Special Orders

The best way to get exactly what you want is to make a Special Order. I am glad to build to suit, in fact I prefer it. Special Orders need not be super expensive. Some requests are very basic. These are just a few of the many parameters that you could indulge in…

  •   Back and Sides sets, woods of choice

  •   Soundboard woods and bracing techniques

  •   Scale Length

  •   Unique body outline, or cutaway

  •   Nut width, and string spacing

  •   Sound Port

  •   Inlay options

  •   Finish, fret size, case, Soundholes, tuners, electronics, strings, adjustable bridge, headstock outline, custom graphics…

  For the past ten years or so, I have been lucky enough to get a few e-mails each year requesting that I make something special. It’s a very good day when that happens, and I really look forward to it. Usually, I respond with my personal phone number and arrange a talk. Together, we go over more than a dozen parameters and then I give it some thought. It’s up to you to describe what you hope to get. It’s up to me to put a price tag on it.

  Depending on my work load and what’s going on in my life, I make an estimate of building time, and that , of course, will vary.

    Just send me an e-mail and we can talk. If we come to terms, then as I begin work, I will ask for 50% up front. I won’t just begin on simple trust; we both have to commit. As the work progresses, I will e-mail regularly with pictures and updates. You won’t have to wonder how things are going. In fact, I might keep you very entertained, especially if I am unemployed.

  As it comes down to finish, and the lacquer is sprayed and drying, I request the other 50%. By this time it is likely that I have invested one hundred hours or more in the build, we have established trust, and you know I am an honest man. No instruments will be shipped without full payment. A period of time will pass to be sure the final payment is good, then it’s all yours.

   My commitment is to deliver to you a new instrument safely.  I make my own shipping boxes. I insure the package for full retail amount, and ship with reliable companies like USPS, FEDEX and UPS. Please inspect deliveries very closely upon arrival. 

  Cases are a matter to be agreed upon in advance. In general I do not promise to include a very nice case, only one suited for safe delivery. Cases have a very wide range of value, up to a couple thousand dollars. I mostly sell instruments, not cases.

    Upon Arrival…If, for any good reason, you are not happy with your newly made Special Order, you have one week to say so. I will gladly take it back, and give you a full refund. Only if, it is returned in the same new condition that it was sent out in.   

 **** But, you pay return shipping **** ( and insurance). That’s right, the fine print….We both lose out on a one way shipping cost, including insurance. That’s usually less than $200. 

    After one week, it’s officially yours to keep, maintain, and repair. If Time should reveal any hidden defects that are my shortcomings, I will be professional about the matter and we can discuss how to mitigate them. However, as with almost all instrument makers, a full, lifetime maintenance warranty is not implied or provided with the sale.