Too good to be true?

[baskruit]

Someone is offering a Wenge/Wenge bass neck with Warmoth headstock and 21 gold (yuck) frets for a very low price. Not my ideal neck but the price was good and I decided to I offer an even lower price (125 euros). 5 minutes later an email back: "I accept your offer and oh yeah.... I forgot to mention that I drilled extra holes in the heel, I'm willing to split the shipping costs and here is my back account number. Send me your address and it will all be good".

Well, I'm not so sure now.

I asked for extra pictures and while I was already prepared to drive the 2x 80 miles to collect the neck, there's no way I'm paying for this neck now before I can inspect it with my own eyes. It's rediculously cheap for a Warmoth neck but I may end up a happier man when I save up for a proper neck with 20 regular frets and Fender headstock.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

The "extra" holes in the heel have me worried.  Abort!

 

[whyachi]

They offered up their bank account information? Sounds fishy.

 

[Soylent]

Don't post their acct info on here either.  :laughing7:

 

[JaySwear]

definitely does seem strange. "extra hole" as in they mounted it on a 3-hole body? or extra holes as in they taught their kid to use a drill on it? sounds like something i'd be too worried about. the bank account thing is strange too, but i always use paypal so i guess i'm spoiled there  :icon_biggrin:

 

[baskruit]

He sent me this picture. He used it for a project that he never finished.
The green arrows show the original holes.

 

[rockskate4x]

I might try it if i were you, but I don't know how risky that actually is.

 

[JaySwear]

yeah, doesn't look like those holes are too close to the original holes to really hurt anything... and you might be getting a great deal just because he did that

 

[dbw]

It's fine once you plug those extra holes.  I'd lowball him some more, since you agreed on a price and THEN he told you.

 

[Nando Vallart]

Looks like a Warmoth neck... I don't think the holes will be a problem, but you might check then in real life...

 

[Dan025]

worst case the hoes are too deep or screws were too long and lifted a fret or two. you can always re-glue and re-seat them. then level and dress the frets, i'd take a chance on it. but im not necessarily recomending buying it. i just don't think it is that bad but i would definately see it in person before paying. and definately low ball him a little you might just make out like a bandit on this one.

 

[baskruit]

Thanks for all your thoughts.
I'll sleep over it another night and probably decide what to do during the weekend. It would look totally Frankenstein if I'd swap necks with my Squier Jazz Bass, that's for sure.

 

[OzziePete]

More worried about the vendor wanting to do the deal via bank account transfer. PayPal or cash on pickup..

 

[baskruit]

More worried about the vendor wanting to do the deal via bank account transfer. PayPal or cash on pickup..

Not that uncommon to be honest. The use of Paypal is still in its infancy over here.

 

[willievega]

I'd grab that neck. The holes won't hurt anything, and can always be plugged. Just make sure it's sound.

 

[-CB-]

If he said he never finished the project, he's lying.  That neck has been obviously played a decent amount - the wood is all burnished on the playing part, but not on the heel or headstock.

I'd want to see the FRONT too now.

Pig in a poke... might be ok , might not.

 

[-CB-]

One more thing... the tuner ream looks like its done for Fender lightweight - better known as slightly modded Hipshot lightweight.  As I recall... those tuner holes are a tweedle bigger than you'd expect, and only those bushings will fit.  I could be wrong on that tho

 

[SlingBass]

I echo CB (and a couple others) on this neck.  *I* would want to know what kind of tuners were on there and are they available to see/buy.  I'd want pics of the front to validate how much it's been played (I suspect some).  Since you're willing to do the drive, and the cost must justify it, only a cash and carry situation would work under the circumstances.  IF the holes were drilled too deeply and any frets were raised - only you can determine if it's any use to you, but a good frontal pic may lay that to rest.  As for the plugging the drilled holes - outta sight/outta mind, IMO.  A lot of IF's...