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Custom Bass Wait Support Group Needed [Part 3]

#581
bassplayer7770 said:
Pete Hanewinckel quoted 16-20 weeks for my bass. It was about 20 weeks when we originally shipped the bass to me. Unfortunately, I had some issues with the pickups being microphonic, so I ended up having to send the bass back to Pete H. He has wound new pickups, potted them, and installed a Villex Passive Rotary Tone Booster, and the bass is due to be delivered at my doorstep sometime tomorrow. So, in total, it has been 26.5 weeks since Pete received my deposit...
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26.5 weeks is still a decent turnaround to have had the bass, send it back and get it back again correct. I've got nothing but some pics from last september or so... and nothing to go on. My issue I guess is communication. If external stuff is hindering the build, then be honest with me and say it and let me have the option of cutting my losses and moving to someone else or being understanding (which I have been) and continuing on with the build even though its wayyyy past schedule. I guess that is what is bothering me the most. The black hole of communication.

Am I being whiny here?
 
#583
Ammioz77 said:
26.5 weeks is still a decent turnaround to have had the bass, send it back and get it back again correct. I've got nothing but some pics from last september or so... and nothing to go on. My issue I guess is communication. If external stuff is hindering the build, then be honest with me and say it and let me have the option of cutting my losses and moving to someone else or being understanding (which I have been) and continuing on with the build even though its wayyyy past schedule. I guess that is what is bothering me the most. The black hole of communication.

Am I being whiny here?
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It's hard to say. I'm on my third custom build, two completed from Chris Stambaugh and one in progress from Alan at ACG and the two are very different in terms of communication and estimated timelines. Chris can take a week to answer an email (though he most often picked up if I called) and gave estimates that proved far too optimistic while Alan responds to email VERY fast and has only been delayed by me changing my neck woods.

The point is that it depends on the builder and their reputation. Still, even with Chris running into more issues than usual and his habit of underestimating build times my bass was less than 3 months past the date he gave me and done in 10 months total.

A year and a half is a long time, especially if you were quoted something different. And it's made worse by the lack of communication. I'm a pretty patient guy but I'd expect to be notified of such significant delays. What was his original build estimate and what reason has he given you for the delay?
 
#584
Jared Lash said:
It's hard to say. I'm on my third custom build, two completed from Chris Stambaugh and one in progress from Alan at ACG and the two are very different in terms of communication and estimated timelines. Chris can take a week to answer an email (though he most often picked up if I called) and gave estimates that proved far too optimistic while Alan responds to email VERY fast and has only been delayed by me changing my neck woods.

The point is that it depends on the builder and their reputation. Still, even with Chris running into more issues than usual and his habit of underestimating build times my bass was less than 3 months past the date he gave me and done in 10 months total.

A year and a half is a long time, especially if you were quoted something different. And it's made worse by the lack of communication. I'm a pretty patient guy but I'd expect to be notified of such significant delays. What was his original build estimate and what reason has he given you for the delay?
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8-10 months was the original. And there were some health issues in the way, which were communicated. But that was several months ago. Ironic that you mentioned Stambaugh as I've been offered the sale of one of Chris' 8 strings by a good, good friend of mine who just can't play it anymore due to medical issues. Its a beautiful bass and also ironically, about a third less then what mine will cost me AND it has one extra string... its becoming a real temptation lol! (Although trying to sneak it into the house will be an isssue lol)
 
#585
Ammioz77 said:
8-10 months was the original. And there were some health issues in the way, which were communicated. But that was several months ago. Ironic that you mentioned Stambaugh as I've been offered the sale of one of Chris' 8 strings by a good, good friend of mine who just can't play it anymore due to medical issues. Its a beautiful bass and also ironically, about a third less then what mine will cost me AND it has one extra string... its becoming a real temptation lol! (Although trying to sneak it into the house will be an isssue lol)
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I wonder if it's Mark Robert's or Mark Beem's old 8 string. I know Chris has done a number of them, but I think those are the only two in the gallery in my sig.

Chris does fantastic work at great prices. And I think the reason his times are often off is because he has such thin margins so he has to constantly be building basses. That's why I'm always surprised when I read about builders going so far past the original dates. Most small luthiers have to move a number of instruments each month to stay in business and pay their bills. If your builder was knocked out by health issues for a significant time and he's a full time luthier then he was likely in a very bad spot for a while.

Best of luck.
 
#586
6 months in and I'm starting to get the itch...

Having a bass built by Scott B. MacDonald. You can see the preliminary woods, pickups, covers, etc. here:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=538130&highlight=

Quilted Koa top, flame maple center (nice balance against top and back wood) and claro walnut back. Believe it or not, the top wood is the same thickness as the back wood! Neck is going to be quartersawn flame maple with ebony that Scott has been drying for 10 years...long before I picked up a bass :) Lindy Fralin Humcanceling J's 8% overwound, passive bass.

Looking at the pics in this thread has been very very cool, as people have had some amazing basses built with both familiar and unorthodox specs. Ok...back to looking at them! :bassist:
 
#587
Jared Lash said:
I wonder if it's Mark Robert's or Mark Beem's old 8 string. I know Chris has done a number of them, but I think those are the only two in the gallery in my sig.

Chris does fantastic work at great prices. And I think the reason his times are often off is because he has such thin margins so he has to constantly be building basses. That's why I'm always surprised when I read about builders going so far past the original dates. Most small luthiers have to move a number of instruments each month to stay in business and pay their bills. If your builder was knocked out by health issues for a significant time and he's a full time luthier then he was likely in a very bad spot for a while.

Best of luck.
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Its Mark Roberts' old 8.. and the pups have been upgraded significantly. I love it the few times I've played it. Suprisingly lightweight, balances well and is just a dream to play!
 
#588
for wait times, you need to take into account the builder's history (which i hope you looked into before putting your deposit in).

in my situation, i paid in full for a 5 string Carl Thompson semi-frills which was to be part of the semi-frills run that carl recently offered. they were quoted at about 15 months, but when i gave carl the deposit, he said he thought 6 months. it has now been just over a year since i paid and the first semi-frills basses are starting to ship. mine i know is a special bass from the series and will likely be the last one done.

after recently picking up a Hilton (pete builds with Carl), i had the chance to chat with pete. he mentioned that he isn't involved in knowing about orders or anything and just shows up to build and learn, but he said he was pretty sure that all the necks were carved for the semi-frills series and that's the most work for these since the bodies are machine cut and then final sanded by the guys in the shop. otherwise, the ordering process is pretty much a black hole for me. i knew this going in though. i'm hopeful to have my bass before the end of the year, but understand the situation.

i don't think it is unreasonable to ask for regular updates if that's the way the builder does business. however, they don't all do things the same. most are off on their estimates by a LOT. before putting in a custom order you need to know that and understand how your builder works.

personal issues aside, you are still the customer and you still owe a balance on the instrument. i don't think you'd be out of line asking the builder to scrap the project if you really are annoyed with the process and the added wait time. sometimes the threat of pulling out can light the fire to get your instrument put to the top of the list...however, it could backfire on you and you could have a legal problem on your hands to get your cash back.

why not call the builder and tell him how you feel? explain that you understand about the personal issues, but you are frustrated and ready to pull the plug. perhaps you can come to an agreement that makes you satisfied, like every other week updates so you can see work is actually getting done on your bass. you don't want to be in the situation that many contractors put home owners in where they start a project and before finishing it, take on another project.
 
#590
and ordered a Unicornbass ! :D

Specs:
Unicorn Artist 3200 5-string
- Set neck.
- 32", 24 frets.
- Mahogany body.
- Bookmatched Koa top with matching headstock.
- Maple neck with Wenge laminations.
- Rosewood fretboard.
- 2-piece bridge (in the style of Alembic/Warwick).
- Quad mk. II-pickups. (basically ceramic blade pickups with 3 selectable coils combinations on each pickup).
- Trinity quad-preamp (4-band).
- Black accent veneer between body and top wood.
- Black hardware with gold bridge saddles for accent.

Need I say I'm a "bit" excited? :D
 
#591
The_Owl said:
and ordered a Unicornbass ! :D

Specs:
Unicorn Artist 3200 5-string
- Set neck.
- 32", 24 frets.
- Mahogany body.
- Bookmatched Koa top with matching headstock.
- Maple neck with Wenge laminations.
- Rosewood fretboard.
- 2-piece bridge (in the style of Alembic/Warwick).
- Quad mk. II-pickups. (basically ceramic blade pickups with 3 selectable coils combinations on each pickup).
- Trinity quad-preamp (4-band).
- Black accent veneer between body and top wood.
- Black hardware with gold bridge saddles for accent.

Need I say I'm a "bit" excited? :D
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Yes, quite nice. Very Alembic like....
 
#595
Ok i'll add mine, just because the very first parts of the bass have been started.

My bass is being made by finnish luthier Marko Ursin (MPU basses)

Spec:

- 6 string, single cut, neck thru
- 33" Scale
- 24 fret (with zero fret)
- Figured Walnut top and matching headstock veneer
- Alder body wings
- Wenge neck
- Birdseye maple fretboard
- Figured walnut radiused ramp
- Name inlay on 12th fret (Mother of Pearl)
- Brass Nut
- Custom black dot fret marker layout

- Schaller bridge (black and gold) 18mm string spacing
- Bartolini G6 soapbar pickups
- Aguilar OBP-3 pre amp with added mute switch and push/pull passive/active tone control (thanks line6man)
- Black and Gold GOTOH tuners (4 black 2 Gold)
- Gold fretwire
- Rotosound Swing strings

12th fret Inlay pic

3953185077_8249c2b41b_m.png
 

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