EBS_freak

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1380547473' post='2226832'] I was just looking at your Facebook status dude, made for an interesting read! [/quote] Which status in particular?

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1380547229' post='2226820'] I'm afraid there are just as many I've worked with that don't get anywhere close to these standards. Some are very apologetic but others just throw their hands up and say it's all part of the job. I often hear that it's a third party fault (especially in terms of hardware and electronics) but I'm not sure this is really a valid excuse. With many instruments having long build times I'd expect the builder to have pre-ordered all third-party components. Could be cash-flow that's the issue here. Few of these guys will get any form of credit so they have to pay upfront for all hardware etc. [/quote] This is very true - I remember being gazumped a few times with an order of mine, because another customer had put in a very large order. Obviously, money talks (and it shouldn't because after all, fairs fair, I was first in the queue)... but from a business point of few in terms of retaining large spending customers, they are going to take the priority from little old me. It's only when you learn that the other needed to be fulfilled to get the cash to complete my order, then things start making sense! Interesting that you bring up hardware molan - it's true, hardware seems to be the biggy. Importing hardware from the US, China or Japan, (ignoring ABM (who are pretty small anyway) and Schaller in the EU), where the majority of the hardware comes from, is not only expensive in terms of goods themselves, but can be a pricey affair in terms of post and import (and then there's the shipping time). It's much easier to order in bulk, but it's not the average luthier who can afford to stockpile a load of hardware, even though it will get used, because its often the case the money is needed elsewhere. At this point, it's probably worth pointing out there are two reasons behind the problems being talked about here - economics... and people generally just being sh1t. Both are quite difficult to influence.

[quote name='thebrig' timestamp='1380546806' post='2226808'] That's the point I am trying to make, we [u]will[/u] take our business elsewhere, and that's why we need people telling us about their bad experiences, so we don't make the same mistakes. By saying, "put up and shut up" it seems to imply that we should except it if you get shafted, and then take your business elsewhere, surely it is better to be warned first. [/quote] Missing the point - if you want something that only a certain manufacturer can offer and can't go elsewhere... then you either don't have it, or be subject to their way of work (whether you agree with it or not!). You aren't going to get a Wal from anybody but Wal. You aren't going to get a Kingbass from anybody but Status. If you absolutely must have item "xyz" and manufacturer "abc" is the only person in the world that makes it... your options are limited. (Again, I stress, rightly or wrongly... I still stand by the fact, in that case, as crude as the words are, "put up and shut up".) And lets face it, one person's experience with a company is different to anothers. For example, my experience with a certain luthier bucks the trend of their reputation... and even if I told the story, it is unlikely to put anybody else off. Sad as it may seem, it's a case of doing your own homework and buyer beware.

[quote name='chriswareham' timestamp='1380545875' post='2226783'] The quality is more often than not very, very variable with inconsistencies and high failure rates for items even from the same batch. In my case I'm talking about electronic components and high volume injection moulded parts, where it would have been better in hindsight to deal with the higher prices and slower turnaround of a European manufacturer. [/quote] Welcome to the world of the bean counters. Taking into account the failure rates and the cost to fix those failures, it will still be cheaper to fix on fail then build at a premium. Annoys me too.

[quote name='chriswareham' timestamp='1380545875' post='2226783'] Not too convinced by the idea that Chinese manufacturers are doing well because of great customer service. In my experience they are successful thanks to the exchange rates that allow them to sell to countries such as the UK at very attractive prices. The quality is more often than not very, very variable with inconsistencies and high failure rates for items even from the same batch. In my case I'm talking about electronic components and high volume injection moulded parts, where it would have been better in hindsight to deal with the higher prices and slower turnaround of a European manufacturer. [/quote] If you actually were to deal with the Chinese who are bidding for new business, they are customer service through and through. Now don't get me wrong, I don't believe in the exploitation that they are doing with regards to labour - but they have to be the best in terms of quality and customer service or otherwise their Chinese neighbour will win the business. Take a look at your phone... I pretty much guarantee that the your Apple, Samsung or whatever, was built by the factory that could not only deliver the goods but bent over backwards to get the business in the first place... ...and here we come back full circle. If you want the goods, you'll wait. You know a BF cab for example, is going to be months... and there are posts on here quite recently about inaccurately quoted delivery times. If you want a BF and nothing else will do, you don't really have a lot of options. You are subject to their way of working... and their timescales. What aren't people getting about my comments?

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1380545736' post='2226778'] These w***ers must be pissing themselves laughing when they see people like you making excuses for them. [/quote] Err... I'm not making excuses. I'm actually agreeing with people... just saying, nothing is going to change. It's been it like the 70s... and it's not changing soon. Those that evolve, survive, those that don't, get eaten. Speak with you wallet. Take your business elsewhere.

[quote name='thebrig' timestamp='1380545838' post='2226782'] I can't believe you can come out with that! [/quote] I know, it's great isn't it?

[quote name='Shockwave' timestamp='1380542998' post='2226719'] And that attitude is the problem. How are current or future luthiers who do do this sort of thing supposed to learn if no one does anything? The fact that there is a lack of genuine two way communication with both builders to me and the fact I don't want to resort to legal action (which is an absolute resort) means that I come here to air my grievances. [/quote] Not an attitude at all. An acceptance of what is the case. Believe me, I wish everything in the world ran like clockwork too. The fact is, you are dealing with people. And people all work in very different ways. I must reinforce the fact, I don't think it's right... it's just that I know how these companies work... and very little is going to change quickly. Looking at the list from LukeFRC, I know people who would share a different view for all but 2 of those companies. I've dealt with enough people to realise that this is the case... and why people like the Chinese are doing so well. They realise the importance of customer service and as a consequence, are the ones that are winning the business. For example, I follow a (very angry) pickup maker on Facebook. I don't even know if his pickups are any good - it just amuses me how he seems to think the customer is always wrong, his stuff is the best in the world, yet he's making no money. He isn't listening to anybody or their opinions (why should he when he believes in his products to the extent that he does)... and will no doubt find out the hard way. Sue him, speak to him, state that he's being unreasonable, slag him off on a forum - I already know his response (and it's hilarious, that's why I follow him). Put this all together... and that's why the only people who are buying from him are the guys that love his products and will put up with the bullshit and time delays involved in buying his pickups. These people don't change. They are artisans who generally (i.e. I'm not talking about every manufacturer here) have no idea about business. Legal action will push them to throw the towel in. Just sayin'.

[quote name='Shockwave' timestamp='1380535586' post='2226596'] Why make excuses for them? I just ask for honesty from the start to finish and I ask for a generous estimate with added time for it to be completed, however this leeway I feel it is treated by builders as time to just stop building altogether, or extra time not to start it for ages in the first place and I have not been given any reason to believe otherwise (Due to lack of communication, honesty or/and explanations). If I was given a valid reason as to why someone elses later order was built ahead of mine then I would be fine with it. The issues I have with these custom builders are not my fault and I should not be held to fault for their mistakes, dishonesty or lack of communication. [/quote] I'm not making excuses for them. Far from it. I'm just saying, it's commonplace, rightly or wrongly. If you buy off the shelf, then you can get it there and then. Anything custom can be hit and miss - and guitar builders (not all I hasten to add) are one of the worst culprits. But it's certainly not limited to the luthiers. Honesty is something I would always look for - and these guys just want to keep the customer happy. If they f**k up, they have a habit of hiding under a rock. (which is probably where you are now) I've been a cutomer of a couple of luthiers - both showed similar traits with regards to timescales... but both have a product that I couldn't get elsewhere. I wanted their product, therefore I had to wait... and ultimately, I was (mostly) thrilled with the end product. One of the luthiers in question above is very highly regarded round this way - but my experience with him with him was awful... and something I never want to deal with again... which is fine because the experience made me fall out of love with his products. Having to wait and then be presented with a POS is the real problem. Problem solved, I won't be knocking on his door again - and I was a problem free customer - contacted him once to order, contacted him after receiving the goods after the inevitable wait. The wait was one thing, the barrel of BS after was a completely different thing. I could have posted on here about the experience... but there are so many fanbois, it would have been futile. So in short, I'm not surprised by what I read here... and I don't condone such behaviour... just saying if you can't cope with it, don't go for custom builds... or put up and shut up cos nothing is changing!

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1380532038' post='2226522'] Surely the construction methods are irrelevant? I'm talking about sticking to a quoted build time. I understand that to hand make everything takes longer but that's not an excuse for quoting inaccurate build times, just quote a longer timescale... but still stick to it. I also have to quote deadlines in my job. If things are tight I will allow extra time in my deadline to cover any disasters or unforeseen events, the timescales I quote are longer than the actual time it will take me to do the work, this is because my deadlines are then promised to clients further up the line. Missing them is not an option, if I was to miss a single deadline I would never work in the industry again. This is not a problem, I just ensure I never miss them. I would imagine this is the case for a lot of people... Rob [/quote] I agree - but the reality of the matter is, it isn't limited to guitar builders. It's pretty much universal in any small, cottage industry bespoke manufacturer. Ever order a custom pair of shoes or clothing? The point is, if you really want the product, you'll wait... especially if the manufacturer is making you something that is unique. Doesn't make it right... it's just the nature of it.

I love Barefaced cabs.

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1380530566' post='2226497'] I can't see this happening with Sandberg... [/quote] To be fair, its not fair comparing the small independent luthier with the likes of cnc based sandberg...

Acs custom!

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1380308460' post='2223710'] To answer your question simply, no, and any bass you think looks good when you're holding it will look good hanging up. [/quote] Roscoe LG. Looks sh*t on the wall. Looks awesome when strapped on you.

Quite excited - I have been auditioning a truck load of iems against my T1s. Looking forward to some JHA16 action... my credit card is trembling. How this came about is that I was talking about ACS and the T1s, (being more than peeved that the ambient system still hasn't materialised) and I started thinking, given what the retail price on these ambient systems are reporting to be, it may aswell be prudent to look at other IEMs to gauge how good my ACS T1s fair against some of the real top end IEMs. I haven't missed the ambient sound at this stage - I thought I would (hence my want of the ambient system)... so thought I would investigate just how good the quality of the sound coming from the ACS really is and maybe rethink. Who knows...

[quote name='Kev' timestamp='1380115246' post='2221000'] We must be mad [/quote] acceptance is the first step to recovery... so they say.

That's grand... but he did say he wanted custom wording...

Invest in a decent DI, or even better, a decent mic pre/channel strip that you can use for a whole load of things. Alot of bass players will bring their own amp if they give a crap. Having said that, the DI on an amp is unlikely to be as good as a dedicated DI... and if you want to mic a cab, that opens up a whole argument and expense about mics. There's always the option of reamping anyway (record direct then feed that back through an amp on playback and recording the amp's output). For that, these are quite cool - [url="http://www.orchid-electronics.co.uk/Amp_Interface.htm"]http://www.orchid-electronics.co.uk/Amp_Interface.htm[/url] I would suggest against something like a B15. It was the go to amp... but they just aren't versatile enough to cope with the wide style of bass playing nowadays.

[quote name='andydye' timestamp='1380105906' post='2220783'] Cheers matey, now if someone could just buy all the tat I've got listed on here I can go and get me one [/quote] GAS list update required...

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1380105765' post='2220778'] Ive been using a old AKG system for years and never had any drop outs, although i have had the battery drop out a few times lol. i did think it could be to do with wifi, as i had read there can be issues, but the venue i was in had no wifi connections available, not even from other buildings, so i think it was the phone causing this. Andy, the G30 is really nice, and so easy to use. [/quote] Presumably the AKG was analogue running on the old deregulated band though? Not prone to drop out, more prone to static!

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1380102339' post='2220711'] I've not done many gigs with my recently purchaed G30 system, but in the few I have it's worked really well, and seems to have brought out some of the highs I've never head with my old system. One strange things though, at one gig it cut out for about a second. This seemed to coincide with my iPhone receiving a text. The phone was very close to the receiver. Might be a coincidence but I'm not taking any chances and I'll keep the two well away from each other. [/quote] Bringing out the highs is really noticable when you switch. Some guitarists hate that though - they rely on the capicitance of the cable to get "their" tone... hence the cable tone feature built into some of these devices (nothing amazing - they are just treble roll off like you'd get on a passive bass). 2.4Ghz can be a little prone to interference - basically from wifi and phones. It kinda surprises me with a text - but when you think about it, it's understandable as I'm sure heard with heard phone interference when placed next to electronics. We've had the DWZ complain about RF intereference - yet it didn't actually have any impact on the performance. I know that some guys have stated that there can be issues in conference centres and hotel rooms with wireless networks... but I have to say, I've played a lot, a lot, a lot of these venues and I've never experienced any drops outs. (Mind you, we could be playing havoc with their network !) I've had Shure's wireless workbench out a few times - it's interesting to see how dirty the airwaves can be.

Just adding to the list - Audio-Technica System 10 Sax player has just bought one for his DPA mic. Looks to be good at the moment - and a great price being digital for circa 200 pounds. Probably worth investigating... I've not spend any time with it, so can't comment much further... but it seems to undercut most of the competition and is probably a direct competitor to the Line G6 G30... but without the battery door issue/non issue associated with the G30.

and all going out some Behringer monitors? Have to admit, always found that a bit crazy with RB's dance studio - cool room, with a huge array of Behringer PA to the left and right of the stage? Hope they recover it... or at least are well insured Always liked Rich Bitch - spent many hours there... never a fan of the parking though!

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1380019671' post='2219514'] What on earth is a "woodworm Telecaster"? [/quote] Woodworm was the logo on the headstock that Rob Williams used to use before using his signature. Looked well tacky.

When I went to see Queen (or 1/2 of Queen) with Paul Rogers, I seem to recall at least two Vox AC30s being swapped... mind you, that doesn't surprise me... doesn't BM run his collection of Voxii flat out?