WARNING: Oscar Prat Basses

[Chace90]

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I received my Prat Bass from Oscar today. I’m not gonna sugarcoat it because it was finished in Akron, Ohio due to Oscar’s respiratory problems from growing up in a furniture shop.
I ordered bass last February. 13 months later and constant emails and talks with Oscar, I received bass today from Lays Guitar(great guys). This build is beautiful. Exactly what I asked for........4 string Jazz, active as F$&k. The build is absolutely gorgeous. No fret markers, no headstock logo, just a really nice crafted bass. The neck is perfect. Super playable and flat. Yep. Flat. I’m sorry you guys didn’t get what you wanted or anything at all. It hurts my heart that he’s done this to you guys. The Bass community is strong and powerful. I have a 5 string SC from Oscar that is also a beautiful instrument. I manifested this bass. Seriously. I was nice, cordial and also relentless on getting what I asked for. I got it. Anyway. I’m very sorry to those who aren’t happy. I guess I’m just lucky.

How much of the work was done by Prat vs the shop in Akron?

 

[cdbrewer99]

How much of the work was done by Prat vs the shop in Akron?

The shop mounted the bass. Neck and body were complete and finished.

 

[lowendmafia]

[ I’m not gonna sugarcoat it because it was finished in Akron, Ohio due to Oscar’s respiratory problems from growing up in a furniture shop.

Hahaha.... is this the new excuse Oscar is using?

 

[cdbrewer99]

Hahaha.... is this the new excuse Oscar is using?

Nah. That’s just what I think. People that are around woodworking shops and the like become more likely to have respiratory issues from not having proper protection. Oscar did not say this. However he has been in and out of hospital for lung issues and pneumonia. That I know.

 

[cdbrewer99]

Nah. That’s just what I think. People that are around woodworking shops and the like become more likely to have respiratory issues from not having proper protection. Oscar did not say this. However he has been in and out of hospital for lung issues and pneumonia. That I know.

Like I said in my first post. I’m not giving him any excuses. What he has done to others is wrong. There’s no excuse for that.

 

[lowendmafia]

He should quit smoking then.. I'm sure nothing he told you is true.

Nah. That’s just what I think. People that are around woodworking shops and the like become more likely to have respiratory issues from not having proper protection. Oscar did not say this. However he has been in and out of hospital for lung issues and pneumonia. That I know.

 

[cdbrewer99]

He should quit smoking then.. I'm sure nothing he told you is true.

I found all of this out on my own. As I was trying to retrieve my bass. I didn’t post this message to argue. I posted because this group wanted updates on Prat Basses.

 

[MattZilla]

As someone whose dream job is to be a luthier, this terrifies me.

Do lots of local repairs, refrets, modifications, and build basses (and guitars) that reflect your ideals in design and functionality. Carl Thompson, Mike Lull, Tom Anderson, all of the best builders out there did repairs and fretwork before and deep into their building careers.

Until you have built up enough capital that you can do it full time (pay all of your living expenses and insurances while spending nine months focusing on one bass) don't take commissions, don't take deposits. Just build instruments for yourself and post them for sale after you've enjoyed them for a few weeks.

When you get around to being financially comfortable to do a commissioned build, bear in mind how good some of the best Squiers and MIM Fenders can be, and know that you may have to build a single bass several times for it to be worth more than a modified Squier to the buyer.

 

[Tim Schnautz]

Do lots of local repairs, refrets, modifications, and build basses (and guitars) that reflect your ideals in design and functionality. Carl Thompson, Mike Lull, Tom Anderson, all of the best builders out there did repairs and fretwork before and deep into their building careers.

Until you have built up enough capital that you can do it full time (pay all of your living expenses and insurances while spending nine months focusing on one bass) don't take commissions, don't take deposits. Just build instruments for yourself and post them for sale after you've enjoyed them for a few weeks.

When you get around to being financially comfortable to do a commissioned build, bear in mind how good some of the best Squiers and MIM Fenders can be, and know that you may have to build a single bass several times for it to be worth more than a modified Squier to the buyer.

Exactly. I have no problem with people spending their money on total hand build furniture instruments. Some enjoy driving their Lexus, while others do ok with a 'beater with heater' Im sort of in between. I drive a 1994 Mercury Grand Markus. LOL

But when I read of the frustration threads like this about Prat, Dr Bass, and D. Huff, I feel blessed to play cheap off the rack Squires and Ibanez.

I'd much rather pay 200 for a cheap log than shell out a 2000 dollar deposit on some illusive bass n builder i may never see.

I hope all matters can and will be resolved for you.
Good luck to all on getting your stuff.

 

[dcalde78]

I received my Prat Bass from Oscar today. I’m not gonna sugarcoat it because it was finished in Akron, Ohio due to Oscar’s respiratory problems from growing up in a furniture shop.
I ordered bass last February. 13 months later and constant emails and talks with Oscar, I received bass today from Lays Guitar(great guys). This build is beautiful. Exactly what I asked for........4 string Jazz, active as F$&k. The build is absolutely gorgeous. No fret markers, no headstock logo, just a really nice crafted bass. The neck is perfect. Super playable and flat. Yep. Flat. I’m sorry you guys didn’t get what you wanted or anything at all. It hurts my heart that he’s done this to you guys. The Bass community is strong and powerful. I have a 5 string SC from Oscar that is also a beautiful instrument. I manifested this bass. Seriously. I was nice, cordial and also relentless on getting what I asked for. I got it. Anyway. I’m very sorry to those who aren’t happy. I guess I’m just lucky.

Call me skeptical, but 13 months for a Jazz bass? I'll be the first to admit I have limited woodworking experience, but with the correct tools and templates (which any respectable builder will own or have access to at the very least), should be able to produce a body within a few weeks, maybe a month depending on the complexity of tops/how many other orders there are to fulfill. But 13 months for such a basic, bolt on design? I find it hard to believe that it would take so long for it to be produced.

I'm surprised that this thread exists, I've been out of the loop a fair while now but to come back and this is one of the first threads I see is very surprising, Prat used to be a pretty highly regarded brand for some of the more unusual builds.

 

[Beej]

Call me skeptical, but 13 months for a Jazz bass? I'll be the first to admit I have limited woodworking experience, but with the correct tools and templates (which any respectable builder will own or have access to at the very least), should be able to produce a body within a few weeks, maybe a month depending on the complexity of tops/how many other orders there are to fulfill. But 13 months for such a basic, bolt on design? I find it hard to believe that it would take so long for it to be produced.

I'm surprised that this thread exists, I've been out of the loop a fair while now but to come back and this is one of the first threads I see is very surprising, Prat used to be a pretty highly regarded brand for some of the more unusual builds.

13 months is a bit crazy, especially when folks on this very website bang out some nice basses in just 3 months here: Winter Buildoff 2019 Voting - Final

 

[cdbrewer99]

Call me skeptical, but 13 months for a Jazz bass? I'll be the first to admit I have limited woodworking experience, but with the correct tools and templates (which any respectable builder will own or have access to at the very least), should be able to produce a body within a few weeks, maybe a month depending on the complexity of tops/how many other orders there are to fulfill. But 13 months for such a basic, bolt on design? I find it hard to believe that it would take so long for it to be produced.

I'm surprised that this thread exists, I've been out of the loop a fair while now but to come back and this is one of the first threads I see is very surprising, Prat used to be a pretty highly regarded brand for some of the more unusual builds.

I didn’t know you were a luthier. What Basses do you make?

 

[Runnerman]

I don't think 13 months is out of the question as long as the builder tells you that ahead of time. I ordered a Bruce Johnson AMB-2 scroll bass in early March this year and it has a January 2020 delivery date. 10 months. I know that up front so I'm good with it.

The issue with Oscar is promises not kept. Don't confuse that with build time.

 

[pcake]

there are well known guitar builders with a 5 year waiting list. it doesn't mean they take 5 years to make the guitars; just that there are 5 years of guitars being built ahead of yours. that could be the case with the 13 months.

 

[Malaka2112]

I always wanted to have a custom bass. Oscar Pratt lived about 6 minutes away from me in Canton Ohio. I was excited because I could have direct access to him so I ended up getting a bass guitar from him. it took me a very long time to get the bass he said it would be done in about six to eight weeks and it took over 6 months. He kept asking for money and I ended up paying him in full after about two to three months of waiting. When I finally got my bass completed, it would not stay in tune and the action on the strings kept change it. I took it back to him he said there was nothing wrong with it. You said it wouldn't needed to settle for about six months and then it would be fine. I instead took it to another very well-known guitar repair person in our area. He confirmed what I was worried about. He said the neck was twisted and there was no way to fix it also since it was a one piece bass guitar. I was very heartbroken hoping that this would be my go-to bass guitar and it never did. I've heard other people discuss situations about him. It's very unfortunate that others went through things as well as I did with him that were all negative. He never offered to replace her correct anything for me unfortunately. So I basically threw away about $2,200.

 

[bassplayer1960]

I am going to second Mike Lull - great communication, built and delivered on time, absolutely beautiful bass. And also Rob Allen. Both of these luthiers are trustworthy. I truly believe in supporting independent luthiers so it is very disturbing to hear these stories. And preying on musicians is about as f'ed up as it gets. I remember Lowendmafia's thread from last year and how adamantly Pratt defended himself. Really sorry you got ripped off.

A bump for Rob Allen! An amazingly gifted builder, genuine person and timely communicator!

 

[nostatic]

A bump for Rob Allen! An amazingly gifted builder, genuine person and timely communicator!

Rob is a really nice guy and makes great instruments. He doesn't do custom any more though - he just makes what he wants and puts them up for sale on his site. Much less headaches than dealing with custom builds.

 

[spade2you]

Rob is a really nice guy and makes great instruments. He doesn't do custom any more though - he just makes what he wants and puts them up for sale on his site. Much less headaches than dealing with custom builds.

I think I'm probably responsible for that.

 

[Bass Viking]

I think I'm probably responsible for that.

Dozens of Rob Allen customers shake their fists!

 

[MrVentures]

Is there a financial service available that allows two parties to show good faith? For example, if I want to purchase a bass from you, I send the money to the service and you get notified it's there, but the money isn't released to you until both parties have acknowledged the bass has been delivered as promised? Sorry if I'm being a dingbat and something obvious already exists, but seems like it could help in situations where little trust exists.