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Frustration on my JERZY DROZD build. Please help me.
- Thread starter benchpress11782
- Start date
I find it hard to believe these guys don't at least have a room with more dried wood to choose from. What does he do, go cut a tree when a bad body comes out? C'mon! I call b/s, and it's not the first I've heard of his (I live in Spain and have couple friends with JDs and both had to stand quite some b/s from the guy -for basses I find pretty average honestly-). Won't elaborate as it's not my first hand experience but let me tell you my first hand experience, some 10 years ago another friend had her Squier "setup" by JD (for a steep charge) and I had to set it up all over again as it was unplayable, to the point I first though it was a joke. This was after a second tweak by the guy as she took it in a second time to try fix the mess, to which the guy posed all kinds of excuses and plain crap (and then classic "blame the Squier" -which had nothing wrong BTW- number and some borderline attitude ontop of it), without solving the problem (can't be done worse, high as hell, yet buzzing like crazy, amazing). Regarding basses they're not my cup of tea at all, I like some shapes but don't like sterile sound (some call it modern), and basic things like a fast neck or nice playability are not any more mind blowing than instruments 1/3rd the price. Thus for me JD has overpriced written all over, so customer neglect does not surprise me at all.
Lorenna just emailed me back. She apologized and said that she has been away for a few days and understands my frustration. Says she will get back to me later. So we'll see. She was always very nice. Again my only problem was the lack of communication. And I am kind of excited to see what top I want. Thanks for the guidance.
No BS. The body wood I selected for the second body, wasn't completely dry and needed time in the kiln. There were other pieces that were dry he could have used, but they weren't the piece I wanted. So how is that Jerzy's fault?
But I am sure those at Fodera have better communication. I know Jason does.
Hey, <stuff> happens sometimes, give them a chance to get caught back up with you, I imagine they have a backlog and had some issues come up either with external forces or builds ahead of yours. Here's hoping for a positive resolution, they're very well respected around here.
- Aug 21, 2003
- 11,619
- 18,701
- Disclosures
- A-Designs Mike Lull GK Tsunami Cables GHS Strings RMI Basswitch Nordstrand Pickups Darkglass
Actually I would never have a long time order without a detailed conversation first. Your just plain words on a screen if you never have spoken.
Some might disagree with this, but honestly nothing beats an old fashioned conversation which I feel is getting lost. I tell folks that want to hire me, give me your number and let's chat with what you want. If they don't I pretty much don't bother. I have pet peeve with social incompetence.
Please respond better I believe that way.
PS. I did not read the above responses. So I'm not sure what others have said.
IMHO if it takes more then 6 months for a build....Move on but that's just me.
But there is a lot more staff at Fodera than just Jason, isn't there. Jerzy is a one man operation now, and Lorenna (Jerzy's significant other) helps out in the office.
Besides building the basses, he is doing other projects like his bass designer's program, luthier workshops, R&D on pickups, and new designs, and finishes. On top of that have a life away from work.
As has been pointed out, several other low production boutique builders have similar wait times for custom builds, and also with communications that can be inconsistent.
Wait times of over a year, and closer to 2 years is more normal in my experience. A custom bass ordered from a high end, low production, boutique builder, completed in 6 months is something I don't think I have ever seen or heard of.
just an aside...At the time my bass was built Xavier Loritta was Jerzy's apprentice. Xavier has since left, and started his own business.
Just thinking out loud: I wonder if they would be more receptive if you spoke Spanish...
I've always wanted a Jerzy Drozd bass, and my favorite designs are the Soul and the Excellency. If I ever order one, I'll use my bilingual ability to grease the skids wherever possible. I have found that, if you speak someone's language, they tend to open up a bit more, and the USA isn't exactly the world's favorite country right now (for good reasons).
I've always wanted a Jerzy Drozd bass, and my favorite designs are the Soul and the Excellency. If I ever order one, I'll use my bilingual ability to grease the skids wherever possible. I have found that, if you speak someone's language, they tend to open up a bit more, and the USA isn't exactly the world's favorite country right now (for good reasons).
Jerzy does speak English pretty good. That was our language of communication.... but he speaks Spanish, and of course Polish. I do not know if he knows any other languages. Possibly Russian and Ukrainian.
All I can say is the two best companies for customer service is Fodera and Lakland hands down
Both much much larger companies. FWIW.
Sounds like you didn't do your homework before you ordered. When I ordered a bass from a custom builder I read every thread on TB that I could find, both good and bad. It seems that if you had done your research, you would know that six months is not realistic, regardless of what they told you.
When you have more business than you can handle, you set the rules. It's really just that simple.
When you have more business than you can handle, you set the rules. It's really just that simple.
Did you request they install pickups from david schwab? Maybe they are waiting for delivery.
