EBS_freak

[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1380733178' post='2229735'] I've documented all of the available facts in an open and honest manner. If you want to make assumptions based on your extensive knowledge of the Basschat admin systems then that's really your lookout. [/quote] [quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1380733868' post='2229750'] Quite. Damn this free forum, staffed by fallible human volunteers! [/quote]

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1380702708' post='2229030'] The whole technique thing is getting tired now. Unless you are playing technical music for a living, no one cares anyway. [/quote] Come back here saying that when you've developed RSI!

[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1380724864' post='2229587'] Taking all this into account, I can only assume that someone had an inadvertent 'finger failure'. [/quote] Man, there is something wrong with this software if one finger failure causes a thread removal. I figure given that most software gives you the fail safe, "are you sure?" prompt, I can only assume whoever had their 'finger failure' was having a fit at the time. Either that, or one of the mod team has amnesia. I remember a guy who worked at my dad's office - nice chap, had Parkinson's. Police and ambulance came round to the office and burst in. Turns out the poor fella was only trying to get an outside line.

So, whats the latest score with this luthier and pickup guy then?

[quote name='Shockwave' timestamp='1380712036' post='2229252'] I have now got a response from Lettsbass. No updates, but the communication makes me rest a bit easier. [/quote] ...and? Surely he didn't just say, "hello." At this point, you need to be speaking to him on the phone to get the deal straightened, or getting your money back.

Looking smooth.

Protec rack cases too!

[quote name='Lorne' timestamp='1380665859' post='2228835'] Because, I had been let down by a friend I have known for over 25 years, he was supposed to fix an Import Warlock bass for me whilst I boarded out and insulated his huge loft, 3 months of weekends, the loft was complete, the bass wasn't even touched, luckily I was also getting paid for the loft, or I would have just walked. There is a distinct lack of Luthiers around Plymouth, that I would trust with an American handmade/Expensive bass, I didn't know of Tom Anderson, and like I said, Chris Eccleshall is a totally lovely bloke, just a lazy git [/quote] I hear you. Tricksy times. Good to hear that it all got sorted in time though. There's a distinct lack of luthiers I'd trust full stop! It's too easy for joe public to masquerade as a luthier.

[quote name='Wolverinebass' timestamp='1380660348' post='2228706'] Am I the only one who when they read "a certain pickup manufacturer" immediately thought SGD? I would never, ever have bought anything that SGD had done. Not because I doubt the inherent quality of the work, but because when you read the 5000 page thread on talkbass "Won a wal pickup on ebay," you realise that every 6 months he said "soon" it's either never going to happen or it'll be a total car crash of customer service. Crap. Sorry, just total crap. [/quote] Yup, his reputation is certainly spreading fast. The thread never filled me with confidence either. He broke a pretty crucial marketing rule too - letting people know what you are up to. Would be well funny if a load of other pickup manufacturers beat him to it. It would have had so much clout to suddenly come to market with the "Wal" pickup and the story how he got there afterwards. Massive impact... instead of which, he's tried to build a hype which has ended up like... well, the way it has.

Let me guess. Sei and Sims?

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1380650004' post='2228504'] well, thanks very much... you've just sewn a seed of doubt into my cast-in-stone colour scheme for my next commision arrrhhhhhhhhh !!!!! [/quote] Surf green and seafoam green. Both beautiful. Choose wisely! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!! (of course, you do realise that you'll fast become your chosen luthier's worst enemy when the colour on the bass he builds doesn't match the one above...)

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1380648669' post='2228468'] I actually replaced the pickup and EQ with a passive pickup on my MM for that very reason... [/quote] So you took away the very thing that makes a MM a MM?

[quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1380649796' post='2228500'] its incredible. I love everything about it. [/quote] Join the club! Now. Where are the Pavel stories?

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1380649439' post='2228490'] yep... the colour kills. [/quote] Seafoam green!

[quote name='tauzero' timestamp='1380647875' post='2228452'] OK, what you said (and I did quote it in my initial response) was "It doesn't matter what stories good or bad you are told..." - and that's to qualify that if you want something that only X can provide, X has you over a barrel and you'd better lube up. So yes, I think we're in agreement - my point being that the stories are valuable because they can affect your decision. [/quote] Yes! (I think!) in that if you must have a product, your heart takes over and the stories can become irrelevant, apart from telling you how much lube you may need. Good clarification!

[quote name='Lowender' timestamp='1380644039' post='2228373'] Specialty guitar makers aren't really luthiers. They're essentially carpenters. And ALL guitars are a combination of machine work and hand building. Everything From a Fodera is a Squier. So there's a little bit of snob appeal here and it's significance is quite overrated. [/quote] *snigger* Why don't you send off a few emails to these carpenters. They'll make for an ace inclusion in the book.

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1380642513' post='2228337'] Perhaps luthiers should write reviews about their customers? [/quote] Now that would make for interesting reading... Theres a certain customer with the initials FW who is legendary amongst the luthier circles... A book of the all the emails would sell for sure.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1380568839' post='2227286'] A product either stands up or it doesn't... [/quote] well, that depends if it is missing feet...

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1380639584' post='2228283'] I think that's why everyone asks for a modern C shape with a nice bit of Brazillian to get their fingers on [/quote] It makes you wonder what the luthier saw in you to suggest a choice of a spalted wood doesn't it?

[quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1380640071' post='2228294'] that's really cool. What is it? [/quote] Pavel single cut Jazz - lovely isn't it?

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1380639356' post='2228277'] I'd be a bit embarrassed telling him I like it shallow with a narrow nut width [/quote] HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!! If only people knew what we were talking about. That's the post of thread.

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1380637911' post='2228254'] Because ol Chris is one charming muthaf***er [/quote] Yeah, but does he wine you and dine you, ask for neck measurements....?

[quote name='Lorne' timestamp='1380636979' post='2228231'] I completely agree with Shockwave, and I will name and shame I gave Chris Eccleshall my B.C.Rich Widow bass to remove 3 pots, add a rosewood headstock overlay, bind the body inlay the fretboard and headstock with inlays I provided,respray it completely in black, all work was painstakingly explained and he took notes. MANY MANY phone calls in between (All from my end), I finally get the "It's finished" call 2 YEARS later. I arrive, he's set is up all lovely on a stand at the end of a corridor, from 20 ft away I say "Oh for F***'s sake!" , What's wrong is the reply, "The inlays are opposing triangles, the points of which are supposed to touch in the middle of the fretboard, NONE of them do, and they get further apart towards the body" Of course, I am wrong, then I get close to the bass, "where's the serial number gone from the end of the fretboard?" What serial number? I didn't see one I made him stamp it back on, there and then. the headstock overlay was 2 peices of rosewood, the binding wasn't great, and it was 2 different colours of black!!!! But, under the threat of me killing him, I gave him a second chance with my USA B.C.Rich Ironbird, which I had with me, he was NOT to respray it, get someone else to do it, remove the fretboard, replace the trussrod (DO NOT LOSE THE SERIAL NUMBER) get it working, then strip the paint and send it away for a respray. All to be done within a year! After 3 YEARS of me phoning and asking, "How much has been done" and getting the predictable, I haven't done much, I asked "SPECIFICALLY, what have you done in the 2 months since my last phone call" NOTHING "Right, find all the bits. I'll pick it up" Ok, when "NOW" Got the bass back, all that had happened is the hardware removed, the electrics and one of the pick ups, absolutely NO work actually done to it. I gave it to Tom Anderson and told him to just get it working 12 HOURS later, the fretboard is OFF, broken truss rod removed and a new one to be custom made, ordered. although the respray was dropped from the list of work for now, Tom Anderson had the bass completely fixed and working in 3 weeks and 1 day, now, that is what I call service, he had told me 4 weeks to 6 weeks. I will never use Chris Eccleshall again, which is a shame as he is such a nice guy, just useless [/quote] Err... you gave him a second chance? 3 years? Err... what is wrong with you? This is something - as you have proven - could be done by any other luthier. Why would put yourself through that?

[quote name='Sibob' timestamp='1380636564' post='2228222'] *Runs in* Glad I play a Fender *Runs out* [/quote] It's a custom build. They just put a fake decal on it.

[quote name='woodyratm' timestamp='1380636070' post='2228214'] It's not all negative! I have a custom instrument and it's exactly the image i had in my head of what I wanted. Sounds and looks! [/quote] Agreed. The right custom instrument is fantastic. Just ask some of the countless custom owners on here. The key thing is, is finding the right builder and speccing what you need, not what you think you need (cos that's when things start to go horribly wrong!)