D15M re-build finished - Disappointed

[Telenator]

Well, after I finished re-building my D15M with a new top and a new neck, I had someone local do the finish and I must say, I'm disappointed.

The guitar had a few issues and I told the guy, "it doesn't have to be a masterpiece, just a good finish to seal it up and protect it."

Perhaps I should have been more specific because I almost put my foot through the guitar when i got it back.

The guy lacquered over my polished ebony bridge! He said finishing the guitar with the bridge in place would be no problem. I had no idea he would just lacquer over it!

There are places where the guitar obviously touched something else while it was drying and he just left those smudges on there along with the areas where he sanded through the finish.

There's an area in the sound board that was actually sanded to a ridge, (my perfectly tuned sound board), and other spots where there are indentations in the surface.

I wasn't expecting a high end big time expensive finish, but I'm rather disappointed at the shoddy workmanship.

There was another customer in the shop when I picked it up and felt myself starting to stew so I just paid him and left figuring I'd go back when I could talk to him alone.

Since then I decided that, if someone is going to pass off work like this in the first place, what's the point in talking any further about it.

Fortunately the photos don't show the abuse, and the guitar really does sound great. I'm embarrassed to bring it to the Guild factory now though. Damn!

 

[cjd-player]

There's an area in the sound board that was actually sanded to a ridge, (my perfectly tuned sound board), and other spots where there are indentations in the surface.

Unfortunately, rubbing out and buffing the lacquer finish was nearly impossible with the bridge and neck on the body.

Also, minor sanding imperfections often don't show until the first coat of finish is put on. So some of whet you are seeing might have been there before he applied any finish.

I'm not defending him if he did shoddy work, but it was a very difficult task to get a good finish on the top with the bridge and neck in place.

 

[geoguy]

Not that I've ever refinished a guitar, but I would expect both the bridge & fretboard to be masked off prior to spraying.

Aren't US-built Guild acoustic guitars finished with the neck attached?

- Mark

 

[jazzmang]

Aren't US-built Guild acoustic guitars finished with the neck attached?

- Mark

Yup!

 

[chazmo]

Not that I've ever refinished a guitar, but I would expect both the bridge & fretboard to be masked off prior to spraying.

Aren't US-built Guild acoustic guitars finished with the neck attached?

- Mark

According to this picture from New Hartford, yeah I guess so:

 

[jazzmang]

Could you post some pics that show the finish imperfections? I know it might be hard to photograph, but I'm interested to see what the refin issues look like.

 

[Telenator]

It's very difficult to photograph because I need to set up reflections in such a way that make the flaws visible. They're easy to see when you hold the guitar.

The finish is kinda thick, the grain is not completely sealed, there are actual impressions in the wood that were cause possibly by wearing rings, or a bracelet while sanding the top. There are places where the guitar was touched while it was wet leaving dull, rough areas and other places where he just sanded through the finish. There are brush marks and big, long, visible scratches too.

I've been scratch building guitars since the early 80's and have had several of them professionally finished. They look great. This one however does not measure up.

When I asked him about the bridge he said it didn't matter. I though that was unusual but preferred to have it on so I could play the guitar and do the final shaping on the neck before the finish was done. I won't make that mistake again.

This is my first acoustic build and some things are different than electric solid body guitars.

I was quoted a low price and being that this guitar is not perfect, took the chance. I would have gladly paid more if it would have made a difference in the level of quality. But still, it's just not done well at all.

Anyway, I'm not going to name names but, if you're really interested, the name is on a previous thread where I was building the top and the neck.

 

[adorshki]

Not that I've ever refinished a guitar, but I would expect both the bridge & fretboard to be masked off prior to spraying.
Aren't US-built Guild acoustic guitars finished with the neck attached?
- Mark

That's what I would have thought. Being somewhat of a perfectionist myself and seeing the quality of workmanship Tele himself is capable of, I'm very sympathetic to his dissatisfaction.
If it had happened to me I'd try to talk to the guy in private like he said (maybe on the phone), to see if any improvement could be made. Maybe the price for the job was a heavy factor in the quality, maybe it could be improved?

 

[Default]

Inexpensive is one thing, but an Earl Scheib job is another.

 

[cjd-player]

:lol: :lol: :lol:
Great find, Steve.

$10 free metal work !!

Hey that's just about two new tuners. 8)
:mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[taabru45]

I don't remember bubble gum being THAT expensive... :lol: Steffan

 

[Telenator]

Well, it is what it is. I'm not going to hang around and be all glum and bring everyone down. I'm over it and know better for next time.

 

[Default]

You sound like my BFF. She uses that phrase all the time. Sorry that it doesn't look as good as it sounds.

 

[marcellis]

It looks really good to me.

That Chesterfield logo looks real nice.

 

[Telenator]

It looks really good to me.

That Chesterfield logo looks real nice.

Thanks. I made the pick guard to look like a more modern Guild. I wanted it to be small. And the truss rod cover was made from a piece of scrap 5 ply I had in a box. Ever try working with 5 ply?! It's nuts man! That piece took me a good hour and a half to make!

The guitar plays well and sounds good so I'm just going to get over it and enjoy it, and not worry when it gets dinged on a gig or something.