Author Topic: Set Up Problem on Dragon Wing (Read 751 times)

ajdover · « **Reply #60 on:** August 21, 2007, 06:47:16 AM »

Steve/Bob,

I've corresponded with Mica privately on this matter and will be shipping the DW back to Alembic shortly. As she's noted it is only fair to allow them a chance to look at it and figure out what the bass needs in order to play the way the customer wants it to. This is what I intend to do, and I'll post here when I get it back on how it is at that point. Hopefully that will help any other DW owners who've experienced some issues with their instruments as well.

More to follow,

Alan

olieoliver · « **Reply #61 on:** August 21, 2007, 07:16:54 AM »

If its a brand new instrument with build errors or flaws I wouldn't think one would have to foot the shipping costs.

mica · « **Reply #62 on:** August 21, 2007, 08:20:59 AM »

The end user has to foot the shipping for the evaluation. Our warranty covers return shipping costs to the customer if there is a defect. I reimburse shipping costs the customer paid when it's appropriate, and it's on a case by case basis, generally after we've seen the instrument first-hand.

bsee · « **Reply #63 on:** August 21, 2007, 07:52:00 PM »

It has been about four years that I have been talking to Alembic, playing their instruments, and reading/participating on these boards. I would guess I hear about maybe a half dozen problems per year with instruments before or after shipment. You also occasionally see a horror story about some damage to an older instrument or the need for an upgrade.

I don't recall a single occurrence of a customer giving Alembic a chance to resolve an issue and not coming out happy. In most cases, Alembic not only solves the problem, but goes beyond that to offer something special to those who have had problems.

There's just no better choice than letting them do their thing. I think I may have convinced myself...

-Bob

dannobasso · « **Reply #64 on:** August 21, 2007, 09:25:31 PM »

I ordered my first custom in 86. Bought my first in 83, and have been ordering-buying used ever since. They have always gone the extra distance for me as well as standing up to the box chains because of principle and committment to quality. Also they have consistantly improved on design and execution as the years go by.
Send it back and let them do they thang. We will all wait with you in anticipation of your satisfaction.

ajdover · « **Reply #65 on:** September 25, 2007, 09:01:23 PM »

Any update on my DW?

Thanks,

Alan

adriaan · « **Reply #66 on:** October 22, 2007, 01:39:41 AM »

Pierre-Yves has posted some interesting suggestions about getting the neck where you want it.

ajdover · « **Reply #67 on:** November 01, 2007, 06:54:09 PM »

Folks,

I got my DW back today from the Mothership. Suffice to say, it is like night and day. Mica informs me that a heat bend was performed, and it did the trick. No buzz anymore - I actually lowered the action. She plays like a dream now. And the good folks in Santa Rosa were right, as usual - a heat bend is not as scary as it sounds. My bass came back in exactly the same condition it was in when I sent it. Of course, we're talking Alembic here .... ;-) Relief is .012 at the 10th/11th frets, action is 5/64 at the 24th fret on the E string, a bit lower on the G string side. It works for me.

Many thanks to the elves in Santa Rosa. She plays and sounds great. Can't wait to take her out on an open mike only to hear, geez, what kind of bass is that? ;-)

Alan

the_8_string_king · « **Reply #68 on:** November 01, 2007, 08:29:59 PM »

That's great, Major. Personally, the Dragon Wing isn't my cup of tea... and yet, like all Alembics, one has to appreciate it's beauty -and the Dragonwing does have an impressive sculptural beauty that is unique among instruments -even Alembics- and neat.

But, of course, you want it to play well! So I'm happy for you that the procedure turned out well, as we all knew it would! Congrats, play it in good health!

borisspyder · « **Reply #69 on:** January 04, 2008, 07:35:33 AM »

Just found this thread...it is the great Alembic conundrum, I guess most are fine, a few are terrible! I won't belabor this but mine was a disaster..the Entwistle 76' Series One I played was perfect with insanely low action even after sitting in a display case at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for a decade. Go figure.