Should I be upset? VIDEOS ADDED

[Mr. Willy]

I just got back my 75 LPC from an extensive refurbish, including new frets, fret job, etc. There are several places on the fretboard that look like razor blade marks. See the pics below for a sample. Is this ok, would you be ok with these marks on your guitar? These may be hard so see in these pic, but there plain as day to me in the direct light. Am I too picky?

 

[paulyc]

I wouldn’t be happy...AND they didn’t re-fret with the binding over the fret ends like Gibson does it at the factory either.

 

[Racerxrated]

I wouldn’t be happy...AND they didn’t re-fret with the binding over the fret ends like Gibson does it at the factory either.

This. I'd demand at least a partial refund.

 

[Mr. Willy]

To be fair, I didn’t want the binding over the fret ends. Those are just of few examples of the fret board.

 

[paulyc]

Even still, didn’t go to the shop that way, it shouldn’t come back that way.

 

[Mr. Willy]

Check this out. This is the side and back of the guitar. We were going for a vintage look, but I don’t understand why the grain wasn’t filled or at least why this wasn’t level sanded with clear coat. That last photo, some of the chips go clear to the wood. Looks like it happened after he painted and finished it. Is this ok?

 

[glip22]

They cut corners and did not tape off your board before crowning and dressing. I tape off the board with two thicknesses of tape. I would be really pissed.

 

[paulyc]

If it’s not a relic no, not ok

 

[Mr. Willy]

Here’s a dip on the front that he didn’t drop fill. I don’t get it. He filled two holes where toggles where, and did a good job on that. But he left this little pit.

 

[Mr. Willy]

They cut corners and did not tape off your board before crowning and dressing. I tape off the board with two thicknesses of tape. I would be really pissed.

That’s what I told him. That it seems he did a rush job on it and cut corners. I paid a lot of money for this job. This is my beloved 75 LPC that I’ve waited 25 years to fix up. I’m bummed guys.

 

[LP Freak]

That’s just flat out shitty work

 

[xzyryabx]

This was a legit establishment?!
I'd be more than pissed. That's flat out shoddy work.
Mind if we ask how much that job cost? And maybe where so nobody else gets stung?
I don't even know how much it should cost...but I'm guessing 700ish for a re-fret and paint?

 

[311boogieman]

This was a legit establishment?!
I'd be more than pissed. That's flat out shoddy work.
Mind if we ask how much that job cost? And maybe where so nobody else gets stung?
I don't even know how much it should cost...but I'm guessing 700ish for a re-fret and paint?

This along with a list of things they were supposed to do.

Can't believe they didn't tape the board before fret work.

 

[skullfxr]

Not saying that I am a pro (I am not), but this is why I do my work on my stuff. On top of that another reason why I don't work on other people's stuff, because if I were to make a mistake, it would be my fault. If it's mine, I can deal with it.

Saying that, I wouldn't have the balls to refret a classic Gibson (tbh) and that I am sure they are probably more skilled than I, but I would not have cut corners on work.

I would honestly fuming if someone did that to my guitar. You should get a SOLID refund. Who the fuck can't tape shit off right ?.

 

[Mr. Willy]

This is a repair shop in Nashville. I’m not ready to out this guy yet. I have all correspondence minus the two phone conversations we had. Here’s the original laundry list I sent to him of what I wanted done:

She needs a good bit of work. I’d like it to look like the Peter Frampton model (minus the middle pup) - black finish, open coil black humbuckers, white pup rings, silver hardware.

Here’s a list of things I think need to be done. I submit to your expertise in these areas as you are the expert. These aren’t in order, it’s just what I can think of off the top of my head.

1. Total re-fret (including leveling, crowning, dressing, etc.)
2. Repaint and Refinish (I believe some finish sanding may have to happen.) I do like an unfinished neck. Not sure if I want the back of the neck painted and finished. I’m open to suggestions here.
3. Holes need filling. 2 mini toggle holes between the both volume and tone knobs. Holes for original tuners that were replaced.
4. New hardware, pickups, rings, pots, etc. I saw that Gravelin fellow on your FB page. Got in touch with him, and he’s gonna make me some new pups for her. She’s got Rio Grandes in her now, but they’re covered and I wanna try something new, so...
5. General set up, make her play like butter.

One thing you should know about her is that she’s had her neck broken a long time ago, before I got her. The break was repaired, and I’ve never had any issues with it. I don’t think anything needs to be done in that regard.

I bout this guitar when I was 19. She used to be yellow, but I took all the finish off her at one point (mainly because I was curious if she had a maple top). In short, I just want her to look and play the absolute best she can. I’d already decided to go with the 70’s look like the Frampton LPC when I came across your site.

Attached are pics. I realize that you charge by the hour, but if you could give me a ballpark figure on how much the work would cost, I’d appreciate it. I have an amount I can spend. If the work will be more than that amount, I’ll have to hold off and save up some more. Attached are a few pics. I can take more if need be. I live in Northern Alabama, between Huntsville and Birmingham.

His response:
Very Cool.
I like that it has an ABR bridge, not a tom. An early 75 from Kalamazoo.
just from the pictures and your laundry list,
A conservative guesstimate around $900~$1100.

 

[Mr. Willy]

When I talked to him a few days later, he requested $700 for hardware and to get the ball rolling. I thought that would be off the top of the guestimate above. I was wrong.

Here’s the final bill:
Items, Parts, Materials.

Ernie Ball 11/ 48 pure nickel $ 7.10
Gibson selector switch indicator, creme, $ 21.95
Gibson Historic Authentic M-69 Pickup mounting rings, creme, pair, w/screws $ 42.00
Gibson Historic screw set, complete, aged, nickel, $ 38.00
Switchcraft input jack, long shaft $ 6.85
Wire, Braid, vint correct. $ 5.25
Caps, pair, .022. $ 2.50
Gibson Historic Authentic 6/6 Nylon Nut $ 25.00
Fretwire, jumbo / tall, 3 sticks, $ 16.71
Gibson Gold Speed Knobs $ 19.40
CTS pots, 500k, 7% tol. $ 29.00
Switchcraft toggle switch tall, chrome $ 21.59
Custom Chrome Jackplate $ 9.80
Tone Pro’s Tail Piece assy, Chrome, $ 39.31
Tone Pro’s Abr Bridge assy, Chrome, $ 50.24
Mohawk inst. Nitro Laquer, 1 qt. $ 34.00
3M sanding papers, various grits, 12 sheets+ $ 24.00
Miscellaneous materials (solvents, glues, paper towels, etc.) $ 17.00
————————————————————————————
Sub total $ 409.70
Labor, 28 hrs. (guesstimated at 19 hrs, minus 4hr adjustment, 24 total) $ 1440.
————————————————————————————
Sub total $ 1849.70
Deposit (PayPal $700. minus fee’s) (-) $ 679.40
————————————————————————————
Sub total $ 1170.30
Shipping, UPS Ground, signature required, $ 60.38
Total amount Due,
Paypal with fee’s, $1267.74
or,
Paypal, friends/ family, (zero fee’s), Postal M/O’s, Checks (cleared), $1230.00


All parts, items, materials, etc. are procured from a select few of sources,
Ex. Stew mac, Reverb, MojoTone, company direct.
State taxes and shipping costs included on all items.
No labor costs during procurements, communications, shipping, handling.

Gibson Les Paul # 551475, Guestimate 1975 Kalamazoo build.
Re finished and aged to resemble Peter Frampton LPC.
Spec’d and build out, set up to Client's requirements, requests.

 

[Mr. Willy]

Here’s what she looked like before. She was in rough shape and needed a lot of work.

 

[Mr. Willy]

Here’s what she looks like now. The frets feel good, and she plays good. Set up is good. And she looks good, if you don’t look too close. But for what I paid, I feel I didn’t get my money’s worth or what I requested. I specifically said I wanted her to look the best she could. I understand that she’s a 45 year old guitar, but some of the things he let go out of his shop I wouldn’t let go if ran one. I’m no expert, but I did go to Roberto Venn School of Luthiery many years ago. I’ve built two guitars from scratch. This is not worth what I paid, imho. I’m bummed.

 

[thisguy]

Ouch!

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

For $1100.00 and this quality of work... get pissed. And definitely out the shop here. The razor blade marks are plain sloppy work. Most can probably be sanded out, but it shouldn’t have left his bench that way. Rookie work.