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My HORRIBLE Alleva-Coppolo experience...
- Thread starter Addison
- Start date
- Status
To the O.P., I hope you get a full refund soon. Can't imagine how you are feeling. I've lost sleep for smaller problems than that.
There are TBers from all over the world. So this is really bad international publicity for the builder. That being said, I think anybody can make a mistake and anybody can try to make it right.
There are TBers from all over the world. So this is really bad international publicity for the builder. That being said, I think anybody can make a mistake and anybody can try to make it right.
- Apr 21, 2000
- 10,465
- 866
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- Disclosures
- Gallien Krueger for the last 12 years!
I'm a lefty that plays righty, and even though I rarely post here, I'd kick in for him to get a proper bass like a Roscoe or Sadowsky. Bet your ass Keith or Roger wouldn't have let that bass leave their zip code! Hell, Gard would've probably driven to his house to get that bass back to make it right!
I disagree. I seriously doubt any angry mob or hate mail will be the impetus to addressing this problem. The approach the OP took in his first post was plenty. He calmly and rationally laid out his side of this story.
No offense but I don't see an agry mob as being a very adult reaction. I've been in the same boat as the OP, a celebrity bassist decided he was going to steal one of my basses. I created a similar thread to let people know what I had encountered. Other than frustration and bewilderment as to why something so completely avoidable could happen, I LEFT EMOTION OUT OF IT.
If you notice in the post from the member who had a long conversation with Jimmy, the focus appears to have predominantly been on the hatemail. That makes HIM the victim. How did that help the OP's situation?
No mention of why this happened or remedies. Again, no offense to anyone, when you dwell in the hatemail/internet threat vein, you're not helping anyone OTHER THAN THE ENTITY THAT YOU'RE UPSET WITH. So while it might make YOU feel good to get it off your chest, since the situation isn't about YOU...
It makes no sense in that light...right? And the situation, minus the sideshow, remains the same.
That's very good advice. I would also trust Chicago Fretworks with this job.
You shouldn't have to, of course. This is Plan B.
I think the impulse to come together and make it right for the OP is a beautiful one, but it also bothers me in that it distracts from justice getting done. It is up to AC to make this right, not the group benevolence of TB. Can we put talk of this on hold until there is at least some indication of whether or not AC is going to man up here?
Wow, this is like watching rubberneckers at a particularly traffic accident - lots of opinions, and the bystanders are judge, jury, and executioner. It's sad, it's unfortunate, people have been hurt, but really it's our job to stay out of the way and let the principals and proper authorities sort his out.
I do not condone the sale of a shabby instrument, and I think Addison should pursue a solution with Jimmy first, and go legal if necessary.
I think that anyone that sent an e-mail to Alleva Coppolo is way out of line, unless you have been designated as a mediator by the OP - which I'm sure is not the case.
To make sweeping statements about Jimmy's character and business practices when you have little or no information to go on is totally uncool.
There is no way in hell Jimmy Coppolo is going to come on here and make an explanation, and for two very good reasons. Building basses is a profession which likely takes up a good portion of his time and effort - he can ill afford the energy required to wade into the world of social media over this. So, what little time he does have should (and likely will) be devoted to dealing with this customer individually. Also, who the heck is going to come out on their front porch and try to deal with a jacked up mob with pitchforks?
I've bought 7 instruments from Jimmy, and played dozens more. Currently I own 3. They speak to me like no other instrument that I've owned, and I will not hesitate to buy another when the time comes. My experience with Jimmy is that he's a guy who cares passionately about his instruments, and the people he builds them for. My opinion only - but AT LEAST I HAVE PRIOR EXPERIENCE TO BASE IT ON!!! For those of you that have not had the same positive experience that I have, I am sorry because Alleva Coppolo basses are world class instruments, but sometimes need a little tweaking to get the most out of them.
I have no argument or disagreement with the OP - The disappointment of an anticipated "lifetime instrument" gone wrong is a horrible feeling. He has calmly and dispassionately stated his case, given others a credible opinion, and let's face it - if the bass is a P.O.S., at $5K that is not really acceptable. However, since the rest of us are not really in the know about the whole situation, I think it best if everyone puts away the pitchforks, and let the OP and AC figure it out. Like everyone else, I will be very interested in the outcome of this.
I do not condone the sale of a shabby instrument, and I think Addison should pursue a solution with Jimmy first, and go legal if necessary.
I think that anyone that sent an e-mail to Alleva Coppolo is way out of line, unless you have been designated as a mediator by the OP - which I'm sure is not the case.
To make sweeping statements about Jimmy's character and business practices when you have little or no information to go on is totally uncool.
There is no way in hell Jimmy Coppolo is going to come on here and make an explanation, and for two very good reasons. Building basses is a profession which likely takes up a good portion of his time and effort - he can ill afford the energy required to wade into the world of social media over this. So, what little time he does have should (and likely will) be devoted to dealing with this customer individually. Also, who the heck is going to come out on their front porch and try to deal with a jacked up mob with pitchforks?
I've bought 7 instruments from Jimmy, and played dozens more. Currently I own 3. They speak to me like no other instrument that I've owned, and I will not hesitate to buy another when the time comes. My experience with Jimmy is that he's a guy who cares passionately about his instruments, and the people he builds them for. My opinion only - but AT LEAST I HAVE PRIOR EXPERIENCE TO BASE IT ON!!! For those of you that have not had the same positive experience that I have, I am sorry because Alleva Coppolo basses are world class instruments, but sometimes need a little tweaking to get the most out of them.
I have no argument or disagreement with the OP - The disappointment of an anticipated "lifetime instrument" gone wrong is a horrible feeling. He has calmly and dispassionately stated his case, given others a credible opinion, and let's face it - if the bass is a P.O.S., at $5K that is not really acceptable. However, since the rest of us are not really in the know about the whole situation, I think it best if everyone puts away the pitchforks, and let the OP and AC figure it out. Like everyone else, I will be very interested in the outcome of this.
The funny thing is that, at least IME, "problems" aren't really the problem. How they're dealt with is.
If JC keeps the $5K, but loses more than $5K in business from his bad act and worsening reputation, is that not justice? Especially if the OP gets the cash to get a new bass that he really loves?
We will give JC a chance to man up, but like I said, TB is bigger than $5K.
I don't have much, but I could send the guy a few bucks, however, the man who made this needs to pony up with a refund. I have seen and handled KJung's A-C, and I played Chef's at a GTG a few years ago. They are really nice basses if you want a high quality active Fender Clone with a passive vibe. Personally, for that kind of money, I would probably look for a second hand Fodera, but Addison deserved a very nice bass for $5,000, not something a pawn shop would refuse!
I don't disagree at all, I just think it's premature to jump to this just yet.
I've owned expensive basses which I've sold..why because It hurt me every time I dinged or got a scratch on a nice piece of art.
The bass in question is an affront to luthiers who take pride in the work that leaves their shops at any cost.
We'll wait a little bit. It's good that we can come up with such an option though.
I agreed with everything you said up until you started defending Jimmy. Nobody's denying that he has skills as a builder. BUT, his people skills need work.
Also, MANY other high-end builders come on here and discuss their basses. Hell, Nino Valenti was on here earlier today to say thank you to everyone.
I disagree. I seriously doubt any angry mob or hate mail will be the impetus to addressing this problem. The approach the OP took in his first post was plenty. He calmly and rationally laid out his side of this story.
No offense but I don't see an agry mob as being a very adult reaction. I've been in the same boat as the OP, a celebrity bassist decided he was going to steal one of my basses. I created a similar thread to let people know what I had encountered. Other than frustration and bewilderment as to why something so completely avoidable could happen, I LEFT EMOTION OUT OF IT.
If you notice in the post from the member who had a long conversation with Jimmy, the focus appears to have predominantly been on the hatemail. That makes HIM the victim. How did that help the OP's situation?
No mention of why this happened or remedies. Again, no offense to anyone, when you dwell in the hatemail/internet threat vein, you're not helping anyone OTHER THAN THE ENTITY THAT YOU'RE UPSET WITH. So while it might make YOU feel good to get it off your chest, since the situation isn't about YOU...
It makes no sense in that light...right? And the situation, minus the sideshow, remains the same.
+1,000 Brad! Sending Jimmy Copollo a nasty e-mail is just using Addison's misfortune as a cover to be a self-righteous jerk!
I agree with Vic and others in saying that Mr. Copollo will not post here. There is absolutely nothing he can say to me or anyone except Addison. I am sure that if he does right by Addison, he will tell the rest of us.
I hope the OP gets satisfactory resolution. That bass looks horrible and is really beyond any excuses that may be conjured up to save face. It's disheartening because I thought AC was one of the top-tier builders.
This is the fastest growing thread since Evan pulled the shenanigans that made him TB infamy hall of fame material.
Good luck, OP.
This is the fastest growing thread since Evan pulled the shenanigans that made him TB infamy hall of fame material.
Good luck, OP.
mark beem
Wait, how does this song start again??
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