Author Topic: ETA on basses... (Read 937 times)

dannobasso · « **Reply #15 on:** November 16, 2009, 03:55:35 PM »

There is no such thing as a stock item. They are all made in the same fashion. I've been ordering customs since 1986. With the first one. I was not very Zen. As time and experience progressed I came to fully understand the process. This company treats their customers with far more consideration than most. Many instrument companies don't really give a flying fig about the customer and you better damn well deal with it. Ask a Gibson custom shop client.
I'm waiting on my 10th order and most involved bass yet and I'll wait until it is finished without concern. Why, because I trust this family implicitly. They always go the extra mile and extend themselves to make the best instrument possible.
I'm not telling anyone what to feel and what to expect. I am saying to try to be patient and understand the process. If a master carver is out with the flu, or a family emergency, do you want someone else to take over? I'll wait and trust the expert.
In New York I know guys who have to wait over a year to get a tattoo appointment because they only want that artist's work on their skin. There are also bass makers who have waiting lists for over a year on bolt on models and they usually cost even more than Alembic. I tried to order a bass that in 1988 was $4000 for one in stock and I couldn't get a phone call returned. Go figure. I ordered my present car a Chevy HHR panel. It came in without some of the things I ordered and paid for and when I wanted the item installed and was will to pay for it, they said they wouldn't do it. No wonder they needed a bailout.
I hope all works out for you and your ownership is a long, happy and healthy one. I bet you you get yours before I get mine. I odered mine a year ago and I'm content to wait until it is perfect.

mica · « **Reply #16 on:** November 16, 2009, 04:31:21 PM »

Dave, your bass is back in spray. When it arrived in the rubout, there was an irregularity seen in the finish and it was rejected. Better it get rejected here than once it's in your hands. We're working hard to get the bass completed as soon as possible.

Anyone that works here at Alembic is empowered to send anything we are working on back to the previous department. Different eyes see different things. The worst of course is when Mary is doing her final inspection. Everything looks like it's ready to go, but if she sees something she doesn't like, back it goes.

The delivery times are estimates, and I admit that I tend to be a little optimistic. I will try and temper that in the future.

Thanks for all the help at explaining some aspects of the process and helping each other out. It means a lot to me.

mike1762 · « **Reply #17 on:** November 16, 2009, 04:36:33 PM »

The only custom I ever had built was a Carvin LB76. The wait time on THAT was 2.5 months. Now I like my Carvin (especially for the money), but it's not an Alembic. The attention to detail and quality control standards are just different. I've noticed on FTC threads that spray is where things tend to get held up. I've seen pics of some minor imperfections that Alembic just would not let go out the door. It is their insistence on perfection that probably made you choose them in the first place. That being said, you have every right to vent your frustration.

dhoch · « **Reply #18 on:** November 16, 2009, 05:15:21 PM »

mica,

Thanks for the response. It's helpful

To everyone, look I take the whole thing very seriously (note I didn't bash anybody, in fact said I really like the product). I just think the discussion is a good one.

I know I'll be happy when the bass arrives...I'm itching to play fretless again.

Dave

sonicus · « **Reply #19 on:** November 16, 2009, 05:27:03 PM »

Congratulations Dave on your swell new ALEMBIC fretless!
I am interested to see pics when she is finished .
Sonic Regards ______!
Wolf ___

toma_hawk01 · « **Reply #20 on:** November 16, 2009, 05:37:36 PM »

Hey, my order was made back in Feb/March so...,

Dave your bass is just going to have to wait until they finish mine. So, get back in line!

Hee hee hee.

But, I mean every word.

Nice try my friend...

(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on November 16, 2009)

jbybj · « **Reply #21 on:** November 16, 2009, 06:18:20 PM »

I know I'll be happy when the bass arrives...I'm itching to play fretless again.

wait a minute, you wanted it FRETLESS?!?....................

:-)

JBY

jbybj · « **Reply #22 on:** November 16, 2009, 06:27:09 PM »

I once took some parts and electronics to a very highly regarded local luthier who shall remain nameless, to have some routing and assemblage done.

When I asked for a time estimate, they told me two weeks, at which point, I couldn't control myself and burst out laughing. When I regained my composure, they said, in a somewhat stern fashion, that they have a que, and they know their business, and yes, it will be two to three weeks. I left my stuff with them, and when I got home I marked my calendar for 6 weeks ahead.

I waited til week six to call, then again at week 8. Then I went down to the shop at week 10, figuring that if they hadn't started yet I would go elsewhere.

They looked kind of stupified as I left the shop with all my parts, exactly as I had dropped them off 10 weeks earlier.

I found another, less famous but wholly qualified fellow to do the job. He gave me a two week estimate, and had it done in four, just as I expected. :-) And it came out spectacularly.

JBY

(Message edited by jbybj on November 16, 2009)

ajdover · « **Reply #23 on:** November 16, 2009, 07:30:16 PM »

Dave,

I ordered my Series II custom almost four years ago. It will be in my hands this week. Some of the delays were induced by me (getting the body shape right, having the inlays right, control placement, etc.) and others not (having good weather for curing the finish, some technical issues with calibration equipment, etc.). All conspired to extend the time it took to get my bass done.

This being said, I know when I get it it will be what I wanted. And I know it will be the bass of my dreams. As the saying goes, patience is a virtue!

I'm glad to see you're getting the bass of your dreams.

Al

dwmark · « **Reply #24 on:** November 16, 2009, 07:33:28 PM »

Dave

Not that you need my approval, but I sense that you are being very cool, despite the agitation. Let me build on Danno's Zen comment, though. I consider myself to be very Eastern, for the lawyer that I am, but took Mica's and Susan's comments about the personality of my custom with a grain of salt (stuff about the wood understanding that it wasn't a tree anymore and that it would mature as an instrument). Darn if the bass that was delivered to me about a year ago isn't doing just what they said. Stay cool, enjoy the community and REALLY enjoy the instrument when you finally get your hands on it.

And, as most would say, post pictures.

dw

peoplechipper · « **Reply #25 on:** November 16, 2009, 11:21:00 PM »

Dave, I am a goldsmith and sometimes the metal doesn't do what you like(I only do construction, no casting) so I understand that things happen; with wood this factor increases exponentially...mind you, the Alembic folks should have been more pessimistic(like an episode of Star Trek, New Generation with Scotty where he said double the time you think it'll take, and you'll look like a hero!!!) or something like that...stuff happens, I just hit one tonight where a stone setting isn't working out well...I was hoping to get it off my plate tonight but not going to happen...guaranteed, you will love the final product; my bass is used and it is the best instrument I've ever had by far...thank you Alembic...Tony

bigredbass · « **Reply #26 on:** November 17, 2009, 12:58:13 AM »

While Alembic does have a range of standard shapes, neck profiles, etc., essentially they are making a continuous run of one-offs.

I'm sure Mica and Susan would faint dead away if any of their dealers wanted even a dozen exactly alike. Imagine if they only offered a dozen color choices and a dozen wood options. 2 neck widths. One bridge. Pearl inlays only. You see where I'm going . . . not to mention your axe may be between some 12 string monster and a doubleneck 8-string.

It ALWAYS takes longer.

J o e y

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #27 on:** November 17, 2009, 06:37:56 AM »

Somehow I knew this would be a finish problem. It must be a tricky business to contend with the variety found even within the same species of wood. Just out of curiosity, is your bass Coco Bolo? It seems particularly difficult.

toma_hawk01 · « **Reply #28 on:** November 17, 2009, 08:18:36 AM »

If you're buying a custom Fender, and it took longer than 2 days, I would agree with you Dave.

I am kidding Dave.

Your bass will be a Royal Baaddass, and I can't wait to see it Shine!

(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on November 17, 2009)

terryc · « **Reply #29 on:** November 17, 2009, 03:21:03 PM »

A word of advice to all.
If you want something unique, built with care, finished to the highest standard then you must have patience.
I have rebuilt engines for people in the past and I got asked the same questions..would you rather me bench test it to see if it is okay or wait until you are on some deserted road in the middle of the night when the engine seizes??
If you want immediate results go and buy a fender from the shop..if you want perfection then you just have to wait.