Official Luthiers Forum!

Is anyone on the forum using these guys?

I’m really interested in what’s involved paperwork wise in getting a guitar through customs. Is it easier because it’s making a round trip? I’m planning to send the guitar in 2 pieces using a foam lined round-trip plastic crate from uline. It may be easier to drive them up.

Any clues would be appreciated.

Michael

Check with Simon Fay (toonces?) he ships to Rob at VGF. Also just check with Rob. He does lots of work for builders all over the place.


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And I just got my first build back from them. Very nice finish work.



Satin neck turned out fantastic.




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My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

They must do good work if Simon is willing to ship all the way from Florida. Nice looking guitar btw!

Thanks

Just to clarify, I've always used Joe White for my finish work but he is in the process of moving and setting up a new shop. I just tried out the Vancouver guys for a couple of guitars. They do a pretty good job but I'm having to ship them back on account of a couple small issues. I'm much pickier than most tho'. Joe still does the best finish work I've seen thus far. I will say that they are incredibly affordable and spray a quality finish. They have my recommendation.


In terms of shipping, just ship via FedEx great rates program. You also want to specify the shipment as "repair and return". You can ship Rosewood guitars this way legally as long as they aren't a "finished goods" item.

Last work I did for a maker in Canada his guitars were held up at customs on the return for several weeks.... Wrong code on a form somewhere. And that was before IR went CITES1.

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

Thanks for the tips and recommendation.

Best, M

I have samples of their work via my FB friend Michael Dunn a long time vancouver bc luthier, Its hard to see the details on your phone .But the pictures of their finished guitars look good . Perhaps you can contact michael dunn himself . and get his opinion eh ??

Rod,

How long was the turn around time? Is your finish poly or nitro?

Logan, the finish is poly. Turn around was 5 weeks, but I think Rob typically quotes 6 weeks. I'm close enough to be able to drop off and pick up from his shop.

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"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

Rob at VGF said they weren’t taking on any new nitro clients, and said if they did shoot nitro there would be a $200 (?) upcharge. He also mentioned that for a couple hundred more they could put rush on the order. I think he mentioned a 2 week turnaround?

M

After thinking about it for a minute, I think the shorter turnaround time would only apply to a uv curable finish due to the longer nitro cure time.