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Mikeyswood - BUYER BEWARE

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#301
I may be more "grammar-concerned" than most, but to me, Mikey's writing seemed really...off.

Like those spam emails you get whenever you post something on Craigslist.

Way too wordy, way too much passive voice, circular arguments, etc.

It was in sharp contrast with my first experience dealing with a smaller-volume builder; my first Dingwall bass.

I pick up the phone and dial the number for Dingwall; after 2-rings, it gets picked up:
"Dingwall Guitars, Sheldon Dingwall speaking..."

I explain the issue/problem (half of the neck pickup went out)

He replies "Dude! That sucks, I'm so sorry! What's your address?"

I give him my address and before I even state what I would LIKE to happen, he asks if I'm comfortable soldering in a replacement.

When I say that I am, he tells me that he's going to OVERNIGHT me the pickup (and a set of strings for my trouble).

That's the kind of personal attention that one-on-one dealings with a luthier SHOULD yield.

I don't think it's any coincidence that the price of Dingwall basses has almost doubled in the 9-years since then -- and people are happy to wait because the communication and customer service are fantastic.

It's great to see that this passion and precision are common among the GOOD luthiers out there.

But it sucks when the good guys have to do damage control for the a-holes...
 
#303
Also, just a random thought about what has transpired. I've noticed this thread contains some heated commentary from folks who have not been regular posters in the LC but who have been incensed by the cavalier attitude of the man in question. Please note that things like this don't happen all at once, they inevitably develop over time.

I'm a person who befriended Mikey way back when. Sure he was caustic, but it did not start out as intense as things have gotten recently or in relation to this thread. Its not like he's some serial-killing criminal mastermind whom we knew about and knowingly enabled. He was just another guy with a bit of a cynical approach and did not suffer fools well - initially. I was not necessarily turned off by this as the internet is full of such heavy-handed commentary, and this site is a pretty unusual and unrepresentative site in regards to forum communication - this is about as family friendly and respectful as it gets.

Its unfortunate that things have gotten to where they were, I'm a firm believer that people don't choose to conduct themselves in an inappropriate manner, situations develop and we always rationalize to ourselves that we are doing the right thing at the right time. We can all speculate until we're blue about what his motives were/are, but none of us will know and there isn't much point until we hear from him directly. I do suspect we won't and if I were in his shoes, I probably would not either - how could he possibly win over this crowd? No matter what he said by way of explanation would probably not be received well and would have to lie in the context of what's already been posted by Alex. He does not have a simple explanation ahead if any.

We all have situations in our lives that if exposed, would probably result in some serious embarrassment. Maybe not like this one, but we all have our demons, and comparing him to someone like Dr. Bass, or other who have been exposed, tried to make amends and then continued to rip people off is a little unfair here. He's only done it once yet and still deserves, as we all do, an opportunity to make it right.

I'll also state for the record, that it is my own professional opinion, that he does not in fact meet criteria for diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. That's quite a leap from what's been observed here of his behaviour. We don't have access to enough information to make preliminary diagnoses, and even if we did, it would be patently inappropriate to publicize them...

To reiterate though, I do not in any way endorse or condone what he appears to have done to Alex, and I do think that it is a really awesome example of TB camaraderie to offer to build him a bass!
 
#305
Beej said:
I'll also state for the record, that it is my own professional opinion, that he does not in fact meet criteria for diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. That's quite a leap from what's been observed here of his behaviour. We don't have access to enough information to make preliminary diagnoses, and even if we did, it would be patently inappropriate to publicize them...
Click to expand...

Uhhh, excuse me. This is TalkBass. We know what we're talking about. Psychiatry, medicine, law, economics - we know.
 
#306
Beej said:
Also, just a random thought about what has transpired. I've noticed this thread contains some heated commentary from folks who have not been regular posters in the LC but who have been incensed by the cavalier attitude of the man in question. Please note that things like this don't happen all at once, they inevitably develop over time.

I'm a person who befriended Mikey way back when. Sure he was caustic, but it did not start out as intense as things have gotten recently or in relation to this thread. Its not like he's some serial-killing criminal mastermind whom we knew about and knowingly enabled. He was just another guy with a bit of a cynical approach and did not suffer fools well - initially. I was not necessarily turned off by this as the internet is full of such heavy-handed commentary, and this site is a pretty unusual and unrepresentative site in regards to forum communication - this is about as family friendly and respectful as it gets.

Its unfortunate that things have gotten to where they were, I'm a firm believer that people don't choose to conduct themselves in an inappropriate manner, situations develop and we always rationalize to ourselves that we are doing the right thing at the right time. We can all speculate until we're blue about what his motives were/are, but none of us will know and there isn't much point until we hear from him directly. I do suspect we won't and if I were in his shoes, I probably would not either - how could he possibly win over this crowd? No matter what he said by way of explanation would probably not be received well and would have to lie in the context of what's already been posted by Alex. He does not have a simple explanation ahead if any.

We all have situations in our lives that if exposed, would probably result in some serious embarrassment. Maybe not like this one, but we all have our demons, and comparing him to someone like Dr. Bass, or other who have been exposed, tried to make amends and then continued to rip people off is a little unfair here. He's only done it once yet and still deserves, as we all do, an opportunity to make it right.

I'll also state for the record, that it is my own professional opinion, that he does not in fact meet criteria for diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. That's quite a leap from what's been observed here of his behaviour. We don't have access to enough information to make preliminary diagnoses, and even if we did, it would be patently inappropriate to publicize them...

To reiterate though, I do not in any way endorse or condone what he appears to have done to Alex, and I do think that it is a really awesome example of TB camaraderie to offer to build him a bass!
Click to expand...
Beej - that seems like a very fair (perhaps overly so) and thoughtful post. Thanks.
 
#307
miziomix said:
Alex, would you like to share the specs of your bass so we can all look into it and together agree on the best course of action? thanks.
Click to expand...

Hi Folks,

Everytime I log onto this site, I am further amazed by the support this community is showing, both through PM and in this thread.

Here is the state of play -
John Turner has asked Mike directly for his side of the story, in an attempt to help me. There was a bit more to it than that, but John has my back and is trying to work this out for me. It was via PM, so I won't disclose anything beyond that.

I have told Mike that if he will let go of the neck blank (he actually has two identical ones), a bridge, pickup and tuners and let a TBer pick them of, I will call it a day with him.

To the best of my knowledge he has not responded to John, and definitely not me.

If at the end of this I can salvage something that ends up in the shape of a Pagelli, with 38" scale fretless and four strings tuned an octave low, the rest of the specs don't matter. I wanted a "sub bass".

Mike's talks about being a "political leader, are, as far as I know, in relation to him being the director of the Cincy Blues Fest.

***cough ***delusions of grandeur ***cough***

I do not think he is running for office.

Mike's facebook profile is public (I think). Check out his notes on this page http://www.facebook.com/mikeyswood/notes most of which are complaining about customer service. OH. THE. IRONY.

As for all the offers of help, thank you again. So much. At this point in time however, I believe it is pertinent to see if Mike either responds to JT or the offer I made him before continuing down the path of taking up this amazing, and genuinely heart warming offer of a collaboration.

Sunday PM Cincy time is my "give up date". Even after give up date, there will still be strong pressure to make his ways known outside of talkbass. I am taking care of that.

I said in a PM to John Turner that it's quite a common thing among Aussie blokes to say "I owe you a carton" (of beer), when they do you a favour. Looks like I need to start a brewery!!

Alex

P.S Marko, one of your pickups would be kinda amazing ;)

P.P.S. Please don't post anything on Mike's facebook page to enrage him. Not yet, at least ;)
 
#308
Ivan M said:
Here is something that may help, He is now a politician so he says, have someone in Cincinnati call the press and tell them how this politician has scammed some one out of 1,500 dollars, if it gets to the news, he will have no choice but to make things right, or risk his political career from going any further, just a thought. Sorry for all the trouble you are going thru.
Click to expand...

If you follow this link: Invalid Link Removed ...you'll find the email addresses of the people in the blues society he works for. The president might be interested in hearing how his festival director treats his fellow musicians. ;)
 
#310
From his notes (so deliciously ironic, as mentioned above):

"As prominence in my career and City rise I am no longer bearing the burden of telling people why a brand of sunglasses matters. My newfound optical purity allows me to see it doesn’t."

A man destined to such greatness can no longer busy himself with the little people, nipping his heels for some petty matter such as the completion of a mere musical instrument.

The higher the monkey climbs, the more he will expose, as the saying goes.
 
#311
Beej said:
We can all speculate until we're blue about what his motives were/are, but none of us will know and there isn't much point until we hear from him directly. I do suspect we won't and if I were in his shoes, I probably would not either - how could he possibly win over this crowd? No matter what he said by way of explanation would probably not be received well and would have to lie in the context of what's already been posted by Alex. He does not have a simple explanation ahead if any.
Click to expand...

To me its simple.. give the dude his money back so he can get someone else to do it..plain and simple... He's obviously not overly concerned with winning anyone over. He's made a statement that building has taken a secondary step in his life.

I'm sorry personal stuff does happen but you take that into account when you begin any kind of business. He should have a level of insurance persay to get through the lean times. Im sorry to me its just a really bad excuse. You mean you would allow xyz company to keep your money..not render services...and not expect anything... he got a free loan to take care of his "personal problems"
 
#313
Beej said:
Also, just a random thought about what has transpired. I've noticed this thread contains some heated commentary from folks who have not been regular posters in the LC but who have been incensed by the cavalier attitude of the man in question. Please note that things like this don't happen all at once, they inevitably develop over time.
Click to expand...

Posting does not equal reading, I used to read every thread(and post a bit) until he started dominating them with his, caustic a believe you called it, attitude. For some reason, the LC was a lot less fun and interesting at that point. I know I'm not the only one either. A mate of mine who was a builder told me a quite similar story, and said he wasn't the only builder discouraged either.
 
#315
Joshua said:
OK here we go:

1) Yes, it was someone using a dup acct.
2) No, it was not Mikeyswood.
3) I've handled it. In the future, please report the post. It makes it much harder to clean up when the post is quoted.
4) Let's try and stay focused on the primary point of this thread; a successful resolve to this business arrangement.
Click to expand...

"What was said? I'd like to know! Was it Mikeyswood or someone in Idaho? (chee)"

Beej said:
Also, just a random thought about what has transpired. I've noticed this thread contains some heated commentary from folks who have not been regular posters in the LC but who have been incensed by the cavalier attitude of the man in question. Please note that things like this don't happen all at once, they inevitably develop over time.

I'm a person who befriended Mikey way back when. Sure he was caustic, but it did not start out as intense as things have gotten recently or in relation to this thread. Its not like he's some serial-killing criminal mastermind whom we knew about and knowingly enabled. He was just another guy with a bit of a cynical approach and did not suffer fools well - initially. I was not necessarily turned off by this as the internet is full of such heavy-handed commentary, and this site is a pretty unusual and unrepresentative site in regards to forum communication - this is about as family friendly and respectful as it gets.

Its unfortunate that things have gotten to where they were, I'm a firm believer that people don't choose to conduct themselves in an inappropriate manner, situations develop and we always rationalize to ourselves that we are doing the right thing at the right time. We can all speculate until we're blue about what his motives were/are, but none of us will know and there isn't much point until we hear from him directly. I do suspect we won't and if I were in his shoes, I probably would not either - how could he possibly win over this crowd? No matter what he said by way of explanation would probably not be received well and would have to lie in the context of what's already been posted by Alex. He does not have a simple explanation ahead if any.

We all have situations in our lives that if exposed, would probably result in some serious embarrassment. Maybe not like this one, but we all have our demons, and comparing him to someone like Dr. Bass, or other who have been exposed, tried to make amends and then continued to rip people off is a little unfair here. He's only done it once yet and still deserves, as we all do, an opportunity to make it right.

I'll also state for the record, that it is my own professional opinion, that he does not in fact meet criteria for diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. That's quite a leap from what's been observed here of his behaviour. We don't have access to enough information to make preliminary diagnoses, and even if we did, it would be patently inappropriate to publicize them...

To reiterate though, I do not in any way endorse or condone what he appears to have done to Alex, and I do think that it is a really awesome example of TB camaraderie to offer to build him a bass![/Beej]

I totally agree with the sentiment about a chance to explain. But you said it yourself, it is highly unlikely. This has been like a public shaming, sadly. Parading around the emperor in no clothes, as opposed to a good old fashioned lynch mob. I think a lot of the anger from the older TBers has been with respect to his witty remarks. For a guy like me, I'm quite upset that someone seems to have been suckered.

A big huzzah for all the knowledgeable luthiers on these forums and other guys who have offered to help Alex get a bass if Mikeyswood doesn't deliver. I'll channel some rada your way and do a nice little bocor dance toward Mikey... If that isn't unacceptable behaviour on the boards that is. :ninja:

- Jimmy Rage
Click to expand...
 
#316
What a train wreck, I'm very sorry for your troubles with the build Alex. I'm just wondering why (or maybe I just missed it some place in the thread) you didn't have all of the details worked out before hand. As a professional builder (www.jswdecks.com) every detail is worked out before any work is started. Sure from time to time there are changes, but on a instrument wouldn't you want to see all of the details before you laid out 50%. If Mike wanted a consultant fee then 10% down would be fair.

Anyway if I can help out let me know, I wouldn't mind winding a few pickups for you.

John
 
#317
jworrellbass said:
What a train wreck, I'm very sorry for your troubles with the build Alex. I'm just wondering why (or maybe I just missed it some place in the thread) you didn't have all of the details worked out before hand. As a professional builder (www.jswdecks.com) every detail is worked out before any work is started. Sure from time to time there are changes, but on a instrument wouldn't you want to see all of the details before you laid out 50%. If Mike wanted a consultant fee then 10% down would be fair.

Anyway if I can help out let me know, I wouldn't mind winding a few pickups for you.

John
Click to expand...

Looking back, I'm not sure why the details weren't ironed out either, John. In June I realised the mistake and attempted to do just that, but as you can see by the posts, it feel on deaf, ears.

Thanks for the kind offer re: pickups. I may just have to take you up on that yet.

Alex
 
#318
I'm not one who posts a lot here but do consider myself a member of this online community. This is the only online community I am involved in in any way. The way you guys have stepped up to attempt to right a wrong makes me proud to be part of this community. I doubt most other online communities have this kind of integrity. If I can help in any way, I will.
 
#319
Thanks man, and to all who have said nice things about this. We have about 10 guys trying to sort the build out, once we come to a concensus we will post here. There may still be more help needed, mostly support for Alex's plight for the moment. Thanks to all
 
#320
Congratulations to TB, they seem to have found the only nice people left on the internet!!


Seriously, I think the offers from you guys are unbeleivable, and makes me feel proud to just be registered in this community!!


@Alex: I am sure that if your bass is collectively built by the TB luthiers, it will not only be one of a kind, but it will have more love than any other bass ever built!!!
 
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