Tele experts-help with custom build issues

[alaskaguitar]

Hello Tele gurus,

I recently received a custom Tele I ordered from a respected builder (who shall remain un-named). I thought the guitar sounded great but had some serious issues. In communicating with the builder, he says these are not issues...so I am looking for some opinions from people that know. The guitar cost about $2,600.00. $1970.00 went to the builder and I supplied a Axeguardz pick guard, bridge, control plate, ferrels, knobs, electro socket jack, ... all the hardware from Callaham, Sperzel tuners (which ended up not being used) and the pickups from Vintage Vibe Guitars.

When I ordered the guitar I said that I did not want low action. It came with very low action, but no problem, I'll just raise the action, right? But the saddles were maxed in height, with some just holding the adjustment screws by a single thread. I could not raise the action unless I bought longer screws and had the saddles at a really steep angle.

Another issue was that the pickups were very close to the strings...well I'll just lower them, right? The neck pickup could not be adjusted lower, the adjustment screw would not turn.

The photo shows both issues...how close the fretted string is to the pickup, and how high the 22nd fret overhang is over the pickguard, which is a 3mm thick AxeGuardz pickguard, slightly thicker than a 3-ply guard. How high the neck is sitting explains why the saddles were maxed in height to achieve low action. I can send high resolution pictures upon request.

When I asked the builder about these issues, he said the neck must have shifted in shipping. A few days latter he said that he forgot, and he had to ramp everything up because of the thicker pickguard.

So am I crazy to be dissapointed or is this acceptable construction and fit?

There are other issues as well, but I'd like your ideas on these two first and go from there. Thanks for your time.

[jwells393]

Try to get an accurate measurement of the neck pocket depth. Measure the thickness of the body ........ then measure the body thickness below the neck heel and subtract to get the pocket depth. It sure looks to me like the neck pocket just wasn't routed deep enough.

........ and I think you should name this "respected" builder. Anyone who is going to charge that kind of money should be ready to take the heat if they screw up.

[alaskaguitar]

Thanks Doctor,

I told the builder I was going to post some questions and pics, because he kept telling me I was wrong, and I wanted to get some other opinions. I told him I would not mention his name, so i will stick to that.

I can't do the measurement you suggested because I sent the guitar back to the builder. You can also get an idea of how high the neck sits in relation to the body by looking at the neck/body below where my finger is fretting the string.

Is jacking the saddles up with longer screws an acceptable solution? How would that affect tone?

[RodeoTex]

Whoa those saddles are already maxed. I wouldn't want to go anymore. The neck is sitting way too proud of the body (shallow neck pocket). The extended fretboard should almost be touching the pickguard.
The neck pocket is an easy enough fix, I'd be concerned about the neck pickup not adjusting downward. Maybe that cavity is too shallow too.

For that kind of money please make sure you can do a setup to your liking and not have anything already maxed out.
Best of luck to ya.
Let us know how it comes out.

[mellecaster]

Yep...As a Repair and Set-up guy (Me)...there are some definite issues with those Saddles...which also points to the Neck pocket, as others here have mentioned...I find it hard to fathom that a "Builder" that charges that kind of $$ would ship out a Set-up like that...but that's just Little Ole me......

[reddogbass]

It takes the same amount of time to do it right, or do it wrong. For that kinda dough just do it right. That just ain't right.

Maybe the neck pocket ain't deep enough, or the neck heel is too thick. Whatever, the fingerboard is too high off the deck! (more pics) Notice the pickup heights- that just ain't right!

If the guy really thinks it's OK I'd try to get my dough (all of it- parts and all) back. Let him own the guitar with "nothing wrong with it." Fixing it properly from this point probably ain't gonna happen.

[alaskaguitar]

Thanks for the comments Rodeo, Melle, and Reddog. At least I know I'm not crazy. My thinking is that I paid top dollar for this guitar and expected a top notch build, especially with the builder's reputation.

The neck was purchased from USACG.

There are other issues as well and as it all started to add up, I too wondered how he let it out the way he did.

I did ask for a refund, but he refused and what really bothered me is that he either blamed me for the problem or denied there was a problem.

For example, from an email:

"some simply will not allow themselves to be made happy"

Simple fact is, there is nothing you have mentioned as "wrong" that would be an issue with any professional level player which is why I'm so astounded"

Ok, other issues (with pics): 3 small cracks in the finish, two near corners of neck plate and one between ferrules. The builder said they happened in shipping.

The guitar has a natural clear finish, but the wood was tinted for an amber/honey type color. There were four light spots where apparently the tint had been sanded through, or not applied evenly.

There were numerous places where scratches in the wood could be seen under the finish. These are hard to see in photograph, especially low res here, but it just would have taken some quick fine sanding to remove the scratches. Am I too nit picky about this? Again, this builder emphasized attention to detail and at the price I paid, I expected more. The builder told me he could not see any scratches in the wood.

There is also a nice long scratch in the new pickguard where it looks like a screwdriver slid of the screw head and slid along the pickguard. The builder did not respond to my question about this scratch on an expensive pickguard.

There are more issues, but that is enough for now. I appreciate your taking the time to consider and comment.

[BB]

Wow....looks like a nice guitar. So sorry for your toubles. As others have said, for the amount of money you paid, you should be happy with your purchase. The fact that he has pretty much been condesending to you speaks volumes about how he conducts his business. The fact he let the guitar go our with those issues speaks volumes.....I don't care if your selling shoes, you treat your customers/clients with respect and make sure they are happy. They are the ones putting food on your table.

I resepct the fact you said you would not name him, but if he is not willing to make it right, you should let others know ( even if by PM ) who he is so they won't make the mistake of commisioning a build through him.

Good luck. I sincerely hope you get your problems resolved.

[alaskaguitar]

Thanks for your comments BB. Yeah it kind of sucks that what was supposed to be a good experience, commissioning a custom guitar with the parts I wanted, has turned out a dissapointment.

As is obvious I have not posted much here but I have been reading a lot over the last few months and that is how I found out about this builder, through this board.

[enalnitram]

This is poor work. These are obvious issues. This "builder" wronged you.

[jwells393]

Man .... you have to out this guy. I'm an amateur and I do better work than that. How about just some initials for now?

[GilmourD]

I absolutely agree with everything said above. The neck could be shimmed to change the angle on it so that you could lower those saddles... But for the money you paid for that, you shouldn't have to. The neck pocket appears to be too shallow and there's too much space between the pickguard and the fretboard extension. He said he compensated for a thicker pickguard... Well, he compensated too darn much.

Also... That neck pickup is RIDICULOUSLY high. Even if it weren't a matter of the strings hitting it with some vigorous picking, that thing has to be pulling down on the strings with its magnetic field and causing "Stratitis".

On top of that, it was shipped with finish cracks... No... If it happened in shipping, he packed it incorrectly.

[GilmourD]

Originally Posted by jwells393

Man .... you have to out this guy. I'm an amateur and I do better work than that. How about just some initials for now?

Seriously... You could've picked up a $100 SX or Agile guitar with a better setup.

[newtwanger]

It bothers me too that the screw in the neck plate (in your photo) is so obviously misaligned with the hole it is in too.

When I hear of this quality of work it truly makes me sad. When someone provides me with work of this quality I document, photograph and then firmly and often repeatedly state my case until satisfaction is rendered. Don't get mad and screw it up by making an enemy.

[mellecaster]

Originally Posted by jwells393

Man .... you have to out this guy. I'm an amateur and I do better work than that. How about just some initials for now?

My thoughts exactly....this could save someone else a lot of grief !

[GilmourD]

Originally Posted by mellecaster

My thoughts exactly....this could save someone else a lot of grief !

Link him to the thread. It could have two outcomes... He could say "OK, I'm wrong..." Or he could sign up and tell us all off.

[alaskaguitar]

Thanks for the comments everyone; it helps me to know I was not unreasonable in my complaints to the builder.

The builder has offered to build a new guitar to replace the one I sent back to him.

The problem is now I don't want to work with him at all. I lost confidence in his work and believe it is way over-priced and over-hyped. Especially the way he denies problems and blames me for them...really turned me off.

Other issues: I had requested some things that did not happen. I love single coil pups but don't like the nosie. I asked for shielding. He did not do it. He told me it was "dead quiet" but it was noisy as can be in both amps I tried.

I asked for the neck to be tinted to match the body, didn't do it.

I asked for a one piece maple neck that matched the neck on my Suhr...I think of a one piece as not having a glued on fingerboard...but the neck I received has a glued on maple fingerboard.

There are more issues, geeze I get depressed just listing all these things.

[newtwanger]

The builder has offered to build a new guitar to replace the one I sent back to him.

Well that's a start. Now create a CHECKLIST of all of your requirements, have him review the list and assure you all these points will be met. Have the list checked off, signed and shipped to you with the guitar (refuse to accept it without this list since it is your easiest legal recourse if things come to that). There's a nice way to get your way, it just takes a lot of spelling things out with some folks.

The problem is now I don't want to work with him at all

That's only gonna turn out worse, like you getting ignored, ending up in court or crap like that. Give him a chance to be professional about it (or should I say "another" chance) and stay in polite but close contact. He's aware that you are expecting certain things and surely doesn't want his name dragged down since this is a pretty small community and a little bad word of mouth goes a loooong way.

Most of the premium charge you are paying is for PRECISION work. That is what you are expecting; clean, quality, precise workmanship.

Good Luck!