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Celinder Ain't No Joke!

#21
Hello everybody. I'm still 'on the road' and having fun. Anthony (Dr. Cheese)... thanks for the hang and the compliments. Ditto... it was great to play your basses and you sounded great.

The Celinder is an amazing instrument, and it is unfortunate that Tom has had that finish problem. Luckily, my two are pretty much perfect, but I did have to replace a pot in one of mine (I guess I didn't have to, but it just felt a little loose to me). I tried to get a replacement from Chris, and after many promises... nothing ever was resolved. The good news is, I then called the Greengrove guys, who make the preamp for Chris, and I had my replacement pot, free of charge, within a week. They are FANTASTIC.

It is my opinion that something very bad has happened to Chris's business. His website is down, his quality control has obviously suffered (per Tom's experience). My guess is he's out of business... but that's a pure guess.

I would buy another one in a minute... they are really exceptional instruments. HOWEVER... for those saving and scrimping for that perfect, magic boutique instrument, I would have to say that it seems pretty risky at this point to purchase from Chris... and purely IMO, I'm not sure you will see any of these again.

I hope he can fix the issues, since they really are amazing. My other basses pretty much stay at home now!

K
 
#23
phxlbrmpf said:
Well, I just tried to go to celinder.com and got this:



I just saw the finish flaws on Tom's Celinder and don't really know what to say. How can such a thing happen on a handmade bass for more than 3k?
Click to expand...

I think again, this is an indication something has gone very wrong with Chris... financial, personal, family, etc. While the stories of his customer service seem to have been around for a while, I am not aware of actual product issues. Most of the complaints ranged for a 'lack of handholding' with the customer (a minor thing) to what sounds like almost dishonest business practices regarding deposits, promised deliver dates, accessory shipping, etc. (much more major things).

Given Tom's very long wait, the finish problems, and now the lack of response (it's my understanding that Glenn can't even get in touch with him), it seems something very ugly is going on.

Again, that's very sad, because I've never really played anything like them, and have never owned a bass that literally blows everyone away who plays them.

Let's hope that this all gets resolved for Tom, and that Chris somehow resumes the quality production he has been know for. Quite frankly, his lack of attention to customers is probably a result of his general personality, so that will always be a situation where you will have to decide if that part is a deal breaker when considering an instrument.

K
 
#25
cybersnyder said:
Sounds like he needs a business partner.
Click to expand...

That would be the understatement of the day:hmm:

There where a few stories from reasonably reliable sources talking about Chris opening up US production to speed deiiver dates and to bring the price down in the US (kind of like what Glockenklang has done with their US cabinet line). However, if he's having trouble delivering a quality product from his own shop at the moment, he has no business expanding:rollno:

That being said.... I'd rather have a Celinder with some finish waves on the back than about 90% of other basses that might be perfect:D That in no way excuses the issue, or the way Tom feels (I would be PISSED).... but they sound so good!
 
#29
I've owned 6 Celinders.. They are fantastic instruments..
I bought 3 new and 3 used.. Of the 3 new ones, one was ordered through The Bass Palace and the other two I went directly through Chris himself.. It didn't make much difference going direct.. All three were a hassle, alot of promises, a few not so nice threats on my end, you know the story... I like Chris, he's a nice guy when you talk to him.. I'd like to meet him someday because he builds such a great bass.. All 6 were nice basses and the Shoreline Gold one I have left is great...But business wise it sucks.. He was suppose to have hired somebody awhile ago to handle the day to day operations, but I don't know what became of that.. All in all I would pick up other Celinders maybe in the future and like Britt said, if nobody else wants them I'll be glad to take them.. If I were to order one, it would definitely be through Glenn at Austin Bass Traders.. I think it's great that he's rectifying the finish situation on your bass Tom...
I hope he's back up and running soon and I wish he would get his $h!t together because Celinders are great basses...
 
#30
SCT1422 said:
If I were to order one, it would definitely be through Glenn at Austin Bass Traders.. I think it's great that he's rectifying the finish situation on your bass Tom...
Click to expand...

I can't say it enough, but Glenn is just a super, super guy to deal with, and my appreciation for him has only grown through this ordeal. He totally stands behind his customers. :)
 
#32
KJung said:
+1 As we discussed, if it was me, that thing would have been back for a refund the day it arrived. That would still be my strong recommendation, as you know from our long series of PM's.
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Yeah, except this then dumps on Glenn, because Chris won't back him up. Not that that's Tom's problem, but I can understand Tom's reluctance to do that if there was some other way to really "correct" the flaws. That way, Glenn makes the sale he's earned by being a great businessperson, and Tom gets the bass he paid for in good faith.

Chris, on the other hand... I'm afraid I can't very honestly comment on him without breaking forum rules, so we'll just leave it at that. :mad:
 
#34
Vic said:
Yeah, except this then dumps on Glenn, because Chris won't back him up. Not that that's Tom's problem, but I can understand Tom's reluctance to do that if there was some other way to really "correct" the flaws. That way, Glenn makes the sale he's earned by being a great businessperson, and Tom gets the bass he paid for in good faith:
Click to expand...


+1... this speaks highly for both Tom and Glenn's character, etc.

Also, Tom has mentioned a number of times that the bass sounds amazing, and I think he really does want it. Tough situation.
 
#37
JAUQO III-X said:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Celinder-Update...ryZ10171QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Click to expand...

IMHO, that'd be like buying a Chevy with a Ford engine in it.

...The bass has been upgraded with a $500 (installed) EPro U-Retro 4 band pramp...
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IMHO, not an "upgrade". The Greengrove preamp is part of the heart and soul of these basses. Bass Exchange had one for the LONGEST time (may still) because it'd also had its guts ripped out and replaced by some... some... person... ;)
 
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#38
Vic said:
IMHO, that'd be like buying a Chevy with a Ford engine in it.

IMHO, not an "upgrade". The Greengrove preamp is part of the heart and soul of these basses. Bass Exchange had one for the LONGEST time (may still) because it'd also had its guts ripped out and replaced by some... some... person... ;)
Click to expand...


I agree 110 %
 
#39
phxlbrmpf said:
Well, I just tried to go to celinder.com and got this:

I just saw the finish flaws on Tom's Celinder and don't really know what to say. How can such a thing happen on a handmade bass for more than 3k?
Click to expand...

How it happens.....hmmmmm...well, in the 20+ years I have been modding and building, I have seen this with some incredible luthiers, and it always seems to boil down to the same thing. Taking on more than you can handle.

You start taking shortcuts, making promises, altering your schedule to try to repair flaws in instruments, or apise customers, and you just fall more and more behind, until you are in such a hole, that you just don't want to deal with it.

I AM NOT excusing Chris for his actions, as I believe it is unforgiveable at this point, the tack he has taken with this, and a couple of other situations I am personally aware of.

As a small level builder, you have to know your true limitations. I learned this from Michael Tobias 20 years ago, and it has stuck with me ever since. "Don't try to build more than you are capable of building, and don't cut corners. Limit yourself to what you can complete yearly, and stay on that budget, it will save you lot of grief and let you keep your sanity."

I hope the best will come out of this eventually for Tom.
 
#40
Musiclogic said:
How it happens.....hmmmmm...well, in the 20+ years I have been modding and building, I have seen this with some incredible luthiers, and it always seems to boil down to the same thing. Taking on more than you can handle.

You start taking shortcuts, making promises, altering your schedule to try to repair flaws in instruments, or apise customers, and you just fall more and more behind, until you are in such a hole, that you just don't want to deal with it.

I AM NOT excusing Chris for his actions, as I believe it is unforgiveable at this point, the tack he has taken with this, and a couple of other situations I am personally aware of.

As a small level builder, you have to know your true limitations. I learned this from Michael Tobias 20 years ago, and it has stuck with me ever since. "Don't try to build more than you are capable of building, and don't cut corners. Limit yourself to what you can complete yearly, and stay on that budget, it will save you lot of grief and let you keep your sanity."

I hope the best will come out of this eventually for Tom.
Click to expand...

Sounds like good advice to me.:cool:
 

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