poptart

[quote name='Ham fisted Bass' post='195782' date='May 10 2008, 12:20 AM']Mark - Please don't take offence about what I think - cynical I am, but in the case of buying from 'auction sites' I side totally with you and smaller vendors like you. If the bass playing public buy exclusively from 'auction sites' and the like based purely on price then that is all they will get - cheap, no service, no back up, no answers to trivial tech issues etc.... The big issue for most of us is that if we buy from exclusively 'auction sites' and 'box shifters' then logic dictates that independents will disappear - think independent record shops.. My rant was and still is based against manufacturers who allow cr@p to leave their factory, protected by a name, and deny any issue with their product(s) GB and the thread with the shuttle etc which mutated into warranty rights et al was more to make a 'flawed point' incorporating GB supply and warranty. If GB are six weeks late with firm orders what chance fixing a fault? (but you've answered that) Get the Shuttles in, I could do with a back up for the R500... (hope it's not a faulty batch - (joke honest))[/quote] I am doing my best, the shipping takes about four weeks I have been told, and that is normal, then a few days in customs - I think they must take it the other way around the world via the orient!! Regards Mark

[quote name='Ham fisted Bass' post='195502' date='May 9 2008, 03:47 PM']However, in this case Poptart, made a point of the importance of having a dealer warranty, meanwhile acknowledging that GB with some justification are servicing their home (and largest) market ahead of the European market. So if your UK authorised dealer purchased, GB (This may never happen - I'm not suggesting that it will) amp fails tonight? How much time will elapse before.... a - It is repaired / replaced under warranty. b - You see it again?[/quote] You seem very cynical - if it was important/urgent I would do everything to get any item repaired or replaced as fast as possible, it it wasn't then the same would be true. When you buy from box-shifting operations with low margins they are less likely to care about sorting you out. IMO you should try to use independents where at all possible as although they may be more expensive (not always) they will usually go the extra mile for you - I know that is how I work here. As far as Genz looking after their home market for the initial sales, this has nothing to do with after sales - you seem to be confusing the two. Give the market a few months and the supply chain will become less hectic and things will settle. If you buy any product when it is released it is common for shortages and problems in the supply chain - think computer game boxes for example. You can be assured that not on;y is the Genz product reliable, but you will be looked after by myself and other UK dealers if there is a problem. My original point was if you buy one from the USA or via ebay myself and other dealers will not be looking after you in the same way, whether the UK distributors will look after you is up to them, I was only trying to clarify your warranty situation, and with some manufacturers that means if you improt to another country you invalidate any warranty. I hope that clears things up a bit :-) Mark

[quote name='Ham fisted Bass' post='195413' date='May 9 2008, 01:37 PM']Fair point any manufactured item will fail at some point - but it's when the 'product' fails mid gig that the good warranty point flounders. At that point, the warranty matters not - and having had this happen with; well, I won't say which manufacturers product but it rhymes with [i]Mesa Boogie[/i], I now have a Markbass R500. The GB shuttle 6 was never an option for the simple reason that no one can get hold of them, I seem to remember that they were due in to the UK at end of March (correct this if I'm wrong) and there are still people waiting to take delivery (early / mid May) If GB don't deliver (sic) what are the chances that your newly 'dead' shuttle will be fixed under warranty any time soon? This is of course 'if and ands' the reality is that the news from the states is that the shuttle is a really good amp - hence the interest. Personally, I like the look of the Mesa Boogie Fathom but bitter experience of [i]Mesa Boogie[/i] tells me 'NO..' listen to your head (the one on your shoulders, not the one on your speaker cab)[/quote] All opions are appreciated, I do understand that people are turned off by a product because of a bad experience. However I believe that you should look at the big picture with all products and occasionally faults do occur even with strict GC and when all reasonable precautions are taken. If the response to your problem is positive and the situation is resolved with speed and efficiency it should not put you off owning another of that companies products. If, however you feel that you were not looked after, it is the company and not the product that you have an issue with and in that I totally agree - these reputations make or break companies IMO. The delay in getting hold of this brand new product is due to the unbelievable demand from the US market which has taken a priority as it is by far and away their largest sector. Genz has an amazing record for looking after their customers, probably second to none, and that is one of the reasons I chose to work with them. In the unlikely event that any of the products we sell go faulty you can be assured that myself and the manufacturers will do everything possible to make it right - that is our customer service promise and what we effectively get paid for. Regards Mark

[quote name='Ham fisted Bass' post='195367' date='May 9 2008, 12:36 PM']Does GB stuff have a history of failures?[/quote] No - none that I am aware of, however any product can fail which is why a good warranty is essential. Mark

[quote name='Clarky' post='193032' date='May 6 2008, 04:15 PM']Try one of the neoprene padded Comfort strapps - very nice on the shoulders! Here is a link [url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Strings,_Straps,_Stands_at_Bass_Direct.html"]http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_sp...ass_Direct.html[/url] Do I get commission Mark? [/quote] Nice try

Hang tight guys - I am trying get a date for delivery :-) Mark

[quote name='BB2000' post='191435' date='May 4 2008, 12:47 AM']FWIW I've imported all my GB kit direct from the US (from official dealers), and GB have told me they will stand by the warranty.[/quote] Quite so - here are the Genz Benz terms and conditions; GENZ BENZ warrants all products to be free from defects in materials and workmanship, for a period of 3 years from the date of purchase, when purchased from an authorized GENZ BENZ dealer. This warranty does not cover normal wear and tear incurred from the normal designed use of the product and specifically limits the warranty for tubes to 6 months. This warranty is only effective if a copy of the original sales receipt is presented at the time of warranty service. GENZ BENZ will repair or replace, at its option, any defective materials provided the product: •Has not been misused, abused, tampered, altered or damaged either by accident or during shipment. •Has not been subjected to excessive or insufficient power, i.e. burned or discolored voice coils. •Has been returned to GENZ BENZ or its authorized service center, freight pre-paid, together with a copy of the original sales receipt, from an authorized GENZ BENZ dealer. •Has been registered with GENZ BENZ within 10 days of the purchase date. •Has its original serial number intact and it has not been defaced, changed or removed. Any products which may be used for rentals, while in the dealer’s inventory, shall be covered from the date of the original invoice to the dealer. If rented products are subsequently sold from dealers stock, this warranty shall be in effect only for the remainder of the warranty period not yet used. GENZ BENZ makes no other warranties, written or implied, with respect to its products merchantability or fitness for any specific purpose, other than covered in the duration of the length of this warranty. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, which may vary from state-to-state. Regards Mark

[quote name='steve-norris' post='190894' date='May 2 2008, 09:10 PM']Looking through the available options i had narrowed my choices down to the mark bass LM2 or F1 then i heard about the genz-benz shuttle 6.0 wow they sound awesome, problem is no one seems to have one. I found one in the USA via e bay express but they wont ship outside the USA Any suggestions?[/quote] On the way Steve - I suggest you come and try the Shuttles against the MB LMII and F1 as there are subtle yet distinct differences. Ask CrazyKiwi - we have spent a couple of hours with a LMII, F1 and a Genz Benz Neo Pak that I believe will sound similar to the Shutlle and has the same eq, tone pre-sets etc. It most most enlightening :-) Let me know if I can help you further. Mark

[quote name='OldGit' post='190131' date='May 1 2008, 10:16 PM']Yep That's the one. The Hurculese GS414B with the neck grab things. It works fine, nice and stable. Just checked your site Mark.. [url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Strings,_Straps,_Stands_at_Bass_Direct.html"]BassDirect's bass stand page[/url] Does the £20 include postage?[/quote] For anyone from Basschat - the £20 does include postage

[quote name='Clarky' post='189972' date='May 1 2008, 07:27 PM']Wasn't promoting it Mark! Just knew lots of people are waiting for these to start coming into the country, via Bass Direct of course! Anyway, I say buy a Markbass R500 instead [/quote] Clarky I know, I wasn't trying be the police here, just a friendly reminder that your invalidate your guarantee if you import these types of products from the USA. I did not realise this until I became a dealer and this became apparent. Anyway - I think for your purposes the R500 is perfect. R = Rock Mark EDIT - Having just checked the advert he states it comes with a full guarantee. As he is not a dealer that is not true!! Just trying to look after anyones interest, not profit motivated

Import = No guarantee

Si Is that the Hercules stand you got from me??? Very creative indeed - I likee :-) I am hoping to bring a new line of electric EUBs into the UK soon - watch this space Mark

Welcome to the board, enjoy :-) Mark

+1 to all of the above, great sarnies, cool company, nice gear. Bass overload, but always a pleasure to catch up with the Bass Chat community, oh and thanks for being such lovely day weather-wise, always a bonus. Good luck URB with the impending birth, you are lucky your other half let you out! Keep us posted - with picys, happy days :-) Mark

Rich You beat me to it - I too would like to thank Mart for the sandwiches, it made a highly enjoyable afternoon that bit more special :-) Thanks to all who organised, it was a bit mental at times but cool to meet a load more of you and put faces to names. 'Till next time. Mark

Hmm - me thinks it will be busy :-) I am there with car full of goodies Mark (Poptart)

[quote name='nash' post='163670' date='Mar 26 2008, 12:08 PM']is anyone bringing a berg nv610 for ne to put my sunn through? ill be bringing my mij p with emg aswell[/quote] I will try to fit an NV610 in the car if I have room ( I am bringing a Bergy AE410 for Ari) plus I will have an AE210, so I may run out of room as I am also bringing lots of basses. I will see what I can do. Mark

[quote name='OldGit' post='163245' date='Mar 25 2008, 04:44 PM']150 miles / 2.5 hours driving each way .. If all of you midlanders stay off the roads on Sunday I may be able to do it a little faster Oh, will you have the new Wood & Tronicses?[/quote] Si Okay I will let you off :-) I will have at least one Wood&Tronics, a couple of Roscoes, a couple of Nordys and with any amount of luck some of the new Skjolds as well. I am bringng an AE410 for ARi and if I have room a couple of the new Bergy cabs too - it will a car full! Mark

[quote name='OldGit' post='163230' date='Mar 25 2008, 04:20 PM']Oh dear Clocks spring forward this Sat ... That means a very early start for us [/quote] Blimey, I thought you were coming from Cardiff not Scotland!! Well reminded on the clock front :-) Mark

I have heard the same - I was asked to exhibit at the London Guitar show and I did a bit of research and it seems that there is not enough to drag bass players in. I do the NEC Music Live as it is on my doorstep and it was a great success personally even though it was 70% guitars, 20% drums, 10% keyboards, 8% accessories and 2% bass :-/ Anyway - hopefully I will be supporting Bass Day this year - although it now appears to coincide with music live!!!! Mark

[quote name='birdy' post='144234' date='Feb 21 2008, 09:58 AM']Thanks Guys, The new price varies from around £1500 upwards depending on options etc. There is a full price list on Marks website detailing what you can get. The 4 strings are cheaper than 5's etc. Considering they are in the same league as Sadowsky, Roscoe, F Bass etc etc they seem pretty good value. Flanker has the Roscoe, an F Bass, a jazz and a precision but I think there could be more suprises in store ;-) His F Bass is a real beauty. I think I am as bad as he is when it comes to swapping basses. As you have seen I am having a clear out and am on the verge of ordering another Nordy 5 from Mark possibly with swappable pickups so I can switch between P/J and J/J with relative ease. The other great thing about these basses is the customer service. Even though I bought this bass from Flanker making it second hand I contacted Mark with some queries about pick up combinations and Nordstrand have sent us a set of pick ups FREE OF CHARGE as I had an earlier model and they had made some improvements! I was amazed by this as they are not cheap. Steve[/quote] Just to confirm that Nordstrand offered to replace the pickups in this bass as this is a very early model, serial number 4 in fact, and was made in early 2007. They have subsequently altered the winding on the NJ5S pickups, which feature on this bass, and as there seemed to be some very small issues with the pickups regarding earthing they offered to swop them out and the replacement NJ5S pickups did the trick. As Steve has said - these are in the same quality bracket as Sadowsky NYC/Avella Copella/Celinder etc but at a far more affordable price. There will be a price increase this year but IMO they still offer great value for a totally hand made USA bass. Regards Mark