warwickhunt

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1376423522' post='2173852'] More than likely this is so in most instances. [/quote] Sad indeed!

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1376422620' post='2173833'] What I've said there is basically IF you aren't involved with the argument, but you want to put your opinion in, you opinion is quite strong and could affect someones credibility, and its not necessarily the place to do so because you are for example: A - No involved B - Associated with the manufacturer etc and therefore slightly biased ....then you shouldn't add anything to the thread without serious consideration. IF the OP has a serious griple, and the manufacturer comes along and they both just rant at each other, let them go ahead...its their business. Not ours to create more gossip. [/quote] Surely the point of airing your dirty laundry by posting on a public forum is an open invitation for others to comment/contribute/apply pressure and in some way anyone posting about issues that they have, would be soliciting support from others!

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1376421643' post='2173807'] This has happened in numerous threads over the years, and stating anyone would effectively start to 'stretch the truth' or make 'wild accusations' when the actual circumstances are only known by the two parties (and this is exactly what we have here) should just be kept out of it. [/quote] So you are saying that if a person (a member of an internet forum) finds themselves in dispute with person/business and they are getting nowhere, then they shouldn't air their grievance on an internet forum? Surely the circumstances of ANY dispute are known only to the parties involved... in that case nobody should have the right to chip in. Yes/No?

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1376420692' post='2173776'] Hence I think it should cool off because none of us ultimately know the facts and/or are involved. [/quote] ...but this is t'interweb, you're supposed to shout at your screen and lambast folks you know nowt about!

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1376420262' post='2173755'] ...I doubt the pitchforks would be out like this if it was a UK builder, UK amp manufacturer, or a UK store/business. [/quote] Really! My memory isn't what it was but I can recall several occasions in the recent past when members of this forum have pulled up UK builders/manufacturers/businesses and the same mentality was displayed; off-set by the moderate majority!

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1376410932' post='2173575'] That doesn't make it right , though . It just means it's an effective way of bullying . How long until someone without a legitimate grievance does the same thing out of spite or greed and gets a result again st some poor sod slaving away in a workshop hour after hour for less than minimum wage ? Would that be a victory for consumer rights ? It's the bass guitar equivalent of "vigilantes "lynching people who are accused of being sex offenders . Sooner rather than later innocent people become the victims . [/quote] From my experience of 'reasonable' forums like TB and BC, the truth eventually is outed and someone sprouting shyte about something and generally bullying someone else re. a sale/trade/transaction is shown for what they are. It has happened on more than one occasion where someone has stated that there is a problem with a product and by reasoned debate by the lynch mob as you call them, the truth has been reasoned. I in no way condone the idiots who may or may not have contacted JC re. that bass, that is reprehensible. However, there are plenty of level-headed people who contribute to such debates and that generally offsets the fools who dive in feet first.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1376410558' post='2173568'] Jimmy Coppollo is [u]supposed[/u] to be good at building basses... [/quote] ...nail/head/struck!

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1376407059' post='2173500'] Would it not be a little fairer on the chaps who are dealing with AC on new and used basses to leave the situation as it is? Not only are we affecting AC's potential orders and future customer base, but we are also affecting the stores who deal with AC. The OP is getting his refund, which he is entitled to. Something is clearly not 'right' with the bass, and he paid a lot of money for it, but we are all seeing one side of the story. I am not defending either party, but a resolution is on its way. After the various threads creating problems and issues with other manufacturers, (not just basses) and the points that were raised previously, I suggest we act as we stated we should previously. [/quote] I disagree. IMHO it is totally relevant and appropriate to discuss it. If there is the potential for poor workmanship (which I think few would argue with) and/or poor customer relations from a manufacturer then it should be openly discussed and aired. Yes JC is a small manufacturer producing a low turnover (in number) of instruments, that being the case then he needs to be getting it right and if he isn't then situations like this may well stop others from having similar issues/situations. In the long term I doubt this situation is likely to cripple his business, especially as there appear to be more than one or two folk on this thread alone who are prepared to pay (relatively) large sums of money to a guy in another country for a custom made bass that they won't 'likely' have the chance to try until it is delivered... good luck to him and to those that buy those instruments.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1376403661' post='2173423'] Why so ? One interpretation of events could be that all Jimmy was doing was fascilitating someone getting their dream bass . [u]If [/u]the buyer had had his eyes open about the real state of the bass and still proceeded , that is . Jimmy says the buyer did know what condition the bass was in , the buyer says he didn't . The truth probably lies somewhere between those two points of view . [/quote] Again, pure conjecture but had JC disclosed the condition (and I refer back to my earlier point of who the hell considers that a suitable level of fit and finish to sell off 'as new') to the buyer when he was buying it, then I would have assumed that JC's response on TB would have reflected that; something along the lines of 'I told you what the condition of the bass was!'. However, he hasn't defended himself in that manner, rather he has attacked the buyer and insinuated that he (the buyer) has either tampered with the bass or deliberately photoshopped the images to make it appear worse than it is. Aside from the motivations and truths (hidden or otherwise) in this situation, I personally think that JC should seriously up his QC at the various points of build.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1376402866' post='2173397'] The answer to your question is " because someone was desperate to buy it " . Presumably , Jimmy was making the assumption that those things are not that important to some people . [/quote] 'If' that is the case then in my book that makes him despicable as opposed to someone making a single poor judgement call. I realise that it is your take on the situation and may well not be JC's reasoning for what happened but taking advantage of someone or a situation (i.e. someone desperate to get a particular instrument; lefties being particularly difficult to come by) as you describe, is beyond the pale.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1376402170' post='2173371'] Maybe Jimmy understated the wear to the bass... [/quote] Those poorly executed routs aren't 'wear'! Regardless of how the bass was described, why the hell did a respected luthier even sell a bass that would appear to be, at best, a 'B' grade instrument? I have no axe to grind with any one and I am pleased that all seems to be resolved but if your job/vocation is producing boutique instruments at premium prices then you should (IMHO) not be letting anything like that out of your workshop. What would it have taken for JC to have looked the bass over and thought, 'Ooof there are a few rough edges here, I'd better get it back on the sander and sort that out'? Just asking!

Just read Jimmy's reply (not looked at the rest of the thread after that)... As WoT says 'Photoshop' and literally accusing the guy of applying (or allowing someone to apply) glue to the neck or to say that it is possibly oil residue; not the response that I anticipated. I can go with camera angles and flash but no mention what so ever of the headstock, gash routing etc! Glad the guy is getting a refund.

I had a pair of pups custom wound by Andy (had to have several phone conversations as the casings weren't standard size/fit) and I've had a few off the shelf jobbies and they were all cracking pups. Shame they are no more but on the flip side all the best to Andy.

[quote name='6v6' timestamp='1376308653' post='2171889'] Why would anyone spend this sort of money on a bass and not look at it first? [/quote] I think that is why the guy is so 'upset'. He expected that a bass supplied direct from AC would live up to a certain standard of fit and finish, (it would appear) this patently doesn't!

I've recently been asked to kick-start a Cheap Trick tribute band (niche market indeed) and I'm looking for an appropriate 12 string but the prices of the top end ones are too high to justify buying the one in the OP. However, on the matter of playing one... you adapt! It isn't a totally foreign instrument but you can't expect to play it as you would a 4 string; flattening or rolling your fretting fingers is a must and the use of a pick does make it easier and 'helps' with tone control.

[quote name='mart' timestamp='1376292963' post='2171671'] Flo is on basschat! Woohoo! [/quote] Yep... for 5 years!

The mark of how much that (or other threads) will hurt him is down to how and how quickly, this gets resolved! I've always fancied an AC (or at least trying one) and on more than one occasion have nearly dipped my hand in pocket for the WW sig that has been on here (didn't that have cosmetic/routing issues from date of manufacture ) but it wouldn't take much to put me off spending that kind of money on a bass.

[quote name='sgh' timestamp='1376117520' post='2169840'] Not sure if this belongs here but I'm thinking of shipping a bass to the US for a holiday rather than check the bass in, any idea on costs from UK to US? [/quote] Couldn't give an exact figure but it will be hundreds and likely cheaper to buy your bass its own seat on the flight! Added to which you will likely get grief (or at least need to complete loads of paperwork) re. importing/exporting an instrument; consider buying a 'travel' bass like the Aria Sinsonidia.

[quote name='JamesFlashG' timestamp='1374162675' post='2145995'] How to tell the age of a Warwick? I have a Thumb Bo and believe it is a 2010 model but am not certain is there any specific to tell? I am looking at the serial number engraved on the back of the head stock to try and tell [/quote] The letter prefix is the month (A=Jan B=Feb etc no letter i) and the last two digits are the year (87=1987 10=2010)

They may have great customer service... but by crikey that sounds like a lot of issues considering the limited number of bassists that will have looked at this thread!