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the bebensee arrives today!!!!!!
- Thread starter tribal3140
- Start date
nope.
nada.
I think ken may be done building basses he alluded to that in an email he sent toward the end.
Dont feel bad for me though
all that crap is over!
and this bass really is a smokin bass!
nada.
I think ken may be done building basses he alluded to that in an email he sent toward the end.
Dont feel bad for me though
all that crap is over!
and this bass really is a smokin bass!
Thats horrible man...did he even send you the right bass??
From what you were expecting, it sounds totally different.
I just noticed the tuners and the way the strings are "wound" on. Please, for the love of all that is holy, tell me the builder of a 5000 dollar bass didnt send it to you strung like that. I can tell just by looking at the pictures that its not even a matching set of strings.
:scowl:
Im sure that thats an awesome bass, were it not something that you had built specifically the way you wanted it, and not done right, but seriously, for that much dough, it should be as close to perfect as you can get.
From what you were expecting, it sounds totally different.
I just noticed the tuners and the way the strings are "wound" on. Please, for the love of all that is holy, tell me the builder of a 5000 dollar bass didnt send it to you strung like that. I can tell just by looking at the pictures that its not even a matching set of strings.
:scowl:
Im sure that thats an awesome bass, were it not something that you had built specifically the way you wanted it, and not done right, but seriously, for that much dough, it should be as close to perfect as you can get.
Its a shame you put out all that money!!!tribal3140 said:
Doesnt he back your satisfaction 
with a time frame,even though its a custom??
A reputable luither would!!!!!!!! 
I don't really know, but I have a feeling that this is not normal for Ken. Maybe his heart is out of the luthiery field and he just isn't paying as close attention anymore. I know is plays and sounds great, it's just all those other little things he messed up on.
The Spertzels are locking tuners (I'm pretty sure anyways), so you do string them like that (threaded through the side).
The Spertzels are locking tuners (I'm pretty sure anyways), so you do string them like that (threaded through the side).
Mark Wilson
Supporting Member
these were a set of strings from an ibanez I had in the same room at the time
remember he sent it strung E-C
and I just wanted to hear it so I grabbed the strings of of a cheap ibanez that happened to be in the same room.
moved E-G down and used the ibanezes B
som they dont match and are the wrong size.
I just bought a few sets of discontinued slowwounds from a fellow tberand I'll restring it right when they get here.
they are locking sperzels thats why the strings havent flown out at that short of a length.
and yes the inlay was supposed to be the 2 paws with 6 toes
where a pickguard would be on the front with the roman numeral I next to them the inlay was also supposed to be green abalone.
I sent him a picture of my stambaugh as an example of the paws and he never got back to me about it.
low and behold he just duplicated the inlay on my stammie!
its not the bioggest deal in the owrld and I am sure in a few days when I play it more the excitement of the great playing instrument will overtake my dissapointment in the whole affair!\
and confusion was no excuse I actually drafted a full size 1:1 drawing of the bass and inlay, all specs etc.
so there wouldnt be any confusion I even xeroxed a copy for myself. I should go find it!
remember he sent it strung E-C
and I just wanted to hear it so I grabbed the strings of of a cheap ibanez that happened to be in the same room.
moved E-G down and used the ibanezes B
som they dont match and are the wrong size.
I just bought a few sets of discontinued slowwounds from a fellow tberand I'll restring it right when they get here.
they are locking sperzels thats why the strings havent flown out at that short of a length.
and yes the inlay was supposed to be the 2 paws with 6 toes
where a pickguard would be on the front with the roman numeral I next to them the inlay was also supposed to be green abalone.
I sent him a picture of my stambaugh as an example of the paws and he never got back to me about it.
low and behold he just duplicated the inlay on my stammie!
its not the bioggest deal in the owrld and I am sure in a few days when I play it more the excitement of the great playing instrument will overtake my dissapointment in the whole affair!\
and confusion was no excuse I actually drafted a full size 1:1 drawing of the bass and inlay, all specs etc.
so there wouldnt be any confusion I even xeroxed a copy for myself. I should go find it!
Attachments
CTbass&birdsong said:Its a shame you put out all that money!!!
its still a smoking bass though.
the bass is good the builder and experience was bad!
I know Rudy was a special animal to you, but was he/she a cat? My mom used to have a cat with 6 toes on each front paw. We called him "widetrack" 
You Say the bass is good?tribal3140 said:
At that price it should be fantastic!!!!! 
if not , you should get your 5K back for that good bass you received and get a bass that you think is FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!
I have 2 cats for 13 years now
Rudy (the 6 toes)
and cassie who thinks shes my girlfriend
they are the most bizarre animals I have ever met, come in contact with and even have heard about.
they have personalities unlike any other animal, more human than 99% of the hundreds of thousands of people I have met.
so I pay hommage to greatness because greatness is so rare in ones life.
I just have to figure out how to tribute Cassie.
hell , rudy is sittling in my lap right now at my computer + he loves the bass!!
Rudy (the 6 toes)
and cassie who thinks shes my girlfriend
they are the most bizarre animals I have ever met, come in contact with and even have heard about.
they have personalities unlike any other animal, more human than 99% of the hundreds of thousands of people I have met.
so I pay hommage to greatness because greatness is so rare in ones life.
I just have to figure out how to tribute Cassie.
hell , rudy is sittling in my lap right now at my computer + he loves the bass!!
CTbass&birdsong said:You Say the bass is good?
the truth is, I dont ken would have 5K to refund
I gave him half 3+ years ago. and its absolutely impossible to get a hold of him.
.
I could always sell it new if I wanted. if you didnt know the backstory youd probably pay the 5K.
I feel sorry for you, but then also congrats on a smokin playing bass!
I had a custom that cost much more once and there were stuff that didnt turn out as the order went.
Like different type bridge, wrong color and a little uneveness in one fret that wouldn't stop buzzing.
The luthier was gentleman enough to give me some freebies at the end.
It still suck thinking about it and i might send it for another finish at the end of the day. BUT it's a SMOKIN' bass.
Let the playing take over for now...
I had a custom that cost much more once and there were stuff that didnt turn out as the order went.
Like different type bridge, wrong color and a little uneveness in one fret that wouldn't stop buzzing.
The luthier was gentleman enough to give me some freebies at the end.
It still suck thinking about it and i might send it for another finish at the end of the day. BUT it's a SMOKIN' bass.
Let the playing take over for now...
tribal3140 said:
I'm sitting here trying to imagine what three plus years of anticipation feels like when it ends with "Hmmm...well, this isn't really what I asked for."
Damn....
Actually, I'm sure you'll own and love this bass for a long time and from your posts you seem to have an awesome attitude about it.
Hey, it's certainly beautiful.
Plus "excellent feel, tone and playability".
That's exactly what I want in a bass.
I agree with you about the finish; send it to Wilkins and get 'er done right. (after you spend some time playing her!)
I also agree with you about Chris Stambaugh. He's not likely to have that list of problems attached to one of his basses. He combines a great product wth a great price in a reasonable time frame. It sounds like Chris might have Mr. Bebensee beat.
Despite it all, I have to say congratulations. It really does look like a killer instrument.
Keep us posted as you get to know it better.
Chad
Definitely, a good finish can make all the difference in the look. The body design is awesome, and I'm sure the carving/shaping is all good. It's just that 'muddy' finish that makes it look like a lesser bass than it is.
IMO of course.
IMO of course.
Wow... sorry to hear man. After all that, it's a shame to have such a list of issues over the work someone contracted to do for you. Hope you enjoy it... you're obviously more forgiving than I am.
tribal3140 said:
Sorry to hear about your bad experience. It's good to open-minded about focusing on the pro's. Some people would be fixated on the con's.
Even though it's fairly expensive, in the end, it is just a bass. FWIW, I like your wood choices. A really nice grain.
tribal3140 said:
Hi, this is my 1st post here. I had just this week contacted Ken to do a 6 stringer, so this comment made a do a double take (in fact, this thread had convinced me to look around for abit more).
Sorry to hear about your troubles, hope you enjoy the instrument in good health.
regards,
kelvin
