I have a jazzmaster, which is pretty damn similar bridge/setup wise. If your having trouble getting your strings to sit tight, just file a bigger groove in the saddles. Eventually some of the grub screws on my bridge started to loosen and fall out, if this happens, just buy some lock tight from any reasonabley priced hardware store. Its a bummer that your guitar doesn't sound/play the way you'd like already, but im sure that once you've sorted out these few niggling problems it will. Once i sorted out my jazzmaster it became the best guitar id ever played. Even if your thinking about taking it back and buying another guitar, I would urge you to stay away from les pauls, due to their horrible sound and colossal weight.