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Alternatives to HG Thor for epoxy fretless?

groooooove

groooooove

Supporting Member
Dec 17, 2008
9,050
6,901
Long Island, NY
#1
sorry if this is the wrong forum.,

I know HG has a huge reputation and is known for being the best in the buisiness.

however -

i was just quoted a wait time of as long as 8 years, and that he "doesn't even know if i'll still be doing this by then"

SO-

the market has room for competition. is there anyone else out there? i'm hoping someone else comes up, it seems to be in demand if his wait is that long...
 
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#2
groooooove said:
i was just quoted a wait time of as long as 8 years, and that he "doesn't even know if i'll still be doing this by then"
Click to expand...

The 8 year wait time doesn't surprise me, nor would it put me off from putting down a deposit and getting in his queue. (Says the guy who not too long ago took delivery of a custom handmade bicycle that took more than 8 years from time of order.)

But the notion that he would even just take your name but then say "I don't even know if I'll still be doing this then" is insane. You're either in or you're out. If you don't want to do this anymore shut down the website, finish up the orders already booked, and retire. Quit taunting us!
 
#5
spade2you said:
Michael Dolan put a nice coat of epoxy on my Cliff Bordwell 4 string. The price wasn't bad and he didn't take very long.
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I've never seen Michael Dolan's epoxy work, but he built a custom (fretted) neck for one of my basses ~10 years ago and it was very nice, and he was a pleasure to do business with.
 
#7
thanks for the input guys!

and i want to go on record that thor did not come off jerk-ish or anything like that in his "i might not still be doing this" comment - he is 100% super cool and i want to make that clear! i'm not bashing or even really looking for an alternative for my personal instrument in question, i'm just looking to establish as a community who does/can do this type of work.
 
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#8
so i went ahead and emailed a host of luthiers.

the conclusion -

the only person i found who was willing to do this job was pat wilkins. he uses polyester rather than epoxy, in his words "it is more durable and sounds better than any epoxy i've ever used."

his quote to me was $175 + shipping, and 4-5 weeks. so, i will be sending my insturment to him.


every luthier I asked had the highest respect for Thor, and i wish i could have him do my fingerboard since he appears to be the michaelangelo of fingerboard coating, but it was just not worth it for this particular instrument unfourtauntely.

will definitely post pics once my instrument is done. i hope future TBers see this and don't go through all the work i did to find someone who will do this!
 
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#9
groooooove said:
so i went ahead and emailed a host of luthiers.

the conclusion -

the only person i found who was willing to do this job was pat wilkins. he uses polyester rather than epoxy, in his words "it is more durable and sounds better than any epoxy i've ever used."

his quote to me was $175 + shipping, and 4-5 weeks. so, i will be sending my insturment to him.


every luthier I asked had the highest respect for Thor, and i wish i could have him do my fingerboard since he appears to be the michaelangelo of fingerboard coating, but it was just not worth it for this particular instrument unfourtauntely.

will definitely post pics once my instrument is done. i hope future TBers see this and don't go through all the work i did to find someone who will do this!
Click to expand...

Hello. That is good news. I can vouch for Pat Wilkins's impeccable and beautiful finish work. And he is a great guy.

Thanks for this thread. I look forward to seeing photos of your coated fingerboard.

(P.S. - For the record: I own a neck with a Thor coated fingerboard that I bought 13 years used, and I am very happy with it.)
 
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#10
Keep us posted. Did you check Dolan? I wonder if he'd refinish mine if/when it needs it. If not, I'll need to find someone else.

The polyester seems reasonably durable. I'm not the best person to gauge this since I switched between a "few" basses and now mostly play acoustic guitar (due to lack of bands).
 
#11
update,

I heard from pat a few days ago. my bass neck is done and will be shipping today.

with the 3% charge for using paypal, my total including shipping (he's in CA, im in NY) is $216. I think that's very fair.

will post pics and more info once i have the neck. i'm sure the work will be every bit as good as others have said it will be.
 
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#12
the bass is assembled and sounds fantastic.

the poly finish is really, really hard. it does not have ANY marks after 2-3 hours of hard playing with roundwound strings. it is as reflective and cool looking as the Thor finishes we've seen photos of. pat's work is impeccable and the process was really easy. highly reccomended. I think i'll send another neck to him when i get the chance.



Photo Mar 26, 2 05 34 PM.jpg
 
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#13
groooooove said:
the bass is assembled and sounds fantastic.

the poly finish is really, really hard. it does not have ANY marks after 2-3 hours of hard playing with roundwound strings. it is as reflective and cool looking as the Thor finishes we've seen photos of. pat's work is impeccable and the process was really easy. highly reccomended. I think i'll send another neck to him when i get the chance.



View attachment 2963402
Click to expand...
Mr. Wilkins has a solid reputation here as one of the reigning wizards of finishes (among other things), I have to say this just bolsters that rep further. Duly noted. :cool:
 
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#14
groooooove said:
sorry if this is the wrong forum.,

I know HG has a huge reputation and is known for being the best in the buisiness.

however -

i was just quoted a wait time of as long as 8 years, and that he "doesn't even know if i'll still be doing this by then"

SO-

the market has room for competition. is there anyone else out there? i'm hoping someone else comes up, it seems to be in demand if his wait is that long...
Click to expand...
So Wilkins did it and you're happy. No doubt it'll stay keeping you happy for as long as you have the bass. Anyone telling me I have to wait almost a decade for something---pssh---no way in H. Don't care who it is. You can just plain get swamped with LIFE and forget obligations within that time frame. In other words, I don't trust a bunch of years of waiting for something.

Quality work can come from many sources. Looks like you found it.
 
#15
MEKer said:
So Wilkins did it and you're happy. No doubt it'll stay keeping you happy for as long as you have the bass. Anyone telling me I have to wait almost a decade for something---pssh---no way in H. Don't care who it is. You can just plain get swamped with LIFE and forget obligations within that time frame. In other words, I don't trust a bunch of years of waiting for something.

Quality work can come from many sources. Looks like you found it.
Click to expand...

in thor's defence, he was super polite and professional about saying he basically can't take orders due to the long wait - i have no problem with how he runs his buisiness and our interactions were pleasant and professional.

that being said, yeah, nobody wants to wait that long. pat's finish is really fantastic.
 
#19
Looks great - and you definitely cant go wrong with Pat Wilkins. He does great work.


Just as a side note, Marty Bell will also do a polyester coat on a fingerboard for a very reasonable price and with a fast turnaround. His overall finish work is also fantastic.

Here's a shot of my upcoming fretless that he did a gloss finish for as well as coating the fingerboard.

jared bass.JPG
 
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