Disappointing new bass day...I would appreciate some opinions.

[N64Lover]

I had a big birthday this year so as a nice treat I decided to order myself a custom bass. A lot of my favourite guitar players use Jazzmasters and being that there's no such thing as a Jazzmaster bass I designed one and got a fairly well known builder in Europe to make it for me, the name of which I will not share. There are a couple of big names that use these instruments.

 

It arrived last week and I was immediately disappointed in the condition that it was in. Scratches and blemishes all over, tool marks on the scratch-plate, dirty binding with black sticky residue on the fret ends. The worst part was that the electronics (Nordstrand preamp and pups) are basically unusable as they are, lose roller pots, loud hum, popping input jack. The finish is nitro, which I understand is very delicate...but this just seems careless and rushed.

 

I am sharing this because the builder has made excuses for these things in that it's kind of a prototype, he's not made a bass like this before. He makes Fender-esque basses but I don't think this is a radical departure from that, just the control layout is unusual. 

 

I would appreciate any opinions that you might have if this were to happen to you. I paid around £2300 which I understand is reasonable for a custom bass, but it's still a decent amount of cash.

[Beedster]

If the electronics don’t work 100%, and irrespective of any other issues, it goes back.
 

Re other issues however, it looks like a used bass 😕

[PaulThePlug]

Wanted a Dream Bass, not a Nightmare!

 

Nope... But how does it feel neck wise,and play un plugged, action etc.

 

Whats the wording on the agreement, are you able to return/refund?

If it feels good and likely to play well with the 'lectrics fixed, would you be willing to send it back for a fix? (Don't think i'd trust 'em to have it back.

 

Thats a lot of €£$ to be unhappy with on something special.

 

If it's likely you need to be keeping it, it will need to be at a hefty discount, it's not like its a Scratched Squier or a Harley 'B Stock' Benton.

 

If it can't go back for a full refund, and the issue is mainly the finish,.. Min of £500 off for a Full Strip, Refinish, Reassembly? But i think a sore eye would remain.

[Reggaebass]

Just my opinion, That’s quite a chunk of money for a finish like that, I don’t think that’s acceptable for a new bass and I’d be in talks about getting a refund and going elsewhere , sorry to hear that this has happened on your birthday treat and I hope you get it sorted 

[PaulThePlug]

If you have already messaged them and not had an acceptable (to you) reply...

 

The thing with complaints is how things are handled, and what you find acceptable by my means of recompense.

 

Who is it? You might save a Basschater similar disappointment. 

Edited 4 hours ago by PaulThePlug

[simisker]

I don't think that "Sorry: prototype!" is a valid excuse for poor finishing; even if that disclaimer was provided by the builder before any work started. It's not like nitro finishes, neck pockets or neck binding are uncharted territory unique to this instrument.

 

For what it's worth, I bought a prototype from Alan at ACG [which he very clearly stated was a prototype] for similar money, and it was immaculately finished to the same standards as his non-prototype custom basses.

 

I also recently commissioned a custom bass with a nitro finish from 42nd Street / Guitar Angel. The nitro finish was perfect. No checking, stress cracks or anything. Exactly as I'd expect from a custom hand-made build.

 

There should be no need for disclaimers; it's kind of a given that finishing on a custom build needs to be flawless.

 

 

Edited 3 hours ago by simisker

[prowla]

57 minutes ago, N64Lover said:

... a fairly well known builder in Europe to make it for me, the name of which I will not share...

 

Ah well - sorry to hear about the disappointment (it is pretty shabby), but not sharing the name neither (a) helps the community nor (b) puts pressure on them to sort it out.

[chris_b]

I wouldn't accept a brand new custom made bass with any of these issues.

 

As the builder is pushing back and making excuses I'd name and shame.

[Beedster]

43 minutes ago, PaulThePlug said:

Who is it? You might save a Basschater similar disappointment. 

 

10 minutes ago, prowla said:

 

....but not sharing the name neither (a) helps the community nor (b) puts pressure on them to sort it out.

 

5 minutes ago, chris_b said:

As the builder is pushing back and making excuses I'd name and shame.

 

Can't help but agree with the above. If the builder has pushed back - which assuming the photos and description are reliable is pretty much indefensible - it might be worth naming them, it not only puts pressure on them but allows them to state their case here should they wish to do so.....

 

But looking at the photos on my desktop as opposed to on my phone earlier, even if that was a £250 Squier I'd have sent it back, when you pay for a new instrument at any price point it should be exactly that, new

[Mudpup]

That's totally unacceptable at even a £300 level and looks like it's been made by the Saturday lad. You need to send it back for a refund and reconsider your options unless they offer it to you at a silly cheap price. You'll never be able to love it because it'll leave a bad taste. Name the builder and keep the thread updated with progress. If the builder responds positively and you reach a happy outcome it's not the end of the world for them but if it goes wrong people should be aware.

[pantherairsoft]

Over the years, I've commissioned nine custom instruments, and not all were perfect on arrival. Those that were not, were quickly resolved by the builder, becuase thier reputation IS their business, and they know, meeting expectations is half the game. The amount of money you've paid here is a reasonable sum for any mid-very good Luthier and not an amount of money to be taken lightly. For that cost, you are you paying for a finish that far outstrips an off-the-shelf bass from a mass market maker (Ibanez, Yamaha - with a few exceptions). The finish you have here is in no way something a reputable Luthier should be happy to send out, and I'm pretty shocked that they sent it, let alone tried to argue that those scratches, marks and finish issues were in any way acceptable. The edges of that scratch plate as well - looks like they did that with a hacksaw and forgot to sand it.

If this was me, I'd be telling them how disappointed I am, and asking them to make this right, or for a refund if they can't. 

That looks like amateur hour work.

[Reggaebass]

2 minutes ago, pantherairsoft said:

The finish you have here is in no way something a reputable Luthier should be happy to send out

This is what I was thinking, are they honestly expecting any customer to not raise these issues, and why send it knowing the imperfections 

[pantherairsoft]

Just now, Reggaebass said:

This is what I was thinking, are they honestly expecting any customer to not raise these issues, and why send it knowing the imperfections 

Yeah, there is no way, if that person does this for a living, that they have not thought, "I really can't be arsed with this bass anymore. I'll just send it and hope the customer doesn't say anything because they're British and might be too polite."

I'm pretty sure if you showed that to a truly reputable bass builder they'd cry for you.

[ghostwheel]

Every instrument from Harley Benton I had was crafted better than this. Sorry to hear about your experience @N64Lover. I'm crossing my fingers for it getting sorted soon.

[N64Lover]

Thank you for your opinions so far...I am too easy going with such things sometimes and the validation is appreciated. 

 

I have not named the builder yet because I did a lot of research before pulling the trigger and have only heard good things about his work, so this really seems to be an anomaly. Once all is resolved I will consider sharing the details.

 

On the positive side it does play well and sounds good despite the issues.

 

 

 

[Lozz196]

I’d be very unhappy with those faults, totally not on at any price, but especially at the sum quoted.

[Mediocre Polymath]

Speaking as someone who finishes instruments in a plastic greenhouse in my garden, using spray cans I buy from the local DIY shop – that's not an acceptable standard of fit and finish for a pro-level instrument. The discoloration on the binding isn't great, but forgivable, likewise even the light chipping around the neck pocket, but those tool marks in the finish? No. Even making an instrument for myself, I think would have probably been a do-over.

[Hellzero]

I've bought and/or ordered dozens of luthier made instruments that have always been top notch quality and the thing you received is not even to the standard of nowadays low end Chinese made instruments... 🤦🏻😳

 

So stop that Teletubbies reaction @N64Lover, name that pseudo luthier (whoever he is, he doesn't deserve to be called that way), send the bass back and ask for a full refund. Period.

[Steve Browning]

I'm in the hefty discount/return camp here. The marking you have shown, and your description of the electrics are indicative of an instrument that should never have been sent out.

 

Maybe send a link to this thread with your next response. For me, and many others here, good customer service is proven when things go wrong. An acceptable outcome here can enhance the luthier's standing. Not doing so would pretty much certainly lead to a (virtual) boycott of their business.

 

Good luck.

Edited 2 hours ago by Steve Browning

[snorkie635]

I feel genuinely angry on your behalf. Really hope it works out for you. Unless you specifically ordered a bass to look used, (and your post suggests not), this would be a 'comedy bass', if it weren't so serious a problem.

 

A disgrace and an insult to all the makers out there, struggling to produce the best possible.

[madshadows]

Like everyone else that has commented on the post that is not acceptable work for a custom built instrument, they should either fix, give a hefty discount or offer a full refund, let us know how it works out for you, good luck

 

You should name the luthier in case anyone else uses the in the near future

 

John 😎 

[kodiakblair]

1 hour ago, pantherairsoft said:

The finish you have here is in no way something a reputable Luthier should be happy to send out

Or would happily stick on social media as an example of their skills.

 

Send the thing back. 

[Sté]

Sorry prototype = sorry half price (if you want to keep it like this). For this money, i would return it for retrofit (correct sanding before painting eveywhere on the bass, re-do the painting, perfect electronic working..) 

[snorkie635]

2 minutes ago, kodiakblair said:

Or would happily stick on social media as an example of their skills.

 

Send the thing back. 

Yes indeed, but not before a refund is given. I wouldn't trust the bar-steward to lacquer my plectrum (if I had one).

[ian61]

My 0.2$

I bought a CV 70 SQ P bass for pennies that was literally perfect in everyway and would have kicked that into the grass. The trouble with these so called "Luthiers" is there is no quality control, they don't have to answer to the man above, smoking the big Havana so to speak.

 

Those scratches, those awful frets and markers?..At that price? No way. Im sorry for the noise but whoever sent that badly finished bass out needs to to pay one way or another.  I would suggest tho that you don't name him on here, it could make him disappear altogether seeing as he's already pushing back.

Better to show him this thread privately so he realises the community is not happy and that bad press moves like wildfire.