My HORRIBLE Alleva-Coppolo experience...

[thisSNsucks]

Damn, the look on the OP's face in that video alone says it all.

Hope this gets resolved ASAP.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I think Jimmy Coppolo has really hurt his image, but he can rebound. The man has serious talent, and some big time users. If he can get it together and he keep his basses in the hands of players like Jonathan Maron and Nathaniel Watts, he can stay in business.

The obvious things he needs to do are: refund the OP and publicly apologize; and outsource his finishing. Celebrity endorsers are great, but faceless working bassists and hobbyists are what keep all luthiers working.

 

[p0k]

I'm still in awe of this...he should refund you and pay you the $700 "discount" for all the trouble...

 

[JLY]

What happened to this Op is upsetting
All sales final without full disclosure?
Things/mistakes can happen but this appears to be deliberate misrepresentation
A reputable builder would want to make this right ...quickly
I could not imagine this happening with Fedora, Lakland or Sadowsky, etc...
I hope AC makes this right without causing any more grief for the OP
This will cost AC a lot more in the long run
Ps:Op-you did nothing wrong here...AC gave you no other choice

 

[Musiclogic]

That really sucks. I guess taking the time to make sure something is right would be a little more important than just expediting a sale. Best of luck

 

[JoeWPgh]

To misquote Shakespear. Cry havoc and let slip the lawyers of war. Seriously. Sue this slob into oblivion.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

Umm...don't know. We all sometime have this "it's never going to happen to me" attitude. As long as he fills orders, I think he'll be in business. As narud said, the bass he didn't dig, was another man's prized baby.

But, if AC did refund the OP, is all forgiven now? And he's back to being the great builder and business guy?

I can't say I know how things will turn out, but I do know for builders of AC's size reputation counts for a lot. Questionable business ethics, build quality, customer satisfaction, etc... can really hurt them. I know if I'm considering a boutique builder and will be dropping 5k on a bass then I'm going to go with the guy who doesn't have threads like this one popping up when I'm doing my research. The builder lied about the condition of the bass and refused to accept a return on an instrument that's not only cosmetically unacceptable but unplayable as well. Even if the builder had issued a refund upon the OP's first request I'd still be skeptical of the quality coming out of the shop as well as the builder's integrity behind the selling of his products. This might be the one exception and everything else this builder has done has been wonderful, but I'd take my business elsewhere since there are many other options out there that won't leave me feeling nervous about doing business with them.

 

[Squirefan01]

I am so sorry to see this thread. Like others I read all the way through it, which I rarely do. Can't take your eyes off of a train wreck I guess. I hope this does not turn into a Dr. Bass type of debacle. I really expect to see some response from Jimmy any minute now (at least privately to the OP), before this gets even further out of control.

I was just looking seriously at A-C basses a few weeks ago. Almost pulled the trigger on a used one but glad I did not now. I ended up getting another high-end boutique bass, brand new, and am having a few VERY minor issues with it (nothing considering playability at least). So minor compared to this but it's really been bugging me, paying big bucks and expecting near-perfection.

I feel for you Addison!

 

[CTC564]

You tried to give him the chance to make it right...he refused...now I'd hire an attorney and bring legal action against him as we'll as the BBB and every form of musician related social media I could find....

 

[LowBSix]

+1 That was my biggest issue with the ones I previously sold. Quality was the reason I went back to my LowEnd basses.

+1 LowEnd basses are incredible!!! Had a 6er and a 5er. The necks, finish, hardware and electronics are my favorite and equal to Nordy, Tobias, Lull and Lakland basses I've owned. LowEnd and Nordy my top choices along with A-C prior to seeing this post

Come on Jimmy, chime and do a "Solid" for Addison!!!

 

[Funkinthetrunk]

I can't say I know how things will turn out, but I do know for builders of AC's size reputation counts for a lot. Questionable business ethics, build quality, customer satisfaction, etc... can really hurt them. I know if I'm considering a boutique builder and will be dropping 5k on a bass then I'm going to go with the guy who doesn't have threads like this one popping up when I'm doing my research. The builder lied about the condition of the bass and refused to accept a return on an instrument that's not only cosmetically unacceptable but unplayable as well. Even if the builder had issued a refund upon the OP's first request I'd still be skeptical of the quality coming out of the shop as well as the builder's integrity behind the selling of his products. This might be the one exception and everything else this builder has done has been wonderful, but I'd take my business elsewhere since there are many other options out there that won't leave me feeling nervous about doing business with them.

Yeah...I'd never buy one. But I couldn't get myself to spend $5K on Jazz clone anyway.

 

[MtJam]

This is ridiculous. I think the pictures of this "instrument" tell the story. Your money should have been refunded long before you ever needed to post about it here. Actually, as others have stated, the bass should never have left the shop. I have never played one of his basses, but I have l have always heard good things. This incident has ruined the company's reputation, and rightfully so. I would never consider buying an AC now.

I'm sorry you are going through this. You paid a lot of money for something that turned out to be far below standard.

I have had very pleasant dealings over the phone with Sadowsky and Alembic. Not for instrument issues, but for general customer service. They know how important it is to make sure that their customers are happy with the instruments they work so hard to acquire. This is an important lesson that AC should learn. I do hope that he chimes in here, but I wouldn't expect it.

I have a feeling this will work out for you in the end, but what a nightmare to go through. Get your money back and spend with a builder who will stand behind his company's work. Good luck.

 

[Tunaman]

OP-

Good luck...

I love how the forum comes together & fights for each other. The reality is this guy is out of business if he doesn't rectify it period. We support you

 

[Baird6869]

This thread is crazy.

I really hope Jimmy chimes in real soon to at least give his side of the story.

I am (like everyone posting in this thread) 100% behind Addison, but I hate these one sided bitchslappings. Be real nice if Jimmy or someone at AC posted answering the questions we are all asking....

- Why did the OP's bass even leave the AC shop?
- Why is it such a mess?
- Why won't AC accept the return of this bass and give Addison his $$$ back?

 

[KJung]

Terrible. I've been totally underwhelmed at every AC bass I've tried. Never understood the hype, and there's been a lot of it.

LOL. I was waiting for you to post, since you, for some reason are a Jimmy hater.

Let's not go overboard here. Virtually ever A-C bass I've ever played, and the ones I own are at the top of the top of the top of the pinnacle of playability, construction, and especially tone. Simply amazing to me.

This issue (and quite frankly, something has happened over the last couple of years that has resulted in these unfortunate inconsistencies... I have regretfully stopped recommending these basses over the last couple of years) is definitely real and totally unacceptable. But to say that the dozens of professional players who love these instruments are 'hyping' is simply ridiculous. The basses that came out of the New York shop are simply fantastic.

Again, LOL. Gosh help us.

 

[smcd]

...now I'd hire an attorney and bring legal action against him as well

The legal costs to do this would be prohibitive. The retainer a lawyer would require would be as much as the OP spent on this disgraceful instrument.

 

[Eric Moesle]

Tell Jimmy to take it back on refund and call me..... I've got a $149 SX jazz clone I'll trade him straight up for it that has better fretwork and horn cutaways.....

Seriously though, this thread makes me sad for all parties involved. The OP especially, but I also feel bad for Jimmy because something is VERY wrong at AC to let this go out the door with the obvious MANUFACTURING defects that are unbecoming of such a respected builder.

Talk about a fall from grace......

 

[Dave Hill]

LOL. I was waiting for you to post, since you, for some reason are a Jimmy hater.

Glad I didn't disappoint. Looks like I'm not the only one.
I'm sure Jimmy will recover from this, but being removed from your avatar?...I'm not too sure.

 

[mothra2]

... Seriously though, this thread makes me sad for all parties involved. The OP especially, but I also feel bad for Jimmy because something is VERY wrong at AC to let this go out the door with the obvious MANUFACTURING defects that are unbecoming of such a respected builder.

Talk about a fall from grace......

+1

 

[almost human]

OP, i hope Jimmy does the right thing.