Thunderbird Club

[JIO]

I feel your pain.
I wonder if a Ring type front porch camera would aid in something like this. Seems like it could be used in court as evidence that the shipper did not deliver the package as claimed, or that some schmuck is following the delivery vehicles and pirating packages from porches.

that is a good suggestion - thanks

 

[JIO]

First, sorry Geo for your new found pain in the butt. Second, it's doesn't surprise me at all. (See my FedEx rant a few pages back.) I would never choose to use them if I had any say in it whatsoever. Even the USPS is better. I've had FedEx sign for me as well. I guess he thought he was doing me a favor.

No - not doing you a favor - not doing their f-ing JOB! ...and yes - UPS and USPS are my favored shippers. F-FedEx

 

[D.M.N.]

Would have been tempted to say: A speaker and amp you say? Is that new? Never used one of those. Any tips?
And players are supposed to trust..... OK not supposed to go there.

I have no reservations, in my experience excellent soundmen are few and far between. And playing in a way that at all deviates from the traditional bass approach only further compounds issues with them. Usually it's akin to being a second class citizen to the guitar player. They get to bring their amps, no question, the soundman knows they have a specific tone they're going for and are trying to project. But many of their minds the same is not true of bass players, that gear isn't really important, nor is the bass player's sound. It's damned disrespectful and I'm pretty sick of it. I have spent years working on my sound and getting the right equipment to achieve it, and then it's totally disregarded for the soundman's convenience. I know I want my amp to carry the sound, be mic'd and have the PA reinforce it, same as the guitar player. Why am I not allowed the same courtesy as the guitar player.

 

[dagrev]

I feel your pain.
I wonder if a Ring type front porch camera would aid in something like this. Seems like it could be used in court as evidence that the shipper did not deliver the package as claimed, or that some schmuck is following the delivery vehicles and pirating packages from porches.

We have a couple Arlos out front. One on the drive up to the house but not to the garage door (where they seem to be compelled to leave packages for anyone to see--and in the Sun), and one on the front porch. They did help with a wait......FedEx delivery problem. They said a package was delivered early one Sunday morning. Seriously??? I called and kept saying it was not. Finally said, Look, I have two cameras and neither one showed a FedEx truck on the drive or person on the porch. So unless the guy parked next door and threw it toward the house it didn't get delivered.

 

[GBassNorth]

that is a good suggestion - thanks

Just a thought, if any of your neighbors have security cameras that could potentially spot a FedEx truck outside your house it might aid in solving the mystery. Unfortunately, the police probably won’t do anything about it but if there’s good footage of monkey business going on you might be able to recoup costs from FedEx in small claims court.
Not that that replaces a one of a kind creation (which looked damn nice, I do love your work).

 

[dagrev]

No - not doing you a favor - not doing their f-ing JOB! ...and yes - UPS and USPS are my favored shippers. F-FedEx

Yep.

 

[dagrev]

I have no reservations, in my experience excellent soundmen are few and far between. And playing in a way that at all deviates from the traditional bass approach only further compounds issues with them. Usually it's akin to being a second class citizen to the guitar player. They get to bring their amps, no question, the soundman knows they have a specific tone they're going for and are trying to project. But many of their minds the same is not true of bass players, that gear isn't really important, nor is the bass player's sound. It's damned disrespectful and I'm pretty sick of it. I have spent years working on my sound and getting the right equipment to achieve it, and then it's totally disregarded for the soundman's convenience. I know I want my amp to carry the sound, be mic'd and have the PA reinforce it, same as the guitar player. Why am I not allowed the same courtesy as the guitar player.

PMing you because we aren't supposed to bash sound people on TB.

 

[JIO]

We have a couple Arlos out front. One on the drive up to the house but not to the garage door (where they seem to be compelled to leave packages for anyone to see--and in the Sun), and one on the front porch. I keep thinking one day they will pay off with a delivery problem.

Pat told me that twice in the last 6months - drivers (criminally) sign for the packages and leave them on the door-step/porch. Works great in the suburbs... I live in the f-ing Mission SF where nothing is to be left to "community trust/respect" ~

 

[Engle]

25768825[/URL], member: 85055"]Looks like you shoot from the hip. I thought about trying that more often, it feels comfortable every time I’ve done it but for some reason, if I don’t think about it, my bass just gravitates back to front and center.

25771097[/URL], member: 171973"]FedEx "delivered" a custom-made 5 string bass body with my gilded finish and Pat Wilkins clear-coat last Friday (signature upon arrival)... when I wasn't home. Later that day I received an email saying it was delivered. The signature was not mine and a case was immediately opened. Pat filed a claim as the shipper and today I was informed that the package cannot be found and there's nothing FedEx will do about it. Case closed. Other than eventually pay the standard $500 insurance Pat put on it. FTR - I paid $300 to Pat for the clear-coat so that leaves $200 for a custom made body with a gilded finish - to give to my client who made the body. I've never used FedEx and have always not liked them and will never use them in the future. I spent over an hour on the phone and spoke to 4 different FedEx people - and they all could care less. "oh yes, we questioned the driver..."

My take is the driver did one of two things: he either signed it himself and just left it on my doorstep, and someone walked by and stole it... or he signed for it and stole it himself. (from Pat Wilkins Guitars) The address was correct and the signature was not mine. They asked him, he denied it or lied and said I signed for it - and they accepted that. Never again - shippers beware. I have always used UPS and had only one issue which they resolved. F-FedEx.

That’s terrible! Do you have photos you can post in the GP?
It could surface and get recognized.

 

[rumblesaust]

That looks awesome! Did you do the work yourself?

Got a car painter to fill the spare pickup hole and paint the centre section.
The rest I did myself

 

[bobyoung53]

My sparkling burgundy non reverse T-Bird was sent out to my brother's in Mass on Oct 6th and I just found out about it today, I'm surprised Sweetwater didn't send me anything in my email as they had been good about updating me on delays, unless I missed it. Hopefully it will be there tomorrow when I call him. I also notice that the price went up a hundred bucks since I ordered mine.

 

[JIO]

That’s terrible! Do you have photos you can post in the GP?
It could surface and get recognized.

I will - you never know...

 

[bobyoung53]

FedEx "delivered" a custom-made 5 string bass body with my gilded finish and Pat Wilkins clear-coat last Friday (signature upon arrival)... when I wasn't home. Later that day I received an email saying it was delivered. The signature was not mine and a case was immediately opened. Pat filed a claim as the shipper and today I was informed that the package cannot be found and there's nothing FedEx will do about it. Case closed. Other than eventually pay the standard $500 insurance Pat put on it. FTR - I paid $300 to Pat for the clear-coat so that leaves $200 for a custom made body with a gilded finish - to give to my client who made the body. I've never used FedEx and have always not liked them and will never use them in the future. I spent over an hour on the phone and spoke to 4 different FedEx people - and they all could care less. "oh yes, we questioned the driver..."

My take is the driver did one of two things: he either signed it himself and just left it on my doorstep, and someone walked by and stole it... or he signed for it and stole it himself. (from Pat Wilkins Guitars) The address was correct and the signature was not mine. They asked him, he denied it or lied and said I signed for it - and they accepted that. Never again - shippers beware. I have always used UPS and had only one issue which they resolved. F-FedEx.

I had a tube tester restored a few years ago and Fedex dropped it or something as it didn't work when I received it, I had insured it for 600 bucks, I had to fight like heck to get my money, many, many phone calls and emails later and I finally got it, I don't remember how long it took to get it but it was longer than a few weeks. Don't give up, bug them, threaten them, keep calling, etc. If they can get away with it they will, I'm not saying this is exclusively a Fedex problem but I always ship UPS or USPS now unless I have no choice.
You might want to talk to a cop about this, it sounds like possible fraud.

 

[Gaolee]

View attachment 4443577

Well then! The color is a little tame. What color will it be?

 

[Gaolee]

You're way ahead of me here Scott, the Gibson pickups are on the shelf i toss my car keys on.....Too busy, work model trains, Queenie stuff, husband, house......where'd all the time go?

I still haven't put the Thunderbuckers in the Flamingo! You are hardly a slacker.

 

[Gaolee]

Wish I could tell ya! Recently "retired" no clue as how I found time to work, one of life's mysteries.

I will be busier as a retired person than I am getting paid. Probably more productive, too. See above.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

He clearly isn't well read or he would know of all the inherent problems. Neck dive, one trick pony, uncomfortable to play just for starters. That's enough to turn off anyone with even a modest amount of intelligence.

Starters? I always lead with the serial killer headstocks.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

View attachment 4443577

Congrats!!!

 

[Miles_ONeal]

FedEx "delivered" a custom-made 5 string bass body with my gilded finish and Pat Wilkins clear-coat last Friday (signature upon arrival)... when I wasn't home. Later that day I received an email saying it was delivered. The signature was not mine and a case was immediately opened. Pat filed a claim as the shipper and today I was informed that the package cannot be found and there's nothing FedEx will do about it. Case closed. Other than eventually pay the standard $500 insurance Pat put on it. FTR - I paid $300 to Pat for the clear-coat so that leaves $200 for a custom made body with a gilded finish - to give to my client who made the body. I've never used FedEx and have always not liked them and will never use them in the future. I spent over an hour on the phone and spoke to 4 different FedEx people - and they all could care less. "oh yes, we questioned the driver..."

My take is the driver did one of two things: he either signed it himself and just left it on my doorstep, and someone walked by and stole it... or he signed for it and stole it himself. (from Pat Wilkins Guitars) The address was correct and the signature was not mine. They asked him, he denied it or lied and said I signed for it - and they accepted that. Never again - shippers beware. I have always used UPS and had only one issue which they resolved. F-FedEx.

That sucks. It’s also possible FedEx delivered to the wrong address. That’s happened here, but with no signature needed and happily with honest (annoyed) neighbors.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Is there enough tube to have vacuum? (Not a serious question) What is it? The tube, I mean.

….wish i knew, no markings whatsoever…