My Stambaugh took right around 18 months to receive. I understand some of his more complex builds take even longer. His response time to an email could vary from a month to three months.
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Stambaugh Designs still in business?
- Thread starter rockosocko
- Start date
For me there is no way I would do business or commission a build with someone that handles his business and customers this way. There are way to many great builders out there that respond to their customers in a timely manner.
It has been over a year since I created this thread, and I still don't have my bass. In December of 2018, he sent me a picture of the bass which indicated that all it needed was final sanding, electronics and hardware, however no further progress was made on it. I have asked him on more than one occasion why there has been a such a delay, but his reasoning has been sketchy at best. Furthermore, he came off as irritated that I should ask such a question of him. To compound matters further, his website is no longer working.
I've never understood why builder's get themselves in this situation, this is starting to sound like another Darrin Huff and Pratt story, to be honest I'm wondering how the situation will work out for Brubaker Guitars taking on Ken Smith production build's.
Regarding the OP's situation I really hope this works out for you, have you contacted the other person that was kind of mediating for you and see what he had to say about what is going on right now?
Regarding the OP's situation I really hope this works out for you, have you contacted the other person that was kind of mediating for you and see what he had to say about what is going on right now?
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I haven't yet, that is my mext step. Chris gave me the indication that he's got some personal issues, but as a business owner myself, that doesn't excuse him from completing my bass.
- Feb 8, 2005
- 3,636
- 1,053
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Bag End - Dean Markley - Thunderfunk
Any news? I've had good experiences with Chris going back about 12 years; 2 of my favorite basses are custom builds of his. I'd be so bummed if he is out of action for whatever reason. Of course I want the OP to get what he paid for or get his money back regardless....just hoping Chris is well and that we haven't seen the last of his wonderful instruments.
I received a text from him last week. Hopefully that means something will happen. Either ordering a 3 single coil Strat type or a 6 string headless bass.
I wouldn't take him at his word. In November of 2018, he emailed me a photo of my bass and stated that is was ready for final sanding, finishing and installation of hardware and electronics. After several attempts on my part, I didn't hear from him again till last month, where in which he said it would be ready this month. Today is the 29th, and I have yet to hear from him.
Turnaround
Commercial User
Many artists are lousy business people. Some are definitely not "people" people. Some of the best artists I have know were total train wrecks as people, and useless at managing their lives. But great art!
Now you have to decide if CS's basses are works of art.
Now you have to decide if CS's basses are works of art.
This has been my experience as well, however regarding CS, I always had good repor with him but have not talked with him in several years so I have no idea whats going on with him these days
Honestly, at this point I would say buyer beware. Last November, Chris indicated that all my bass needed was final sanding, finishing, and hardware and electronics installed. I heard nothing from him till a month ago after much effort on my part to reach him. He told me at that point that my bass would be ready in October, and here I am with no bass and unable to reach him.
I want to add that since last November, I have ordered basses from Cliff Bordwell and Ele Basses. The Bordwell arrived back in September and I received the Ele last week. The Stambaugh was ordered back in 2016 and I don't foresee getting it anytime soon, and I am seriously beginning to doubt that I will ever get it.
I want to add that since last November, I have ordered basses from Cliff Bordwell and Ele Basses. The Bordwell arrived back in September and I received the Ele last week. The Stambaugh was ordered back in 2016 and I don't foresee getting it anytime soon, and I am seriously beginning to doubt that I will ever get it.
- Feb 8, 2005
- 3,636
- 1,053
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Bag End - Dean Markley - Thunderfunk
Thread bump, still interested in how this plays out. I was (a few months back) in contact with Chris about having a small mod done (headstock veneer) done on one of his builds of mine. Dunno at this point if that will even be an option...
@rockosocko I just saw your pic from last year of your bass. Why in the world would that not be done by now? It looked basically finished...
Yeah, he’s always been slow and longer than expected. I sent him an email recently checking in, I’ll give a him a few months to respond. I put in a deposit for a custom build back in January. Probably gonna be a 2021 or 2022 bass, but I’ve gotten two great basses from him already and have been turned down by other custom builders. So I guess I’ll wait. Just gotta wait. I saw a post from September where someone received their bass, so things must be turtling along. At the end of the day the basses are MFing beast. My first bass from him is about 12 years old and I’ve taken it across the world, it’s been my main bass pretty much in any live situation since I’ve had it; university, countless gigs etc. The only thing I don’t use it for often is most recording sessions because I just end up using a P bass almost all the time. Which is why I am ordering a new one that remedies that issue; a 6 string dual P jazz bass. One bass to rule them all.
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After speaking with him and explaining my side of things, he has agreed to keep me updated more regularly in regards to the progress he's been making. A couple of days ago he sent me photos of the bass showing the completed inlay. I hope to have it in my hands soon.
It sucks to hear how backed up things are and I hope Chris is ok. He built a bass for me some years ago and, its the only one in my collection that gets played. I inquired about 2 other builds and could tell it was going to be a long wait so, I decided to pass. I consider him to be the best custom builder because he builds a real players bass. They feel right and he seems to know what you want.
Yeah, it's just part of the deal with Chris. I love his stuff, and it's such a good bargain that it makes the wait worth it to me, but I'm also on bass #4 from him (last one received end of this August after putting in the deposit October 2017) so I have that trust built up. If you're someone who's going to be annoyed when your bass is late please do yourself and Chris a favor and go elsewhere.
Things that will help:
* Text him, he's bad at email but good at text. Don't blow him up, though.
* Be exceptionally clear about what you want, down to the minutest detail.
* If you want a bass with a finish that he has to send out, it's going to take a lot longer
* If you can, order anything that he'd need to procure (like pickups) yourself and ship it to him, otherwise he tends to wait until it's time to install something to order it.
* Take deep breaths, be patient, be confident that your bass will kick ass
edit: Honestly though, he's always seemed like he was on the edge of not being able to keep it going (even though I've personally had great experiences, I don't doubt others experience that were not great) so I'm always kind of wondering whether I should try to get one last one built before he hangs it up. (Only one I have left on my list is a black PJ version of my white bass. With flats on it? Dang. It'd be so good.)
Things that will help:
* Text him, he's bad at email but good at text. Don't blow him up, though.
* Be exceptionally clear about what you want, down to the minutest detail.
* If you want a bass with a finish that he has to send out, it's going to take a lot longer
* If you can, order anything that he'd need to procure (like pickups) yourself and ship it to him, otherwise he tends to wait until it's time to install something to order it.
* Take deep breaths, be patient, be confident that your bass will kick ass
edit: Honestly though, he's always seemed like he was on the edge of not being able to keep it going (even though I've personally had great experiences, I don't doubt others experience that were not great) so I'm always kind of wondering whether I should try to get one last one built before he hangs it up. (Only one I have left on my list is a black PJ version of my white bass. With flats on it? Dang. It'd be so good.)
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Being on the edge of falling apart has been my impression of his business as well. That said, I've thought that for a few years so I guess I've been wrong about it. Still not someone I'd do business with.
