MJT NBD and total disappointment

[Iofflight]

So I've been waiting on my MJT sherwood green p bass body for 3 months. I was very explicit that it needed to be cut for a warmoth neck which is 2.5 inches across and while the fender is 2 and 7/16ths.

I was going for as close to the fender custom shop in sherwood green as I could get. I'm pretty disappointed today as I've been waiting for 3 months for this and was really looking forward to putting it together over new years. I've emailed MJT, I'm sure they'll make it right but damn.

The first pic is obviously the Warmoth neck, the second is the Fender P bass neck from my player that I replaced with a fender roasted maple and the last picture is the color and look I was going for. I don't think the color is quite right either but I could live with that.

 

[Garret Graves]

Sorry to hear about the wait- I've been there many times, and some projects go long. Sounds like you wanted to time it so you got the body when you had extra time on your hands to assemble, i get the frustration

 

[ole Jason]

How do you like the Fender roasted neck? I've been pondering ordering one now that they're available

 

[Iofflight]

I love it actually. I think it looks great on the player.

 

[Iofflight]

Sorry to hear about the wait- I've been there many times, and some projects go long. Sounds like you wanted to time it so you got the body when you had extra time on your hands to assemble, i get the frustration

I’ve seen some pictures on here of MJT builds and they look great. But I’ve never read of anyone having trouble so I’m hoping their customer service is as good as their communication has been up until this point.

I’m not exactly sure what comes next in the process. The paint started to chip near the neck pocket just putting the fender neck into place so that wasn’t great either, though I’ve read their paint can do that a bit and the color isn’t quite bang on like I mentioned but it’s more important that the neck fit obviously.

 

[The Bass Clef]

The color of the MJT body doesn’t look even close to Sherwood Green on my screen (looks like standard Lake Placid Blue), but the Custom Shop P that you posted as the example of what you wanted looks totally Sherwood Green. I’ve done several MJT builds and had a couple problems along the way (out of a few dozen orders), and they always made it right for me. I have no doubt they will for you too, even though it’s is disappointing.

 

[Iofflight]

Thank you that is what I was hoping to hear. In this picture they look closer. This is the picture they sent me of the finished paint job.

 

[Iofflight]

Okay I sanded it and got it to fit. Got some chipped paint I’m hoping they can send some touch up paint. I tried to get the lighting as similar as I could these are the same pickguard for reference. I think the color isn't quite right so I'm inclined to send it back for a redo.

 

[bradd]

I've had to fit all 3 of the neck pockets that I've received from MJT. Of course, I bought them on eBay, so I wasn't paying full price. I'd be dissatisfied if I had.

 

[Iofflight]

Yeah I sent an email about the chipped paint because I feel it's an issue since I paid the full $400 for this.

 

[jonday30]

I’ve bought a ton of mjt bodies for my guitar projects. I’ve had my jbass refinished by them. Never had a issue. The paint does chip at the neck pockets. You really have to clean out the neck pocket from the overspray to avoid this. I find the allparts neck fit better than any other neck I’ve tried. Oem fender necks fit really well. So to me the wildwood(mjt finished) bodies have a perfect neck pocket to fender specs. It’s the aftermarket neck companies that seem to vary.

Still now I take the neck pocket sides, sand and clean out the neck pocket before I even attempt to fit the neck.

 

[Iofflight]

I'm having them leave the paint in the pocket this time and will likely be able to avoid the edges being chipped at the edge, which they already were, when sanding to fit the neck second time around.

So the wait begins all over again. I hope to have a more positive update in 3 months.

 

[Evanforbass]

interestingly, I got a LPB pbass from MJT about 2 years ago and I had similar problems- they didn;t quite nail the mid-60s LPB from a picture I sent (it's vintage LPB with some glimmers of sherwood green), and the finish chipped at the neck pocket just liek yours, I think because the neck pocket itself wasnt even finished which is very odd. I also ordered it with string-thru routing, which was a hair short on the scale, and there was no channel for a ground wire under the bridge. Maybe it's something to do with the metallic finish? But then again I have a charcoal frost Jazzmaster and a Burgundy Mist Jag that are great. Hope you enjoy your bass

 

[Iofflight]

Thanks, I just got a notification this last Friday that they have a new piece of wood in, I sent on some pictures that I think capture the color better so I'm hoping it's closer this time and I told them just to paint the pocket as well and I'd deal with sanding it myself.

 

[Iofflight]

Well I got the new bass body, however it came without the ground wire or pickup wire holes drilled and we had talked about that. So now I'm looking for someone who can do it or buying a proper drill bit that will work.

I feel annoyed that I've paid shipping three ways to send it back and for it to be corrected and sent out to me again. That it isn't even worth it to me to send it back again.

Their paint jobs are nice, I recommend sending a body you already have to have it painted but not to have it cut.

I just feel disappointed and angry at this point for all the extra hassle and time. I hate to be a downer I don't feel I'm an outrageously hard person to please. But this has been my experience.

In fact I'm damned angry I'm ready to just throw all the parts up on talkbass for sale and call it a day and say F*ck the build.

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

I hate that feeling when everything is planned to work perfectly and then just doesn’t. Sorry you feel that way, OP. If you’re still interested in doing a P bass build, I’ve heard John Kallas, Dan Ransom, and Par Wilkins make great stuff. Let us know about what you decide to do!

 

[Iofflight]

I will I think I'm having an off experience. Everyone else seems a happy customer so I'm keeping that in mind because I really am loathe to trash a company based 1 person's experience. But this hasn't been great for me. I'm not 100% on the color again however I can probably buy a longer drill bit and see if I can route those holes myself.

 

[JIO]

I'm sorry to hear of your issues related to your order. I've never worked with them but hear positive reviews and have seen very nice examples of their work pictured here on tb. I work with Pat Wilkins and Marty Bell - both outstanding finishers, the best. Over the years I've learned how to translate my wishes through the internet and an occasional phone call. There have been a couple issues over the years but they were resolved w/o hesitation.

If I were to give advice on a successful translation, it would include a few things like - a very clear picture of the color you want, not just its name. This is because "Burgundy Mist Metallic" or whatever color you want comes in many varieties. Just Goggle any Fender/Gibson etc colour and see how many variations are pictured. Even a vintage (bass) in a certain colour is different today from how it started in 1964 due to amber'ing. So if you want an amber'd vintage colour, that is the one (picture) you need to find and send to you finisher. Along with that, you need to describe exactly the colour you want as clearly as possible. The more clear you are - the easier it will be for your finisher to get it right. You also have to realize that every computer isn't colour-calibrated the same, and the type of lighting used when shooting a pic varies. That is where a verbal (phone call) or precise description (email) is important.

As far as the neck-pocket fit - did you send a template of your neck heal? This would be mandatory to assure it will be cut correctly. If you did and it came not fitting - that is an unfortunate slip of the finisher.

And one last thing. When I have my bodies/necks sprayed/finished - I do all the fine-tuning work once it arrives - and it's important to do so. Considering the neck pocket specifically, removing paint at the edges requires patience and a bit of skill. If filing (using a small fine-toothed file) - you need to file edges down into the pocket - never the reverse. (pulling it up toward the edge) Doing that will cause chipping for sure and not doing it will assure a crisp edge with no chipping. With pot holes I use a small curved file (again, down-strokes into the hole) and/or a sharp #11 Exacto knife to remove the inside edge perimeter so it's fully exposed for the pot shaft. For screw-holes (if the body was sprayed over existing screw-holes) I use a drill to reopen each hole to accept the screws. To further prevent chipping while screwing in screws, I use the Exacto-knife to bevel the entrance of each hole slightly. Same with the two strap-peg holes and tuner ferrule holes. Once this fussy-work is done, you have a newly finished body/neck with no chipping.

Your local hardware store will sell a long drill bit for wire channeling. Just make sure you have the correct angle so it exists in the right place.

 

[Iofflight]

Thank you so much for thorough reply and I couldn't agree more. I sent pictures with the measurements meaning I had the ruler up against the neck in several spots to show what I needed and after the first snafu with the color I sent video and pictures with different backgrounds to show the color tint because sherwood green can be dark to a brighter green and more metallic in some instances so I feel I truly tried to do my due diligence to help them get me what I wanted. The neck..I can sand it, the color and the routing are another issue.

I just feel that for an order than went through in early Oct of 2019 this feels like a lot of time and energy with plenty of emails going back and forth for it to be this off. You know? I've seen other members basses that look great from MJT. And I've also asked @99mmMike for some feedback regarding his builds with regards to routing.

I'm at a loss at this moment trying to figure out how to proceed.

 

[JIO]

Thank you so much for thorough reply and I couldn't agree more. I sent pictures with the measurements meaning I had the ruler up against the neck in several spots to show what I needed and after the first snafu with the color I sent video and pictures with different backgrounds to show the color tint because sherwood green can be dark to a brighter green and more metallic in some instances so I feel I truly tried to do my due diligence to help them get me what I wanted. The neck..I can sand it, the color and the routing are another issue.

I just feel that for an order than went through in early Oct of 2019 this feels like a lot of time and energy with plenty of emails going back and forth for it to be this off. You know? I've seen other members basses that look great from MJT. And I've also asked @99mmMike for some feedback regarding his builds with regards to routing.

I'm at a loss at this moment trying to figure out how to proceed.

I'm in the biz also, and as much as I do my best to do the correct job - there will be the occasional mis-result, it's inevitable. Take a deep breath, calmly call and talk with them over the phone and as long as everyone remains civil you should be able to get it all sorted to your satisfaction. My only professional advice related to this thread is that if it were me, I would hope I could be given the chance to resolve it w/o my customer making it public first. Like I said, no one in business has a 100% spotless record and there are many ways that can happen which are not a deliberate sign of intent or lack of quality. (file under: happens!) Good luck!