The Last Bass Outpost

Main Forums => The Bass Zone => Topic started by: ilan on February 17, 2015, 04:16:36 AM

Title: Wishbass - the end
Post by: ilan on February 17, 2015, 04:16:36 AM: Steve Wishnevsky posted this pic to FB 3 hours ago, wrote just two words: Goodbye Wishbass.

He's OK but the shop is gone and it was not insured.

He's a good person and this is heart-breaking.

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10991202_10152683420306027_3109456658722387307_n.jpg?oh=ea1aa312b9c4d2878760b113e01ef2cd&oe=55917BA6&__gda__=1431614659_f58d13755e12a8f580214939d5bde85e)
Title: Re: Wishbass - the end
Post by: Denis on February 17, 2015, 06:17:14 AM: Aw, bummer. At least he's okay.
Title: Re: Wishbass - the end
Post by: ack1961 on February 17, 2015, 07:24:46 AM: That sucks - super nice guy.
Title: Re: Wishbass - the end
Post by: ilan on February 17, 2015, 08:00:14 AM: He sounds more optimistic now. This is what he posted: "Here is the obvious order of business. Clean up, then fund raising, then find a building, then equipment.
I was planning to to do a Kickstarter for the JJK models, fortunately two prototypes survived. I will get on that asap. The roads are not good now, but in a few days, we can get something up and running i hope."
Title: Re: Wishbass - the end
Post by: ilan on February 17, 2015, 11:23:58 AM: http://launch.newsinc.com/?type=VideoPlayer/Single&widgetId=1&trackingGroup=69016&siteSection=wsjournalstudio_hom_non_fro&videoId=28582989&playlistId=14503
Title: Re: Wishbass - the end
Post by: uwe on February 17, 2015, 01:21:29 PM: Sorry for his economic loss (and happy no one got hurt), but I know a couple of people here who would caution him about returning to his old line of business. :-X

Perhaps someone took revenge? Disappointed customers can be a pest. ;)
Title: Re: Wishbass - the end
Post by: ack1961 on February 17, 2015, 02:06:32 PM: At $100 p/ string, I highly doubt that anyone would go to those lengths for revenge...or not know what they're getting when they order a Wishbass.
Title: Re: Wishbass - the end
Post by: Aussie Mark on February 17, 2015, 03:12:38 PM: This is bass guitar mimicing the animal kingdom - natural selection, survival of the fittest.
Title: Re: Wishbass - the end
Post by: Dave W on February 17, 2015, 06:35:13 PM: I've made fun of his basses over the years but it's too bad this had to happen. If he wants to restart, I hope he can do it.
Title: Re: Wishbass - the end
Post by: pamlicojack on February 18, 2015, 06:46:06 AM: http://www.journalnow.com/news/local/winston-salem-musician-loses-workshop-to-fire-tuesday-morning/article_211d5018-b6c1-11e4-87ea-17e5efaaa34d.html

More info
Title: Re: Wishbass - the end
Post by: nofi on February 18, 2015, 09:28:41 AM: this really sucks. :sad:
Title: Re: Wishbass - the end
Post by: gearHed289 on February 18, 2015, 09:32:20 AM: Hopefully he can turn this into something positive. He has to be aware of the criticism his products have received. Maybe he can make a new start with some improved techniques and materials?
Title: Re: Wishbass - the end
Post by: Highlander on February 18, 2015, 04:21:02 PM: Bummer... hopefully he pulls through... not (is anyone here?) a fan, but...
Title: Re: Wishbass - the end
Post by: amptech on February 19, 2015, 01:51:51 AM: We had the exact same thing happening in my town a couple of years ago. The local luthier got his shop burnt down, nothing insured. All instruments and tools lost, even some old guitars he had in for repaired. He really went down to the basement for a while, but eventually people helped him up - giving him tools, tonewoods and work. Even peolple who wasn´t fond of his work (read: many weird and not very playable instruments) supported him and got him back on track.
Everything is possible, I´m amazed by how supportive a small community can be when people hit rock bottom.
Title: Re: Wishbass - the end
Post by: nofi on February 19, 2015, 09:08:20 AM: i wonder if the wishbass club over at talkbass is doing anything.
Title: Re: Wishbass - the end
Post by: chromium on February 20, 2015, 11:04:54 AM: That really sucks. Home fire is one of biggest fears.
Hope he's able to resurrect everything and keep doing what he loves.
Title: Re: Wishbass - the end
Post by: mc2NY on February 21, 2015, 08:50:00 PM: That sucks.

While I was not a fan of his basses, any industry always needs madman dreamers on its fringe.
I hope he can rebuild.

I lost everything I owned except two basses and an amp years ago in a house fire. Left sitting in a fire truck with just my jeans on in a snow storm. Definitely sucked watching all my stuff being thrown out windows in flames by firemen. All they saved was a pair of snow boots that were my ex-roommate's and a tree stump I used for a table. At least they made me laugh.
Title: Re: Wishbass - the end
Post by: Dave W on February 21, 2015, 10:56:18 PM: The one thing I don't buy about his story is the reason he didn't have insurance. He says it was because it was zoned residential. But there are all kinds of home based businesses in residential-zoned neighborhoods, and most homeowners policies can have business coverage added. My guess is that either it was uninsurable because of its poor condition or that he was unwilling to spend the money to upgrade the building or to pay extra for the insurance.

Still, if people want to fund his rebuilding, or help fund it, that's fine.
Title: Re: Wishbass - the end
Post by: the mojo hobo on February 26, 2015, 08:01:03 AM: I think it might be difficult to obtain insurance for a work shop that is heated by a woodstove.