Historic Makeover of 2014 R8

[shoehorn_hands]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. To answer a few questions, I did play it after receiving it. The set up was great and it felt good overall but had some grounding issues that were apparent when I plugged it in. I also do sort of regret not keeping it in its stock finish. I'm not exactly sure how I justified spending that much money on a refinish, but c'est la vie, I guess. As for the finishing flaws, they were pretty obvious and were visible without close inspection. It looked especially sloppy behind the nut.
Also, Kim has since set up an album for the refinish.

 

[DoctorMO]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. To answer a few questions, I did play it after receiving it. The set up was great and it felt good overall but had some grounding issues that were apparent when I plugged it in. I also do sort of regret not keeping it in its stock finish. I'm not exactly sure how I justified spending that much money on a refinish, but c'est la vie, I guess. As for the finishing flaws, they were pretty obvious and were visible without close inspection. It looked especially sloppy behind the nut.
Also, Kim has since set up an album for the refinish.

I am sorry for your bad experience I would be disappointed as well and the Gibson logo thing is bad. I disagree that these are minor things. This is why these guitars are always reliced a little cause it is easier to hide little things in the relic. I was considering a refinish but I am looking at things a little differently now.

 

[agquake]

After Dave Johnson stopped working with HM, www.starrguitars.com did all of HM's finish work up until January 2015. If you're looking for a perfect finish, I highly recommend Starr as they can do it all.

 

[ff1337]

I have had guitars reshot in lacqure and they were flawless. Explaining sloppy work by saying that is what a 50's Gibson looks like, NOW, is a cop out and is wrong. I have had many 50's era Gibsons that were mint or near mint without those problems.

When you are paying top dollar for a refinish it better be top dollar quality. My four Historics all have the thin hard finish and that finish is perfectly applied. One I have played an awful lot for 16 yrs and has some battle wear, the others are near mint and still look great. It isn't impossible to do, nor should it be unexpected to get it right. Just my thoughts.

Hey Al, in your post you state that your Historics you have have a very hard finish, can I ask what years they are? Thx

 

[ff1337]

I am sorry for your bad experience I would be disappointed as well and the Gibson logo thing is bad. I disagree that these are minor things. This is why these guitars are always reliced a little cause it is easier to hide little things in the relic. I was considering a refinish but I am looking at things a little differently now.

You and I both.

 

[ff1337]

After Dave Johnson stopped working with HM, www.starrguitars.com did all of HM's finish work up until January 2015. If you're looking for a perfect finish, I highly recommend Starr as they can do it all.

Kip Elder is an awesome guy! He replaced my factory Corian nut on my R9 when it was cut too deep. He replaced it with a 6/6 nylon nut and what a difference! I second the Starr Giutsrs recommendation.

 

[TM1]

Back in the Fifties the fingerboard Inlay routes were done by hand. I believe they were done with a pin router. The routes often were larger than the actual pieces of cellulose nitrate (which was also cut out by hand. Today they use laser cutters) and a filler material was often used. The other thing is that the material will shrink as this material will off-gas the solvents used to keep it pliable. I've had a number of Makeovers done by Kim and I've been thrilled with every single one.
I would call Kim and voice your issues with him. He is a very reasonable guy and wants nothing but for his customers to be happy with what they get. Don't just let it sit in the case and be unhappy, call him and let him know. Might have been one of his guys misunderstood what was to be done. You simply don't know until you've talked with him, but he needs to know if there's an issue..:yah

 

[astroshagger]

Yeah man. It is seriously upsetting. Honestly, I started having reservations when Kim stopped replying to my emails mid process. I kind of expected to get a less than satisfactory product. It's so gut wrenching. I was so excited and then just so let down. Not to mention the literal thousands of dollars that were likely wasted.
In his defense, he sounded very genuine when I emailed him back after I received it. He assured me that he would completely refinish everything and make things right. After that though, it feels like a different story. He didn't email me when the guitar arrived; I had to reach out to him to confirm that it made it there in one piece. He hasn't uploaded any pictures yet which makes me doubt that he is actually going to completely refinish it like he said. I requested that he let me know when he gets the album setup and I got a dismissive response. Just seems shady. I'm probably going to sell it as soon as I get it back because I just don't feel like owning this guitar any more. I don't want to be completely negative before I receive the (re) finished product because it very well may be awesome. Though, it is hard to be optimistic.
I say all this knowing that I am jeopardizing my reputation on the forum by going against the pro-HM hivemind. If I can save some dude from experiencing the same debacle, though, it is worth it.

Honestly, I think you should try to understand Kim's perspective a little more in regards to communication. The guy is under tremendous pressure to basically rebuild guitars from the ground up for people, knowing they're going to be poured over with a microscope by the original owners. A lot of money is on the line for both parties, and the guy probably has dozens of guys emailing/calling him for updates, pics, statuses, etc. It's easy to get overly neurotic in situations like this; I understand it's your guitar and your money but you can't expect him just to grovel or inundate you with updates and photos all time.

With that said, I would've expected better quality than the pics you showed me, but there is really no reason to sell the guitar based on what you said. Sounds like it's all psychological. Don't get wrapped up in your head; if he refinishes it correctly play the damn thing. Your earlier posts showed how happy you were with the guitar, not that much has probably changed. :hmm

 

[kthesheep]

When Kyle received the guitar he was disappointed and rightly so. These issues he's pointed out are not acceptable and we have the guitar back and expect to address all of them.
We are not giving excuses for anything. Not only myself but the entire staff will make this guitar right. We appreciate your patience Kyle.

 

[jalevinemd]

When Kyle received the guitar he was disappointed and rightly so. These issues he's pointed out are not acceptable and we have the guitar back and expect to address all of them.
We are not giving excuses for anything. Not only myself but the entire staff will make this guitar right. We appreciate your patience Kyle.

I've worked with builders on everything from custom guitars to the house in which I live. What I've discovered along the way is that there will invariably be things that don't turn out right the first time around. It's the nature of something made by human hands using organic materials. Wood, stone and metal just don't always cooperate. Bottom line...shit happens. But it's the way the craftsman handles these little "speed bumps" that makes the difference between a good builder and a great one. I've done several guitars with Kim and have been thrilled with the results. I have no doubt that he'll make this right by you. eace2

 

[Big Al]

When Kyle received the guitar he was disappointed and rightly so. These issues he's pointed out are not acceptable and we have the guitar back and expect to address all of them.
We are not giving excuses for anything. Not only myself but the entire staff will make this guitar right. We appreciate your patience Kyle.

This is the kind of service a top grade outfit offers. It's the kind of thing that makes me notice and choose a shop and have the confidence to recommend them

I have always thought, and have posted, that HM did some of the best finish work there is. I see that I still can.

 

[Big Al]

Hey Al, in your post you state that your Historics you have have a very hard finish, can I ask what years they are? Thx

1999, 2000, and 2-2013's. The '99 & Y2K were the first with thin nitro and pore filled, aniline dye cherry mahogany. I really like these. They fill my needs well. I just stayed with them and never felt an urge to buy till 2013, when it felt right for me. So right I bought 2. Finish feels like my others AND just like my vintage Gibsons and the cherry red backs deeper and better, IMO!

 

[ff1337]

1999, 2000, and 2-2013's. The '99 & Y2K were the first with thin nitro and pore filled, aniline dye cherry mahogany. I really like these. They fill my needs well. I just stayed with them and never felt an urge to buy till 2013, when it felt right for me. So right I bought 2. Finish feels like my others AND just like my vintage Gibsons and the cherry red backs deeper and better, IMO!

Thanks Al.

 

[Marcel M]

Nice to see Kim chime in that he will make it right. I'll say it again, I can't put my HM down. I love it. Hope it works out for you Shoehorn, cheers! :salude

 

[ff1337]

Nice to see Kim chime in that he will make it right. I'll say it again, I can't put my HM down. I love it. Hope it works out for you Shoehorn, cheers!

No one is perfect, even a Gibson from the custom shop can sometimes slip through the cracks with defects or imperfections. From what I saw at Kim's shop where really good builds, very impressive actually. I am quite sure that he will do right by you. He realizes that the process is very expensive so he'll make sure it's killer when it's done. :hank

 

[CDaughtry]

When Kyle received the guitar he was disappointed and rightly so. These issues he's pointed out are not acceptable and we have the guitar back and expect to address all of them.
We are not giving excuses for anything. Not only myself but the entire staff will make this guitar right. We appreciate your patience Kyle.

Way to go Kim. I try to teach to the young lawyers that we hire the six most important words in business. "I was wrong. I am sorry." It is amazing the goodwill those six words foster.

Good on you Kim!:salude

 

[Mr. Big]

I have no dog in the show, but I have read this entire thread...

...Shoehorn will be rewarded for his patience and play the s*** out of that guitar soon enough
...Kim, thank you for chiming in, we all look forward to the final photos!!!!

 

[shoehorn_hands]

When Kyle received the guitar he was disappointed and rightly so. These issues he's pointed out are not acceptable and we have the guitar back and expect to address all of them.
We are not giving excuses for anything. Not only myself but the entire staff will make this guitar right. We appreciate your patience Kyle.

Thanks, Kim. Again, I really appreciate your dedication.

 

[kingsxman]

When Kyle received the guitar he was disappointed and rightly so. These issues he's pointed out are not acceptable and we have the guitar back and expect to address all of them.
We are not giving excuses for anything. Not only myself but the entire staff will make this guitar right. We appreciate your patience Kyle.

:salude

That says it all right there. Only a business with good business ethics and a good moral compass would respond publicly to a thread like this. It just goes to re-enforce what my perception of Historic Makeovers has always been: a high class organization that I cant wait to send work to. (When I can afford it!).

 

[shoehorn_hands]

Just woke up to an email from Kim. He is working on a new fretboard with unshrunken inlays. I have to admit, I'm actually really getting excited to see how this turns out.