Austin,
As a fellow Alembic owner and one who's gone through a lengthy build process to receipt of instrument, I'll offer the following ...
Yes, it is very frustrating. I will be honest and say that at one point I was on the verge of cancelling my order ... only to pull back from the brink once common sense set in. I've learned the following over the build period for my instrument (which I now have):
1 - Excellence takes time. And it is worth every minute.
2 - Family owned companies aren't like cookie cutter companies in that they have the time to dedicate to single instruments (unless you're talking custom shop instruments). As a result, they pay attention to the slightest detail, which takes time.
3 - Customers expect a lot from Alembic since they're paying a lot.
4 - Alembic does its best to provide updates, but again, there is no one dedicated 24/7 to do that (I won't go into whether they should have someone doing that or not - that is a decision for Susan, Ron, Mica and crew to make). Call them, and they'll be more than happy to update you, trust me.
5 - The more you change things mid stream, the more you add to the desired delivery date. I know this first hand. ;-(
6 - Alembic will err on the side of caution when there is a build issue at hand. In other words, they'll defer to you for input before making a change. Again, another thing I know first hand. This adds to the time it takes to make your instrument. But, in the end, you get exactly what it is you tell them you want. I know I did.
7 - Patience is indeed a virtue.
8 - Once in hand, you will have the instrument of your dreams, and all the frustration will wash away. It did for me, anyway, when I was playing along to the Who this afternoon, a smile on my face.
9 - The look on the faces of fellow players when they see your instrument is worth the wait. Everyone who sees (and hears) my bass is blown away by the looks and the tone. To have bragging rights like that ... well .. the four years was worth it to me.
10 - In the end, you will get what you want, in spades.
Be patient, my friend. Trust me - good things, and I mean very good things will follow.
V/R,
Alan
P.S. Bump, Bumpity, Bump Bump Bump!
(Message edited by ajdover on December 25, 2009)
(Message edited by ajdover on December 25, 2009)
