Musicman20

Never could get on with the Status 'look' or sound...not my thing unfortunately....otherwise i think their stellar build quality would be spot on for me. Agreed, I don't mind buying secondhand. but I think I'll wait til I move back up North so I can access second hand gear without too much travelling around.

My only worry with custom is that, in all honesty, I don't really know which luthier I'd choose. I also don't want something that will lose a lot of money should I have to sell it. I also live nowhere near London, and time to visit for custom specs is limited. I'll have a good think anyway. Put it this way, if I was spending £1500+ again, it would be a Sadowsky. This might end up happening! Who knows.

Well, Darren is being helpful and wants me to have a bass I want. I think even he may be shocked at the potential neck swap. S&T have offered a credit back (im guessing back to him) which means I can have a refund. Thing is, they havent offered anything else, like an apology, a phone call, an email...nothing. Not even a 'you can have another HH bass, at a discount'....nothing. I've dealt with them in the past and they have been very efficient so I have no idea what they are playing at now. New management? Who knows.

Funnily enough, ive recently got a new AS Fender Jazz from GAK, virtually perfect. Brand spanking new from Fender, great QC. Hit and miss is not what I expect anything £700+...especially £1500...takes the mick. I may be looking at a Sadowky once this is sorted out.

I think when a £60 Sue Ryder P bass has a better neck joint, and no chips in the neck pocket area, then its time to make a point about it. I understand, it IS being critical, but I think at this price point, you HAVE to be. Especially considering a 7 month wait on a bass that was finished August 2010. Attention to detail is my forte, so I always want it in products, and they normally always cost a lot more! So, when it doesnt live upto it, what was the point of the extra money? All I can say it, if they tried to pass this off as brand new, it was an absolute fail, because I'm far too good a detective.

I'm preparing an email for them right now, thanks for the advice everyone. As they never sell 'parts', Ive no idea how this has happened.

I'm merely guessing here, but I think this was done in the UK. It doesn't look like something they would do. Merely guessing here. I'm giving it til 17:00 today to get it sorted (eg another HH, a colour I like, apology, and money off next purchase), if not, refund. So far not heard a peep from S&T...at all. Not great IMO.

It continues. I have just realised when i received the bass in its box, (factory EBMM box with barcodes etc) it DIDN'T say w/matching headstock. I was thinking 'I hope they actually DID it'....never did I think it would now lead to this mystery. So, the description says w/o matching headstock on the box (in TWO places). The serial number is on the box TWICE, and obviously stamped into the neck plate on the box. The box also says, in TWO places, that the bass was finished/packed/sent from the USA on 08/05/10. So why do I have a bass that HAS a matching headstock, that took SEVEN months to arrive, that was built and sent on 08/05/10. That, to me, means they added a neck from another bass to this bass, and THAT'S why the neck pocket is so poor, and there are marks near the neck pocket. I've also noticed lots of what appears to be sawdust on the other side of the neck pocket, trapped between the neck and the body. How anyone would think I wouldn't notice is beyond me. I am thoroughly disappointed. At almost £1500, and paying the extra to re-order a HH to my spec and WAITING SEVEN MONTHS, I am at the end of my patience. Thanks all for the advice. If I don't get a reasonable outcome today, I will be requesting a full refund and for the bass to be picked up asap. I think from speaking to the BM, they are as annoyed as I am about the whole issue. After spending a fortune with EBMM (well, Strings & Things UK) Im a little miffed. I am considering a formal complaint. I don't want to fall out with anyone over it, but I don't even know if the EBMM factory/customer service are aware of what has happened.

I saw this, they look great! I'm quite interested to see the pricing. Those Tbirds look amazing.

Thanks for the advice....definitely going to consider all of my options with this.

Cheers all! You'd think after all this I would quit buying for a few years, but I always give a chance...yet again. Heck...this time though, I really am quite gutted. Such a long wait. OK, after finding out the serial, there are two things that strike me. 1. If it WAS made in 2010 (and they are quite on the ball with their serial numbers), WHY didn't I get it within a month or so?! 2. EBMM don't actually 'stock' many basses as they are bought immediately, especially with the upgrades. They have a massive waiting list, which is fine, but something isnt right here. My guess? At some point either an old bass has had an extra H put in, OR, more likely, due to the neck pocket, an old body that was in stock in the UK has been married with a new neck...again, Ive no idea, just guessing. After 7 months and £1500, I think Ive been more than patient. Im not necessarily pointing the finger at anyone, because I've no idea what has happened. More news tomorrow probably. Going to have to wait in again (luckily I have Weds off work) but it means having a bass I cant use (because its going back 100%) sat in my front room boxed up.

Even more angry now. I noticed the serial/barcode and battery looked like they weren't new. The barcode is all faded, the serial points to 8/5/2010, (howwwww?) and the battery is almost expired. Me thinks they have used an old body/neck, sent it back and had the extra H added. Very very odd. Double checked the serial, DOB is as above, I didn't even order it til March 2011 and it's taken 7 months...

Thanks for the understanding guys. Appreciated! Ive noticed an area where the paint isnt at all great as mentioned above, but in the light it looks really bad...Ive never seen a EBMM with bad paint, ever...its always super slick. The neck could have took a jolt coming from America which may have damaged the paint....but more than likely its been like that since it was made. Darren @ BM is onto it now...although I have no further orders with him, Im pretty certain he will resolve it asap with whatever I want. Just got an email back saying he is speaking to S&T UK right now. It's really put me off getting new gear...Ive had such a bad year for having to ask for replacements. I almost tried to force myself to accept this, but as you can see, its visible every time I go near it. I was currently looking at ordering a Bongo or 2EQ Ray as well, so if they look after me and sort this out FAST, and sort me a lower price on one of the two Im looking at, this might get resolved with few issues. I definitely want one of these HH basses though...despite this. We shall see.

No...and considering I have 4 EBMMs upstairs that are PERFECT when it comes to fit/finish etc, and some of them cost less, I just cant accept it....it would be almost 'lazy' of me to accept it because they shouldn't be like this. I have fired off emails, willing to negotiate if they can get me another quick (im quite happy with non-matching headstock if it means I get a load of cash back) but if it starts getting difficult, ill ask for the full amount back. After all, its about 3 months late anyway. Even though im a stickler for quality and fit/finish, Ive been more than patient...and considering my Sue Ryder had a perfect neck pocket, so should this! Note the picture below...it looks much worse in real life. The other thing is there are small 'touch up' areas near it where the paint isnt so great. Weird. Some might say 'leave it be', but its too expensive.

So far it looks like the neck pocket is WELL out of their usual high quality tight fit. Other bits and pieces, but for almost £1500, not happy.

Well, its not that great a day to be honest. Im really angry and disappointed with what has happened. I am now contacting the Bass Merchant/Strings & Things for a return (7 days policy) because this is not what I expect. I'll post more once they respond. Its been far too long a wait to accept something that I'm not happy with.

I imagine they can both have their advantages, id go for the closest or the easiest to deal with. Im sure you can haggle the prices a little. I've actually had exceptional service from GAK recently. I think they must have upped their game since I dealt with them 2 years ago. Very polite, very fast, and got everything I wanted new, not from the shop floor. Not only that, hefty discounts.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1317740693' post='1393968']I couldn't believe what they are charging for a PF500! There must be all of £4.50's worth of parts in one of those!! I'd stick with the SVT3PRO until you've heard a lot more of Genz, Markbass, TC and the rest of the competition.[/quote] Definitely good advice here. Although some low prices don't automatically mean poor quality, in the case of amps, I would be careful. It seems like Ampeg are quite happy to sell new products and let the public test for problems, eg the problems reported on the PFs, the power issues with the Pro 7, and the Micro VR '2 cab' problem. I'm biased because I've never been 100% with Ampeg, (the CL tone is great, don't get me wrong) but there is a massive market out there now. LM2/3 plus a sansamp pedal gives you everything Ampeg can offer, plus an amazing flat (ish) clean tone.

Clipping issues, impedance issues with certain cabs, and just plain DOA. I will say, its mainly on Talkbass, not here. A few users have put up soundclips of the amp cutting out even thought the gain isnt flashing.

Due tomorrow!

Actually I've no idea! I sourced it from Youtube. How odd.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1317665979' post='1393022'] I think she is far more than bubby-gum pop..I think she can sing great and her tunes are a bit now for the market but this girl will not fade in 2 years with the talent she has, IMO. I can see no reason at all why she can't be a Major artist beyond pop singles. [/quote] +1...her live voice is incredible.

[quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1317664225' post='1392975'] Kiddies pocket money music. [/quote] I know it isn't to everyone's tastes, completely agree, but I seriously think she has massive talent. That voice is perfect for soul... I would love to play this gig.

I'm well aware her bass player visits these forums...and posts awesome live vids, (this is a different band on this video) Just found this from a US show.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_vXhdQerVY Voice....wow! I never really listen to much modern pop, but that girl has one hell of a voice. Total beauty as well.

The PF has some issues, noted on Talkbass. Obviously not ALL units, but that is kinda what happens with such a low price unit with a lot of power/features....something has to give. If it HAS to be Ampeg, get the SVT Pro 7. Otherwise, id look at TC RH450/Classic 450/RH750, Genz Streamliner, or Orange BT500.