My son wanted to experiment with 6-string bass, so I got him the cheapest one I could find on eBay ($250) thinking I'd keep it until the novelty wears off and then sell locally and break even. Took delivery of it yesterday. It's not the worst Chinese bass I've seen, neck is straight, action is good, sounds fine if you don't mind a 50% volume drop on the B string with the bridge pickup, and plays fine if you don't look at the hideously spaced nut or try playing it with a strap.
But the Gibson logo and MADE IN USA embossed on the back of the headstock really piss me off. There was no mention or pic of it in the auction. Now I can't sell this thing, I'm stuck with a counterfeit. The logo isn't a decal, I can't just peel it off.
That's what black electrical tape was made for.
Advertise it as imported Chibson hollow body six-string bass.
"There's a logo and source of origin information under the tape, but it's fake.
It says: G****N and M**E IN U*A
You're welcome to remove the electrical tape once you own the instrument"
Quote from: BeeTL on September 13, 2019, 05:17:34 AM
That's what black electrical tape was made for.
Advertise it as imported Chibson hollow body six-string bass.
"There's a logo and source of origin information under the tape, but it's fake.
It says: G****N and M**E IN U*A
You're welcome to remove the electrical tape once you own the instrument"
I don't want on my conscience someone down the line buying this bass as a real Gibson. I will have to figure out a way to remove the logo.
I'm considering giving the eBay seller a negative feedback for being a criminal.
The bridge pickup looks like it's too narrow to pick up the B string properly.
I'd consider a wider pickup.
And why don't you remove the tuners and spray the headstock black?
It's actually very easy.
Quote from: Basvarken on September 13, 2019, 08:07:41 AM
The bridge pickup looks like it's too narrow to pick up the B string properly.
I'd consider a wider pickup.
And why don't you remove the tuners and spray the headstock black?
It's actually very easy.
That's my vote, too. For a little touch, you could always have a "Chibson" decal made and add it. Solid black headstocks are common.
Quote from: ilan on September 13, 2019, 05:40:48 AM
I don't want on my conscience someone down the line buying this bass as a real Gibson. I will have to figure out a way to remove the logo.
I'm considering giving the eBay seller a negative feedback for being a criminal.
Understood, I agree, and my previous post was somewhat facetious.
If it was me, I'd return it, give the seller negative feedback, and chalk it up as a learning experience.
What is the scale on those? Looks interesting...
edit: Nevermind, found out its 34", not so interesting after all...
Long-scale with 6 heavy tuners on a 335 body was not a good idea. The only way to play it standing up is to tie the headstock to the chandelier ;)
Tuners look ike they're crap anyway.
Replace them with Gotoh Res-o-lites or Schaller lightweight. That'll cure (most of) the neckdive.
I would open a dispute with Paypal, if that's how you paid, otherwise with eBay. Since it's a counterfeit, they'll find in your favor.
I'm with Dave and Beetl in theory, but if I was stuck with it myself (I love 6 strings) I'd either spray it or even route around the logo, take it out, fill with epoxy putty and then put on spray and light tuners :)
I both sell and buy on ebay, and I know people love to hate that place, but if you are honest and actually take action when something iffy occurs, it actually works.
EDIT:
I still have a couple of Hipshot 6 string tuner sets for bass if you need for this project.
I put it up for sale locally and someone just traded me an old Czech violin for it, which has made my daughter very happy. I made sure that he knows what he's getting and what he is not getting.
Quote from: Basvarken on September 13, 2019, 01:19:11 PM
Tuners look ike they're crap anyway.
Replace them with Gotoh Res-o-lites or Schaller lightweight. That'll cure (most of) the neckdive.
That is simply throwing good money after bad. Don't give cheap Chinese instruments hardware they don't deserve. :mrgreen:
Honestly I would bury the guitar in the garden with the neck sticking up out of the soil. Maybe dig it up in a few years and see what insects have moved into the cavities.
Quote from: ilan on September 14, 2019, 06:15:49 AM
I put it up for sale locally and someone just traded me an old Czech violin for it, which has made my daughter very happy. I made sure that he knows what he's getting and what he is not getting.
I hope you leave appropriate feedback to warn future buyers.