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Question about Luthiers
- Thread starter benchpress11782
- Start date
Have you complained to the luthier? Complaining on TB may get you sympathy, but unless you contact the luthier with your complaint you might not get any action.
I have. And no sympathy from them. They like the customer to be surprised when they first see it. Rather than photo.
I don't know if it helps but if the body shown in your other thread is the build you're talking about here then I totally think black hardware is the right choice.
When are you supposed to pickup the finished bass? After almost 10 pages of speculation I'm SUPER curious to see what the end result is!
When are you supposed to pickup the finished bass? After almost 10 pages of speculation I'm SUPER curious to see what the end result is!
I'm sure they do. If any thing is amiss the customer is not likely to want to pack it up, ship it and wait for the fix.
There should be no surprises when you open the box.
You can bite whatever you want.
Let's go this route,if you want names of luthiers who don't want to bother sending pics do your own research.
See below, I've given you a little head-start.
Here, you're a big G&L fan:
Why don't you order a bass to spec from them (I have 3X) and ask them to send you pics of the build?
I guess you know they'll do good work, like Fodera, Alembic, Roscoe, etc.
But yet you support some one who cannot wait to see pics of their unfinished neck, or the block of topwood the builder's gonna use.
Go back and look at the pics of my Stevens and CWG WIP. Those pics don't mean a thing, the finished bass(es) I play do.
Get it yet? No?
There's a small start.
How about FCS? Go for it. Ask 'em for pics
Next, lets do an order for a Lakland...
"OH my" You say- Those are BIG companies"
More to the point- I personally could not care less about WIP build pics.
I don't ask, I don't care. My point throughout, but some like to whine, and say "We need pics, boo-hoo! We WANT pics!"
Jeesh. How nice, a scrapbook! I don't have time or desire to look back at the builds I have. I have quite a few excellent basses, I'm actually busier changing strings, doing a set-up, and oh, yeah- Working with them on stage, about 45 week-ends a year.
Let's continue with your list:
Try Pat Wilkins, I don't think he has time. Maybe he does, if you asked him. I'm considering a build from him, I have great details about the specs we worked out in several E-Mails. I can get the bass in about 2 months. Yeh, very crucial to have build pics. Never asked him don't care.
Bee Basses never sent me pics, I never asked. My bass is awesome.
I had a SC built by ELLA, Jeff "retired" but did not bother sending WIP pics. Turned out beautifully.
More? Do it your own self. There's plenty, and I will admit however, that if asked, most builders probably would snap shots, and maybe grit their teeth while doing so, or maybe have a ***t-eatin grin, if they LOVE shooting their days work, no matter to me.
GAME OVER in this thread's case when it was given up that the OP builder was Jerzy D. a world-class luthier who wanted to be paid the balance of $ due, and not be bothered about snapping shots of what would obviously be a superior build.
IMO he can take that 'tude, he's earned it 2x over.
IDK, maybe after seeing pics, the OP might want to change the hardware color. What a farce.
If I ordered a JD, I assure you I would sleep well knowing the bass would be ideal. But that's just me, huh? Based on the OPs posts, (He needs to learn "multi-quote for one thing) I can see how Mr. Jerzy might get miffed.
Finally-
You'd be "doing a service to the TB community" by posting in a manner w/out the snark, but have it at if you think you're being clever.
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To no one in particular, really, but after reading the latest posts, I just have to
I feel better, already!
If anyone takes personal offense, that is on you, only.
I am not directing this towards anyone, in particular. Just the twists and turns in this thread are almost too funny not to laugh. 
I feel better, already!
If anyone takes personal offense, that is on you, only.
I am not directing this towards anyone, in particular. Just the twists and turns in this thread are almost too funny not to laugh.
What a ridiculous post. Five words is all you get or deserve.
THAT bass is from Jerzy D.
Now be quiet.
You wasted all that time pecking away at the keyboard with "What If's?"
Btw I never said it was a Jerzy Drozd. I am having a Jerzy built as well but this is not the luthier in question. Thanks for all of your input. I am going to just suck it up. It is almost ready anyways. A lot of you helped me to calm down and I thank you for that TB.
The luthier is in one of two positions. He has either done little or no work on your bass or he is so busy that he can't be bothered to stop and send you a picture. Either way I think it's time for a lesser known, more personal luthier. And think about this - IF he has been doing the work, he would have been snapping pix along the way. AND he would have the pictures organized under your name so it shouldn't be hard to stop and send a pic. I think he hasn't done much work on yours.
I can imagine making fine instruments in lots of 1, 5, 10 instruments at a time and having no time to stop and take progress photos for each instrument each day or week of work, then forwarding each set of photos to the customer.
If you hire a 1-man shop luthier, he/she can only be in one place at a time, and their time is also spread between building, purchasing materials, scheduling future jobs, finishing, etc. If you didn't previously agree (at purchase agreement time) on exactly when and where photos would be supplied, I'm afraid you are at the mercy of the free time the luthier has or feels like going out of his way to extend the favor.
If you hire a 1-man shop luthier, he/she can only be in one place at a time, and their time is also spread between building, purchasing materials, scheduling future jobs, finishing, etc. If you didn't previously agree (at purchase agreement time) on exactly when and where photos would be supplied, I'm afraid you are at the mercy of the free time the luthier has or feels like going out of his way to extend the favor.
Bizarre direction this went.
Apologies to the OP, but closed temporarily for cleanup.
Apologies to the OP, but closed temporarily for cleanup.
Opening again. Please stay on topic, and report the nonsense rather than respond...
I had one additional scenario that is actually quite likely. Maybe the bass is already packed for shipping and the luthier just forgot to take pics?
I still wouldn't pay without pics, but it is at least one very plausible scenario that would explain the luthier's reluctance as a matter of not wanting to unpack and repack the instrument.
Best of luck with the bass.
Be sure to post a NBD therad and play it in good health!
I still wouldn't pay without pics, but it is at least one very plausible scenario that would explain the luthier's reluctance as a matter of not wanting to unpack and repack the instrument.
You are a braver person than I.
Best of luck with the bass.
Be sure to post a NBD therad and play it in good health!
Maybe, but it doesn't excuse the builder holding five pictures of the bass hostage until he receives final payment (as per the OP).
I'd just also like to weigh in with my perspective as a builder: I wouldn't have time to take pics, when I'm building I'm too busy, you know, working.
If I ever decide to accept another commission (extremely unlikely) it will be understood up front that the only pics are going to be for choosing the woods - although I prefer the customer do that in person. I don't and won't do shots of work in progress. People are always free to find another builder if they find those conditions too onerous. Christ, it's not like there's shortage of builders.
If I ever decide to accept another commission (extremely unlikely) it will be understood up front that the only pics are going to be for choosing the woods - although I prefer the customer do that in person. I don't and won't do shots of work in progress. People are always free to find another builder if they find those conditions too onerous. Christ, it's not like there's shortage of builders.
Are they alowed to visit and see the bass in progress?
No, not during work, the luthier is busy. If he doesn't have time to take pics while working, he sure as hell doesn't have time for your visit while he's busy laboring. Now, it's a different story when the luthier wants more money... Suddenly, the luthier will "find" the time that just isn't there otherwise. There are reasonable business practices. Taking some pics on your phone and emailing take what... a minute or two?
Like Joshua trees and fingerprints all luthiers are different. Some are more customer friendly than others, and some do better work than others. If you have a background in psychology or have the ability to question and assess people accurately your chance of finding the right luthier that suits your needs will be better than just going on someones referral and recommendations.
