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My DP Pushic Custom fiasco........

#201
Munjibunga said:
Fro $1,200, you could've had a beautiful Carvin that meets or exceeds your specs, including a one-half-inch-thick figured top. The construction would be flawless, and people wouldn't be hassling you right now.

Here's just one example:
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That's a beauty!

I sent back a beautiful Carvin Bunny Brunel simply because the tone wasn't for me, purely personal preference. The build quality and playability were top notch.

Heck, you can return a Carvin if it clashes with your wallpaper. What sort of return policy does Pushic offer?
 
#202
Peter Parker said:
Or.... you could take that same $1200 and buy a used Elrick, roscoe, Zon, Modulus, or any other quality instrument (I've seen many of these in that range) and actually own a useful piece of equipment that you won't have to beg someone to buy from you later on for $300.
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Case and point...I just scored an Elrick in mint condition on the 'Bay for....drumroll please....999$ With the original G&G case! It has a 500$ cherry lacquer high-gloss finish, and is 34" scale (250$)...a killer deal! There are a LOT of great deals to be had out there, especially with Chris Stambaugh...for a FEW bucks more, you get a world-class bass with ZERO flaws. Pushic is not even on the same planet as Stambaugh in terms of luthiery skill.....a total hack.
To give him your money is not a wise choice...seriously. But, as they say, a fool and his money are soon parted.
 
#204
lamborghini98 said:
Sorry.. I just cant find what Im looking for. I want an itemized list of exactly why each problem is a problem. Its obvious that no one wants these flaws, but which ones are more than just aesthetically displeasing? And how serious are they?
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You want an itemized list? I have no problem understanding why each of the things he listed are a problem.
You obviously aren't going to acknowledge anything is wrong no matter what he says, so what's the point?

You don't see filler in the nut slot using an old nut as a bad thing? You think the fact that you can still plug it in and play a C maj scale means every complaint is invalid?

You can't find what you are looking for because you refuse to accept that you made a horrible blunder. But, you keep convincing yourself that everyone else has a problem--I'm sure the flaws that dont' exist on any other instrument that's commercially available will be just fine on your $1200 instrument--after all, it'll have a top that you picked out yourself. :rolleyes:

Just out of sheer curiosity, how old are you? I love how everyone who has actually laid hands on a Pushic is incorrect, or looking for too much. Have you ever even seen one in person?
 
#205
Hey everyone. Being following this thread for a while and figured I'd add my 2 pennies.

There are certain 'givens' expected in different areas.

When someone does work for you, you expect the work to be done right and durable. For example, if someone was to lay tile for you, you would expect the tiles to not be cracked, to have the proper amount of grout, sealed and what not.

That's just one example. When you order a bass, you expect certain things, like a true neck, good finish, electronics that work out of the box, even string spacing, and even straight drilled holes for pegs, knobs, etc. A bass should be functional, not just good eye candy.

The front page of his website says:

I started DP Custom Guitars to provide the craftsmanship of handmade, solid hardwood electric guitars and basses at an affordable price. My guitars and basses are made only from select hardwoods and exotic woods; no plywood or cheaper substitutes are ever used!
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According to Cambridge Dictionaries online, the definition of craft or craftsman is:

craft (SKILL) Show phonetics
noun [C or U] plural crafts
(a job or activity needing) skill and experience, especially in relation to making objects:
the craft of furniture making/boat building/glass blowing
political/literary craft
rural/ancient/traditional crafts
craft workers (= skilled workers)

craft Show phonetics
verb [T often passive]
These bracelets were crafted by native Americans.
a beautifully crafted silver brooch

craftsman Show phonetics
noun [C]
a person who is skilled in a particular craft:
The plates are hand painted by our finest craftsmen.

craftsmanship Show phonetics
noun
skill at making things:
The jewellery showed exquisite craftsmanship.
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It takes more skill than just being able to drill holes and use a file and saw. It's going to the next level to actually call it craftsmanship. I can drill holes, use a file and saw; I can even solder and turn wrenches, but I only do my own stuff, because I know I'm not good enough to do certain things for others, let alone charge them for it.

I'm a pretty low key, patient person. But if someone advertises that they have skill at doing something, and wants money for it, then it better almost flawless. I'm talking about maybe the finish could be better or something like that; not misaligned holes and stuff like that.

It's been said that If you do a poor job, that is a reflection on yourself and how you feel about yourself. I truly believe that. That's why I work hard to do things right and if there is a problem, then you know I will do all I can to fix it and fix it right.

.02.
JB
 
#207
JazzBassvb said:
It's been said that If you do a poor job, that is a reflection on yourself and how you feel about yourself. I truly believe that. That's why I work hard to do things right and if there is a problem, then you know I will do all I can to fix it and fix it right.

.02.
JB
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A big +1. I wonder if Lambo's cavalier attitude towards inability to deliver as promised carries over into his own work. If so, I hope to god he's not doing anything that affects public safety, national security, or the water supply. :hiding:
 
#208
cheezewiz said:
If I ever suggest to anyone that I have an extra $1200, and I'm thinking of buying a DP, someone please shoot me and give my wife the money. Thank you. That is all.
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Can I just take you to a strip club where we see how fast we can spend the $1200, instead? I figure you'll be just as dead, but there would be b00bies. :hyper:
 
#211
embellisher said:
Luis, nice to see you posting around these parts. Long time no see!

That neck twist is nasty. The problem with things like that, is even if you manage to get the neck playable with some fretwork, maybe a shim, and some truss rod adjustment, those kinds of twists keep coming back, and getting worse over time.

Eventually, the bass would be unplayable. And if it is a neck through, at that point it is firewood. Or wall art.
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Thank you Embellisher, it has been a while since I stoped posting, has been a great year, My band produced its first CD, but at the same time I stoped developing on the bass, started a new job and all, but Im back!!


Regarding Investment at the same level of money as DP, I can comment on that.

My was wasnt firewood at all, it was beutiful if you see it from a distance and DONT PLAY IT. The problem is that it was a nice wall hanging ornament, but not a player bass.

When I returned it to Dave, I was looking to FIX the bass, but after he told me that the frets were uneven because of the shipping, and that the neck was twisted due to string tension or somthing like that (dont remember) and that the 4th fret was not parallel because of a mishappening with the saw, and apart of that.. THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG with it... I decided to tell him to make a full refund minus shipping.

I just couldnt trust his abilities anymore. And believe me.. I PUT A LOT OF HOPE since I started the project. I almost cried when I played it at the airport the day a member of my family brough it. (Remember I live in ECUADOR, SOuth America) It wasnt a thing like sending it via UPS and thats it, back and forth. I live a LONG way from the US.)
That same day I talked to Dave to tell him how dissapointed I was.

Well, back to the good things.

When I got my money back, I started doing more research, and Looked for something that would bring the Wenge/ African wood I was looking for: WARWICK.

With the same money I got a Warwick Streamer 6. Wich I loved and used for a long time. However the neck had a little problem but Warwick USA send me a new neck.
After that, that was was flawless.

A little later, I was more into tapping and needed a faster transient response bass and the lowest action possible. I sold the Warwick at $1600 YES, I even managed to get more for the warwick. (It was a $2400 bass list price after all, and Im my country there are no Warwick Dealers anywhere) So.. I got those $1600 and I scored an Amazing Modulus Quantum 6 (wich I still own and love) at $1400 on EBAY and it was about $150 for the shipping to my country.

End of story: Save your dough, and buy the real thing.

If you dont have enough money, get a GREAT USED bass that you are confident is top notch, and Is actually worth a lot more.
If you have the dough, buy the best you can get from expert luthiers or craftsmen.

Im now looking for a PAVEL bass. www.pavelmi.com
My uncle has a custom from Pavel, and its tone and playability are amazing. (He also owns 3 Foderas, but thats totally out of my league, and I dont know why, but I never seem to feel comfortable on those)
 
#212
Munjibunga said:
Fro $1,200, you could've had a beautiful Carvin that meets or exceeds your specs, including a one-half-inch-thick figured top.
Click to expand...

As well as a return policy, I should also point out that with carvin, and other brands that may only offer certain electronics options, if the sound doesn't jive with what you want, you can change the pickups, but you are pretty much garanteed a very comfortable, well CONSTRUCTED, good playing instrument.

If you drop you money on a cheap builder and get bad build quality, then you are stuck, because you can't always repair a crappy build. I have said this before in other threads, but here it is again.

You can polish a turd, but it will still be a turd.
 
#213
I have no experince with DP customs, so I will not comment on individual basses, but I have plenty of time on my hands and perhaps I can offer an "itemized list of exactly why each problem is a problem." and share with our friend a bit of education in the practical consequences of poor bass construction. Please Excuse my use of bold and capitol letters as there are some VERY IMPORTANT things to know in this post. Here are some of the most common faults reported from DP's and why they are a problem.

"Listen up. This lesson is free"

Uncentered Bridge: G string falls off frettboard when you play resulting in no note.

Misplaced Bridge: a bridge to close or too far from the nut makes playing in tune IMPOSSIBLE on a fretted instrument. Moving the bridge is not always possible on an instrument with thru body stringing. (without leaving 4-6 big holes thru the body and who know how many holes from the bridge screws.

Uneven neck: Impedes smoth shifting between positions

Uneven (misplaned) fingerboard: Makes adjusting an even action impossible will often result in unplayable notes as certain frets will be too low for the strings to not hit higher fretts.

Uneven matching of wood: Wood laminations that do not meet evenly are very likely to come apart. Even with some wood filler, those places are very likely where the wood will separate and the finish will crack. Once the finish cracks it is only a matter of time before exposure to the air and moisture (or lack of it) causes the crack to widen and the wood laminations to separate. It's bad on the body, but especially fatal for the neck.

Bad Necks: Many DP necks have reportedly been warping. A warped neck means that some fretts will frett-out (not intonate) an even action from string to string and position to position will not be possible, and having a low action is also an impossiblity. Baddly warping necks will continue to warp and cannot be fixed, thus rendering the entire (neck thru) bass a loss.

Poor finishes: What's the point of having a nice piece of wood if you can't see the detail through a cloudy finish. It becomes a waste of a good piece of wood and your hard earned cash.

Misplacement of (1 or more fretts): 1 misplaced frett will screw up 4 notes, and heaven help us if the rest of the fretts are spaced based on that errant frett, then the rest of the fretts will be off as well. If 1 frett is fixed, you will have a big gash in your fingerboard, if many are off, then a whole new fingerboard will have to be installed (thats alot of $)

Glue coming from fretts: Not only is this poor qualty woodworking, it indicates that the fretts may be poorly seated in the wood and excessive glue may be required to keep them in place. Thus the fretts will be weakly seated, and prone to working thier way out of the frett slot.

Poorly installed electronics: Will require resoldering, and possible replacement of certain electronic components probably at owners expense.

Note: Most builders would never let a bass out of thier shop with any of these problems, and would promptly refund or exchnage an instrument that had even a hint of one of them.

If you have no problem with these issues, I would recomend you save your $ and buy a wishbass.
 
#220
Luis Fabara said:
Im now looking for a PAVEL bass. www.pavelmi.com
My uncle has a custom from Pavel, and its tone and playability are amazing. (He also owns 3 Foderas, but thats totally out of my league, and I dont know why, but I never seem to feel comfortable on those)
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Damn, some of his stuff looks SWEET!!!!!! Too bad he built this one backwards...

slk-front.jpg
 

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