How to deal with a custom builder that misread the spec requests?

[wysiwyg248]

Call them and have the evidence ready (email, build sheet, etc.) in case there is a misunderstanding. Your deposit may be tied up to the build sheet or bass description. This is in case, the argument escalates to the financials.

 

[B-Mac]

I will not mention who the builder in question is but I will mention they are a one man operation as far as I know.

Ordered a custom bass with an approximate wait time of one year. I requested a roasted maple neck. Recently I saw the builder post a photo on their Instagram of a bass(not completed yet) that matches the specs I requested but with a standard maple neck. 99% it is mine as it lines up with the timeline that I was given. I’ve yet to receive completed photos of the bass but I’m starting to get anxious.

I’m curious if anyone has been in a similar situation and how you decided to move forward.

Thank you

If it's a bolt on what fret over it? Maybe the roasted neck isn't ready yet and the neck on it is just temporary?

 

[DrBnz]

Yep... contact them. Tell em how much you like that bass he has posted. Tell him you hope yours is just like that but with a roasted neck. And stop... let him talk from then on

 

[Nightsprinter]

You sure it isn't roasted? This could be Kiesel Roastgate 2.0

 

[jimmydean]

International Law states the bass is free to you, because of the trauma to the bassist , the builder will have to eat the cost . Sometimes life is fair and just.......isn't it ?

 

[themickster]

The when to roast question had to be a joke... It is obviously roasted by the lumber supplier- pre-purchase, not by the builder...

I 'obviously' didn't know. Now I do - obviously.

 

[themickster]

Absolutely not - the purpose of roasting a neck is to relieve the stresses in it, so that it's a stable piece of wood. If you do this after carving, the thing will likely warp. Roasting is done as a blank.

Thank you

 

[Killing Floor]

Some roasted necks aren’t super dark.

 

[micguy]

I feel that there is sarcasm in this thread that has perhaps gone undetected.

 

[Nightsprinter]

Some roasted necks aren’t super dark.

I know for a fact there is at least 1 factory guitar company that puts dye into their roasted maple necks to make them more alluring to the eyeball.

 

[gln1955]

I guarantee a builder would rather deal with an issue like this now rather than after they ship it to you. A friendly inquiry is all it takes to put your mind at ease. I can't imagine why this hasn't been done already.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I guarantee a builder would rather deal with an issue like this now rather than after they ship it to you. A friendly inquiry is all it takes to put your mind at ease. I can't imagine why this hasn't been done already.

This is what I was going to post, I'll just +1 and save some typing. Heh.

 

[HowieD72]

I will not mention who the builder in question is but I will mention they are a one man operation as far as I know.

Ordered a custom bass with an approximate wait time of one year. I requested a roasted maple neck. Recently I saw the builder post a photo on their Instagram of a bass(not completed yet) that matches the specs I requested but with a standard maple neck. 99% it is mine as it lines up with the timeline that I was given. I’ve yet to receive completed photos of the bass but I’m starting to get anxious.

I’m curious if anyone has been in a similar situation and how you decided to move forward.

Thank you

I haven't been in this situation, but if it was me, I'd:
(1) If possible, pop around to his shop and ask for updates, possibly to see it in its current state or
(2) call and ask questions or
(3) email and ask questions and for pictures.

Why sit around and 'fret' about it? Be proactive!

If all else fails....get your money back and buy a Jazz Bass

 

[DJ Bebop]

I’m curious if anyone has been in a similar situation and how you decided to move forward.

Thank you

 

[Luke the Fluke]

Some roasted necks aren’t super dark.

what he said

 

[pcake]

i'd email them very pleasantly and just ask. it's easier with email to keep track of what was said, and easier to copy-paste previous agreements/specs in replies.

 

[Green Knight]

Are you sure?

No.

 

[Green Knight]

Honestly though in 2016 I very publicly didn't know what a PJ was despite having had played for 25 years already, so no judgment from my end!

 

[Spidey2112]

Honestly though in 2016 I very publicly didn't know what a PJ was...

(cue the Monty Python 'Sleep In The Nude' skit).

 

[BassChap]

I will not mention who the builder in question is but I will mention they are a one man operation as far as I know.

Ordered a custom bass with an approximate wait time of one year. I requested a roasted maple neck. Recently I saw the builder post a photo on their Instagram of a bass(not completed yet) that matches the specs I requested but with a standard maple neck. 99% it is mine as it lines up with the timeline that I was given. I’ve yet to receive completed photos of the bass but I’m starting to get anxious.

I’m curious if anyone has been in a similar situation and how you decided to move forward.

Thank you

Any news to share?