When A New Custom Guitar Needs a Neck Reset

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When A New Custom Guitar Needs a Neck Reset

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AndyB

Post subject: Re: When A New Custom Guitar Needs a Neck Reset

Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2017 3:25 pm

Cocobolo

Joined: Fri Jan 15, 2016 9:04 pm
Posts: 315
First name: Andy
Status: Professional

I do not believe this is a case of clearly shoddy workmanship or green wood or a myriad of other potentially heinous issues that could be deterministically diagnosed. This is a neck geometry issue for which it is unclear why the guitar is the way it is. One does not know what happened from when it left the builder to when it arrived in the shop where Woodie's works. To volume of work, contracts and the like, I find the choice of kindness, consideration, and benefit-of-the-doubt has served me well in the communities - both clientele and my peers.

Woodie, enjoy the coastline! May I ask what course of action your boss undertook? And how did it work out? I understand if that is something that cannot easily (abstractly) be shared. Sounds like you work in a savvy and classy shop, from all the posts I've read.

Andy

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truckjohn

Post subject: Re: When A New Custom Guitar Needs a Neck Reset

Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2017 4:19 pm

Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2009 10:27 pm
Posts: 2109
Location: South Carolina
First name: John
Last Name: Cox
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur

Yeah... Don't leave us hanging... The suspense is killing us.

I understand the concern... But at the point where the instrument is sitting on the repair guy's bench - the final outcome depends on what the customer and repair shop agree upon. Its easy for us to arm-chair-quarterback things... But at the end of the day - a $200.00+ bill for repairs may be easier to swallow than 6 months wait + to and from shipping... And if the local guy is a well reputed and trusted luthier - there won't be much question about the outcome...

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Woodie G

Post subject: Re: When A New Custom Guitar Needs a Neck Reset

Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2017 11:57 am

Koa

Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2013 7:33 am
Posts: 1876
First name: Willard
Last Name: Guthrie
City: Cumberland
State: Maryland 21502
Zip/Postal Code: 21502
Country: United State
Focus: Repair
Status: Semi-pro

Such a long drive up from the beach... the grand-babies are napping and for once, I am not driving.

First things first...my apologies for the send-up of those who chastise us for our lack of sensitivity to others. I spend too much of my work day counseling my clients on the hazards of obesity, then being routinely criticized for actually caring enough to do so. When I can extract a few laughs at the expense of those finding fault with what they term my 'fat shaming', I feel compelled to do so. Thanks for playing along, Mr. Breakstone - it made for a much funnier finale to that excursion into the absurd.

Second...the issue was largely resolved...the quoted text is an extract from the note I received:

Quote:

Here's what happened-

- Prior to discussion with customer, called <deleted> and talked to <deleted>...nice guy and called me back in less than 5 later...they have about <deleted> benches running, so was good he took time for my call
- Explained numbers and told <deleted> that we have 30/10 mil left on saddle after setting action 4/100/80
- <deleted> suggested that bridge might be reduced in thickness in lieu of a reset.
- Told <deleted> that I did not view that as reasonable course of action on brand new instrument, given capability to reset neck and fix issue; if he recommended that to customer, I would likely advise against that if <deleted> asked me for my opinion
- <deleted> said that my view was reasonable, and that he would work with the client to ensure satisfaction
- I said that I would continue to be a resource for <deleted> and would assure him that <deleted> stands behind their product and will make it right should he need further action.
- When <deleted> showed for pickup, the last thing i covered with him was saddle lower than desirable, and if it became an issue, <deleted> would resolve to his satisfaction. Suggested that he play and enjoy the instrument.

Final string height off top is 380...we will prob see this one again.

<deleted>

Do you see how many ways we could have gotten crossed up w/ customer and/or builder? Not suggesting you were wrong on joint call idea, but getting everyone to sing kumbaya can be a challenge unless the footwork is done first. This way, <deleted> saw a unified front of folks trying to resolve identified issue to his satisfaction. Not so happy about your

I also had a very pointed telephone discussion with the boss on having posted anything here about this situation. I considered deleting the original post and my subsequent responses, but I felt that the discussion and the fact that we did not allow this to devolve into pointless criticisms of a particular builder or customer was beneficial and did no real harm. If my colleagues here feel otherwise, I will be pleased to ask Mr. Kragenbrink to remedy the situation.

_________________
For the times they are a changin'

- Bob Dylan

These users thanked the author Woodie G for the post (total 2): david farmer (Wed Aug 09, 2017 9:17 am) • Hesh (Sat Aug 05, 2017 1:09 pm)

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SteveSmith

Post subject: Re: When A New Custom Guitar Needs a Neck Reset

Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2017 12:32 pm

Contributing Member

Joined: Wed Oct 08, 2008 11:36 am
Posts: 7385
Location: Southeast US
City: Lenoir City
State: TN
Zip/Postal Code: 37772
Country: US
Focus: Repair

Woodie, thanks for posting the resolution of the incident. It's good to see how others handle a difficult situation in a reasonable and intelligent manner. I, for one, appreciate the opportunity to gain a bit of vicarious experience.

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

These users thanked the author SteveSmith for the post (total 2): George L (Sun Aug 06, 2017 9:33 am) • Hesh (Sat Aug 05, 2017 1:09 pm)

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truckjohn

Post subject: Re: When A New Custom Guitar Needs a Neck Reset

Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 1:06 pm

Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2009 10:27 pm
Posts: 2109
Location: South Carolina
First name: John
Last Name: Cox
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur

I for one am glad you posted it.

It needs to serve as a warning to those of us here. Especially us hobby/part time builders who let instruments "out into the wild..." We often see our work in a vacuum and the "Gee - what happens if...." sort of discussions end up forgotten... Well here we go right here.... A wonky neck set gets out...

And you did exercise quite a bit of restraint by not posting maker names... Its not a flame against a maker - its a warning to people like me...

Woodie G wrote:

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James Orr

Post subject: When A New Custom Guitar Needs a Neck Reset

Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 5:43 pm

Contributing Member

Joined: Wed Feb 15, 2006 7:37 am
Posts: 4805

I agree. I enjoyed following. It's always cool to be a fly on the wall in a great shop like yours. It might get dicey if someone could attach an identity to the maker, but I can't possibly see any way they could here.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Terence Kennedy

Post subject: Re: When A New Custom Guitar Needs a Neck Reset

Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 11:18 pm

Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Fri Dec 14, 2007 3:21 pm
Posts: 3391
Location: Alexandria MN

Always dangerous to say stuff like "I've never had a bridge lift."

Truth is you have no idea unless you routinely do follow up checks on you stuff that is out there.

I think we would all be humbled if we knew what really went on with our babies in the cold cruel world.

Seeing my instruments back after a couple of years in the field has been a huge step in their evolution.

I applaud all the repair folks that take the time to notify builders of issues they see.

_________________
It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

These users thanked the author Terence Kennedy for the post: AndyB (Sun Aug 13, 2017 9:48 am)

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