ETA on basses...

[dhoch]

Let me first off say that I LOVE alembic basses. I have 2nd hand ones for a while and found a beatiful rogue 5 string rogue fretted that made me want to get another fretless.
 
So I followed on the instructions for a custom order and was told when I placed the order in June that the lead time would put it the end of September.
 
Come the end of September and I ask (not having heard anything) about status, and I'm told It's entered the spray department and should be mid-late October
 
Ok so I can deal with the delay, I really want the bass and understand that delays happen...
 
Then it's October, late (The 26th), no word, so I ask again.
 
This time the reply is Very near to being completed. Looks like a couple more coats of spray and now it's going to be early-mid November.
 
What happened here? A month for spray? Now I'm concerned, and a little bummed with the delays.
 
Now we are in mid November (nothing on delivery) and I have I've reached out again, but now I've got some serious trepidation that I won't have the bass even before thanksgiving.
 
Is this normal!?!
 
Dave

[FC Bass]

I ordered in April and paid full on April 24 (no downpayment)  
I was told it would be completed end September/early October...  
There was some miscommunication (lets call it that way) between my dealer and Alembic and the project was stopped for some time :-(  
Now after repeatingly asking for some info (there are some custom features still unclear) I haven't heard from the mothership for some weeks ... :-(  
Too bad I have to pay for the miscommunication but now it seems like there's still nothing happening...  
Definitely takes away some of the fun of having a custom build and though I was planning for a second custom, I'm seriously thinking of getting another used one now... (dark topped set neck Orion 5)  
 
I'm hoping to have my bass before Christmas... Mica/Susan?

[dhoch]

My main problem is that I put 50% down on this bass... I could have made some money on that money if I still had it over those months.
 
Dave

[briant]

Lots of factors go into wait time.  Some of which may have nothing to do with your instrument.
 
Alembic is a relatively small company.  If something takes longer than expected it can (and often does) affect other instruments.
 
They have a high standard for what goes out the door.  If they notice something sub-standard before an instrument is done they are going to fix it and do it right.  The finish process is a pretty typical place for delays due to imperfections / fixing them.
 
Customers changing their minds and/or making additions/changes during the build process creates delays.  Sometimes very huge delays.
 
Anything unique to a particular instrument takes a lot of extra time.  Like a custom inlay somewhere on the neck/body.  Or some other form of custom something - tailpiece shape, finish on hardware, etc...
 
You say you placed your order in June.  December is the first I would have expected to see the bass done.  When I ordered my Rogue I was hoping for 6 months and expecting 12 months.  It wound up being right around 6 months and very worth the wait.
 
btw - if you want to get in touch with Alembic right away you should call them.  Email/website contact is usually delayed because they don't spend every waking hour checking the forums/email.  Every time I've ever phoned them they have either answered or called me back quickly.

[lbpesq]

There is a joke:
 
How many luthiers does it take to change a lightbulb?
 
Just one ... but you have to wait six months!
 
Like most good jokes, this one has a basis in reality.  In my experience, both with Alembic, several other luthiers with whom I've personally dealt, and numerous others I've heard about, it is pretty much standard in the industry that custom work takes longer, and often MUCH longer, than initially quoted.  Especially if you request a high level of custom work, and ESPECIALLY if you request custom inlays.  My custom Further Woody (10/07 COTM) took 2.5 years.  My Ferlembic took over two years at Gary Brawer's for all the mods and inlays to be completed.  I have a '53 D28 that took 25 months for repairs and refinishing at yet another shop.  I've learned to accept the inevitable and not bang my head against the wall.  Art takes time, and these are truly pieces of art we're discussing here.  I think of it as similar to looking for a parking spot in a urban downtown area.  While I'm looking for the parking spot, it takes up most of my attention.  I'm frustrated, impatient, and thinking about little else.  However, once I find the spot, I walk away from my car and give little, if any, additional thought to the quest that just moments before dominated my universe.  Once you get that instrument in your hands, the wait is quickly forgotten.  All I can offer is to accept the inevitable and enjoy the ride.  Yes, it would be nicer if we all got more realistic estimates up front, just as it would be nicer if the car salesman stated the best price up front, but some industries just seem to have their own, idiosyncratic standard operating procedures that we can either accept or go nuts.
 
Bill, the guitar one.

[toma_hawk01]

Do you know what!
 
I am mad with 'myself' for not having the idea of the Toma_Hawk (10) years ago.  
 
Man, I would had saved so much money, and I would had my dream fulfilled already.
 
So technically speaking, for me to wait a few months longer for my dream bass now, is not going to kill me, and it even puts a smile on my face with joy and laughter.
 
The only person I can only be angry with, is myself for not dreaming the dream (10) years ago.
 
The Toma_Hawk is closer to being in my hands now, than it ever was thanks to Alembic.
 
This is pure wisdom for me, and it's true.  
 
My faith is strong with Mica and the Alembic team.
 
Peace and Love!
 
(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on November 16, 2009)

[dhoch]

I get the major custom stuff, but honestly what I ordered was pretty much a stock rogue (higher end wood, different bridge piece).
 
Honestly if they had said up front (when I ordered in June) you won't get your bass till December I would have been fine. The problem is the should be done by XXX and XXX comes and goes and it's not done.
 
As someone who runs a business myself, I would NEVER treat a customer that way. I tell them a date and do what I can to meet that date. If I'm going to be late I call them BEFORE delivery date and let them know it's going to be late (and apologize profusely). Never wait for the customer to come to you (especially when they have already given you money) and then tell them it's late (at least in my business).
 
Dave

[FC Bass]

I'm sure the wait will be forgotten when she's here, lets just call this a midbuildcrisis :-)

[lbpesq]

Dave:
 
I suspect you are not a luthier.  
 
Bill, tgo

[jazzyvee]

I guess I was fortunate that I saw Dragon magic in 2002 and that really inspired me to have a custom guitar made the same as that one, apart from the dragon inlay. Fortunately for me, the owner decided to sell it so I ended  up  with my custom at a fraction of the price I would have had to pay otherwise.
 
I hope your custom arrives before you lose faith in Alembic.
Jazzyvee

[dhoch]

No bill, I'm not a luthier... software development, but I guarantee the company I'm with deals at much higher $ figures than even the highest end alembics go for  
 
I'm not losing faith in Alembic's product (it's one of the best)...I'm just hoping that there is a change is some of the customer service practices. If this thread, and my comments to them directly, change behavior on this it will be a net positive.
 
Dave

[sonicus]

Alembic's standards in my experience are as high as humanly possible. Therefore when you take possession of the instrument you will be the owner of a product produced with elite levels of comprehension ,craftsmanship,knowledge and LOVE for the end result product.
              Perfection does not fall from the sky but is the result of A  LABOUR OF LOVE This may take just a little bit longer because it will be a Masterpiece!  Please be patient and you will soon be very pleased! Art is in progress!
 
(Message edited by sonicus on November 16, 2009)
 
(Message edited by sonicus on November 16, 2009)

[sonicus]

ART with a capital A !

[briant]

The problem is the should be done by XXX and XXX comes and goes and it's not done.
 
Who was the party that told you it would be done by XXX?  The store you ordered it from or someone at Alembic that you spoke with directly?
 
I ordered my Rogue through BassNW and they (by design) just acted as the place to give money to and pick it up on arrival.  The slight modifications I made after the fact and all timeline information was done directly between myself and Mica.
 
I know it is frustrating.  I am about the most impatient person I know.  I want stuff now.  I hate waiting.  If it makes you feel any better my custom Rogue was well worth the wait.

[afrobeat_fool]

This is the one and only place I know of where the customers will stand up and take the time and effort to help not only the company they believe in, but also the other customers. I too want to have my dream built before I turn 50, and I hope I will be as patient as Hal, or Bill. Good luck, Dave, I think you will be stoaked when it's in your hands. This Art won't be hanging on a wall. It will be hanging on your sholder.