Four pages and no one suggested stringing the B and E through the bridge?
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Strings are Very Important
- Thread starter LedBelli Bass
- Start date
It appears, from his web site, that this particular bass has a custom bridge with a piezo saddle, and the strings must go down through the body into ferrules. And it isn't clear if the lengths from the ferrules to the saddles is equal on all the strings. Which is all related to why you need to measure carefully and specify strings by the winding length.
As one of my old professors used to say, you can ignore engineering, but it won't ignore you.
talkbass buys a lot of custom basses...
in fact, TB is the market for high end basses. i've bought and sold so many top notch instruments here, 2 within the last 2 months.. i've also been exposed to so many exceptional luthiers through these forums and the word of mouth that is generated here.
i definitely believe that threads like this will tarnish a reputation- its TB after all- there are so many other good luthiers to choose from.
Hopkins
Commercial User
Sure, but he is not selling his instruments on the TB classifieds. I doubt anyone in this thread boycotting his business, because "he is a jerk" had any plans on calling him specifically for a one off custom and changed their minds because of this thread. I also doubt that anyone familiar enough with his work, and craftsmanship, and are considering buying from him will be swayed either way by this thread.
The Alleva Coppolo thread was much more inflammatory than this thread, as it involved a sub par instrument, rude responses, and blaming of the customer, yet he is still in business, and TB'ers are still buying his basses.
You never know who your next customer is. For luthiers, it could be anyone on this site. In fact, it's a pretty good bet that a bass luthier's next customer is a member here. I, for one, do intend to purchase my first full custom within the next 18 months (we'll see if that actually happens). As an inexperienced buyer, I anticipate being a total pain and asking a lot of stupid questions. In large part, my choice of luthier will pend on one's reputation for dealing with people and questions. I can almost assure that I will ask some stupid questions and will kill a deal if I feel disrespected, intimidated or belittled. I'd never heard of the OP before this thread and will not comment on the impression he left on me; but, I have now been introduced and, for better or for worse, a first impression has been made.
Further, I'd imagine that one loss sale is impactful to a small, niche business owner. This especially true when there are so many options and so much competition.
Further, I'd imagine that one loss sale is impactful to a small, niche business owner. This especially true when there are so many options and so much competition.
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Yeah, you're right-
I didn't check out the bass on his site before posting:
Really nice basses there.
From what I could find (not much) about this model, it looks like the E and B strings (strung) should be even a little shorter than the rest, ball-to-nut.
Looks like there was a 34" E and B string in that package, but who knows how it got there...
Anyway (IMO), better to have addressed the issue with the seller or Labella before posting here.
Well said. A thoughtful and helpful response to an unfortunately typical internet exchange.
Although it would be a little odd to not care about what is said in a thread one starts, I can't say wether the OP cares or not; but, I do count 5 topics started this year, and 20-ish posts since October of this year.
EDIT: Actually, my numbers are off too, but he had been active.
OP: Please keep us posted on how/if this works out.
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My apologies. I stand corrected. I had used a menu search and only came up with 3. Among other things, the OP recently had a very good thread on doing block inlays.
I'm sticking with my suspicion that the string set he was sent had been tampered with, especially since it didn't come from the LaBella factory, but from a "secondary supplier". I recommend a phone call to LaBella for quickest action. They haven't been very quick to return emails from me in the past. And I agree with the advice to deal with Jason at bassstringsonline in the future. I've purchased a lot of strings from Jason and he always "gets it right", especially with special requests from LaBella.
Props to you for using round wound strings on a bare wood fretless.Tear it up for tone!
I think you may have to custom order the length you want, thru body are all different.
I think you may have to custom order the length you want, thru body are all different.
How is trimming anything going to give you a string long enough for the wound portion of the string pass the nut? Even if you are talking about trimming the silk. the winding on the string would still end before it gets to the nut.
