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

[Cestrian]

On another note - Jazzmaster bass, what a fantastic idea!

[jonno1981]

I can understand shipping damage as it’s outside the builders control. This however….
These issues must have been present when it was boxed up and were missed or ignored. I really hope the builder is willing to be reasonable and get you a working bass as described with no issues and an acceptable finish. I’d send it back and ask for the issues to be rectified or a refund. Unless they jump all over this I’d lose faith very quickly and write them off for any future business. 

[Happy Jack]

On a slightly more constructive note, rather than naming & shaming at this stage or threatening legal action, why don't you politely email him with a link to this thread on Basschat and ask him how he thinks you should proceed?

 

 

[N64Lover]

I am definitely not going to name and shame but I will share this thread with him. It's also no where near the point of anything like legal action! I am sure he will be reasonable once we have discussed what to do moving forward, it's early yet. 

[snorkie635]

3 minutes ago, N64Lover said:

I am definitely not going to name and shame but I will share this thread with him. It's also no where near the point of anything like legal action! I am sure he will be reasonable once we have discussed what to do moving forward, it's early yet. 

Wherever s/he is in Europe, there must be something akin to Trading Standards to whom you can appeal?

[HeadlessBassist]

Yes, I'm afraid that level of finishing looks like the day before plant shutdown at Corona, but worse. I would definitely not accept that level of damage or sloppy workmanship for that kind of money. Get it sent back and rectified. As others have said, it's the luthier's name and reputation at stake here.

[Wolverinebass]

I'd never accept that. The scratches are in themselves beyond any level of acceptability for a new instrument. I don't care if it cost 3 grand or 400 quid, that'd be going back if it was like that. No ifs, no buts. The fact the Luthier has tried to justify this is really properly poor behaviour.

 

Rectified with no shipping costs paid by yourself and a discount for the fact that they shipped a below par instrument to you or full refund. That's the way I'd go.

[LukeFRC]

slightly contry to the popular opinion... 

 

How thin is the finish and how much temperature change was there between you and the builder? 
If the builder was going for a very thin nitro finish, and there was a bit of temperature change between building it and you receiving it- it could have got that sort of cracks.

The anndized guard looks like the screw holes are counter sunk - so care has been taken on at least some parts. 

The neck finishing looks weird - like the fretboards and binding wasn't masked off when the frets were being dressed - my guess (just on the lack of care) is it's a neck bought in rather than made by the builder? 

 

Electronics issues doesn't sound great mind. But should be able to be fixed. 
 

BUT love the colour - a green jazz master bass with a gold guard is like amazing! 

[miles'tone]

So sorry to see this, I feel for you.

If the luthier will read this thread I think it's also worth pointing out that some of the fret tangs are showing through the binding where they shouldn't and those black switch screws look a bit pis$ed, screwed in on an angle.

Totally unacceptable level of care taken here. I hope you get a full refund so you can get one made properly elsewhere as that is a fab idea for a bass you came up with there.

 

Edited Sunday at 19:03 by miles'tone

[pierreganseman]

return. While not crazy money for a custom - still substantial money.

 

even 500 euro sire come better finishes 

Edited Sunday at 21:23 by pierreganseman

[ajkula66]

Return. 

 

 

[Joe Nation]

Don't name and shame until you've put your points across to the builder and got a response - don't let the Basschat horde persuade you otherwise. At the very least they should be given a fair and unbiased chance to right their wrongs.

 

I'd be pushing for full repair/refinish etc, FOC including shipping. Failing that, a hefty partial refund to cover the cost of someone else doing the work (maybe get some quotes if you can). Last resort for me would be a full refund (I assume you want to keep it and they certainly don't want it back).

[slowTwitch]

Any decent luthier would be ashamed to send that out as a representation of their work. That they did is a red flag.

 

 

[kodiakblair]

3 hours ago, Joe Nation said:

Don't name and shame until you've put your points across to the builder and got a response - don't let the Basschat horde persuade you otherwise. At the very least they should be given a fair and unbiased chance to right their wrongs.

Totally agree.

 

 

[N64Lover]

4 hours ago, Joe Nation said:

Don't name and shame until you've put your points across to the builder and got a response - don't let the Basschat horde persuade you otherwise. At the very least they should be given a fair and unbiased chance to right their wrongs.

 

I agree, this is what's happening.

[RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE]

Was this handcrafted in steptoe’s  back yard ?  Is the builder an alcoholic , or falling on tough times?  Sorry to be so blunt , but times are hard as it is .

Are you able to claim small courts if the builder denies responsibility etc?  Hope everything gets sorted .

[Dood]

Would be interested to find out who made this. 

[Obrienp]

Agree with all the views about this being unacceptable.
 

My experience of commissioning a custom bass, which was also a bit of a prototype for the luthier. He was having problems with his spray booth at the time. He made several attempts to get the vintage sunburst right. Showed me the second iteration, while saying I think this is too orange isn’t it. I was about to say actually it’s not bad and he said, I’ll strip it and start again. Third time round, it was spot on as far as I was concerned but he wasn’t entirely happy with it. He had other orders backing up and I said I could live with it but he insisted on giving me a 40% discount! In the end it came out about the same price as Fender were charging for a MIM Mustang P/J. That was with Babicz bridge, expensive machine heads, etc. Later, when I said I was getting a bit of hum (despite the whole thing being shielded with copper tape), he identified a possible phasing issue with the pickups and rewound them for free. He also gave it a free after care service at the 6 month point: dressed any sprouting frets from the fingerboard drying out, set the action, etc.

 

In my view you should be looking for all the issues to be sorted and a hefty discount for the inconvenience. The luthier should pay for any return shipping costs as well.

[Terry M.]

Totally unacceptable like others have stated. The irony is how much individuals will pay for a relic-finished bass. Now THAT totally escapes my understanding but I'm digressing now. Hope you get this sorted.

[jd56hawk]

Sharing the builder's name will not deter those who have had good experiences, but it might help potential buyers from getting screwed.