Club Alleva-Coppolo (Part 14)

[YCBass]

The prices Vic posted are still in the ballpark, I don't know the exact figures... BUT, just wait til NAMM as Jimmy is working on a few things... I'll leave it at that.

 

[KJung]

The prices Vic posted are still in the ballpark, I don't know the exact figures... BUT, just wait til NAMM as Jimmy is working on a few things... I'll leave it at that.

I just hope he makes sure these ridiculously late orders (like my buddy Vision's LM5) are completed before filling the NAMM booth with new basses That will get him many more sales IMO than spending time doing 'one off' short scale instruments and special models for top end players who seem, for the most part, to not end up playing them anyway.

 

[chris.gotfunk]

The prices Vic posted are still in the ballpark, I don't know the exact figures... BUT, just wait til NAMM as Jimmy is working on a few things... I'll leave it at that.

Interesting, I am curious as to what he has in store.... any other hints?

 

[peterpalmieri]

I would agree with ken. As someone who waited 14 months for my bass and watched NAMM and BPL take front seat to my outstanding order. No offense to jimmy but the extended wait would certainly be a major factor in ordering a bass when there are other builders who are dead on with there delivery.

Not that i need another bass the LM5 is so awesome i dont even spend much time posting anymore.

Pete

 

[YCBass]

I just hope he makes sure these ridiculously late orders (like my buddy Vision's LM5) are completed before filling the NAMM booth with new basses That will get him many more sales IMO than spending time doing 'one off' short scale instruments and special models for top end players who seem, for the most part, to not end up playing them anyway.

I would agree with ken. As someone who waited 14 months for my bass and watched NAMM and BPL take front seat to my outstanding order. No offense to jimmy but the extended wait would certainly be a major factor in ordering a bass when there are other builders who are dead on with there delivery.

Not that i need another bass the LM5 is so awesome i dont even spend much time posting anymore.

Pete

Hey Ken/Peter,
I'm in the same boat as Jason, his order was only 4 days ahead of mine, at least his body is painted and the neck is at paint - neither piece for mine is... But it's Jimmy's thing and I can only offer suggestions... At the end of the day it's the Coppolo way. Either you like it or you don't, and the way this club has seemed lately, it leans on don't.

And as for your signature bass comment, it was 1 bass. C'mon.

And as to Peter's comment about BP Live, most of those basses were orders that were displayed, not new basses.

 

[KJung]

Hey Ken/Peter,
I'm in the same boat as Jason, his order was only 4 days ahead of mine, at least his body is painted and the neck is at paint - neither piece for mine is... But it's Jimmy's thing and I can only offer suggestions... At the end of the day it's the Coppolo way. Either you like it or you don't, and the way this club has seemed lately, it leans on don't.

And as for your signature bass comment, it was 1 bass. C'mon.

And as to Peter's comment about BP Live, most of those basses were orders that were displayed, not new basses.

Since I feel a bit responsible for some of these guys' orders (since I was recommending these basses pretty strongly prior to last year's NAMM), it leaves a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. As soon as Jason's order is complete, I'm back to a totally neutral observer, and will most likely (like Peter) just stay off the thread from this point on and enjoy the two A-C's I've owned for quite a long time now.

 

[peterpalmieri]

I am not bitter about it at all just stating the obvious. As many of us who can afford one of these basses, we understand the reality of our own business which is set expectations and deliver as promised. Stuff happens things get delayed or prioritized. I just think it would be better to say there is a two year wait, then when you deliver in 16 months you look like a hero.

I dont like it when someone says theyll get back to me in 5 minutes and it turns into 2 hours or the next day.

Prefer under promise over deliver to over promise under deliver.

 

[Vic]

Hey Ken/Peter,
I'm in the same boat as Jason, his order was only 4 days ahead of mine, at least his body is painted and the neck is at paint - neither piece for mine is... But it's Jimmy's thing and I can only offer suggestions... At the end of the day it's the Coppolo way. Either you like it or you don't, and the way this club has seemed lately, it leans on don't.

Honestly tho, does this really seem unreasonable, all things considered?

FWIW, I echo Ken's and Peter's sentiments on this. Customers who've already paid and/or committed the money, REALLY should come first. Period. Done. End of story. (IMHO)

I can totally understand late orders with a small shop. Totally. BUT, when orders are late and you're spending time working on a lot of side projects and fringe products, that can "sting" a bit with customers, and I think understandably so.

It's been a LONG time since Jimmy's chimed in here, too. It's always in a vendor's best interests to generally avoid web forum "bickering", but it is typically good for them to at least step in once in a while and simply state their case for a given controversial topic. Just the facts ma'am, and move on. This is also because they rarely have the time to really get involved and do a lot of posting (which is a GOOD thing on several levels... including being "safe" on the TB CUP, as well as just avoiding time impact to orders currently being worked on, etc.)

Here's the thing...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE what Jimmy can do... LOVE it... I want to see him succeed like crazy and grow, and be around for a LONG time doing what he's capable of. I'm just concerned that he's making a lot of short sighted choices that will burn him bad in the long run, and honestly, I don't want to see that happen... I'm a total fan of his designs and abilities.

Then again, maybe TB doesn't amount to all that much in his overall customer base, and everything is beautiful everywhere else, and this doesn't amount to a hill of beans in the grand scheme of things. I have no way of knowing for sure, and I realize that, so all the usual disclaimers and FWIW, of course.

All I care about, honestly, again, is seeing Jimmy be around for a LONG time to come. Not many folks doing exactly what he can do, and it's COOL!

 

[TimothyGroovy]

Honestly tho, does this really seem unreasonable, all things considered?

FWIW, I echo Ken's and Peter's sentiments on this. Customers who've already paid and/or committed the money, REALLY should come first. Period. Done. End of story. (IMHO)

I can totally understand late orders with a small shop. Totally. BUT, when orders are late and you're spending time working on a lot of side projects and fringe products, that can "sting" a bit with customers, and I think understandably so.

It's been a LONG time since Jimmy's chimed in here, too. It's always in a vendor's best interests to generally avoid web forum "bickering", but it is typically good for them to at least step in once in a while and simply state their case for a given controversial topic. Just the facts ma'am, and move on. This is also because they rarely have the time to really get involved and do a lot of posting (which is a GOOD thing on several levels... including being "safe" on the TB CUP, as well as just avoiding time impact to orders currently being worked on, etc.)

Here's the thing...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE what Jimmy can do... LOVE it... I want to see him succeed like crazy and grow, and be around for a LONG time doing what he's capable of. I'm just concerned that he's making a lot of short sighted choices that will burn him bad in the long run, and honestly, I don't want to see that happen... I'm a total fan of his designs and abilities.

Then again, maybe TB doesn't amount to all that much in his overall customer base, and everything is beautiful everywhere else, and this doesn't amount to a hill of beans in the grand scheme of things. I have no way of knowing for sure, and I realize that, so all the usual disclaimers and FWIW, of course.

All I care about, honestly, again, is seeing Jimmy be around for a LONG time to come. Not many folks doing exactly what he can do, and it's COOL!

+1 to Vic!!!!

 

[mothra2]

+1 to Vic!!!!

+2 to Vic.

 

[svtb15]

You know it seems there is a love hate here for Jimmy.... If it goes your way you love him. if you have to wait.. you hate him.. Pretty fickle group.. Just my opinion... Hey i had to wait 14 months for mine..Im not whining, am I? I know other builders that there is a 2 year wait... just wait.. be patient.. damn!

I will say that Jimmy is an Artist.. As you all must realize by now.. I realized that 25 years ago... and loved all that he has done with my gear.. One sided maybe. but its my experience.
Well being an artist has its ups and downs.. he is not a weekend warrior or a corporate style builder.. Each piece he makes is a heart felt, hand selected and selected museum piece.. IMO.
Only a few have had the chance to see the passion and expertise that goes into creating each timeless piece. If that weren't true this thread would have been dead long ago.
So like i said, He is an artist.. Artists need room to breathe and grow... he doest put his stuff together with precision parts and send it out with an inspection sticker.
He breathes and lives his dream... Give him some room to breathe! geeez

 

[KJung]

You know it seems there is a love hate here for Jimmy.... If it goes your way you love him. if you have to wait.. you hate him.. Pretty fickle group.. Just my opinion... Hey i had to wait 14 months for mine..Im not whining, am I?

I don't get your point. Yes, those who get a well made instrument delivered on time as promised will be happy. Those that don't will not be. What does that have to do with 'fickle'

No 'hate' here for Jimmy at all... we all wish him the best. If we didn't care, we would all just move on. However, anyone who thinks it is OK to wait 14 months for an instrument promised in 7 or 8 or whatever, and then, for some, getting instruments with noticable flaws, etc. is IMO delusional.

Again, no big deal, except that I feel bad about being a part of putting a few guys in this situation. I hope they don't lose another 2 months based on NAMM preparation and recovery.

This reminds me a bit of the Fodera situation that they fell into for a while. They eventually came out of it (with some outside help) and are now back to firing on all cylinders. I hope that is the case with Jimmy.

 

[svtb15]

Well read it again.. I thought it was very clear!
Man some people here, ,not you... will find flaws with Mother Teresa.Ghandi and Jesus. Just saying'

I don't get your point.

.

 

[svtb15]

Now that is bordering on whining.. Remember, you never put anyone in a situation.. People put themselves s in situations..
Thats the big picture!

Again, no big deal, except that I feel bad about being a part of putting a few guys in this situation. I hope they don't lose another 2 months based on NAMM preparation and recovery.

 

[Vic]

Well read it again.. I thought it was very clear!
Man some people here, ,not you... will find flaws with Mother Teresa.Ghandi and Jesus. Just saying'

Well, I hope you weren't referring to me (tho I fear you may be), because if so, then you missed my point.

Just in case, I specifically said long wait times are not a problem (at least for me) from a small busy shop. Honestly. I think the objection is, that he seems to have chosen to work on other fairly narrow market stuff when it would probably be better to spend that time working on the orders that are already late.

 

[svtb15]

If i meant you i would have said you..
You ought to know me by now.
Now maybe we could be nice from here on out.

Well, I hope you weren't referring to me (tho I fear you may be), because if so, then you missed my point.

Just in case, I specifically said long wait times are not a problem (at least for me) from a small busy shop. Honestly. I think the objection is, that he seems to have chosen to work on other fairly narrow market stuff when it would probably be better to spend that time working on the orders that are already late.

 

[Chef]

Or, maybe everyone could be nice all the time...

 

[Vic]

If i meant you i would have said you..
You ought to know me by now.
Now maybe we could be nice from here on out.

Well, you didn't say who, so I couldn't be sure. I guess I didn't know I was an exception. And for the record, I've been keeping the shiny side up pretty well here. Even though I'm voicing concerns, I think I've done a good job of keeping it on the positive side. I was not BS'ing or padding my post when I said I wanted to see Jimmy do well. It's just the simple truth.

 

[svtb15]

If stuff went south with Jimmy I would voice it... I am an equal opportunity interrogator.. But my experience with him i have not found that...
And i know him as an Artist just not a builder... And me as a musician and just not a bass player i get that part of it.

 

[peterpalmieri]

I understand kirks point. In regards to my build i went with the one piece neck, bullet truss rod. It took longer then jimmy expected and i was totally cool with that.

With that being said if i ordered a standard spec model and was told 6-9 months and i ended up waiting over a year i probably wouldnt be all that happy.

Again its just a matter of properly setting expectations and being realistic.

Finally with a small handful of really great builders out there, who regularly deliver an exceptional product on schedule i am sure cleaning this up can only help business.