Cosmetically imperfect. Clearly centering is off. If it bothers you, I would confront the craftsman to see what he could suggest as a correction. On a practical note, that P pickup will be doing most of the signal generation.
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There was no "old one". This was a new route done by the "pro". He simply botched it.
drugs are bad and here’s why.
in fricken 7th grade “wood shop 101” i was taught how to use routers, jigsaws , templates, etc..
that day i understood enough about carpentry to “nail” most jobs.
years later,.. i still remember how to work with wood and tools!
oh,.. drugs?
never mind!
in fricken 7th grade “wood shop 101” i was taught how to use routers, jigsaws , templates, etc..
that day i understood enough about carpentry to “nail” most jobs.
years later,.. i still remember how to work with wood and tools!
oh,.. drugs?
never mind!
Being overly generous with the 1/4" displacement comment. Looks far more than that when compared to the bridge
Man, all about this pickup installation is wrong from an esthetic point of view. I can understand having a bad day but on the other hand, you have a business and you want to keep it has reliable as possible. He dropped the ball on this one for sure. Hope you get the requested resolution from him, I just can't imagine someone accomplishing such a botched job. I really hope you get a resolution on this.
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- Jan 28, 2009
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As mentioned several times, the only remedy is a new body. Since this is not a stock Fender color I would estimate that to have Fender replace it will run more than $500.
Another option is to get an Allparts (or Warmoth, WD Muisc or other reputable supplier)body (alder or ash) and have it professionally painted to match the color you have.
Several painters that would be up to the task, I'm sure there are a few here on Tb.
Even with this option I feel it will be over $500.
I hate that this happened. Inexcusable in my opinion.
Moonshine
Another option is to get an Allparts (or Warmoth, WD Muisc or other reputable supplier)body (alder or ash) and have it professionally painted to match the color you have.
Several painters that would be up to the task, I'm sure there are a few here on Tb.
Even with this option I feel it will be over $500.
I hate that this happened. Inexcusable in my opinion.
Moonshine
- Mar 8, 2011
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- Authorized greenboy designs builder/Owner of BNA Audio
Man, so sorry that happened.
Been pondering what I would really do if I were in the same situation which I have been, but that's another story. Suppose it boils down to how you feel come Tuesday
EDIT! Hadn't seen that you wrote the guy...good luck!
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Ouch, indeed. There's no excuse for a professional (meaning somebody who takes money for doing that kind of work) botching the job like that.
gravesbass
Supporting Member
- Aug 16, 2006
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Next time you want a PJ pickup config, do yourself a favor, start with a jazz bass body. The alteration will be covered by the pickguard, which also serves as a layout template, or find a J model factory routed for PJ.
If you want a PJ pup config and you just can’t live without a Precision body, go to someplace like the Stratosphere and buy a Deluxe P body with a factory J pup route and swap your hardware over, or just build you a parts bass.
Since P and J necks are interchangeable (except for tele basses) on four bolt MIM and MIA bodies you can pick your favorite body style and neck profile.
As for what happened to OP? It’s an awfully high stupid tax, but it is what it is. If you take it to the same jackleg that screwed it up it’s only going to get worse, so short of getting them to pay for a third party pro repair, your only other opitons are make them replace the bass or write it off as a very expensive lesson in the importance of through vetting of someone before you turn your instrument over to them.
First is rep. How did you find them? Recommendation or yellowpages/internet ad. Second is body of work. Competent craftsmen keep records of their work, to include photos and who they did the work for and should have some actual examples on hand or at least some current projects they can show you. Third, personal endorsements. Whenever i deliver a custom built rod i ask the owner if i can use them for a reference and will gladly do so if a new customer wants to talk to actual users of my work.
The fact that someone tried to slide that crap off is proof of a) incompetence if they didn’t realize what they’d done, or b) a deliberate attempt to screw their customer. If it’s A, you may get some cooperation on a repair or replacement. If it’s B, it’s going to take confrontation and threats of legal action to get any relief. Your third option is accept it as a lesson learned about modding things. Even the best have an occasional “aww chit” moment and for every competent individual there are countless halfazzers who can’t understand why halfazz is not acceptable to most people. In short, it’s a crapshoot and there is never any assurance you are gonna roll a seven.
Either way, best of luck getting what you want out of this mess.
If you want a PJ pup config and you just can’t live without a Precision body, go to someplace like the Stratosphere and buy a Deluxe P body with a factory J pup route and swap your hardware over, or just build you a parts bass.
Since P and J necks are interchangeable (except for tele basses) on four bolt MIM and MIA bodies you can pick your favorite body style and neck profile.
As for what happened to OP? It’s an awfully high stupid tax, but it is what it is. If you take it to the same jackleg that screwed it up it’s only going to get worse, so short of getting them to pay for a third party pro repair, your only other opitons are make them replace the bass or write it off as a very expensive lesson in the importance of through vetting of someone before you turn your instrument over to them.
First is rep. How did you find them? Recommendation or yellowpages/internet ad. Second is body of work. Competent craftsmen keep records of their work, to include photos and who they did the work for and should have some actual examples on hand or at least some current projects they can show you. Third, personal endorsements. Whenever i deliver a custom built rod i ask the owner if i can use them for a reference and will gladly do so if a new customer wants to talk to actual users of my work.
The fact that someone tried to slide that crap off is proof of a) incompetence if they didn’t realize what they’d done, or b) a deliberate attempt to screw their customer. If it’s A, you may get some cooperation on a repair or replacement. If it’s B, it’s going to take confrontation and threats of legal action to get any relief. Your third option is accept it as a lesson learned about modding things. Even the best have an occasional “aww chit” moment and for every competent individual there are countless halfazzers who can’t understand why halfazz is not acceptable to most people. In short, it’s a crapshoot and there is never any assurance you are gonna roll a seven.
Either way, best of luck getting what you want out of this mess.
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
Chalk it up to experience is a last resort. It was put on a credit card so the call is going in to dispute this morning. I will ask for compensation as this was $1500 instrument that is now only worth the cost of parts.
Can we ask what this work cost? The last time I had two pickups routed in it set me back $40. My guy is a pro who made and used a template as well.
Anyway, you are not out or entitled to a new bass body. You did not drop of a new bass so why would you get one? The shop owner owes you the value of the body when you took it in to him. Additionally, a refinish is a perfectly acceptable option as it would restore your property to what it was. Hopefully the tech is a reasonable person and this all goes smoothly for you.
Way too much work. You're better off buying another USA P body....probably cheaper. USA Custom Guitars is currently building me a ash/spalt maple top Jazz body for $295. Without a finish, that is. The OP should go with a large humbucking bridge pickup with split coil option, done by a competent luthier.Nah. Not only way.
All you need to do is to get a qualified luthier to take out the jazz pickup and then build a wood piece out of whatever your body wood like say alder in the exact shape of a jazz pickup to fit the wrongly placed hole, Glue it in. Sand it flat on the top. the rerout the J pickup hole again in the proper location and repaint the entire bass body. Simple.
I feel really bad for the OP, but man, why would you do this to an American Design Experience bass?
Not trying to be a jerk, I'm on your side, and really hope you can get this resolved to your satisfaction.
But let it be a lesson, local "luthier" shops cannot be trusted to do quality work.
Do everything you can to avoid having to use these people for anything!
Probably should have bought a body with a factory-cut Jazz route upfront, and put the ADE body in a box somewhere.
Good luck, man, I'm pulling for you.
Not trying to be a jerk, I'm on your side, and really hope you can get this resolved to your satisfaction.
But let it be a lesson, local "luthier" shops cannot be trusted to do quality work.
Do everything you can to avoid having to use these people for anything!
Probably should have bought a body with a factory-cut Jazz route upfront, and put the ADE body in a box somewhere.
Good luck, man, I'm pulling for you.
You got f****d by this guy.
I had a very expensive, very difficult to replace, uncommon, and unusual bass routed for a bridge pickup and the total cost for the routing, drilling for a side jack, and shipping from NY to California was under $150. And it is perfect. Perfect. Like a machine did it at the factory. Since I had the body refinished at the same time, no one will ever know it wasn't like this from the factory unless they ask.
The suggestion to resize the route and insert a block and reroute is what should happen by someone with skill and experience. But based on this situation, the guy owes you a new body, it is evident that he doesn't have the ability to do the job right let alone, do the fix.
That's a solution. I have been down that road before and FWIW once you've invested the time away from work and your own efforts even if you win the case, the next step is actually collecting the money.
Before any angry emails are exchanged maybe the OP should take a day or two to cool down, then CALL the guy personally. Email him the pictures AFTER THE CALL and explain how the work is very substandard to what he was wanting. If an email exchange takes place before a call, most guys will end up posturing and ending up painting themselves in the corner, and it's no longer about the bass.
Call him then email the pictures. Your best bet is to ask him to pay for a new body with the PJ configuration painted and finished, and he should install it. EDIT: Maybe he shouldn't do the work!
Good luck and let us know how it turned out!
