ADAM ROBERTS

I take no pleasure from outing him BUT, it needed doing...Like I said, I am far from alone on this one.

I have thought long and had about this and, others are okay with it so.... The builder in question is the London based Joseph Kaye Guitars. I wish it wasn't so BUT, there you have it...I just don't understand why when you pay someone to do something very specific that they don't and then claim they did! I would feel bad for anyone else if I said nothing. Don't get me wrong, he's done some amazing work that I have seen first hand, in this instance though, well....you know the story.

As I understand it, the relief is okay around the 12th fret BUT, and I am no whizz with this stuff(why I trusted the original builder initially and then again to fix it!)...beyond the 14th fret etc, there are weird issues, maybe a twist? The truss rod is maxed out, so....as I understand it, there are ways around this....spacer/washer etc. The frets were levelled, well....attempted, could not be done completely....top end of the neck has something going on either separately or in conjunction with the truss rod being maxed out when that was attempted. Plan is to let it sit through the seasonal change and then eyeball it IF it remains 'unstable'. After that, I will need to take it to Sims and go from there...

Was a HUGE Maiden fan, remember seeing them at Reading Rock Festival MANY years ago, when Bruce was on earlier in the day with Samson....Dual stage days, luckily, I was on the left hand side as were Maiden!!! For me, Maiden will always be about Paul and that line-up. Happy days

As soon as I know where other people are at with their issues/disputes, I will share.

I quite like the look of the Power Bass with the Super Quad pickups in, not sure if that is still an option though?

I will, probably by just divorcing myself from it and moving on. If I do go that route, I will declare where the issue arose from... Like I said, there are others so, I need to make sure this doesn't cause them an issue first.

I remember that one from their website.

Was about to say, that's not Michael

I am assuming there are a few on here? Be grateful to see what you have, your thoughts and so forth...I am considering a purchase. Ta!

Re naming and shaming, I will see where other people are at. I would hate someone else to have the same issue as a result of them not knowing about other people's experiences. In his 'defence', I have seen him produce some amazing work...I am guessing I was far too unknown for him to focus on this build? All sorts of little clues once 'one' starts to look at this build...great shame as I don't hate this bass, I am just struggling with the lack of 'care' that seems to have gone into certain aspects of the build. A.

I should qualify the legal thing, sorry. NOT the original build etc but the most recent visit, the assertion that the truss rod was fine and that he would fix it....Then took £90 off of me, caused me to incur 2 trips to London vs 1(another £60) and returned the bass to me in worse condition than before. I completely understand re the work prior/lifetime guarantee etc. So yes, absolutely re the last paragraph! I do feel he 'used' me to pay a bill and made it awkward to collect because it suited him/payback. Hasn't left a good taste in my mouth. A.

Oooooh! Will have a nose with the search function, sorry....should have done that first! Found it, many thanks for that Pleased indeed!

I am walking around a few basses right now for back-up purposes(prior to current neck issues on my #1)... Has anyone bought or had experience with this bass? It's the one the Bass Centre make, a 'copy' of Guy's Fender Jazz. (I recently tried a Jive bass Sims had in stock and was pleasantly surprised by the build quality etc...Going back tomorrow to plug in and play with it and a few others). If anyone has one or has played one, thoughts? Good or bad....thanks.

I was stuck in boarding school and a day boy mate of mine worked at the locaL club....humping gear prior to sound checks and after the show so, he got me involved and I used to risk expulsion every week to go a gig on a Friday night. 2 years seeing some amazing bands, so worth it!!! UB40 were amazing, just hearing the whole place shake when Earl played!!!!

And another early influence, so good...to my cloth ears.

Love this thread... I was born in Kingston Jamaica, army brat...I saw UB40 live many years ago, and fell in love with that first album... So much truth in this.

I was fortunate enough to see the original line up just after Killing an Arab was released, I always preferred Dempsey so, perhaps they will get him back?

Thanks Andy....I am in Kent, just down the road from Sims. They have had a really good look at it, twice now...way before the screwy weather we've had this year and then again after the 'builder' claimed to have fixed the problem for me earlier in the year...he hadn't. It seems to be a couple of things with the neck so...Saddened that someone I trusted has decided to take advantage and also, take ZERO responsibility. I will message you tomorrow. A.

Thanks very much....Now I have educated myself a little bit, I do feel better about the neck...having to take the clown to court, not so much!

I am guessing this is what was meant by adding washers etc?

My last exchange with him was less than pleasant...Made me wait over an hour and a half past the allotted time, turned up with a bad attitude and I just let him have it, which wasn't the best thing to do BUT enough was enough. I paid for him to fix the issue, get the action as low as possible, he refused to do so(how could he when the neck was jacked!). When I pointed out my unhappiness about the situation, he was beyond insulting, played the 'poor health card' etc etc etc. He will pay for this but in the mean time, I need to resolve the issue then I will be going after him for the monies it will cost me to either reshoot the neck or worse, get another one made properly! You cannot reason with the 'unreasonable'. I removed myself before I lost my temper and hit him.

I am loathed to out this person right now as others have pending legal stuff going BUT... I am due to speak with a solicitor next week so once I have done so, I will be better informed. Not found the thread that was mentioned earlier, does anyone know which thread it is?

I hear you.....No, it didn't BUT, Sims have indeed expressed their dismay at the issue and the way the original builder has handled it. The truss rod has NO room left and this bass is not exactly old!!! I happily paid to go back after 2 years as specified and have it all readjusted etc...Ongoing maintenance is part and parcel as well all know. Poor craftsmanship? Not so much... I am 57, have been around the block a few times and appreciate stuff happens. When someone is adamant there is nothing wrong, says bring it to me I will sort if for free, then it becomes £60, then £90 and you get it back worse than it was before....Well, you know! I am a reasonable person, but when something is flawed and someone tries to BS you well, that's not cool...And it looks like I am far from being the only person having issues with said person, sadly. I loved the bass and had no issues with it, bar the long delay getting it built...I don't appreciate someone lying and saying there is no issue when there obviously is. I know you are not having a go. I went to see said person who built it, they made it very awkward, refused to let me test it on site once the work had been allegedly completed and of course once I got to inspect it properly, lower the saddles exactly as he had directed, stating I would have zero issues....the top part of the neck was even worse...I hate wasting money.

I will have a further nose....sorry, been playing for many years BUT I know naff-all about truss rods etc, always trusted experts in the past. As of now, I am educating myself! It is a fender type single action truss rod to the best of my knowledge. The bass in question is a 'modern vintage' P bass build. I will look for that thread and read...beggars the question why the clown who made it CBA to sort this out for me. The joys of not being famous I suppose. Sad that I have to find this vs the original builder being a man and sorting it out!