Rybski Basses?

[Just Thumpin']

Cool! Didn't mean any disresepect to Fodera!

No prob!

J

 

[smperry]

Well, sure, but you can't reasonably insist that every custom bass builder participate in the discussion here.

I'm not insisting of course; I'm just saying it'd help. Plenty of builders or reps do chime in to clarify misinformation. Just to clarify my thoughts, given that the person who complained hasn't come back to explain, I'd lean towards what you're saying. I don't just accept that video as the whole story.

 

[smperry]

I also can't just assume the buyer was refunded because it's stated second hand here. Someone here could ask the person who made the video over a private conversation. Not a harassing type email of course, but requesting that he come back and explain if he got a refund. I might if I have a moment.

I've seen plenty of poor behavior on both sides over the years...I just like to hear information direct from people before deciding what to think.

 

[bholder]

I hear you, I just tend to trust the person who seems to be acting less like a (bleep) than the one that's acting more like it. The complainer is doing an exceptional job acting like a (bleep).

 

[Double E]

This guy registered here for the express purpose of spamming us about his plight. He dropped random posts in several threads about having been ripped off with no reply to any inquiry for details.

He was unable to raise a stink here because his actions made everyone skeptical. All of his messages except his post in this thread were removed. He hasn't been back to follow up and likely won't.

 

[bholder]

This guy registered here for the express purpose of spamming us about his plight. He dropped random posts in several threads about having been ripped off with no reply to any inquiry for details.

He was unable to raise a stink here because his actions made everyone skeptical. All of his messages except his post in this thread were removed. He hasn't been back to follow up and likely won't.

What a (bleep).

 

[Chauncey1]

Rybski has not refunded my money. He is not returning my emails. He did make me a mock up but I asked him not to. He had already made me a drawing that I liked. The mock up that he made looked nothing like the drawing which really puzzled me. If he didn't understand something he could have just called. 7 months after he took my order he had to ask me again what scale length it was and the mock up had 24 frets and I specifically asked for 22. Along with that he had lamed a neck blank together for me that had the wrong woods in it. All that was alright and I took it. What really got me was that had kept putting me off and led me to belive twice that he had started my instument when in fact he had done nothing, lied to me, lost my order. I was snowed-in in my driveway running out of food, by myself waiting for him, and under the impression that he was finishing up to find out he had not done a single thing. He did not make me a neck, a body, pickups, nothing. I could have just left for Florida two weeks earlier and not had to sit around waiting for him not to build my instrument. He put me off for 9 months, stole 2500$ from me. This man ripped me off, plain and simple. It's the truth. I have custom ordered instruments from Ken bebensee and joe driskill. You can ask both of them what they think off me, they will tell you that I'm a pretty nice guy. And im sorry about misspelling luthier, every once in a while I make a grammar mistake.

 

[Chauncey1]

That is along the lines of what I'd imagined. This guy, Chauncey, seems like a difficult customer. Anyone who finds and joins an online community like Talkbass just to spread some kind of vitriol like this is a quite questionable character...claiming to have been ripped off without any details of the transaction other than "Look at how much money I doled out for nothing!".

I have in no way shape or form been paid back by Rybski. Along with the money I sent him hundreds of dollars of wood. Some nice redwood and some brazilian rosewood. I was not asking for something impossible and actually took his advice on several things. He picked the neck joint and suggested a preamp which I went along with. I like my fretboards completly flat. What easier than that? I have nothing to gain by doing this. He is more that likely not going to pay me back. I have never in my life been ripped off by a luthier before this. This would have been my fourth custom instrument. If he does pay me back I will get rid of the video and make it clear to everyone if and when he does. I would give just about anything to conclude my business with this man.

 

[Chauncey1]

What a (bleep).

I did join because of what happened to me. I'm not very chatty otherwise. And it look as thowe I have raised a little stink. The video gets watched. I'm a guitar and bass player. Im actually a very generous person and I'm good at what I do! This guy ripped me off. Why else would anyone make a stink about this guy. I have been a contractor all my life and never have I ever cheated somebody out of money. I have never ripped off one of my costomers, I have never ripped of an employee. This guy took my money. He got as much money from me as he could and stoped talking to me. I live about 1000 miles away from Nashville so it's just about impossible for me to sue him. This is my only recourse.

 

[Chauncey1]

Well, sure, but you can't reasonably insist that every custom bass builder participate in the discussion here. When I saw the stack of receipts the complainer posted a picture of, it was pretty obvious to me that Rybski's version of the story was the more believable - that doesn't happen unless the buyer keeps changing the specs. Being in the tech industry, I'm quite familiar with the issue of requested specs constantly changing while trying to move a project along - I think Rybski responded perfectly appropriately, wish I could do the same.

I did not change the order. He had been using the excuse of not knowing how to chamber the instument right when I had told him several times that I don't care if it is or is not chambered. Those receipts that you talk about, that's the other side of the cashiers check, the stub. It's leagal proof that I paid him money. He put me off to rip me off. Rybski does not chime in because he stole from me and mistreated me as a customer. I'm thinking about releasing the back and forth emails so everyone can see. His turnaround time is8-12 weeks, he put me off for nine months and had bad horrible unbelievable excuses. HE RIPPED ME OFF! That and he uses a CNC machine, he did not tell me this. These instruments are not handmade. All he had to do was just push a button and the thing would've carved out my instument. HE TOOK MY MONEY AND RIPPED ME OFF.

 

[Suatie]

We do not have "endorsers" in the official sense of the word. Everyone playing a Fodera is playing one because he / she wants to -- including Vic with whom we have exactly zero legal agreements of any kind. He is our friend and likes our instruments and so he plays them. For better, or worse, it is as simple as that.

Really???? Fodera has a signature model Vic Wooten with no legal agreement or compensation of any kind ? Very hard to believe...

 

[Double E]

I have in no way shape or form been paid back by Rybski. Along with the money I sent him hundreds of dollars of wood. Some nice redwood and some brazilian rosewood. I was not asking for something impossible and actually took his advice on several things. He picked the neck joint and suggested a preamp which I went along with. I like my fretboards completly flat. What easier than that? I have nothing to gain by doing this. He is more that likely not going to pay me back. I have never in my life been ripped off by a luthier before this. This would have been my fourth custom instrument. If he does pay me back I will get rid of the video and make it clear to everyone if and when he does. I would give just about anything to conclude my business with this man.

I am very glad to see you here finally setting the record straight.

I also hope you understand how your behavior led to all the speculation in this thread calling your character into question.

You should've stuck around and engaged in a dialogue about your experience with this guy. As of today your video has had only 239 views...this thread has been viewed 2,454 times and as long as it stays on top with meaningful dialogue, it will keep getting more attention. I would actually like to see you start your own thread on this topic.

It is my feeling that this guy, the builder, should not get another dime from any TB member until he comes onto the forum and explains the situation. Rybski better realize that social media is important and there is no excuse for not engaging his customers where they gather to discuss the very market he is trying to make money with. The excuse that he is too busy building basses is not acceptable, he needs to address this! Other, busier and more prominent builders find time to participate here so I don't want to hear excuses. Too Busy? - Find time! Too Old School? - Get someone to help!

 

[Thumpinshelton]

I am very glad to see you here finally setting the record straight.

I also hope you understand how your behavior led to all the speculation in this thread calling your character into question.

You should've stuck around and engaged in a dialogue about your experience with this guy. As of today your video has had only 239 views...this thread has been viewed 2,454 times and as long as it stays on top with meaningful dialogue, it will keep getting more attention. I would actually like to see you start your own thread on this topic.

It is my feeling that this guy, the builder, should not get another dime from any TB member until he comes onto the forum and explains the situation. Rybski better realize that social media is important and there is no excuse for not engaging his customers where they gather to discuss the very market he is trying to make money with. The excuse that he is too busy building basses is not acceptable, he needs to address this! Other, busier and more prominent builders find time to participate here so I don't want to hear excuses. Too Busy? - Find time! Too Old School? - Get someone to help!

I am going have to disagree with you on this. TB or any social media outlet is just an outlet for open dialog and opinions from anyone who has a computer or smartphone. Who is to say that the vendor has not been communicating with the buyer and the buyer is just a pot stirrer and wants attention or to slander someone? TB is not a court of ethics or law and to insist that a respected company or builder have to come to a public forum of random people and try to "plead his case" is asinine. I respect Fodera or any other builder that does use social media, but I know several builders who choose not to participate in any type of open forum or social media at all. This does not take away from their skill or them being professional in any way.

 

[Double E]

I am going have to disagree with you on this. TB or any social media outlet is just an outlet for open dialog and opinions from anyone who has a computer or smartphone. Who is to say that the vendor has not been communicating with the buyer and the buyer is just a pot stirrer and wants attention or to slander someone? TB is not a court of ethics or law and to insist that a respected company or builder have to come to a public forum of random people and try to "plead his case" is asinine. I respect Fodera or any other builder that does use social media, but I know several builders who choose not to participate in any type of open forum or social media at all. This does not take away from their skill or them being professional in any way.

This particular builder is being called out for some very unprofessional behavior. It would benefit him greatly to respond, especially if he hasn't done anything wrong. Anyone who cares about their business or reputation would do so.

 

[Chauncey1]

This guy took my money and completly and rudely blew me off. He does not return email. He is a coward. I didn't know that anybody asked me a question or commented. I guess I should have checked more often. This is not how I want to get attention either. I am ashamed that I got taken by him and would rather spent time talking about what I like and what I'm doing. I don't want to have this fight. I'm a big victor Wooten fan, I love bela fleck along with hundreds of other players well known or not. I was nothing but nice to Rybski until I was sure he was playing games with me. I really liked what Rybski does with his instruments and that's why I contacted him. He is a great maker of instruments and I'm sure he's had good relations with other costomers, but the fact is he stole my money and treated me badly. I did not change my order at all. I did not ask anything of him that was out of the ordinary or impossible. If he sends me a check I will make sure I do my part and delete videos and chat until everyone knows he did the right thing. He has had every opportunity to pay me back and he has not. And as far as social media is concerned, I don't know what I would've done without it. Thank you everybody for listening and commenting and thanks to TB for giving me the platform!

 

[smperry]

I'm sorry for your experience and hope you're able to get a satisfactory resolution.

 

[Double E]

Rybski is busy building basses. He doesn't spend much time on the internet and wouldn't waste time on the only person who has ever complained about his services.

I looked around a little...turns out this guy does, in fact, have plenty of time to be posting a steady stream of daily posts to his facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/slawomir.waclawik.

So, perhaps he is guilty and is just waiting for the issue to fade into history.

On the other hand, perhaps there is a valid explanation of why he cashed a customer's checks, then failed to perform and blew off the customer. If he indeed feels justified in keeping his customer's money with nothing in return, why wouldn't he want anyone to know why?

 

[Chauncey1]

My apologies. I jumped the gun on my post. I have revised it. I feel bad that the OP feels he has been ripped off. If I can find out anything more for him, I will. Otherwise, I will post pics of what Rybski builds for me, and hopefully the OP will get his money back if this whole story is true. I honestly don't know what happened as I wasn't directly involved. All I can do is report my own experiences with this builder.

Just want to point out that your from Nashville and the chances of you getting ripped off by him are slim to none. I live 1000 miles away from Nashville and think that Rybski thinks that I'm a pushover or that he's going to get away with this in some way. If he told you that he paid me back he flat out lied. I'm telling the truth. Chauncey Sullivan is my real name and I've got nothing to hide. Here is a video of me playing my KB, I have worked with two other instument makers in the past and have nothing but good things to say about them. This guy Rybski picks and chooses who he does this to. I am not a known musician, I have no friends or Facebook and am a man of little means. Oh and also I was super nice to him until I realized what he was doing. Now I am very not nice to him!

 

[Chauncey1]

He's currently building a bass for me and has been very good about every aspect of the build thus far. He writes back to me any time I write to him, and has sent pictures when he completes steps of my build. I've had nothing but positive interactions with him, and many musicians in the Nashville, TN area will vouch for his work. Out of all the customers he's had, the OP is the only one who has ever complained (That I have found). The OP kept changing aspects of his build (according to Rybski), which in turn upped the amount he was to pay Rybski. Rybski asks for half up front, and none of the OP's receipts in the video come close to that amount. I'm not sure how that arrangement was made. Rybski couldn't make him happy no matter what he did. The OP gave up, and Rybski gave him his money back (according to Rybski). Rybski is visiting me personally next week in order to make sure the neck profile for my bass is what I want. As for his Facebook posts, he really doesn't post that much other than the recent pictures from the NAMM show that he attended, or basses he's building. According to him, he isn't guilty of anything other than trying to please a customer, and was unable to do so I guess. I'm just going on what Rybski has told me.

Also I wanted to point out that just about everything that you said that Rybski said to you is untrue. I did not change the order. I offered to pay him more to motivate him and because I was having a good year. I offered him another thousand. I am a generous person and don't mind paying more fore a custom hande made instrument. The only thing that I actually had a problem with was he blew me off twice and lied to me. He led me to belive twice that he had started my instument when in fact he had done nothing. This guy brags about making the best instruments in the world but he makes them on a CNC machine, they are not hand made. Rybski put me off treated me horribly. Are agreement was us to exchange money for a guitar in August. He blew off that date and led me to belive again that he was starting. About the end of November I finally got him to email me back to find out he had not even started. My entire order was place within the first two weeks of March. He lied to me, he stole from me. I never changed the order. Not once. Never was there a demand from him for more money because I asked for a change. I did not change the order. He riped me off and voided are contract by timing out. This guitar was supposed to be done in August. I bent until I broke and I'm sorry that I ever heard his name.

 

[Chauncey1]

I looked around a little...turns out this guy does, in fact, have plenty of time to be posting a steady stream of daily posts to his facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/slawomir.waclawik.

So, perhaps he is guilty and is just waiting for the issue to fade into history.

On the other hand, perhaps there is a valid explanation of why he cashed a customer's checks, then failed to perform and blew off the customer. If he indeed feels justified in keeping his customer's money with nothing in return, why wouldn't he want anyone to know why?

This is a good point. He does update his Facebook pages all the time. I emailed him 4 times today and not one response. When you cash a customers check and you fail to make good on the contract it what you would call contractors fraud.