skej21

Interesting that it’s $799 (£636) shipped in the US but £850 special offer, normally £899 in the UK. Normally a premium added on for imports but this is basically just what you would pay if you were getting it here yourself!

Maybe it’s worth noting that Ibanez is only distributed in the UK (by Headstock Distribution) and they only import certain models that Ibanez release in to the UK, so you always find differences between what Ibanez promote and what is available in the UK.

I used to love these but now, I think I actually prefer the Acinoynx!

You're entitled to read and interpret what i have written however you like, but I think if you look back objectively and read what I have written, you will see you have not understood correctly. I can also tell you none of those interpretations are correctly detailing my intentions. Happy to discuss via message, as my attempts to be clear are still causing pointless cyclical arguments and unfairly hijacking the OPs thread.

Just to be clear because people seem to be missing my point and arguing that I don't think Adrian should take responsibility (despite writing it in every response so far!). The only point i was trying to make is that I think there is a clear distinction between the 'responsibility' of the situation (Adrian should take full responsibility for anything related to his product that the OP's raises) and the 'blame; (which the OP seems to believe also lies with Adrian's product, and i disagree - and based on his correspondence Adrian clearly believes that these issues are a byproduct of the options selected by the customer [excluding the crack from transit]). I think we can all agree that maybe that was not communicated in the correct way during the configuration process, build process or after-sales communication! I think this falls down to the fact that Adrian probably quite naively believes that someone who chooses a nitro finish, maybe took some time to research it. For example, a one minute google search for "nitrocellulose lacquer" produces many results, the first of which is this; https://blog.andertons.co.uk/labs/nitro-vs-poly-guitar-finishes#:~:text=Nitrocellulose lacquers have been around,instruments%2C saxophones and even cars.&text=Regarding its content%2C nitrocellulose lacquer,mixed nitric and sulfuric acids. It highlights quite quickly the issue that likely resulted in that small neck pocket lacquer stress crack and also how the satin finish the customer was expecting from nitro occurs with time; "[...] its softer texture does make it susceptible to cosmetic damage. This means that dings and scratches are more visible on guitars with nitro finishes, and much easier to inflict. A nitrocellulose lacquer also wears away over time, causing dulling in areas where you make regular contact with your guitar; such as the lower bout where your forearm rests." I'm not saying you must do this research before buying, but i just find it incredible that someone would spend €2000+ euros on something without knowing what they are buying (taking a risk they might not like it!)

Yup I agree. Someone else already pointed out that Adrian should know his buyer's might not always understand what they are buying and make it explicit. Maybe it's possible that Adrian (having a lot of knowledge of the subject of guitar building is a little naive in also thinking someone spending €2000+ on a custom instrument might have an understanding of what they are choosing?). I also mentioned numerous times that he should also try and help resolve this with the purchaser.

As I have said in every single post so far, I agree that Adrian as the manufacturer has an obligation to help to try and resolve any queries or sticking points during a customer's purchasing journey

Like i said, the crack is a byproduct of having a softer nitro finish plus the damage from the courier, and like i said, I agree that Adrian should take responsibility for fixing it (professionally). I just disagree with the OP having no concept of this and blaming the product/Adrian for the fact its there. For example, you wouldn't order Royal Dalton glass tumblers from John Lewis and when the courier delivered them with some damage, complain that John Lewis are awful. You'd explain to John Lewis and they'd replace it for you in a friendly a professional manner and claim back from the courier. Your example with your friend is also not comparable, as this was a finishing problem caused by the manufacturing process.

Well you may be correct but it’s certainly not Adrian or the product’s fault. The choice of finish significantly increases the likelihood of this happening during transit and there’s very little Adrian could do to prevent it. I used to work in a guitar store and (at the time) the Fender American Vintage range instruments used to arrive like this quite regularly, so like I said, it’s a byproduct of the spec and conditions so the blame should not be placed with Adrian (even if the responsibility is his to try and fix it).

I’ve said it before but it’s incredible how many people don’t know what they’re buying and then spend money on something they do not like it. I understand Adrian should be a little more professional dealing with it, but most of these ‘issues’ are not issues, they’re choices or byproducts of your choices. This is also likely why most will state you are not entitled to a refund on customised product, to protect themselves and their business.

I think it's in reference to the actual animal, not the bass!

I think it’s a really clever move to be fair! Being able to find a sought-after bass aesthetic (Panther II) and offer it whilst also allowing Nordstrand to enter the instrument/bass market without resorting to another obvious J or P type instrument. The price point seems great too. Nice balance of not-too-cheap (low quality) but affordable and a nice choice of colours. I’ve been seriously considering one since I saw the first pics!

Exactly the reason I decided to change it! Yes, it’s possible to have it in passive mode with the stock active circuit but for me, I like the look of it when it’s less fussy!!

Scratchplate finished (big thanks to Bass Doc!) and fitted, along with the passive loom and a thumb rest. Surprising how easy (and cheap!) it was to get this converted to passive and give it more traditional twist. The next things I might change are the pickups (thinking maybe the Aguilar PJ hum cancelling set) and/or tuners. That would require an investment similar to the bass itself though, so need to think about it more!

I gutted mine. All it took was £60 for a new scratch plate (to fit a VVT wiring loom) and a solderless VVT wiring loom from Kiogon. It was so easy and dropped straight in, so now my Sire P7 5 string is now completely passive

Lovely!! (Needs more monitors :P)

For me it's the Mustang (and if 33" counts, then also my ACG!), both pictured here!

So a little update on this. So far I’ve fitted some Dunlop flatwound strings, bought a thumb rest and ordered some strap locks. I also ordered a solderless passive VVT wiring loom from @KiOgon (thanks again!) and today, stripped the old scratchplate off in preparation for cutting the new one. As you can see, I decided to cut and crimp the wires, so that pickups etc can be dropped in and out with ease in the future. As the controls will be located slightly differently, this required a little redesign of the layout on the plate. I worked from a USA Fender 5 string PJ to get these in a place that should look right. For now, the plan is to fit the new scratchplate and wiring loom with the Sire pickups, but I might upgrade them to something different in the future.

Yeah. They were talking about it being in September and I either won’t be able to attended due to some commitments or it’ll be cancelled and I just didn’t want to get caught in the continuous push-back of dates.

I’ve already had mine refunded 🙂

Says the guy wanting a huge global corporation to change their entire business model to save you a few quid? Come on dude, have a sense of humour!

“Can I buy this new bass without strings, I’m just going to swap them for flats anyway so....”

There’s no pleasing some people. It’s like complaining your new car comes with tyres as part of a ‘bundle’ when 1 in 50 customers kept a perfectly good set in the garage from the old car...

Oh, don't get me wrong I don't mean in terms of "quality" i mean in terms of cost. Fender charge £80-100 for the V-Mod split coil and about £80 for the Yosemite (Alnico 5), so only a slight increase in cost, but still there!

If you're actually interested in the differences, they are as follows; Spec Player Professional Body Finish Gloss Polyester Gloss Polyurethane Neck Shape Modern "C" "1963 C" Fingerboard Material Pau Ferro Rosewood Nut Material Synthetic Bone Bone Fret Size Medium Jumbo Narrow Tail Truss Rod Standard Posiflex Graphite Rods Pickup Player Series Alnico 5 Split Single-Coil Precision Bass® V-Mod Split Single-Coil Precision Bass® Bridge 4-Saddle Standard 4-Saddle HiMass™ Vintage (String-Through-Body or Topload) Tuning Machines Standard Open-Gear Fender® Lightweight Vintage-Style Keys with Tapered Shafts Strings Fender USA 7250M Nickel Plated Steel Fender USA 7250M Nickel Plated Steel Cases/Gig bag None Elite Molded Case Personally, i can see the pickup, the hardware and the fingerboard wood having a significant impact on the cost of the instrument itself, so even without the case (whether you want it or not aside), is justifiably more expensive. Whether it is £1000 more expensive is a different story... I do however, agree with @uk_lefty. Even if Fender sold the bass without a case, it'd still be £1,300ish and for that price i think a majority of potential buyers would look to another manufacturer immediately if a decent hardcase wasn't included!