What's going on with the Custom Shop?
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Re: What's going on with the Custom Shop?
i have been a long time seymour duncan user and recently decided to order my first custom shop pickup from them , i wont get into details but it was a pretty bad experience, tons of mistakes and in the end i spent alot of money with a pickup im not happy with , i will not be ordering from the custom shop anymore.
i have been a long time seymour duncan user and recently decided to order my first custom shop pickup from them , i wont get into details but it was a pretty bad experience, tons of mistakes and in the end i spent alot of money with a pickup im not happy with , i will not be ordering from the custom shop anymore.
ItsaBass
New member
Re: What's going on with the Custom Shop?
Exactly. I'm rather peeved about the way Riley Giffin just completely stopped answering my e-mails one day, right when it came time for me to actually send in my pickups. Up till the point at which it was time for me to actually get down to taking my money, he was fine in helping me make decisions (finally settling on an underwound Seth set). Then he just vanished on me when the time came for them to actually take my pickups and my money. Two inquiries about what the hell was going on were ignored. And a member of this forum who has ins with the company offered to help and asked for the specifics...but again, nothing.
A big part of me simply wants to send in the pickups (or hand deliver them) with a printout of the e-mail chain, and let them figure out the rest. But at the same time, I don't want to give business to the Custom Shop if they are ignoring me completely. There are plenty of other winders just as good who will gladly, and quickly, take my money without having to be tracked down over a period of almost six months.
Exactly. I'm rather peeved about the way Riley Giffin just completely stopped answering my e-mails one day, right when it came time for me to actually send in my pickups. Up till the point at which it was time for me to actually get down to taking my money, he was fine in helping me make decisions (finally settling on an underwound Seth set). Then he just vanished on me when the time came for them to actually take my pickups and my money. Two inquiries about what the hell was going on were ignored. And a member of this forum who has ins with the company offered to help and asked for the specifics...but again, nothing.
A big part of me simply wants to send in the pickups (or hand deliver them) with a printout of the e-mail chain, and let them figure out the rest. But at the same time, I don't want to give business to the Custom Shop if they are ignoring me completely. There are plenty of other winders just as good who will gladly, and quickly, take my money without having to be tracked down over a period of almost six months.
DreX
New member
Re: What's going on with the Custom Shop?
Some people are saying there are other winders, some are saying the Custom Shop is the only game in town. Is there another company out there that offers the same degree of customization? I noticed the Fralin site says they do rewinds, but are only accepting Fender / Gibson pickups for repair, so that doesn't come anywhere close. Maybe the level of service they were able to offer before doesn't pencil anymore.
Some people are saying there are other winders, some are saying the Custom Shop is the only game in town. Is there another company out there that offers the same degree of customization? I noticed the Fralin site says they do rewinds, but are only accepting Fender / Gibson pickups for repair, so that doesn't come anywhere close. Maybe the level of service they were able to offer before doesn't pencil anymore.
LtKojak
New member
Re: What's going on with the Custom Shop?
What happened with "If you can dream it, we can build it"?
You need to get a knowledgeable person on-site in Germany and England, paid by the American company to push the distributors to do the company's interest rather than their own. In so doing, would be a win-win situation for both parts.
Hell, *I'd* be interested in such a position!
HTH,
What happened with "If you can dream it, we can build it"?
You need to get a knowledgeable person on-site in Germany and England, paid by the American company to push the distributors to do the company's interest rather than their own. In so doing, would be a win-win situation for both parts.
Hell, *I'd* be interested in such a position!
HTH,
tombogiri
New member
Re: What's going on with the Custom Shop?
No dog in this fight, but as someone that has entertained thoughts of ordering from the custom shop I find this disturbing. I know this is not an "official' Duncan forum per se, But I also know that some people with connections to the company frequent here too. I would be nice to get some feedback/input from someone on this.
No dog in this fight, but as someone that has entertained thoughts of ordering from the custom shop I find this disturbing. I know this is not an "official' Duncan forum per se, But I also know that some people with connections to the company frequent here too. I would be nice to get some feedback/input from someone on this.
Edgecrusher
New member
Re: What's going on with the Custom Shop?
How is this forum not official? Duncan has a number of employees that post here. Their own website links here.... they have customer service reps that post here, how is it not official?
How is this forum not official? Duncan has a number of employees that post here. Their own website links here.... they have customer service reps that post here, how is it not official?
GilmourD
Burritotoneologist
Re: What's going on with the Custom Shop?
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It's on www.SeymourDuncan.com! It's on the company's domain! How much more official can you get?
Sent from my Moto X 2014 using Tapatalk
DreX
New member
Re: What's going on with the Custom Shop?
Getting a bit worked up are ya? The truth of the matter just make tombogiri's point a stronger one; this is the official(y ignored) forum.
Getting a bit worked up are ya? The truth of the matter just make tombogiri's point a stronger one; this is the official(y ignored) forum.
Re: What's going on with the Custom Shop?
Well, there are many small boutique winders (like zhangbucker) whose entire job is to wind every single pickup the way the customer wants (as long as they think it will actually sound good of course!!). The downside is that small 1-man companies don't tend to do things like stacks for example, or odd configurations like staple pickups where custom/1-off fabrication is needed. They often have a specialty as well.
Size like Duncan gives you many design options, but they eventually get to the point where it becomes too much to organise and you need to focus on the main sellers.
Well, there are many small boutique winders (like zhangbucker) whose entire job is to wind every single pickup the way the customer wants (as long as they think it will actually sound good of course!!). The downside is that small 1-man companies don't tend to do things like stacks for example, or odd configurations like staple pickups where custom/1-off fabrication is needed. They often have a specialty as well.
Size like Duncan gives you many design options, but they eventually get to the point where it becomes too much to organise and you need to focus on the main sellers.
superpete
Active member
Re: What's going on with the Custom Shop?
Has anyone had any issues with the pickups themselves? Seems most of the complaints here are about email communication, which is not Duncan's strong suit. There have been a few threads dealing with that lately. When you say they aren't what they used to be, are we talking quality, flexibility, options, or just general service/communication? Not that any are acceptable, just curious.
Has anyone had any issues with the pickups themselves? Seems most of the complaints here are about email communication, which is not Duncan's strong suit. There have been a few threads dealing with that lately. When you say they aren't what they used to be, are we talking quality, flexibility, options, or just general service/communication? Not that any are acceptable, just curious.
Snake Aces
Singlecut Slut
Re: What's going on with the Custom Shop?
I'm not really going to jump into the Custom Shop debate here as I have always had great customer service and fast service when dealing with SD or some of their authorized dealers when I lived in the U.S. but I have not had to order any Duncan products here in Europe yet. That being said, it was a bit unfair to start this thread giving the Custom Shop a bad rap for a communication breakdown that was actually the dealer's fault. Obviously there have been some other posts since the thread was started that have voiced some concerns.
In regards to the OP's request though: If you are after SRV tone then there are a lot of factors outside of the pickups he used:
1. His hands, touch and soul he poured into his playing were the number 1 secret to his tone.
2. I believe he used thick strings, 13's IIRC
3. 25.5" scale maple neck with rosewood fretboard. I believe he had his own neck profile too instead of a standard thin.
4. 6L6 tube amp with plenty of headroom
5. His pickups
6. Tube screamer pedal
I'm not really going to jump into the Custom Shop debate here as I have always had great customer service and fast service when dealing with SD or some of their authorized dealers when I lived in the U.S. but I have not had to order any Duncan products here in Europe yet. That being said, it was a bit unfair to start this thread giving the Custom Shop a bad rap for a communication breakdown that was actually the dealer's fault. Obviously there have been some other posts since the thread was started that have voiced some concerns.
In regards to the OP's request though: If you are after SRV tone then there are a lot of factors outside of the pickups he used:
1. His hands, touch and soul he poured into his playing were the number 1 secret to his tone.
2. I believe he used thick strings, 13's IIRC
3. 25.5" scale maple neck with rosewood fretboard. I believe he had his own neck profile too instead of a standard thin.
4. 6L6 tube amp with plenty of headroom
5. His pickups
6. Tube screamer pedal
Edgecrusher
New member
Re: What's going on with the Custom Shop?
Let me be extremely clear here... I do not give a varmits hind end whether it reinforces or detracts from tombogiris point. My point was his assertion that this was a unofficial forum is incorrect. Nothing else is implied either covertly or overtly.
Let me be extremely clear here... I do not give a varmits hind end whether it reinforces or detracts from tombogiris point. My point was his assertion that this was a unofficial forum is incorrect. Nothing else is implied either covertly or overtly.
tombogiri
New member
Re: What's going on with the Custom Shop?
Understood. Hopefully we will get a reply from SD then and all will be well.
Understood. Hopefully we will get a reply from SD then and all will be well.
Re: What's going on with the Custom Shop?
Hello,
I was thinking of a custom pickup ( a lower wind twangbanger ), but even something as simple as this sounds like it could be a problem, where before, I had ordered 2 different pickups, talked with MJ first, done in 1-2 weeks. Now I have trouble after reading all these comments that something haywire must be going on. Not enough staff?
I have a new winder who is very very helpful, he made me a pickup, one he already sells, but I just wanted to ask a few questions, and he answered all of them, then made mine, he was out of stock, so he made my pup with his own hands and I got it in 10 days. He is happy to make a pickup for me that would require a large amount of imagination and know-how, and he agreed, when I am ready, to call him and we'll figure it out. so I am going to order from him as soon as I pay off my hospital bill from a 5mm kidney stone that called for an ambulance, long hospital stay, 72 hours of no sleep, pissing blood for a couple days, etc.
So I would like a S.D. staff guy to tell us what's up. ........... EVAN? YOU THERE? I know you enjoy helping folks, I've seen you do it.
Thanks,
SJBuffington
Hello,
I was thinking of a custom pickup ( a lower wind twangbanger ), but even something as simple as this sounds like it could be a problem, where before, I had ordered 2 different pickups, talked with MJ first, done in 1-2 weeks. Now I have trouble after reading all these comments that something haywire must be going on. Not enough staff?
I have a new winder who is very very helpful, he made me a pickup, one he already sells, but I just wanted to ask a few questions, and he answered all of them, then made mine, he was out of stock, so he made my pup with his own hands and I got it in 10 days. He is happy to make a pickup for me that would require a large amount of imagination and know-how, and he agreed, when I am ready, to call him and we'll figure it out. so I am going to order from him as soon as I pay off my hospital bill from a 5mm kidney stone that called for an ambulance, long hospital stay, 72 hours of no sleep, pissing blood for a couple days, etc.
So I would like a S.D. staff guy to tell us what's up. ........... EVAN? YOU THERE? I know you enjoy helping folks, I've seen you do it.
Thanks,
SJBuffington
Scott Olson
SD Media Manager
Re: What's going on with the Custom Shop?
Hey guys,
Thanks for bringing this to our attention and I'd like to apologize for any problems any of you have had with getting a response from the Custom Shop. As for your issue gabrielstreit, sometimes if something is not possible to build or will be exceedingly expensive or they don't believe it will sound good they will discourage it and instead recommend another pickup. That's done out of respect for your pocket book since a custom engineered pickup to the UK is going to be significant. Ultimately though if something is possible to build and that is what you want, we WILL build it for you. I'm sorry if there was any confusion on that and I understand that your local distributor is going to help you further with these issues. Please PM me if you have any further problems and I'd be happy to help you out.
Mr. Morton - I'm sorry you've also experienced some CS problems. Can you please drop me a PM so I can look into what happened with your pickup? MJ, Derek and Seymour usually go out of their way to fix mistakes and make sure customers are happy. I need to get to the bottom of what happened with yours.
Istabass - That's definitely not acceptable on our end and we are aware of the problem. Please understand that it was not on purpose but rather that Riley probably just missed your previous messages by being inundated. Our number one priority right now is finding new help for our customer service and if any would like to be part of the solution you can apply here: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/1508369/af8605d5a974 - thanks for the patience guys and if you have any delay in getting help or believe our customer service could have been better, you can PM me right here.
SJ318 - Nothing is haywire at all and I know Derek personally is a huge believer in giving people the best pickup and being 100% satisfied at the end of the day. I'll be the first to admit the email response times are a bit on the slow side and we are working quickly to improve it. The issue here is different and we would be happy to make you a custom Twangbanger.
Ultimately we want to give you guys the customer service experience you deserve, if you don't get that I want to know about it.
Hey guys,
Thanks for bringing this to our attention and I'd like to apologize for any problems any of you have had with getting a response from the Custom Shop. As for your issue gabrielstreit, sometimes if something is not possible to build or will be exceedingly expensive or they don't believe it will sound good they will discourage it and instead recommend another pickup. That's done out of respect for your pocket book since a custom engineered pickup to the UK is going to be significant. Ultimately though if something is possible to build and that is what you want, we WILL build it for you. I'm sorry if there was any confusion on that and I understand that your local distributor is going to help you further with these issues. Please PM me if you have any further problems and I'd be happy to help you out.
Mr. Morton - I'm sorry you've also experienced some CS problems. Can you please drop me a PM so I can look into what happened with your pickup? MJ, Derek and Seymour usually go out of their way to fix mistakes and make sure customers are happy. I need to get to the bottom of what happened with yours.
Istabass - That's definitely not acceptable on our end and we are aware of the problem. Please understand that it was not on purpose but rather that Riley probably just missed your previous messages by being inundated. Our number one priority right now is finding new help for our customer service and if any would like to be part of the solution you can apply here: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/1508369/af8605d5a974 - thanks for the patience guys and if you have any delay in getting help or believe our customer service could have been better, you can PM me right here.
SJ318 - Nothing is haywire at all and I know Derek personally is a huge believer in giving people the best pickup and being 100% satisfied at the end of the day. I'll be the first to admit the email response times are a bit on the slow side and we are working quickly to improve it. The issue here is different and we would be happy to make you a custom Twangbanger.
Ultimately we want to give you guys the customer service experience you deserve, if you don't get that I want to know about it.
Edgecrusher
New member
Re: What's going on with the Custom Shop?
You are a brave man Mr Olsen, I dont envy your task of trying to put out a fire in the lions den.
You are a brave man Mr Olsen, I dont envy your task of trying to put out a fire in the lions den.
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