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October 2008
Posts: 639
Location: NW of Philadelphia | I put my CC257 in for a complete setup with a supposedly reputable luthier. he is approved by several major manufacturers and builds custom guitars from scratch. I was told it would be don mid-week. Guess what, its still not done. Actually he hasn't even looked at it. Its a pet-peeve of mine, if you say when something is going to be done, it better be. I should have it back tonight as long as I remind him this afternoon.
If his work is good, should I use him again and just deal with him missing completion dates or find someone else? Or am I just being impatient? |
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Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413
| Small/one man businesses never turn down work when it is offered. Sometimes they have way too much on, sometimes a routine job takes a lot longer and pushes everything else back. he may have a regular, professional-player customer who needed some work done urgently. He may have had to take his kids to the dentist.
There's a million reasons why the guy didn't do it - you've talked to him so you should have some idea if he's just busy or just can't be bothered.
Your decision. |
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Joined:
October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | Joe,
That is also one of my Pet peev's. When I give my word, I expect others to keep thiers. Unfortunately, thats not the case. I have yet to have a guitar worked on and returned/ready when promised, EXCEPT for The Mothership (Ovation). They have delivered as promised. Re: your Luthier, Like Schroeder, Your decision. Remember though, Things happen and he may be just as reputable as "promised". Give him another chance if he comes thru tonight.
By the way: I know how to pronounce your name as we discussed. Phonetically: Or rE m a! Right?? :) |
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Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | I've found two luthier's in brooklyn, I liked:
Fried Guitar's --- Brooklyn, NY
Musurgia Guitar --- Brooklyn, NY
I had another guy in the City who was good, but had a terrible bedside manner. When I go into a place I like to feel like my guitar is important, and that I'm a valuable customer.
In this situation, if the guy can make you feel like you're a valuable customer, and has a good explanation ... say the guitar center dumped a dozen guitars on him, and he depends on this income, that he feels bad about your guitar, and promises to do a first rate job, and delivers same, then stick with him. Basically, if his explanation doesn't warm you up, then find another person. Simple. |
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Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Ask him why it was longer than initially expected. You may find he is more than just the guy who you are paying to fix your guitar. |
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Joined:
September 2008
Posts: 58
Location: Just outside Dallas, TX | The guy I took mine to locally (Plano Tx) had it ready and did MORE than I asked early... Gave him 7 days and done in 3... Even buffed the Frets for me etc etc... Cleaned the Motherboard (electronics) adjusted action, checked 1/4" and XLR jacks... I took it to him as a wind gust knocker her over and chipped off part of the signature Ovation Curve at the end of the Headstock...
What I got back was a guitar that looks and plays like new... The intonation of the 6th string was screwy... I mentioned that to him and he set intonation on all strings etc...
So it comes down to - what was done in the end... I do Computer work on the side... sometimes I have to hop a plane and visit a Customer for my Paying job... that messes with my schedule big time, BUT I don't make promises - always explain that I may be called away for a few days... |
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Joined:
October 2008
Posts: 639
Location: NW of Philadelphia | It will be ready by this afternoon, so I can pick it up tonight.
Whether I go back or not will depend on the workmanship now. |
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Joined:
October 2008
Posts: 639
Location: NW of Philadelphia | Please delete |
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Joined:
October 2008
Posts: 639
Location: NW of Philadelphia | What the hell? Sorry... please delete |
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March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Stuff happens: not everything is as we expect...give him the benefit of the doubt and then act accordingly...I ran a shop for over 5 years and while I always tried to give customers the service they expected, it wasn't always possible: that’s where communication comes in on both sides... |
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Joined:
March 2007
Posts: 843
Location: CA | There are luthiers all over the place and — I hope I'm not treading on any toes here — a basic setup is not that hard. In fact, if you can use nail clippers without injuring yourself too badkly, you can do it yourself.
If you don't like any aspect of his work or ethic, go somewhere else. If you really DO like his work, hey, almost everyone who is great at anything has some eccentricities. So just smile and suck it up.
Luthiers aren't like MG mechanics. Take it from me, if you find a good MG mechanic, you should do, and endure, ANYTHING short of shooting people to keep him happy. |
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November 2004
Posts: 1330
Location: ms | This happened to me a while back. I posted about it here also. The guy had my Taylor forever but in the end i was very happy with the work and would go back and wait again. |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Originally posted by auriemma:
It will be ready by this afternoon, so I can pick it up tonight.
Whether I go back or not will depend on the workmanship now. You realize that we expect pictures, right? |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | I would expect a little repair job to be pretty much on time. Having a complete guitar built, like the Merrill that I have on order is another story. It was spozed to be ready in May. It will be ready some time in the future, I'm sure of that. That's just the way it is. |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Same way with my Collings. Supposed to be ready by mid October....now late November or early December. |
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December 2006
Posts: 6996
Location: Jet City | I don't know what's up with your peeps. I ordered a custom Fullton Fulldrive yesterday, and it's here today!
Thanks Stephen |
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October 2005
Posts: 4071
Location: Utah | If the guy is uniquely amazing, put up with the hassles. I used to have a camera repair guy that worked miracles on old fully-mechanical cameras like nobody else. The guy was like 147 yrs old and looked like he would blow away in a 3 mph breeze. He worked out of his old worn out and dusty house, and took months to get work done. But he was unique in his skills.
But for a basic setup, I'd say take your git fiddles somewhere else. |
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Joined:
October 2008
Posts: 639
Location: NW of Philadelphia | Well, its back and it plays pretty well.
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January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Took 10 months for a custom order from the good folks at Hamer. Worth every hour of the wait, too. |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Originally posted by auriemma:
Well, its back and it plays pretty well.
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Joined:
October 2008
Posts: 639
Location: NW of Philadelphia | Yes, I am happy with it. So my Mustang will be next.
My wife was very surprised at how low the action is now. My cousin came over and we played for 4 hours. Him on his Martin Eric Clapton model, me on my Ovation. They complemented each other very well.
FYI: Amplified, it sounds outstanding. I can't imagine how much better a high end O would sound. |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | Originally posted by auriemma:
FYI: Amplified, it sounds outstanding. I can't imagine how much better a high end O would sound. Most of us here don't have to imagine. We own them, so we know. And the answer is: So much better that you couldn't imagine it. In fact even the lower end USA guitars are a significant step-up in both unplugged and amplified performance. It's good that you have your guitar back and are happy with it, but you should satisfy your curiousity and get to play some USA-built guitars, especially as there are some serious bargains to be had right now. |
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Issue with a luthier
