just a little venting about an order snafu.

[neutralomen]

don't worry. I'm not a whiny entitled consumer. I understand I have to wait my turn, especially for custom orders. however, I can't help but feel a bit of frustration at my history of bad luck when ordering from G&L. I keep coming back because they make such fantastic instruments, and I also love to show my support for small, passionate companies.

I recently took the plunge and ordered an ASAT bass, decked to the nines! I've wanted it for ten years and finally took the plunge. I won't reveal how much it cost but it was...well above the starting price. we all know that, as exciting as it is, laying down that kind of cash and having to wait up to 90 days is a bit painful.

I understand that sometimes it takes longer, other times it takes shorter. however, for this particular order, G&L told my dealer that my custom order as well as 4 others going to my dealer's store would be delivered before Christmas.

needless to say, I was checking the Facebook page every few hours for weeks! my dream bass was to be in my hands any day!

the first, then second, then third, then fourth custom order arrived at my dealer, but my asat bass was awol.

finally, my dealer told me that, while the bass is done, they ran out of cases for asat basses and haven't shipped it. this most likely means that I won't even have a chance of seeing it until mid January at the earliest, because the factory closes down from Christmas through the new year.

I mentioned earlier previous bad luck. my first ever g&l had a manufacturing defect and they had to remake it! years later I ordered a neck replacement because of the new thinner profiles, and they said they finished the neck but the binding turned yellow because of a bad batch of finish. the neck took like 25 weeks to get to me because of this.

now, my instrument is finished, but I can't get my hands on it because they happen to be out of cases. this one detail alone will likely result in the finished instrument sitting in the factory for nearly a month!

my dealer is going to try to have them mail it in a box before they all leave for Christmas, but he told me they were having a hard time finding a box that fits the asat bass.

*sighh*

I know these things happen. like I said I don't feel entitled to any special treatment, but REGULAR treatment would be nice for a change! lol

I'm hoping for a Christmas miracle. this guy was...really expensive, and I've been waiting for ten years to have one.

nothing against g&l. it's just a frustrating and unfortunate turn of events that's really bummed me out.

thanks for reading!

[Al Evans]

I understand your frustration, but it could be worse. I play mostly acoustic guitars, and wait times for the best individual luthiers can run a year or more — and prices are higher, depending on woods and appointments. And for bespoke classical guitarists, having a guitar specially built can be a really long-term project, 10 years or so for a few luthiers.

That doesn't do you any good, of course. I hope you get a Christmas miracle!

--Al Evans

[neutralomen]

*update*
so...they found a box...they were nice enough to try and ship it before they left for the holiday.
my I instrument as well as three others were in an accident with the ups guy...they fell off a palate and a massive gash cut through the body...
they now must remake the instrument..
on the one hand, I appreciate G&L handling product spillage responsibly by making another I strument, but on the other hand I can not believe my luck with this company.

guitar 1(2007)-shipped with a neck that wound up bowed even with the truss rod cranked. some kind of defect. they remade it(I didn't ask them to. they just did which again is cool in itself)
guitar 2 (2008)-not only was it wired I correctly (no middle position. it was just bridge neck neck
an easy fix), but strings were getti g caught under the frets. some kind of binding issue. instead of remaking it again, G&L reimbursed the tech at my dealer to do a refret.
neck replacement (2016)-after the refret, it played well but g&l offered a thin neck profile as of 2015. I was told the neck would take around 12 weeks. they had an issue with some finish for their binding and it was turning yellow. they had to remake it and it would up taking closer to 25 weeks.

now this.

I understand these things happen. I'm not a complainer and I believe I've been patient and understanding. I haven't asked g&l for anything nor will I ask them. I'm just expressing my dismay and sadness at this rotten luck.

they say the new bass should be done by mid Jan. I guess I'll keep you all posted.

[Tooslowhand]

Man... I'm really sorry for all the issues you have had with ordering G&L instruments, but I have a request. I live in Southern California. We already have lots of issues with natural disasters here. Please don't come and visit.

Seriously, I hope this gets resolved for you soon, and I'm glad G&L have stood by their work.

[neutralomen]

yeah not to overshare, but there are some family issues with addiction that I'm dealing with during the holiday season. this bass was a sunspot in a pretty dreary circumstance. I have to take deep breaths and remember it's just a bass. but man I'll be damned if didnt find a new way to ruin a guy's day