My HORRIBLE Alleva-Coppolo experience...

[sigmafloyd]

Fender Clone + High Prices + Amazing Customer Service + Amazing Quality Control = Sustainable Fender clone business

Subtract any one of those variables and you're in trouble.

 

[UpwardGroove]

If AC is screwing someone over for $5k with a bass this shoddy, he has cash flow problems, IMHO. Definitely appears he's putting the loot in front of the reputation.

(All speculation of course, maybe he just builds garbage now.)

+1. IME, cash flow problems often explain otherwise unexplainable decisions made by once reputable businesses. The owner finds himself between a rock and a hard place...out of character behavior ensues. This may explain why AC appears to value the potential hit to his future sales as a result of this thread at < $5k...or one bass.

Speculation? Yes. I just can't think of any other explanation. The bass was obviously misrepresented. Frankly, any other explanations that come to mind are worse than cash flow problems...

Good luck OP. I feel for you. Continue to fight for what's right with class. I hope you get your full refund soon.

 

[SpasticTastic]

I never heard of AC until I started reading Talkbass

I'm gonna go further and say I've never even heard of them until this thread came up. I've heard of several boutique companies like Fodera, Zon, and even Dingwall and Brubaker, though. With a pricetag of $5000, even for something that would be lower grade than a b-stock, I can see why now.

 

[Turxile]

I have seen some poorly built instruments but this beats every one of them. Amateur at best. They shouldn't have sold it in the first place.
Hope it gets resolved with a full refund soon.

 

[IGotGas]

I think this thread should be locked until we hear from AC or the OP on a resolution.

+1

1. This thread has ceased to be productive.

2. IF the alleged threats to JC are in fact real, in jest or not, that constitutes quite literally a tearoristic threat.

3. This has thread could well result in legal issues for several parties, including TB.

4. The OP has stated his case. We need to give JC an opportunity to make a decision.

5. I'm hoping a mod will lock this thread as well.

 

[sigmafloyd]

+1

1. This thread has ceased to be productive.

2. IF the alleged threats to JC are in fact real, in jest or not, that constitutes quite literally a tearoristic threat.

3. This has thread could well result in legal issues for several parties, including TB.

4. The OP has stated his case. We need to give JC an opportunity to make a decision.

5. I'm hoping a mod will lock this thread as well.

Unfortunately locking the thread will make the thread fall off the front page of talkbass and decrease the chances of the OP getting a good resolution.

If this was a Fender/Guitar Center/Musicians Friend Quality Control thread you can bet your life that the thread would not be locked. And btw, humans work at those companies too. Can you imagine the earful that the support departments at those companies get? Day in and day out the folks at Fender produce some of the best guitars ever made yet they are constantly blasted for poor quality control, being an 'evil corporation', etc. etc. on a daily basis. Giving a boutique builder a pass just because they are a smaller business would be a double standard.

Besides the one guy who supposedly talked to Jimmy and paraphrased a few emails, the posts that are actually on talkbass have been pretty civil.

 

[Brad Johnson]

So what's the moral of the story here... lay hands on every bass you play before you buy it, be it $200 or $5000?

For some, maybe. For myself... no. There are ways to protect your interests.

 

[vision]

Wow. Just...wow. My LM5 was GREAT, and the few ACs that I've played have all had the same top level quality.

I'm hoping this gets taken care of QUICK with a full refund.

 

[nutdog]

+1

1. This thread has ceased to be productive.

2. IF the alleged threats to JC are in fact real, in jest or not, that constitutes quite literally a tearoristic threat.

3. This has thread could well result in legal issues for several parties, including TB.

4. The OP has stated his case. We need to give JC an opportunity to make a decision.

5. I'm hoping a mod will lock this thread as well.

Just my humble opinion as someone that will probably never buy a 5k bass from anybody but I think it should stay open until it's resolved. It appears from available info the OP hit a brick wall in private negotiations before going public. An active thread would improve the likelihood of getting the problem rectified.

Also, does anyone know the proper etiquette for bomb threat cancellation?





Just kidding.

 

[rodneyat]

Jimmy is well aware of the situation by now. So, I am pretty sure any chance of a good resolution has already been set in place.

At this point, the thread has become arduous and is probably doing more harm than good for the OP.

Unfortunately locking the thread will make the thread fall off the front page of talkbass and decrease the chances of the OP getting a good resolution.

If this was a Fender/Guitar Center/Musicians Friend Quality Control thread you can bet your life that the thread would not be locked. And btw, humans work at those companies too. Can you imagine the earful that the support departments at those companies get? Day in and day out the folks at Fender produce some of the best guitars ever made yet they are constantly blasted for poor quality control, being an 'evil corporation', etc. etc. on a daily basis. Giving a boutique builder a pass just because they are a smaller business would be a double standard.

Besides the one guy who supposedly talked to Jimmy and paraphrased a few emails, the posts that are actually on talkbass have been pretty civil.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I did not say the purpose of the OP was to distort the situation. I find posts like your's, however, to be the very fodder I spoke of. Perhaps a better understanding of the language would serve you (and others) better here.

Did you really reread that post? Just asking because what you appeared to write doesn't really mesh with your replies IMO.

 

[smcd]

+1

1. This thread has ceased to be productive.

2. IF the alleged threats to JC are in fact real, in jest or not, that constitutes quite literally a tearoristic threat.

3. This has thread could well result in legal issues for several parties, including TB.

4. The OP has stated his case. We need to give JC an opportunity to make a decision.

5. I'm hoping a mod will lock this thread as well.

This thread will cease to be productive if it gets locked. Which is absolutely should NOT.

There is no possibility of "legal issues" arising. This is a discussion forum on the internet. So unless AC has money to burn, literally, there's zero chance of that happening.

As others have stated, it's certain that the guy running AC has seen this and has decided not to reply.

 

[SolarMan]

Jimmy is well aware of the situation by now. So, I am pretty sure any chance of a good resolution has already been set in place.

At this point, the thread has become arduous and is probably doing more harm than good for the OP.

By now?

He wasn't aware after the emails and video from the OP?

 

[apener]

There was no threat intended or implied.

Your response is indicative of the bad grammar and poorly conceived thought proccess so prevalent in this thread.

Please let us bask in the sunshine of you wisdom.

P.S
I hope the grammar of your second language is as good as mine

 

[apener]

Please let us bask in the sunshine of you wisdom.

P.S
I hope the grammar of your second language is as good as mine

Meant "your wisdom...." Awkward....

 

[Will Kelly]

Blinded not at all and I have no industry status. The majority of the bass guitar consumer community isn't even on talkbass and for the thousands who may see this thread there will be so many more who will not and if they do they could care less about what happened to the op because if they want an AC they will get an AC.

One has to look at all the great AC testimonials in comparison to the bad press that AC may have gotten.

The bad AC press does not compare to the positive press and AC will keep forging ahead with a successful and prospering business guaranteed.


At the end of the day it all comes down to brand worship.

First time I have ever agreed with a post from you. Well said.

To the OP, best of luck man.

 

[Doctor J]

I don't see a reason for locking it. People just need to engage their brain before posting but that shouldn't seem so unrealistic as to lock the thread.

That being so, I think everything that needs to be said has been said until there's a response from A-C or the OP has an update.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Dunno about that. Even in terms of boutique builders, they're not as well known as Fodera, Sadowsky or Alembic. I never heard of AC until I started reading Talkbass, much like I hadn't heard of Valenti, Jerzy Drozd or Roscoe. For small luthiers, TB is a great gateway to the bass community, I feel.

Absolutely agree. Small though it may be this community has most definitely been a launching point for many small brands. Brands that most outside of TB may still largely be unaware of.

IME most buyers in this category don't do it casually. They seek out information.

I feel really bad for the OP too. While yes, due process is of order, he has present some strong evidence for his case. I hope him & Jimmy can get their stuff worked out - without the angry mob, I might add.

The angry mob is normal sideband crap that should be ignored... because it only clouds the issue. And yes, some companies have put out products with issues but this case is bothersome IMO because there are so many issues that it frankly boggles the mind that someone would ship not considering the repercussions.

I agree that TB is a small subset of the entire community but I'd bet they represent a much larger ratio of boutique customers. And with an internet search only a few keystrokes away I don't necessarily see this as a blip on AC's radar.

One question... in the long conversation with Jimmy did he happen to mention how an instrument with this many flaws left the shop? Sounds like there was focus on the ugly emails, which ultimately have nothing to do with the issue at hand. I've been trying to imagine a rationalization and I can't, if what the OP is saying is true.

 

[guy n. cognito]

+1

1. This thread has ceased to be productive.

2. IF the alleged threats to JC are in fact real, in jest or not, that constitutes quite literally a tearoristic threat.

3. This has thread could well result in legal issues for several parties, including TB.

4. The OP has stated his case. We need to give JC an opportunity to make a decision.

5. I'm hoping a mod will lock this thread as well.

Couldn't disagree more. TB won't be held responsible for the alleged action of others and this thread is serving as a warning for those that may be contemplating a purchase from AC.

 

[Gorn]

Not responding to this doesn't make the builder look good, IMO. Apparently he's been told? He's a sole proprietor, right? Something that started small and spread through word of mouth? His livelihood is built on a reputation that he worked for a long time to achieve, and now it's being destroyed.
Even something simple like "Addison and I are working towards a resolution...."
He doesn't have to tell his side of the story or argue with anyone. At least acknowledge the conversation. It's been less than 24 hours since this thread began but if he apparently knows, he should say something.

I have no interested in AC basses, or really any basses in that price range. But it's the price that keeps me interested in this story. From what I understand, if that bass was in flawless condition it woulld have sold for $5700 but with "player wear" he sold it for $5000?
Shenanigans, I dare say.