New steel on the way

[7string]

Things are coming along.

The body is all painted, parts are away for nickel plating, legs and pedal board all done. I've asked for some pics of the body so I'll get those in a few days. Can't wait to see the yellow!!

[Bob M]

Mark get ya camera ready,would love to see the photos,
Ron kindly sent me his brochure,they look quality,will have to sell my Banjo and get things moving.

[7string]

Well the saga is carrying on. Slowly but surely this steel is being made. Spoke to Ron yesterday who has been extremely apologetic about it all.

[7string]

Yesterday i received 3 photos in the post of my new steel. Yes it lives








and after a huge amount of research, consultation and thought here's the copedent.

[7string]

Well this steel still isn't made.

I phoned this morning and although Ron is still apologetic, we've now agreed that if it's not done by 1st March the deposit will be returned.

I am extremely disappointed to say the least and I'm updating this thread trying to be all understanding and objective because build diary threads should be that way. Fact is, I placed this order on 10th January 2012 and paid the deposit the next day. I know that he probably has other work on, but there never been any mention of being delayed by a large workload and it's the lack of communication which has been the most annoying thing of all. I've tried to stay in touch, calling every month or two, which I don't think is excessive.

I been fortunate enough to have 2 custom basses built and both took a year to complete. The estimate was a year and they were a year plus a couple of weeks or so and there was some e-mail update every month or so. Maybe I was silly to expect the same. Maybe I have been too patient.

Now there's another 8 week wait and we'll see what happens then. Now, however, I have very little faith and feel fobbed off, embarrassed and annoyed. I haven't had a steel since November 2011 when I sold my "Little Buddy" which gave me the steel bug in the first place. I was so looking forward to joining the ranks of steel players and getting to learn this most complicated, but most beautiful sounding of instruments. Now I just feel really hacked off about the whole thing.

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

Mark, I can understand your frustration but I know Ronnie has been a bit unwell just lately and I am sure your guitar will be worth the wait ...... My Zum took 18 months to build and I believe Franklins are a 2 year wait!!
Ronnie is one of the good guys and his work is superb give him a little more slack and he will come through for you....

[Malcolm]

Mark, I can only repeat what John said.I have known Ron for many years now and he did a stack of work on my old Shobud to a very high standard and quickly, I do realise you are extremely disappointed , but hang in there as I know you will be more than pleased with it.I don't know if it is health issues that have held it up but as John said Ron is one of the good guys, and there MUST be a good reason for this to have happened.Malcolm

[7string]

Thanks for the replies guys.

My frustration isn't really about how long it takes. It's about communication and letting the customer know what's going on. I was told it would be ready in October, then November, then it'll be before Christmas, now it's going to February. If I was told February in the first place, or I get a message saying there's some issue then it's not a problem. Just let me know and I'll understand !!! Unfortunately, I have had nothing from his end at all.

Ron hasn't said anything about illness holding the build up at all. He had flu in April, but I haven't been told anything else.

[Malcolm]

Mark, having looked at pics I would recon it's pretty near assembly. so hopefully Ron can get it finished fairly soon.

[7string]

Ron's been back in touch in the last few days. All is fine for delivery for the end of next month, despite the recent passing of his mother. I had sent an email offering my condolences and saying that the time scale we had discussed didn't really matter, but he has now returned to work.

He has kindly offered a price reduction for all the time that it has taken which is really good of him.