Question about my D55e

[davismanLV]

Guitars can withstand temperature fluctuations. They can. And do. The only thing that will make extensive finish checking is RAPID temp fluctuations. Like bringing it in from freezing into an overheated house or shop and then just opening the case!! This is just terrible. I hope you can ruin this guys business. What's his explanation of how it happened? Not YOUR guess at what happened, but his EXPLANATION of what happened!! I'm so sorry..... such awful news. And I don't understand why he couldn't just uninstall the BD. And then reinstall it correctly? Something is very wrong here.....

 

[wileypickett]

Well, that's a revolting development.

I doubt this will settle your mind any, but however bad finish checking LOOKS, it won't compromise the SOUND of the guitar.

If you can't get past the checking though, I'd recommend looking for a buyer for the guitar and cutting your losses. Considering what you have into it, and it being rare by all accounts, you may be able to make your money back.

If there's a way to rate Steadfast online, you may want to post details about your experience with them as a warning to others.

Sorry for what sounds like an exasperating experience.

 

[kostask]

Some people shouldn't be allowed near an acoustic guitar, especially as nice as a D-55. This guy should be put out of business before he damages other guitars. I don't know how people like this stay in business, in all honesty.

Finish checking is not the end of the world. My own DV-6 has all sorts of checkering on it, and I have no issue playing it, and it sounds just fine. If the finish is more important to you, then the suggestion to sell the guitar seems to be the only way forward.

I don't know if there is a Better Business Bureau in your area, or the area of the guitar shop, but if there is, you may wish to file a complaint there.

 

[chazmo]

That's a really sad story, Phoenix. I'm sorry for the loss of your guitar. Ugh.

Ditto what wileypickett said above.

 

[plaidseason]

I'm sorry. This is terrible. And it's the second recent guitar tech horror story we've seen/heard here. I often think that we use the term "luthier" too loosely. Not that I think there should be some kind of "technical" qualification for the title, but that it really does imply a level of expertise with fine fretted instruments. I do lots of stuff myself, but I have two guys I regularly bring my guitars to. Only one calls himself a luthier. The other is very skilled, but doesn't have the experience with finer and vintage stuff. Everyone makes mistakes and sometimes things can easily go wrong, but one should own up to it, and offer to make things right.

 

[Phoenix 602]

Im still dumbfounded by the lack of attention to the basic fundamentals. I'm no luthier but I have done all my repairs myself but shouldn't a luthier perform repairs in a controlled environment? A no brainers I would think especially for someone who has been doing it for 16 yrs. One that is properly humidified and temperature controlled?
.... I've been looking into how to possible repair it and I'm wondering if a flash coat would mend the cracks somewhat on what I believe is a nitro finish. Has anybody here had any experience with that method? Is it possible to mend the finish? I'm considering talking with a local cabinet shop to see about possibly refinishing it. It's the only trade I know of that could possibly handle that kind of job.

 

[geoguy]

Very sorry to hear of this further trouble.

As I recall, the fundamental problem with this guitar was that the neck may have been set at an improper angle . . . is that correct?

If so, and if you wish to continue trying to make this guitar playable, I suggest taking it to someone competent (I think "Atomic" was recommended by Daryl H.) for evaluation of what it needs mechanically.

I would not have it re-sprayed, or frankly even invest in a set of strings, until the guitar's geometry was confirmed to be acceptable.

FYI, one of my favorite guitars came to me with multiple temperature-related finish cracks . . . but it sounds great!

 

[Phoenix 602]

The fundamental problem was the angle from the saddle to nut because the belly had sunk every so slightly. So the idea was that by rehydrating it it would hopefully bring it back up to where it's supposed to be.
....I originally took it to Atomics but the wait period was extensive. Although I never got an evaluation or estimate talking with them it was gonna cost me a whole paycheck maybe more.
I somewhat agree with not refinishing it until its playable however, I would have rather of had it unplayable without the checking than finished checked and playable. It just blows my mind how he seemed to forget the fundamentals of his trade. Knowing damn well the checking was caused from being exposed to an improper environment. Cuz that's the definition of checking. I will share pics soon as I get back home. What makes it insulting is that he cant even own his mistake. I had decided to sell the guitar when it was in the shop because the money was going towards getting my recently departed mothers car that she left me registered and titled and rolling legit again cuz she would turn over in her grave if I lost the car she left me.

 

[Heath]

In your situation I would rather have it playable with checking as it’s easier to sell (lots of people don’t mind checking) than pristine and unplayable. I’m saying this since you mentioned having already decided to sell it.

 

[Phoenix 602]

Well after a month and half what I have is unplayable and finished checked sadly enough.
With that said I'll be damned if im going out like this. Come hell or high water I will make this guitar sing by first fixing my rookie mistake and move the BD and then cut a new saddle. I only need 2mm which I'm willing to bet that ill get that much when I move the BD to where it's supposed to be. Then I'm gonna rub it in that "luthiers" face.

 

[davismanLV]

I'd try to do as much damage on Yelp and Google with bad reviews for that guy!! People need to know how awful he is!! He needs to understand the code for doctors (and luthiers as well) of firstly DO NO HARM!!

 

[Phoenix 602]

ITS ALIVE! It plays,. up and down the neck. It has an amazing sound almost sounds like a 12 string the way it resonates. A beautiful sound i was not expecting. All i had to do was fix my mistake in the placement of the BD and cut a new saddle. Which i didnt understand why he didnt just do that in the first place instead of leaving the mistake to show me later and telling me basically that he cant fix it. So basically all he did was hydrate it for a month and a half cuz thats my nut and my saddle and my BD.
Its got me thinking twice about selling it. It has a sound ive never heard from any guitar before.

 

[davismanLV]

Well good news!! That "luthier" is still a jerk......

 

[wileypickett]

That "luthier" is still a jerk......

I go along with Tom.

 

[chazmo]

ITS ALIVE! It plays,. up and down the neck. It has an amazing sound almost sounds like a 12 string the way it resonates. A beautiful sound i was not expecting. All i had to do was fix my mistake in the placement of the BD and cut a new saddle. Which i didnt understand why he didnt just do that in the first place instead of leaving the mistake to show me later and telling me basically that he cant fix it. So basically all he did was hydrate it for a month and a half cuz thats my nut and my saddle and my BD.
Its got me thinking twice about selling it. It has a sound ive never heard from any guitar before.

Hey man... Now it's really yours. Love it and move forward!

 

[Neal]

Great news, Phoenix.

Once the guitar has stabilized, it might be worth releasing the tension on the Bridge Doctor to see if you still need it.

After having one in my D-35 for several years, I learned that it sounded better without it, and the top kept its shape once i removed the BD.

 

[Phoenix 602]

I live in AZ so it's always super dry here, but idk if I want to risk removing it. I have it in its fur lined hard case with a 49% rh pack from Broveda that came in a Gruv Kapsule hard case that I'm not using. Until i can afford a Humdified room like they have at the box stores I think I'll just keep the BD in there with the broveda pack in the case. It only takes a couple months out here in the desert to dry out a guitar. I've seen it happen.
I'll tell you what tho know you guys all a huge thanks. So if any of you. that had any input on this project, ever happen to come out to the lovely desert hmu and I'll gladly buy you a beer. Cant thank yall enough for real. Thank you

 

[chazmo]

Phoenix, you will definitely need to keep the guitar humidified, particularly in your climate. If you're doing it in-case only, you have to be pretty vigilant to make sure your system stays well-charged with water. I strongly recommend that you supplement that with some room humidifier.

 

[chazmo]

@davismanLV Tom, do you have any suggestions for our new member in an arid climate?

 

[Neal]

You are welcome.

I feel better when I knew exactly what the humidity is in the case at all times. A Boveda pack can only add whatever moisture it had in it when you put it in the case. It may or may not be enough. You can by a cheap hygrometer online or at Walmart that will tell you whether the Boveda pack is keeping the guitar above 45% RH.

Or you can get a mist humidifier for under $50 that will maintain 45% RH in a small room (as long as you remember to add water every day!).