Danelectro FAB metal woes....

[GreenEye]

Here's my sob story....

So I picked up a FAB metal awhile back, I really loved it, and out of the kindness of my heart gave it to my friend to get him back into guitar (he's who started me into guitar 15 years ago).

To replace the one I gave away, I bought a new one at Guitar Center, but didn't play it before I bought it.  I've noticed it doesn't react the same.  In fact, it sounds screwed up.  I put a new battery in it, and here's what it does:

     - basically when notes on the G and higher strings are hit, especially above the 12th fret, the high notes sound like crap.  There's like an odd fizzy clipping/cutting out thing that happens.  But when I play lower chunky/palm mutes it sounds fine.

     - when I hit a pick squeal, it sounds like the speaker is ripping apart.

     - turning the tone knob only seems to worsen the problem.

I doubt I could fix it, since all the parts are like microscopic on the board. 

Does anyone else's act weird?  Is it a lost cause?  Maybe my original one did that too, but I didn't notice it!?!  [wonder if GC would take a return - the receipt is long gone!]

[MikeH]

GC will take it back without a reciept if it's in perfect condition, but usually they'll only give you the most recent sale price for store credit.  But you have to bitch A LOT.  Ask to see a manager.  If he's a smart ass say "What? You thinks that's funny?", and ask for the district managers phone #.  Turns their attitude around every time.  Man I hate GC.

[Nalo1022]

Dude, I dont know whats wrong with the GCs near you but thats how they are up here. I worked there for a while and we were the complete opposite of how you describe. Even without the receipt they can look one up. regardless just bring it back (assuming you have the box etc) and say its messed up they should/ ahve to replace it.

[burnt fingers]

The GC return policy is 30 days.  You can bring it back within 30 days even without a receipt.  The sale will be in the computer.  They can pull it up by your name.  Take it back and exchange it.  There should be no problems. 

Scott

[aron]

Hmmmm maybe mine is screwed up a little as well. Mine jumps octaves and such but I always figured it was a slightly dead battery. I better check it out. I just bought it out of principle ... I mean any meta pedal this cheap...

[RDV]

They get WAY unstable with a low battery. Kinda fun to mess with like that.

RDV

[GreenEye]

thanks for the info and tips y'all!  yeah, perhaps the "new" battery wasn't really that new (I'll have to try another one to verify)!  but if it was, I'll try the old return-without-receipt trick.  but yeah, I dig the pedal when it doesn't do the octave thing.

who knows....

[jonathan perez]

have you tried it with a power supply?