Experienced wait time?

[kizanski]

10 hours ago, The Shark said:

Wait time means more for me than it used to...

That's probably because you are closer to death than you have ever been, but that's Nature's doing.

[veatch]

Shorter of breath, and one day closer to death...

[The Shark]

8 hours ago, kizanski said:

That's probably because you are closer to death than you have ever been, but that's Nature's doing.

You can call her what you want...

[HSB0531]

I play bass, so I’m in the forever + infinity wait category.

Quit yer whinin’

😁😁😁😁😁

[The Shark]

The "Wait Time" was, once again, neutralized by another e-mail from Trish.  Head over to my thread for #0075 updated pics.  Wait time is irrelevant tonight...

[LucSulla]

I think mine was around two years.  I think I placed the deposit right after I moved to Oxford in Jan. 2016 and got the guitar in Dec. of 2017.  I don't remember because it is the best guitar I own and don't really care because it was worth it. 

[cmatthes]

On 4/25/2018 at 3:13 AM, LucSulla said:

I think mine was around two years.  I think I placed the deposit right after I moved to Oxford in Jan. 2016 and got the guitar in Dec. of 2017.  I don't remember because it is the best guitar I own and don't really care because it was worth it. 

Mine was similar - I think I put my deposit down in March, 2016 and picked it up last December 1st.  That's probably not a great standard of measure for current orders though, as he was still working on getting the last chunk of the initial Ultimate Run out the door first at that time, and those really didn't finish up until later that year.  I think Jef Veatch had the first-post-Ultimate guitars two DC guitars, then the Muse Tip Guitar and David's SuperC, which were all finished up in early 2017.  That makes it closer to a year in my mind then!

[django49]

Let me think here. A year would be just about.......

[crunchee]

I'm surprised no one's posted this old joke yet:

'I feel like an 18-year-old.  Has anybody got an 18-year-old?'

[bubs_42]

6 minutes ago, crunchee said:

I'm surprised no one's posted this old joke yet:

'I feel like an 18-year-old.  Has anybody got an 18-year-old?'

Because some things are just better left alone. 

[hamerhead]

30 minutes ago, bubs_42 said:

Because some things are just better left alone. 

This, coming from the muckmaster.

[django49]

Having a wee bit of experience with "longer lead times", I find the latest comment from another "small builder" interesting. To the point, how does a "one man shop" deal with a large backlog? Do you "farm out" some of the work? Stop taking orders? Reduce the amount of "handwork?" Automate?

This from a builder I hold in high regard. I am lucky enough to have acquired 5 of his guitars. All very different, all at the highest level of craftsmanship (IMO). They can lean toward quirky, in a "Jerry Garcia" sort of way, with built in buffers, boost circuits, etc. At this point, he appears to have a backlog of more than 3 years. And he is committed to remaining a one man shop. Similar commitment, I believe, from Frank Hartung, who I have reason to believe has a 1 year plus backlog. Whereas Nik Huber seems to keep the backlog below the prior " expect two years" by moving to a bigger facility and employing several builders.

With a pair of custom orders in (two different) queues, I find it interesting.

Anyway, this comment from Scott Walker reflects on the issues.....

http://scottwalkerguitars.com/production-schedule-will-guitar-ready/

[fasteddie]

I have never had a guitar built, but have ordered stuff before knowing its going to be a while. My suggestion here is sort of, order it, then try to forget that you've ordered it then it should arrive quicker, remember "a watched kettle never boils".

 

 

[DBraz]

My initial request went in mid June 2014 and I paid the deposit in mid October 2014.

I received the Super-C at the end of January 2017. 

In fairness to Mike I was made aware that mine would not be made before he’d almost finished the Ultimates.

Fast Eddie is right and I’d add that once the build gets underway the wait is both exciting and a measure of being virtuous with your patience.

[gorch]

I think it’s alwayz too l8ng as it’s wait time.

[RockinJim]

On 4/13/2018 at 12:41 PM, Studio Custom said:

If you have ordered a guitar from Mike, how long did it take to receive? 

I asked for my deposit back.

[bubs_42]

Sorry to hear that, mine was worth every day and exceeded my expectations. 

[RockinJim]

5 minutes ago, bubs_42 said:

Sorry to hear that, mine was worth every day and exceeded my expectations. 

It was 4-5 months with no contact after deposit. 

[kizanski]

8 hours ago, RockinJim said:

It was 4-5 months with no contact after deposit. 

What were you expecting after "4-5 months" (which was it, by the way)?
Wood choices? Color samples?
Sure, we would all like our emails answered in a timely manner, but this isn't some corporate office with which you are (were) dealing.

At 4 months in you're at the way back of the line, and that's if he isn't doing something highly customized for you.
Like @0054 said, it's a one man shop. Mike does everything, aside from the paint, so if communication isn't constant, that just means that he doesn't have anything to tell you.

Some things are worth waiting for and this is one of them.

[Funky Chicken]

 

I’ve been waiting a long time-longer than anyone else who has commented. I’m fine with it, although there were points along the way when I got a little frustrated. I took the attitude early on that it would take as long as it would take. I checked in sporadically and was always responded to almost immediately. I read other people’s progress posts, which helped a lot. I knew that eventually I would be where they were.

I’m in the home stretch now, almost ready for the paint booth. I know that I would be kicking myself now if I had not stuck it out. From what I can see, I am getting exactly what I saw in my head from a craftsman who does not appear to have done anything but satisfy everyone who did the same. If (like me) you are someone who has had guitar GAS for 30-40 years, you have to keep in mind that you can’t get what you are getting from Mike anywhere else. These are not “off the rack” guitars-go back and look at how unique some of the builds are. People wait a considerable amount of time for guitars from Music Man and Rickenbacker, companies that don’t allow for any customization at all.

 

[kizanski]

I ordered #0099 right after my 50th birthday. It should be arriving a couple of weeks shy of my 52nd, and that's fine with me.
There was no frustration, no emails asking for an update (@MCChris can attest that this is NOT the norm for me), and I DAMN sure wasn't asking for my deposit to be returned.
That's just crazy.

Every now and then an email comes in with a question ("Do you want the sunburst on the back as well?" or "I'm about to start shaping the neck. What sort of profile would you like?"), and it gives a little light into your day-in-day-out doldrums.
 

[bubs_42]

My second one should be getting under way in the near future and I have spec'ed out a third. I spend my waiting time bothering @JGravelin about pickups. 

[DBraz]

10 hours ago, RockinJim said:

It was 4-5 months with no contact after deposit. 

There’s not much to be said in the first four months is there?  

[Northfield]

Thanks for posting the link to Scott Walkers blog @django49   He’s really spot on and I don’t think I could say it any better.  There is a ton of hurry up and ..... wait ....going on, and it keeps me and Trish up at night.  

Trish convinced me to go back to giving out serial numbers upfront, similar to the ultimate run, because unfortunately I’ve blown almost every estimated time frame I’ve given.  I started out with a perspective based on how long processes took at the Shop, and then got into a realative grove with the ultimates but neither of those production times have translated well to the COs.  

My goal has been to be as flexible with the CO requests as possible, but that has introduced its own set of challenges.   I generally stick to building in order, but have pushed a CO forward or back based on what’s being requested.  Scott’s right, there are some efficiencies to grouping similar builds together.  

I’ve had a consistent backlog of at least 30+ Guitars for the past couple of years and am doing my best to balance production timelines with the individual attention I give to each build once it moves out of the queue and onto the work bench. 

With very few exceptions, everyone has been extremely patient with the process and I appreciate the ongoing support and kind words. 

As many of you know, while I may be slow with email, you can always reach out for a quick call to talk about your order.  

 

 

 

[cmatthes]

Well said.

Having an understanding of the sheer magnitude of the many dozens of things to juggle and problems to solve daily in a small shop that is (intentionally) without a dealer network runninng interference definitely helped me understand the wait time.  A lot goes into the equation, and I am aware that there are people in line in front (and behind) my order - some of them are squeakier wheels than others, and take up more time.  People change orders midstream and Mike and Trish have to adapt or create a solution.  I get it.

Ultimately, you're not ordering a custom guitar from Jackson USA, and not even Nik Huber - established shops with full-scale teams, significant management/administrative functions and a dealer support network.  When you order from Mike, the  person reviewing your initial order/email is the same guy sourcing the wood, maintaining the shop equipment, dealing wth vendors, and paying the power bill.  Maybe that's part of the magic, but I prefer not only the end result, but also the collaboration and input I've gotten from that kind of relationship.  Ordering an off-the-rack Rickenbacker where you're allowed zero input and can pay more for a guitar and wait at least a year or two longer?  Ordering and getting a better guitar from Mike - that's a no-brainer for me.

When in doubt...reach out!