in my book for a new bass, that would be an immediate return. The bridge is a wierd one. Is the intonation correct? It looks like the saddles are as far forward as they will go before dropping off the screws hence it is running out of spring length. (are those strings stock - looks like flats to me?) You could either get longer bridge springs or get a couple of bridge springs and cut them in half and add a half-length spring to each saddle. I'd not expect to have to do that on a new bass though. Edited June 20, 2021 by nilebodgers 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Folkesy Posted June 20, 2021 Author Share Posted June 20, 2021 Thanks for the reply SpongeBob. I dropped an email to Guitar guitar earlier today, I'm sure they will be really helpful (I've been very impressed with them in the past). Thanks Nilebodgers, the setup feels ok and the intonation sounds ok. This model comes with flats which have been strung through the body. Maybe the springs are more for when top loading through the bridge. I think the knot/bump I can feel on the neck is the biggest issue that is bugging me. It's frustrating as these have only just come into stock and probably won't be back in stock until August 😔. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nilebodgers Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 The saddle position shouldn't change between through-body or top load stringing, intonation should be identical in either case. Rattling springs would be very irritating though. The neck issue is easily fixable by someone with finish repair experience, but it will cost a fair bit to do professionally. Its up to GuitarGuitar what they want to do, which ultimately comes down to Fender's policy on items supplied faulty I guess? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Folkesy Posted June 20, 2021 Author Share Posted June 20, 2021 Yes, it almost feels like they should have put some longer springs in there, as they really buzz when using the low frequencies. It is such a shame as in all other aspects the bass is phenomenal. It is just when you get to the part of the neck with the bump its quite distracting. If it was secondhand it probably wouldn't bother me at all but feels a bit sloppy on a brand new bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 On a £250 bass I wouldn't have much of a problem with much of that. Beyond that price its not acceptable. Yes, it can all be fixed, that is what separates cheap from expensive. If the knot annoys you now in the honeymoon period, it is going to drive you mad and stop you playing it later. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulThePlug Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 (edited) #2 Neck Knot... Back it goes... Advise on #1, and get em to check #3 if sending a replacement, posibly down to the style of the big plate bridge. Edited June 20, 2021 by PaulThePlug 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiram.k.hackenbacker Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 That’s knot acceptable. Return. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggaebass Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 On a used or a less expensive bass I would probably address those problems myself, but on a 1k new bass , it should be spot on , apart from a few tweaks to get the setup to a personal preference, I’d be putting it back on to them to either rectify it or send me another , nice bass BTW 👍 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Folkesy Posted June 20, 2021 Author Share Posted June 20, 2021 Thanks Reggaebass. Yes, I think it needs to be sorted. Definitely will be staying with one of these models though as the sound from the pickup really is special. Thanks all for the replies 👍. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 Take the springs off and give them a stretch. Or take them off and leave them off! The knot wouldn’t bother me I don’t think - after all the thing is roadworn anyway and it’ll only collect more. I’d just play it I think. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 (edited) When I thought I had a problem yesterday, I found giving GG call a very quick solution. Main reason for me, buying from a chain, was the returns policy without dispute. As the customer, you have the power.....if you're not happy in any way, get a replacement. As has been said, what irritates you now will only serve to annoy the heck out of you later on. ....and if you ever sell? Not a risk worth taking. Edited June 20, 2021 by spongebob 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 The knot issue on its own would make me return it. I bought a Player Precision that had a slight (very slight) bulge around the third fret so I took it back. The guys at PMT were happy to take it back though they said they couldn’t notice it. As much of my playing at the time was based around that area of the neck there’s no way I could have kept it, and as such that’s possibly why I was able to notice it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grahambythesea Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 Send it back, you’ll never be happy with it! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 Is it me or...? 3 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeycrikey Posted June 21, 2021 Share Posted June 21, 2021 I saw that as soon as I looked at the OP's first picture. Top marks for bringing it to life Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OliverBlackman Posted June 21, 2021 Share Posted June 21, 2021 Is it a knot or a dent? It’s been poorly setup so might also have neck/ fret issues. Not good enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pea Turgh Posted June 22, 2021 Share Posted June 22, 2021 Does JMJ’s original have that “feature”, though? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martthebass Posted June 22, 2021 Share Posted June 22, 2021 (edited) Regarding the bridge springs. The saddle was so extended on the A string on mine that it worked loose and disappeared when I was playing on a jam night. I contacted FMCUK and they sent me a new 'aged' one - this looks to be a common problem. In the end I wound my saddles in a little (intonation still ok) so that the springs were under compression and there was no risk of losing any more saddles. Edited June 22, 2021 by martthebass 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted June 22, 2021 Share Posted June 22, 2021 On 20/06/2021 at 20:46, Stub Mandrel said: Is it me or...? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareidolia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Folkesy Posted June 22, 2021 Author Share Posted June 22, 2021 All sorted guitar guitar were brilliant and offered a replacement JMJ when they come back into stock or an alternative bass. I was really impressed with their response. I have decided to get a BB734 as I've had really good experiences with Yamaha's in the past. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggaebass Posted June 22, 2021 Share Posted June 22, 2021 1 minute ago, Folkesy said: All sorted guitar guitar were brilliant and offered a replacement That’s great, glad you got it sorted, its nice to receive a decent service, over the years I’ve had a great service from Ashdown on many occasions, that’s why I always go back to them 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted June 22, 2021 Share Posted June 22, 2021 1 hour ago, Folkesy said: I have decided to get a BB734 as I've had really good experiences with Yamaha's in the past. Good move 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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