Guitar Paint Guys unresponsive and unprofessional

[davedamage]

Because they expected to get what they paid for and that is probably outside of more than a few people's ability?

Then again, maybe you've never paid for a service in your life.

 

[nervous]

So tell me again why y'all didn't just go buy several grits of wet-or-dry paper and a Preval sprayer? Or, any auto paint supplier will make you up a couple spray cans of whatever paint (barring two part Imron or epoxy) you want. Find the Pantone color you want, let them know, an hour later you walk out with sandpaper, sanding blocks, sandable primer, two cans of your chosen paint, tack cloths, etc. Two-three hours of work spread out over a couple weeks, and the thing's painted.

Yeah, that'll do 'er...

 

[bullitproof]

I've refinished maybe 10 bass bodies over the years while the process was way quicker and cheaper, many looked good/great but none looked like a factory finish. For a special or expensive instrument I would not take a chance.

 

[morphball]

Yep, $375 for striping nitro and applying a metallic/sparkle finish (done well) isn't that outlandish to those of us with limited time. I can do my own setups and electronics, but refins are something I'd personally rather pay for.

 

[nervous]

Yep, $375 for striping nitro and applying a metallic/sparkle finish (done well) isn't that outlandish to those of us with limited time. I can do my own setups and electronics, but refins are something I'd personally rather pay for.

That was exactly their appeal. Great value for very good work with a lot of options. Candy store stuff for some of us. I took two older and beat up Musicman Axis Sport guitars ('97 and '99, the two in their videos) and turned them into beautiful and fresh one of a kind instruments that restored and play amazing well. They aer my only two 6 strings and my main players. Also did a Spector bass at one point.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

Yep, $375 for striping nitro and applying a metallic/sparkle finish (done well) isn't that outlandish to those of us with limited time. I can do my own setups and electronics, but refins are something I'd personally rather pay for.

If it’s actually a flake finish just the paint and materials can be a good chunk of that amount before you even add in prep, level sanding and buffing.

 

[14pounds]

In July it will be 5 years they've had a P Bass body of mine without any updates except for the initial confirmation they had it in the shop, about a $500 loss on my end.

Although the message about not taking new orders is interesting, I doubt that P bass is ever finding her way home.

 

[Swamp_Ronin]

is anyone interested in building a website called "don't use guitar paint guys" that would come up before theirs on google?

 

[morphball]

is anyone interested in building a website called "don't use guitar paint guys" that would come up before theirs on google?

Hahaha... that would have definitely swayed me to just go to MJT or Guitar Mill... or just keep same imperfect finish.

To close the loop, I wanted to report that I finally received my body last Thursday 2/19; thanks to you all for the moral support, I greatly appreciate it!

It's a good quality finish, not rushed to my eyes. I'm really happy with my chosen "sea grass metallic sparkle" finish. It has bigger flakes, similar to a kid's motorcycle helmet I had back in the 70's (my dad used to take me out riding on the back of his Honda, good memories). The finish looks like desaturated emerald while in more diffused indoor lighting, more green-yellow outdoors, and in a proper venue with spotlights I'm expecting the abundance of big, silver flakes to just color-morph depending on the lighting. A Jaguar already reminds me of a 60's hotrod, so this flashy finish really completes the look.

14pounds, I'm sorry to hear it's been that long; Shawn's a talented guy, but that's inexcusable so definitely ramp things up and get your property back. (See the resources I posted, maybe have ChatGPT help you make a proper claim for the AG, which is what I did.) I'm thankful he did the right thing for me, but even if he reenables ecommerce on his site I won't be a return customer, this transaction was way too stressful. Hopefully he gets his sh*t together and sends out everyone's projects asap.

 

[mazinga26]

Well, after 2 years I finally got a tracking number that my bass body is finally on its way back to me. They didn't message me to let me know I just got a tracking number. Oh well at least I'm getting it back. Actually, I kinda wrote it off cause it's been so long. Luckily I kept all the parts for it in one box so, I guess I have a new project coming up

 

[McSalterson]

After 3 years and a few days, I got mine back. Aside from a couple of tiny, almost impossible to notice air bubbles, it looks like a factory quality finish. I just wish it didn’t take 3+ years and an email threatening legal action to get it done. Best of luck to all of you still waiting, but I’m glad I can finally put this behind me and stop thinking about it

 

[LoveThatBass]

Love the color! Sorry took 3 years. You must be the one complaining few years back. That is way too long.

 

[nervous]

After 3 years and a few days, I got mine back. Aside from a couple of tiny, almost impossible to notice air bubbles, it looks like a factory quality finish. I just wish it didn’t take 3+ years and an email threatening legal action to get it done. Best of luck to all of you still waiting, but I’m glad I can finally put this behind me and stop thinking about it View attachment 7542173

Actually nice to see they finished and are still producing something. Looks great too. Exhale and enjoy. Please post a pic when reassembled.

 

[McSalterson]

Actually nice to see they finished and are still producing something. Looks great too. Exhale and enjoy. Please post a pic when reassembled.

I’m not the best with wiring and it wasn’t working when I tried to put it together, so off to the shop it will go. Still, it has a Retrovibe Stinger preamp, Bartolini pickup, Hipshot tuners, and an AlBridge. All parts bought years ago and sat on until now. I’m super happy with how it looks:

 

[nervous]

I’m not the best with wiring and it wasn’t working when I tried to put it together, so off to the shop it will go. Still, it has a Retrovibe Stinger preamp, Bartolini pickup, Hipshot tuners, and an AlBridge. All parts bought years ago and sat on until now. I’m super happy with how it looks.

Awesome and thanks. Because I am a bit color blind, and screen interpretations and all, what color is that? Kandy Lime possibly?

 

[McSalterson]

Awesome and thanks. Because I am a bit color blind, and screen interpretations and all, what color is that? Kandy Lime possibly?

It’s called “Olive Fab Pearl”

 

[SoonerBill]

I had a local auto body shop paint one for me a couple years ago. 2 week turnaround time, and the cost was half of what the "pro" refinishers charge. Highly recommend.

When I first saw this thread my thought went straight to an auto painter. Not necessarily a run of the mill body shop. But someone that does hot rods, M/C tins. Things that are detailed and curvy. A solid guitar body should be a piece of cake for them.

 

[nervous]

It’s called “Olive Fab Pearl”

Interesting, it must be the sunshine that brightens it up some. In teh pics it looks so close to my Kandy Lime EBMM Axis. And I ask because I intentionally researched and sourced that color in an effort to as closely as possible replicate the first generation, special run, Dargie Delight series which I loved. And because they never offer the Axis in that color run I did mine as an homage to that model. In the pics your's also looks like that Gen 1 Dargie to me which is very cool and perfect for a Stingray. Also interesting that their 2nd gen Dargie was an olive color. so you win both ways.

 

[nervous]

When I first saw this thread my thought went straight to an auto painter. Not necessarily a run of the mill body shop. But someone that does hot rods, M/C tins. Things that are detailed and curvy. A solid guitar body should be a piece of cake for them.

That's a good plan IF you can find one that is willing to take the time needed to do them right, and setting aside the time that could be earning more in actual auto work. and, GPG (and other guitar specific refinishers) will strip your body, fill, correct or repair any thing that could be an issue for the finished product, sand and base fill if needed, prime then apply the finish layers. For some colors and types that is fairly time intensive and not something a lot of metal working guys will want to fuss with.