Bad News About My New Dark Lord...

E

Echo

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Oct 2, 2007
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Greetings!

Well, I bought a new Dark Lord, tuned it up, and found the action horrible. I looked down the neck and it was obviously bowed upward, which I assumed was from the tuning that I had done. Being a technical rookie, and this being my first professional bass, along with advice from this forum, I decided to take my beautiful dark baby to a technician.

Today I got the results. He told me I should return the bass, that the neck was too warped for the guitar to be playable, and that from just tuning it up I could never have put a permanent bow in the instrument myself.

Goobye dear Vampyre, I hardly knew you!

:( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :(

So now I am at a loss on what to do next. I feel burned. Perhaps I should not have been an early adopter of a new model. Maybe since the Dark Lord was just introduced last year, faulty necks are one of the kinks they haven't worked out yet.

I'm not blaming Warwick or anything, sh*t just happens. I know someone will make it right eventually, but I put a lot of heart into this thing and I hate having to let it go. However, maybe the best idea is to just get my money back and pick up a tried-and-true Thumb NT 5.

(Hey Greg, still have yours for sale, and do you ship to the States? ) 8)
 
Echo said:
Greetings!

Well, I bought a new Dark Lord, tuned it up, and found the action horrible. I looked down the neck and it was obviously bowed upward, which I assumed was from the tuning that I had done. Being a technical rookie, and this being my first professional bass, along with advice from this forum, I decided to take my beautiful dark baby to a technician.

Today I got the results. He told me I should return the bass, that the neck was too warped for the guitar to be playable, and that from just tuning it up I could never have put a permanent bow in the instrument myself.

Goobye dear Vampyre, I hardly knew you!

:( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :(

So now I am at a loss on what to do next. I feel burned. Perhaps I should not have been an early adopter of a new model. Maybe since the Dark Lord was just introduced last year, faulty necks are one of the kinks they haven't worked out yet.

I'm not blaming Warwick or anything, sh*t just happens. I know someone will make it right eventually, but I put a lot of heart into this thing and I hate having to let it go. However, maybe the best idea is to just get my money back and pick up a tried-and-true Thumb NT 5.

(Hey Greg, still have yours for sale, and do you ship to the States? ) 8)
Click to expand...

Don't let it go. Just return it and exchange it for a new one, if it's that new, the warranty should cover a faulty neck. These things do happen like you say, but don't let it bring you down, it can be solved one way or another.
 
odominguez said:
Echo said:
Greetings!

Well, I bought a new Dark Lord, tuned it up, and found the action horrible. I looked down the neck and it was obviously bowed upward, which I assumed was from the tuning that I had done. Being a technical rookie, and this being my first professional bass, along with advice from this forum, I decided to take my beautiful dark baby to a technician.

Today I got the results. He told me I should return the bass, that the neck was too warped for the guitar to be playable, and that from just tuning it up I could never have put a permanent bow in the instrument myself.

Goobye dear Vampyre, I hardly knew you!

:( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :(

So now I am at a loss on what to do next. I feel burned. Perhaps I should not have been an early adopter of a new model. Maybe since the Dark Lord was just introduced last year, faulty necks are one of the kinks they haven't worked out yet.

I'm not blaming Warwick or anything, sh*t just happens. I know someone will make it right eventually, but I put a lot of heart into this thing and I hate having to let it go. However, maybe the best idea is to just get my money back and pick up a tried-and-true Thumb NT 5.

(Hey Greg, still have yours for sale, and do you ship to the States? ) 8)
Click to expand...

Don't let it go. Just return it and exchange it for a new one, if it's that new, the warranty should cover a faulty neck. These things do happen like you say, but don't let it bring you down, it can be solved one way or another.
Click to expand...


I agree completely! If the super low tuned sound of the Dark Lord is what you want just have them warranty it out... I'm sure it will kick some serious butt!
 
Hey Echo, sorry to hear that man! However, the Dark Lord's necks are built like any other Warwick necks, but with 35" scale. If you really like the way the Lord feels, you should give him another chance, I don't really think somebody is so unlucky to have the same problem twice with a warwick bass.
 
I don't know how the warranty works (meaning if you have to go thru your place of purchase, or can send it directly to the distributor), but Warwick has the best of the best customer service in my experience. I've had a couple basses and an amp worked on @ Dana B Goods and they've been super helpful. Hopefully you can send it to DBG and have them take care of it. I know they have extra necks laying about, so maybe they can just replace yours and be done with it.

Good luck.
 
aww man,That's bad your neccks stuffed,but to be 100% honest with you,I think buying my bass & paying the shipping will cost alot more than what is fair and reasonable.Used thumb NT's can be had for $1000US.I'm selling mine for $3800AU.I couldnt possibly take advantage of anyone over the sale of a bass.Your DL is under warranty,swap it for a new one or order a different model.It's a much better deal than buying mine.
:)
 
sorry you had that experience man...

oh well, at least the darklord is Bolt-On... meaning you can always get a new neck for it... maybe get a custom neck with the inlays of your choice... there are a lot of luthiers online who are very friendly and accomodating (but that would mean spending extra money).

just tell us when you have found a solution to your problem :)
 
this sucks, hope you get an exchange for a new one, let us know whats happening.
 
Should be exchanged under warranty, as it seems clearly faulty. The only downside is the wait! Hope it's all sorted out quickly and you're up and twangin' as soon as pos!
 
dude that sucks!
hope it all works out for you, i think you should give the dark lord another go, unless you truly want the thumb over it.
God bless
 
Don't let it go. Just return it and exchange it for a new one, if it's that new, the warranty should cover a faulty neck. These things do happen like you say, but don't let it bring you down, it can be solved one way or another.
Click to expand...

Dear Echo, believe that we are really sorry to know what happen to you. Please contact your musicshop to know woh the Warwick warranty works in this case(you have to send us your defect neck through the music shop and we will send you a new one...). We hope you will still believe in our instruments.
 
Dont worry! I am sure that is a problem that can be fixed absolutely! This is a serious company and one of the most successful in the marketplace,So I dont think that is something that has no solution. good luck!! :D
 
I am sorry to hear that Echo. It sounds like you are going to be well taken care of, but it is still unfortunate in that you still don't have your bass. Please let us know how this resolves.

P.S. - You weren't burned, stuff like this happens sometimes.
 
flipper_gv said:
just wondering, did you tuned it std with the .175 on?
Click to expand...

I never tuned it up that high, but why should that matter? The string should break before it is able to permanently bow the neck.
 
Yea, Echo. You the Dark Lord is a bolt-on, right? That means the neck is changeable.
Hope everything works out for you :)
 
sorry to hear that ... give your bass a chance and test the warwick customer service. you'll be happy again! :)
 
*UPDATE*

Thanks for all the kind words, friends. This has become one of my favorite net communities. And Gregory, don't worry, I still believe in your excellent work! I consider myself a Warwick lifer, and I've got my trusty RockBass (which almost feels like a toy now hehe) to keep me company until this works out.

I sent my dark baby back to Music123 today. They have some pretty punitive return/restocking fees (15%-25% in some cases!!), so if I cannot get a full refund, I will definitely go with the exchange or warranty route. If they DO give me a full refund, I will prolly take a closer look at my second choice, the Thumb 5.

My heart is still with the Dark Lord, especially after getting to spend a little time with it. The action was never good enough to play my best, and the Dark Lord feels like it is meant to be a 5-string, but the tone and craftsmanship are simply amazing. You could almost tune the thing just from the harmonics you feel against your torso coming from the quality woods.



:D
 
I have returned guitars to musicians friend because they were damaged in transit.They took care of everyting with no problem.Since Msuic123 and musicians friend are the same now I don't think they will give you a problem with a exchange.Good luck. :)
 
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