Wishbass Club pt. 2

[Gubna]

that's messed up, but I'll say this for the old guy... I know he doesn't like doing customs - he has done them, but I think he'd rather build instruments and put them up on ebay for people to buy AS IS.

the ones I've had weren't with out their flaws but they were playable.

 

[3stringpete]

Wow. Here we go:

" I'll have to think about this.

If you could send me more pictures, preferably of higher resolution,
that would be of great help.

And is that the truss rod sticking out of the top of the neck? I'm
assuming that you don't normally ship your instruments like that, do you?"

And, again, his reply:

"yes and yes.. That's it..it is going on the truck tomorrow."



This is seriously messed up guys. From what you I've read on these forums, it seems that the guy is very good to get along with and very accommodating and proud of his work. Well, he's definitely not standing behind this instrument, and I'm quite upset about this.

At this point I'd be pretty content saying that this Wish fellow is a real a$$hole and anybody would be a fool to trust him to make an instrument.

This is incredibly disappointing.

You should kindly ask for your $250 deposit back and suggest that he try to sell it on eBay.

Gubna is absolutely correct about custom orders. Wish does not like building custom orders. Why pay $400 or more? You can get a great Wishbass on eBay for $300 and modify the heck out of it if you prefer. In fact, there's a beautiful Ambrosia Maple Lobe on eBay right now.

And, yes indeed, that is how Wish installs truss rods. BTW, he doesn't like installing truss rods and active electronics. And he hates installing those individual metal bridges. Your custom order completely opposed his philosophy of building Wishbasses. It's no wonder it put him in a bad mood.

 

[Jeff Roller]

The most expensive wishbass I ever commisioned with a truss rod. As you can see, the truss rod end is visible with in the open headstock. If you don't like it, I covered mine with a black plastic cap, though I'm sure one could be fashioned from wood.

My philosophy when ordering customs from wishbass was it's not going to be a Fender Custom Shop, I'll fix whatever I'm unhappy with. If you can't do this yourself, or trust another's abilities to fix it, Wishbasses probably are not nor will they ever be for you. If you have to have a wishbass, look at the job that jbybj did on # 866 and try offering him 1200.00 bucks for it. He probably won't take it, but you get my drift. These are instruments to be finished by the end user, custom ordered or not.

Wow. Here we go:

" I'll have to think about this.

If you could send me more pictures, preferably of higher resolution,
that would be of great help.

And is that the truss rod sticking out of the top of the neck? I'm
assuming that you don't normally ship your instruments like that, do you?"

And, again, his reply:

"yes and yes.. That's it..it is going on the truck tomorrow."



This is seriously messed up guys. From what you I've read on these forums, it seems that the guy is very good to get along with and very accommodating and proud of his work. Well, he's definitely not standing behind this instrument, and I'm quite upset about this.

At this point I'd be pretty content saying that this Wish fellow is a real a$$hole and anybody would be a fool to trust him to make an instrument.

This is incredibly disappointing.

 

[Jeff Roller]

Just talked to Wish regarding this build, he is sending it to you for less than he has in it.

One observation: Steve's strong points do not include custom wiring, his excellence is in choosing wild unique body shapes and matching them with corresponding tone woods, putting in an elementary pickup/wiring harness and letting the end user modify it to their particular needs.

If he is telling you he doesn't think he can make you happy, this is his nice way of telling you he's done all he can/will do for you on this project. I would recommend taking him up on the offer and getting it for less than he has in it. You can PM me and I will put you in touch with the tech center that custom modded the electronics for my basses (wishbasses among them). Once you get it modded the way you want, I doubt you will be less than satisfied for the extremely diverse, one of a kind instrument in your arsenal. I have basses that cost many thousands more I play every weekend, but they might as well not be there, the wishbasses I bring attract all the attention. Very organic sounding and looking.

Wow. Here we go:

" I'll have to think about this.

If you could send me more pictures, preferably of higher resolution,
that would be of great help.

And is that the truss rod sticking out of the top of the neck? I'm
assuming that you don't normally ship your instruments like that, do you?"

And, again, his reply:

"yes and yes.. That's it..it is going on the truck tomorrow."



This is seriously messed up guys. From what you I've read on these forums, it seems that the guy is very good to get along with and very accommodating and proud of his work. Well, he's definitely not standing behind this instrument, and I'm quite upset about this.

At this point I'd be pretty content saying that this Wish fellow is a real a$$hole and anybody would be a fool to trust him to make an instrument.

This is incredibly disappointing.

 

[49sfine]

LexTron; We feel your pain that is for sure. However, there is great truth in the other views expressed here about the wisdom of not taking Steve too far afield of his niche. This experience on your order only strengthens that reality. Perhaps in hindsight, Wish should have just not agreed to build your bass, knowing it was probably going to frustrate him since it included elements/features he didn't like or believe in.

As I said earlier, my experience has been quite the opposite and that was on a custom order from last summer- so I suppose I do trust him. The difference was that I didn't stray from his basic build philosophy and I left him room to incorporate "artistic license" so he could have his way with certain elements of the build. I also asked him about how he would do certain things and left those details up to him. The result was a custom order that was completed in a timely manner, hassle-free and made us both happy. Steve even commented afterwards that my Fantasy was a fun project.

I'm not sure what to say to you to make you feel better; sounds like the damage is done. The problems with your build can probably be corrected though, and it still can be a killer-sounding bass - it already looks awesome! If it were me, I would take it at that price (in a heartbeat) and then if I couldn't get into, it, offer it for sale. Someone will want it - it's way too unique not to be desired by someone out there (trust me on this!).

Hope you work things out ... let us know.

 

[MJLuke]

First of all RollerBerg... That is an absolutely GORGEOUS WishBass!!! Is that the fantasy model?

Secondly, LexTron... ouch... and ouch. This is obviously a bad deal for you. However, I would not consider it a total loss. You have to really know what you're getting into with these basses. In no way in my dealings with Wish did I ever expect him to build the instrument I ordered to perfection or do any of the hardware installation or extra electronics work. I expected to do all of this myself after researching Steve's philosophy and reading what EVERY other person was saying about these basses (the ones who actually owned them --not just the nay-sayers). I realized that half the joy of owning a Wish seemed to be the do-it-yourself "mods" and finish work that YOU the OWNER put into it. And that everyone who expected a precision manufactured finished instrument ended up VERY disappointed and also seemed to manage to really ruffle Steve's feathers in the process of trying to coax him into building an instrument that went against his basic "artistic" philosophy behind what he does. You're basically asking a Chevy factory to build you a Lexus... not gonna happen... But you can get one killer Cavelier or Malibu if you perfer...

Try not to take it so hard... cut your losses... except his deal... and find someone who may be able to really fix this bass up for you --if you haven't the inclination to do it yourself that is. Just my advice... not worth much, I know. But I hope it helps...

MJL

 

[49sfine]

MJL; Rolleberg's fanned fretted bass was at the time called the "Hyper". That body style has now been renamed (due to some copyright infringment issues I think) the "Hipper". It is an awesome shape for balance, playing comfort AND looks. It's a little bit bigger shape than some of his other styles and is just so comfortable. My favorite Wishbass of all is my Hyper #808 (which came up for sale twice in the last year and I finally snagged it after procrastinating too long the first time it was on eBay).

 

[Jeff Roller]

First of all RollerBerg... That is an absolutely GORGEOUS WishBass!!! Is that the fantasy model?

MJL

MJ, that is indeed the (at the time) Hyper, #701. It's the only wishbass I ever commisioned. The center section of the body is made with the top of a 1961 Baldwin Accrosonic Piano I used to own, Steve added zebrawood to the top and back. It's the most I ever payed for a wishbass, and Steve came very close to my vision, but of course I had to make modifications to "tweak" a few things.

 

[LexTron6K]

"Wish does not like building custom orders."

Then Wish should not accept custom orders. This isn't rocket science here folks. I don't like meatloaf, so I'm not going to cry when I order meatloaf for dinner and then realize that I have to eat it due to my own choosing.

"I would recommend taking him up on the offer and getting it for less than he has in it."

I have not choice; he stuck it in the mail this morning.

I'd like to make it VERY clean on these forums that I went through all of the details with Wish that I wanted done on this bass BEFORE any deposit was even made, including the pickups and including the bridge pieces. If Wish had a problem with making a bass that included these elements, he should have stopped the process before he even started making the instrument. But he didn't.

Now he's sending me an instrument at his loss (no pity there) because he got tired of working on it, or because he decided that it was too much of a pain in the ass to finish something that he had contractually obligated himself to do so. That's just poor business guys.

And really, is it that hard to measure the distance between the holes to ensure proper string placement? Now I've got to go take the instrument to somebody else to clean up Wish's error. It's one thing to have to clean up things that weren't done in the first place, which is what I expected when purchasing a Wishbass, but it really is a whole different thing to have to pay somebody else to clean up after his ERRORS.

And I'd think about selling the instrument on Ebay, but I've got about $500 invested in the electronics/bridge/tuners already on that instrument, not to mention the emotional investment that's already been made.

Wish is a poor businessman who completely failed to keep up his end of the bargain. I would not recommend anybody doing business with him, as he is a terrible businessman, a poor luthier who cannot even measure string placement properly, and, from all indications, a real a$$hole as well.

 

[Thunderitter]

Jeese, $500 in electronics and hardware.? Reading that makes me think you've been going in different directions with this one right from the start. You are correct when you say he probably should not have taken your order in the first place.

My order was quite extensive and demanding

This raises a flag for me.

If there is any moral in all of this it has to be do your homework first. I'm sorry if that sounds harsh (and p's you off) but I am trying to being frank and granted it may seem that your requests were simple and instructions clear.

Wishbasses are unique for a very good reason and I think you may have missed that point. Is it acceptable the situation you find yourself if? Possibly not, but it is very much the nature of the beast. Most folks here would tell you that. Wish states he makes canvases and it looks like he's done that for you. Now I'm afraid you need to get on with the painting.

I'll nail my colors to the mast and say I've had very good dealing with Wish, always found him to be very communicative, responsive, etc. I am a happy customer, however both my basses required modification (working on one right now) to make me happy. However, when both came to me they both worked and were playable; there was plenty of stuff though that had me thinking "Why?".

I'd say if you bass is not playable then you've got a real issue. However, I may have held back on criticism and certainly the public posting until I got to that point. I'd dial back your frustration a little and refrain from the inflammatory and libelous stuff your posting here, however unhappy you are.

Sorry, but I'm just saying it as I see it.

I sincerely hope you get things sorted.

 

[49sfine]

LexTron: No arguments here - your logic is spot-on. Let's just hope when you receive the bass it will appeal to you enough to overcome some of your disappointment.

(On the bridge piece relocation - you could probably dowel the current holes that were made, move the piece into proper alignment and re-drill. Who knows, maybe the dowel insert(s) won't even show. If you're real lucky, perhaps just re-drilling will work.)

Well, anyway, it sounds like a bummer but still, I'm trying to give you hope ...

 

[LexTron6K]

I asked to get my own bridge, electronics and tuning machines installed on the instrument, and I asked to get an instrument made just like another Wishbass that I sent him photos of.

He said that he could do it, AND HE AGREED TO MAKE THE INSTRUMENT AND THEN HE TOOK MY MONEY. What more research is there to do? Shame on you. I'm not quite sure how you're finding the logic in this, or why you're defending him for what I see as terrible business.

The bottom line here is that I asked him to make me an instrument, he agreed and took my money, and now he's backing out and giving me a half-baked instrument because he's sick of working on it. Shame on him.

 

[Thunderitter]

I asked to get my own bridge, electronics and tuning machines installed on the instrument, and I asked to get an instrument made just like another Wishbass that I sent him photos of.

Sorry, but no two Wishbasses are alike. Proper 'research' would have told you that.

He said that he could do it, AND HE AGREED TO MAKE THE INSTRUMENT AND THEN HE TOOK MY MONEY. What more research is there to do? Shame on you.

Putting $500 of extras into your first 'custom' bass with any builder, particularly when examples of their work sell for $300 on eBay is a little different IMHO.

In regard to that 'research', there are lots of posts here talking about not going too far off the beaten track with a Wishbass. If you'd posted here with your thoughts then I'm sure we'd have set you expectations a little lower than they obviously are/were. I realise that you feel that you shouldn't have to do that, but that's what I mean in not doing your 'research', however unfair that sounds. For what it's worth: shame on you!

The bottom line here is that I asked him to make me an instrument, he agreed and took my money, and now he's backing out and giving me a half-baked instrument because he's sick of working on it. Shame on him.

Looking at your pictures, it looks he has built you an instrument and it looks far and removed from a 'half baked' example of his product, although the very nature of a Wishbass is that when compared to most things they are 'half baked'!

If it doesn't play when you get it then you've got a real issue, which I'm sure, prior to your rants would be resolved. Actually I'm sure they still will be resolved.

I'm not quite sure how you're finding the logic in this, or why you're defending him for what I see as terrible business.

You may think it is terrible business, but IMHO it is wrong to get on a very public forum to abuse and liable somebody. There are plenty of ways to make your point without calling someone abusive names and questioning their honesty, ethics and integrity, particularly when it doesn't seem that you've got too much of a case - however irking it is to you to read this. The truss rod is how he does truss rods (research might have told you that!), the mis-aligned bridge, while it might not look nice is on par with some of the other construction I've seen, non of which affect the playability of the instrument.

You're experience is also very different than most other folks here.

It's understandable that you've currently got the jitters and buyers remorse but I'd say hold on (and hold back) for now. See what the mailman brings, take a deep breath and then go from there.

 

[jbybj]

I asked to get my own bridge, electronics and tuning machines installed on the instrument, and I asked to get an instrument made just like another Wishbass that I sent him photos of.

He said that he could do it, AND HE AGREED TO MAKE THE INSTRUMENT AND THEN HE TOOK MY MONEY. What more research is there to do? Shame on you. I'm not quite sure how you're finding the logic in this, or why you're defending him for what I see as terrible business.

The bottom line here is that I asked him to make me an instrument, he agreed and took my money, and now he's backing out and giving me a half-baked instrument because he's sick of working on it. Shame on him.

Your experience is exactly why Steve has the mixed reputation that he does. Your position is 100% righteous and you have every reason to be upset. Obviously this will be your only interaction with Wishbass.

My suggestion is to be good to yourself. Don't get all tied up in anger. You probably are not going to get any satisfaction from Wish. Consider it a life's lesson and move on.

If you take a step back, and separate the instrument (potentially very good) from the man (enough said already), a few months down the road you may be playing an exceptional bass. Either that, or re-tasking your custom hardware and electronics to another project, and having a ceremonial bonfire.

You're not gonna change Wish, you're not gonna get your $250 back, even if you went to court, your time is probably worth more. At least you get your hardware back, and like I said, maybe, just maybe, a great bass guitar.

Peace, JBY

 

[MJLuke]

The bottom line here is that I asked him to make me an instrument, he agreed and took my money, and now he's backing out and giving me a half-baked instrument because he's sick of working on it. Shame on him.

That is a shame... I truly hope that the situation is salvageable for you... It seems like it could be a good looking instrument... At the very least maybe you could sell the body for what you have in it and use the hardware on a bass from another builder...

Dunno what else to say besides sorry dude...

 

[jbybj]

Lex, I just looked at your pictures again, that could be a real sweet bass. Don't punish the child for the sins of the father! The Bass is an innocent bystander in all this. It deserves your love and attention. It has been rejected by it's birth father, unless you want to emotionally scar it forever, it's new daddy needs to show it some kindness. In all honesty, I wish you a happy outcome, (translate: killer bass).

JBY

 

[Jeff Roller]

Sorry, but no two Wishbasses are alike. Proper 'research' would have told you that.



Putting $500 of extras into your first 'custom' bass with any builder, particularly when examples of their work sell for $300 on eBay is a little different IMHO.

In regard to that 'research', there are lots of posts here talking about not going too far off the beaten track with a Wishbass. If you'd posted here with your thoughts then I'm sure we'd have set you expectations a little lower than they obviously are/were. I realise that you feel that you shouldn't have to do that, but that's what I mean in not doing your 'research', however unfair that sounds. For what it's worth: shame on you!



Looking at your pictures, it looks he has built you an instrument and it looks far and removed from a 'half baked' example of his product, although the very nature of a Wishbass is that when compared to most things they are 'half baked'!

If it doesn't play when you get it then you've got a real issue, which I'm sure, prior to your rants would be resolved. Actually I'm sure they still will be resolved.



You may think it is terrible business, but IMHO it is wrong to get on a very public forum to abuse and liable somebody. There are plenty of ways to make your point without calling someone abusive names and questioning their honesty, ethics and integrity, particularly when it doesn't seem that you've got too much of a case - however irking it is to you to read this. The truss rod is how he does truss rods (research might have told you that!), the mis-aligned bridge, while it might not look nice is on par with some of the other construction I've seen, non of which affect the playability of the instrument.

You're experience is also very different than most other folks here.

It's understandable that you've currently got the jitters and buyers remorse but I'd say hold on (and hold back) for now. See what the mailman brings, take a deep breath and then go from there.

+1 on everything being said here regarding restraint. This is a public forum so lets knock it off with the maligning statements. I've been talking to Steve regarding this particular transaction, and I want to remind everyone we are hearing ONE SIDE of this argument. Enough said, lets move on......

 

[BillyB_from_LZ]

Lex, I just looked at your pictures again, that could be a real sweet bass. ...

To my eye, it's one of the better looking Wishbasses I've seen. Move the bridge to where it needs to be, do some final shaping (his hole saw manufacturing technique cracks me up), add a nice finish and I'm guessing that it's a fine bass.

Personally, I ran into something similar with another builder. The neck dimensions were not at all what I asked for (the nut width was far narrower than what I "wanted"). We talked about it, he offered me the choice of returning it for a full refund or keeping it for a partial refund. After playing the instrument for a while, I realized that I liked it anyway and accepted the partial refund. In the end it worked out for both of us, he didn't have to deal with the bass again and I had a nice instrument for quite a good deal.

Seems like it's really time to make lemonaide from the lemons if you're willing to do that.

 

[LexTron6K]

"Lex, I just looked at your pictures again, that could be a real sweet bass. Don't punish the child for the sins of the father! The Bass is an innocent bystander in all this. It deserves your love and attention. It has been rejected by it's birth father, unless you want to emotionally scar it forever, it's new daddy needs to show it some kindness. In all honesty, I wish you a happy outcome, (translate: killer bass)."

Agreed. The instrument could end up being a phenomenal instrument. What I'm disappointed about is that Wish has obviously disowned the instrument before finishing it, to the point where he doesn't even want full payment for it. He's not holding up his end of the bargain.

As far as being slanderous and libelous towards the guy on a public forum, I'm just calling it as I see it. I thought the point of this forum was to discuss Wishbasses and the experiences with the basses and the experiences with getting the basses made; that's what I'm going. This experience has turned incredibly sour within a matter of minutes, and I think that anybody who is interested in dealing with this guy deserves to know what I've dealt with. Fair enough, right?

I'm glad that you're talking to Wish about this, but it would make me feel a bit better had he explained any of this to me. Instead he is basically being a bully about things and not leaving me any choice in the matter but to share my experience with the caring public, i.e. you guys.

If you talk to Steve/are talking to Steve, perhaps you'd like to invite him to this forum to not only read what I'm saying about him, but also to offer him the opportunity to tell his side to the story. I for one would like some insight into his reasoning behind this mess; as of right now I've received no insight whatsoever.

I think that it's not only fair but entirely appropriate for this experience to be shared with the Wishbass community.

 

[Diogenes]

... I want to remind everyone we are hearing ONE SIDE of this argument...

+1

... Wow. Here we go:...

I agree with you that the bass should be shipped to you in decent working condition. The off-skew bridge should be reinstalled properly which would be a matter of removing it, plugging the current hole and re-drilling a new mounting hole. But that appears to be the only issue with the bass. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

... And is that the truss rod sticking out of the top of the neck? I'm assuming that you don't normally ship your instruments like that, do you?"...

Also, has anybody in here ever seen a Wishbass with a truss rod installed? If I didn't know any better, I would have to say that I think that is the truss rod sticking out through the top of the neck there?!?... Wow. My faith in Wish is definitely plummeting... F*ck. I want to take him up on his offer, but I feel that I'll be getting ripped off with a bass that he knows is f*cked up... And what's up with the truss rod sticking out of the top?

Yes that is the truss rod and that's the way it's installed. Having the nut exposed like that makes it easier to access and is easier to maintain. How many times have you heard of a recessed adjusting nut having been stripped or seized up due to corrosion? When that happens it is a very expensive repair so Steve's exposed adjusting nut is actually a very practical thing to do. If you wanted him to recess the nut for aesthetic reasons that should have been specified... it's not his modus operandi.