sawdelight Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 Anyone any views/advice on this... Recently bought a new Epiphone Thunderbird pro bass. I've noticed that the fret/fret wire looks like its splitting on most of the frets. Not sure why, I've heard various explanations...coating on the fret wire? or nickel strings rubbing against nickel fret wire? Looks like lines in the fret wire, I can almost get my fingernail in them and its happening on most of the frets I've still got the factory strings on since I got the bass. I'm not sure if its a fault in the fret wire material. comments advice greatly needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peeper Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 I have asked you about three times to send me pics of the issue. I think you are confused as to what you are seeing anf don't believe the fretwire is "splitting". If you want an answer post pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sawdelight Posted February 8, 2010 Author Share Posted February 8, 2010 OK. Sorry, I'm not used to these sites. I'll get some pics up. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sawdelight Posted February 12, 2010 Author Share Posted February 12, 2010 Pics of tepi t/bird pro frets as requested... http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/184/img0253dj.jpghttp://http://]]http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/184/img0253dj.jpg[/url]http://http://[/url] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sawdelight Posted February 12, 2010 Author Share Posted February 12, 2010 Hmm I'll try that again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruznolfart1281734103 Posted February 13, 2010 Share Posted February 13, 2010 Hmm I'll try that again! Here ya go. I think this is the only one you tried to post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaolee Posted February 13, 2010 Share Posted February 13, 2010 It looks like some kind of heavy duty fretwear to me. The same wear appears to be happening to the fingerboard, too. You can see the gouges at the left of the posted photo. Your left hand must be a bit heavy on the strings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sawdelight Posted February 14, 2010 Author Share Posted February 14, 2010 Hmmm Well I've had the bass, from new, for three months I use it for rehearsal for 3 hours once a week. I don't think I'm that heavy handed! I,m not The Hulk!! Seems like the fret wire must be substandard ,to say the least Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peeper Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 You pic is kinda blurry, does the defect run all the way through the fret? On the beveled end, is it appearing there? It looks like it but again, blurry pic so I can't really tell. Appears to be more than just wear from here though. I think its a flawed cheapo Chinese fret. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sawdelight Posted February 14, 2010 Author Share Posted February 14, 2010 http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/8225/fret2.jpghttp://http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/8225/fret2.jpghttp:// Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sawdelight Posted February 14, 2010 Author Share Posted February 14, 2010 http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/3817/fret1.jpgphoto jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sawdelight Posted February 14, 2010 Author Share Posted February 14, 2010 http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/1107/frets3.jpghttp://img32.imageshack.us/img32/1107/frets3.jpg' alt='frets3.jpg'> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sawdelight Posted February 14, 2010 Author Share Posted February 14, 2010 http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/6213/frets4.jpghttp:// Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sawdelight Posted February 14, 2010 Author Share Posted February 14, 2010 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sawdelight Posted February 14, 2010 Author Share Posted February 14, 2010 For Musikron... Yes. well its happening on most of the frets and the bass was made in china in 2009. This is the second bass from that batch, if they exchange it for another one it'll probably have the same defective fret wire! I'm not sure what to do? I've posted a few more pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peeper Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 That is certainly not fret wear, that is bad fret wire. It was most likely a manufacturing flaw in the wire, it should never had made it out the door like that. That is HORRIBLE QC. Is it stamped 2nd everywhere? I would ask for a refund and get another bass from a supplier who could obtain a quality instrument. If that is a no go then the only other thing I can say is refret the guitar. Maybe you can get it done under warranty. This is a real Epiphone right? Bought new? If I may ask where did you buy the bass, and did you note the serial numbers on the previous basses? How many does this make with this problem? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sawdelight Posted February 15, 2010 Author Share Posted February 15, 2010 Well its an Epiphone thunderbird pro bass bought brand new three months ago, it was exchanged for the first one which had the same fret problem. So its from the same batch. I didn't make a note of the first one's serial number. I bought the bass from Dawsons UK. Its still under warranty. I've been in touch with Epiphone Europe and sent them the photo's, last week, not heard from them yet. I'm not sure what they'll do or if I can ask my dealer for a refret? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sawdelight Posted February 15, 2010 Author Share Posted February 15, 2010 Actually I have got the serial number of the original guitar, definitely same batch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sawdelight Posted March 1, 2010 Author Share Posted March 1, 2010 That is certainly not fret wear' date=' that is bad fret wire. It was most likely a manufacturing flaw in the wire, it should never had made it out the door like that. That is HORRIBLE QC. Is it stamped 2nd everywhere? I would ask for a refund and get another bass from a supplier who could obtain a quality instrument. If that is a no go then the only other thing I can say is refret the guitar. [i']Maybe[/i] you can get it done under warranty. This is a real Epiphone right? Bought new? If I may ask where did you buy the bass, and did you note the serial numbers on the previous basses? How many does this make with this problem? I contacted Gibson Europe and they asked for the photo's. After they'd seen them they said I was responsible for the fretwear! When I told them That this had not happened with other basses I own they said..."The fret wire on your other basses must be harder" So I guess if you buy a epiphone thunderbird pro expect sort fretwire?!!! Systematic abuse in action Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sawdelight Posted March 1, 2010 Author Share Posted March 1, 2010 For Musikron... I meant "expect soft fretwire" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinTheHood Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 Well, technically, you ARE responsible for the current fret wear, if that is how they phrased it. However,IMO you are NOT responsible for the frets splitting. Dont let them play symantics with you. Try and get your money back and then buy a different brand bass. The T-birds arent all they are cracked up to be anyway...and the Pros have had numerous problems from the beginning. Glad I decided against getting one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peeper Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 Tell them that is unacceptable and demand they fix it. Keep moving up the chain if you can. Take it in to a factory service center and see what THEY say. They can get it covered under warranty for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peeper Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 A repair shop that is a service center will look at that guitar and say re-fret. Then you say, "it's brand new I want it covered under warranty", they say "OK", fix it and Gibson pays them. But be nice to the repair guys, they didn't and aren't screwing you over, don't take your frustrations out on them, they are on your side! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sFLsniper Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 I have asked you about three times to send me pics of the issue. I think you are confused as to what you are seeing anf don't believe the fretwire is "splitting". If you want an answer post pics. Atleast he dind't say he'd send pics and then not do it- then send you your bought item and it's not as described- then not get back in touch with you. there sure are some shady people- scary that some are involved with owning a business! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaolee Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 So, what finally happened? Did Epiphone honor a warranty? If the fret wear is very different from other basses, it makes sense it's defective fretwire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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