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Question about Luthiers

#61
I never thought pictures would be something that has to be contractually negotiated when getting a custom build. Just seems like a basic customer service thing. I guess technically, builders can refuse to send photos. I mean it's not like the initial transaction includes photos, updates & good communication. You pay for a builder to build your bass within a certain time frame and that's that I guess.
 
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#62
Jeff Scott said:
I ordered a Herrick bass, years ago and am still waiting to hear if he started the build? You're not the same Herrick, are you? ;) :D
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I hope you didn't order an expensive custom build from me because I can barely do a basic set up my own basses :eek: But I assure you, your hard-earned money went to a good cause: Herrick's video game collection!
 
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#63
Jeff Scott said:
I ordered a Herrick bass, years ago and am still waiting to hear if he started the build? You're not the same Herrick, are you? ;) :D
I can cite the names of a lot of luthiers with many irons in the fire that regularly post photos of the work that is in progress.

Consider the payment sent. ;) What's your response? :roflmao:
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I can cite the names of a lot of luthiers with many irons in the fire that regularly post photos of the work that is in progress.

So what? I could cite just as many that don't feel obligated or don't have the time or desire to supply WIP pics to their customers.

I'm considering a build (several actually) and I would want the builder(s) I may choose to better spend their time BUILDING rather than shooting pics, as I wait anxiously for my new bass. I already know what to expect from any one I will deal with.

That's me. I can understand why some want baby pix of their new instrument.
 
#64
B-line said:
I can cite the names of a lot of luthiers with many irons in the fire that regularly post photos of the work that is in progress.

So what? I could cite just as many that don't feel obligated or don't have the time or desire to supply WIP pics to their customers.

I'm considering a build (several actually) and I would want the builder(s) I may choose to better spend their time BUILDING rather than shooting pics, as I wait anxiously for my new bass. I already know what to expect from any one I will deal with.

That's me. I can understand why some want baby pix of their new instrument.
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May I suggest Darrin Huff for your build.
 
#66
Herrick said:
I hope you didn't order an expensive custom build from me because I can barely do a basic set up my own basses :eek: But I assure you, your hard-earned money went to a good cause: Herrick's video game collection!
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The last communication with him was something about a monkey's ass. :D I hope that he, at the very least, has a nice video game collection by now. :roflmao:
 
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#70
If I didn't know a builder and I was supposed to pay them thousands of dollars for a several year project, I suppose I would need them to have a medical exam, including full blood work and electrocardiogram results during a stress test.
 
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#71
depends

i've had a luthier who does a lot of buisiness say if he sent photos to every client he'd have to hire an employee to get them all done and that would mean higher prices for the instruments.

seems reasonable to me, either way it takes time and i would understand a luthier not wanting to just snap an iphone shot. also, unfinished/not yet shaped wood will look very different from a finished product, and the luthier knows what the finished product will be. sending a photo of what will look off to many clients may just ruffle their feathers unnecesarily?

just some ideas. i've also had other luthiers be happy to send me photos of my builds.
 
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#72
hondo4life said:
If I didn't know a builder and I was supposed to pay them thousands of dollars for a several year project, I suppose I would need them to have a medical exam, including full blood work and electrocardiogram results during a stress test.
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Then he gets hits by a bus the next day.

Working with a small builder is always risky. If disaster strikes you may or may not get your bass or your money back. Never invest more than you can afford to lose.
 
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#73
When I was an avid Saltwater fisherman in SoCal, I never cared about having pics of the fish I caught. It was enough for me to have had the thrill of hooking them, fighting them, catching them,and eating them later! Except for the Bluefin Tuna I caught off Catalina- Glad I have a pic of that, even tho it was only what is known as a "football". Still...Bluefin Tuna/ Catalina..For those who "know"...
It's like a Fodera....

Now besides a "Bass" also being a fish (Calico, Sand, or f/water, there is no relationship...
Or is there???:roflmao:
 
#74
B-line said:
I can cite the names of a lot of luthiers with many irons in the fire that regularly post photos of the work that is in progress.

So what? I could cite just as many that don't feel obligated or don't have the time or desire to supply WIP pics to their customers.

I'm considering a build (several actually) and I would want the builder(s) I may choose to better spend their time BUILDING rather than shooting pics, as I wait anxiously for my new bass. I already know what to expect from any one I will deal with.

That's me. I can understand why some want baby pix of their new instrument.
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I cannot really understand the time frame. It takes less than 30 seconds to take the phone and send a photo of the bass.

And if you dont have the desire as a builder, it is just bad customer service. Just my opinion
 
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#77
iTzPrime said:
I cannot really understand the time frame. It takes less than 30 seconds to take the phone and send a photo of the bass.

And if you dont have the desire as a builder, it is just bad customer service. Just my opinion
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I've had the pleasure of seeing Builders w/ several builds in progress do their thing. For a one or even 2 man shop- Even a short pause to take a cell-phone pic is a distraction, same as for a mechanic, or any craftsmen. Its an interruption of their work cycle, and can be a distraction for some builders. Some. Not all.

I can revert that and state that I don't see why anyone who has carefully selected a builder, vetted their work, and made his specs specific, would absolutelly freak about not getting WIP pics. What is the deal? I posted earlier some pics of my build by one of the best in the biz, Michael Stevens. He enjoys doing that for his clients, but others don't.

Either way- I want my bass, not pics of it in an unfinished state. I want to play it, not look at pics of "Childbirth"
Ugh- my cousin had those (vids) made- (of her Baby, not a bass). Yeah, miracle, etc etc. No thanks.:roflmao:
 
#78
Jeff Scott said:
Major red flag here, to me. Can you get your money back, if necessary, like through your credit card company?


How do you know those are of the bass he's making for you?
See above.

Photos of the build should not have to be stipulated in a contract. I have seen 100s of build photos from dozens of luthiers over just the past few years. These builders are quite proud of the work they do and gladly supply photos of their work in progress. Some have even made a fine art of doing so, too.

I can send you in the direction of 100s, maybe 1000s, of threads/posts proving this to be the case.

Given the builder in question refuses to supply more photos until the instrument is completed sounds totally like :poop: to me. More like a scam, actually.
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I am positive this luthier is not scamming me. Given his name. Thanks for reply
 
#80
iTzPrime said:
I cannot really understand the time frame. It takes less than 30 seconds to take the phone and send a photo of the bass.
Click to expand...
Exactly.

Here are those pictures you wanted.
image.jpg
 
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