Musicman20

Ive got pics of the neck pocket...the nut, well that was obvious as soon as I looked properly. Thing is, I STILL LIKE THESE BASSES! In fact, they are so part of 'my sound' (it tends to be preference of Ray, then P then J) I couldn't be without them. So, no matter what happens, I will keep buying their gear. A) Because the 4 I have are so perfect and because I know deep down this is a bit of an odd scenario with the old body/new neck. I do appreciate all the feedback. I did look into custom basses a while back, but I really don't see anything (as yet) that grabs me. Eg, they aren't 'right' visually, and as much as they could basically copy a Ray, it wouldn't be a Ray....if you get me.

BTW - to make things even more certain about the build issue, I packed it again last night for pickup, and noticed the nut wasnt cut correctly. The E was VERY high off the board, even though the saddle was almost maxed to the bottom and the neck is set correctly. Crazy.

Haha, originally this was paid for in the middle of last year...when I sold a Ray on here. I paid in full for a single H non-matching, but decided as I had a little extra cash id go for a MHS and extra H...(which was paid for in March 2011). So, all in all Ive been waiting over a year...

Had enough now. Going to ask for full refund and leave it at tha. They have nothing in that's similar spec, just lower spec. Don't feel like accepting something I could have had 7 months ago so putting an end to this now.

Not really. Should be picked up tomorrow though (best be!) but no idea what's going to happen. I'm willing to be flexible, but now I'm losing my patience. If nothing gets agreed tomorrow, I'll ask for the refund.

5 days and still no outcome. Getting a bit frustrated now. Admittedly it's the weekend, but I need a conclusion tomorrow.

I wasn't necessarily attacking Ashdown, I've just never had great experiences with their gear. The BT by Orange is a massive competitor with a low price tag and great tone. I would like to support Ashdown with them being British, but at the moment they having nothing to offer me.

Basically an Orange Bass Terror but more money?

I've had both, now own the RH750 and LM3. The LM3 is great flat. Lovely pure tone. The RH450 is more flexible, greater features, and despite the wattage, slams most micros in terms of volume. I personally love the TC amps, but if you want super clean/flat, go for the MB.

8 pages! Woah. My most popular thread and its a problem thread haha. Had a bad weekend, girlfriend in A&E yesterday (luckily home now) etc etc, so obviously puts things in perspective, but I am keen to get this sorted asap. The bass is being picked up early next week and decisions will be made, depending on what happens. EBMM USA have been in touch and are investigating immediately. I understand it might not look that bad re: old body/new neck, but for a BRAND NEW £1500 instrument, it needed to fit correctly and at least be listed with the serial and bass description. My Dad looked at it today, knows nothing about guitars/basses, but basically said 'bodged job'. He guessed its exactly what we said, theyve put a different neck and it doesnt marry up correctly. Anyway, it will hopefully be sorted asap...need this problem to move on now.

That's definitely what Fender would do. Obviously bodies and necks sit around all the time. The reason why it concerns me is because: A - EBMM specs are listed in full on the boxes. This points to Aug 2010 complete build (eg the bass was ready for sale and sent on this date). This also ties in with their serial number records....and they also don't state matching headstock. B - EBMM don't swap and change things. Once a bass is built, if a part is faulty, they replace that, and then it goes on their records. That's what it seems like they have done here...older bass, new neck. Im guessing previously it was just a normal HH Rosewood board, but they didnt have a matching headstock version in, so instead of ordering a new bass, they have put a neck off another bass onto this to make one they can sell. Which took seven months and might explain why it doesnt fit right and the marks near the neck pocket, (in the paint). It's kinda why I came to this conclusion. They make them to spec, so why would a bass built over a year ago take seven months?! Weird.

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' timestamp='1317982698' post='1396866'] No mate I didn't tell him to PM Sterling directly nor to make a fuss on the ebmm forum, I told him to pm Aziah and ask her to make him (big pooper) aware of the issue and that she and Sterling have to appreciate his action not to make a "furore" openly in the forum but to have a humble approach which shouldn't go unlistened and needs a prompt solution. [/quote] Yep Ive took this route. I won't put anything on their forum. I have a feeling they don't even know about the old body/new neck.

Last night I got my Ray 5 HS out. Same colour scheme except the headstock. That bass is 99% perfect. Seriously well made. Very light, excellent paint, tone to die for, and the attention to detail is spot on. The neck pocket is so precise and clean its unreal. This is how my other 3 are as well. My current Ray H 3EQ is literally perfect. I know they can do it right. Its just a shame that problems seem to come to me.

I am definitely trying to keep a cool head, hence I was open to seeing what they currently have in stock available immediately, or even something that's due next month/next shipment. Crazy thing is, I was looking into getting a 2EQ or Bongo HH. You'd think they would want me to be happy so I order again lol. Can't believe as bad as the economic situation is, they won't just get on with it. It's stopping me ordering again!

In effect, its just a new item. Not really custom as such, just a matching headstock, which are availble quite readily if you dont mind the colour. They are built to spec, yes, but not custom spec. I have emailed a fair few people now. Im slowly getting to the end of my patience. I havent ranted on the phone to anyone yet. Im not willing to wait another 2 months. By that time, its getting to the 9-10 month wait, which yes, could have been a custom bass. There are a few shops with HH basses in stock, and they have HH basses in stock at S&T at the moment. I don't know why they just don't ring me, get it sorted, and help me out.

Email sent to EBMM, and to their Cust Service chap Aziah on their forum. He has replied and apologised. He has sent it all to their export guys at EBMM. Thing is, with the Distance Selling Regs, I have a 7 days return policy anyway. So, im entitled to an exchange or refund if I am not happy. Cheers chaps.

That is beautiful.

Wow, what a busy thread. Great support guys, really appreciate it. My main shock is this: S&T have not tried to contact me, not once. I've told them I'm willing (almost) to be flexible. but now after almost 36 hours and not any progress im getting p***** off. I have just sent a polite but firm email to EBMM Cust Service. If they didnt build it like this, there is going to be some strange outcomes to this. All I want is a complete resolve, NOW. No waiting, no messing about. NOW.

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.