Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

There is only one guy in town I trust with my guitar setups. I have tried several others with disappointing results. You practically have to know someone to get an appointment with this guy. He is always busy, but again, he knows me, will work on my guitars, and I have always been very happy with his work.

Well, when I bought my 325c58 and wanted the Bigsby put on, I wasted no sleep over going with the tech I trusted. I also brought him the bowtie bridge and told him it floated. Even brought Babiuk's book for the picture of Lennon's guitar, and a new set of Pyramid .13s.

When I went to pick up the guitar, the tech I trust had drilled two holes through the bowtie bridge. He said it would ensure proper intonation, etc.

To say the least, I was a little bummed. The guitar plays great, and intonates great, and it's not that noticible. But I know. Am I being too Beatle anal about this????

Thoughts anyone???

No, you aren't, in my opinion.

A lot of 1960s guitars had floating bridges. It takes more patience to get them to intonate properly, but they do (e.g. my 1960s Vox Cougar bass). Even my 1999 450v63s are true to original with a floating bridge which makes intonation a challenging but not impossible task. I would be upset if a tech screwed down the bridge on any of my floating-bridge guitars for the sake of "ease of intonation" (I do most of my own set-ups).

My perspective on the matter is this: because you had stated that it was a floating bridge and you did not specify that you wanted it fixed in place, the tech should have called you and asked if you wanted it permanently mounted with screws, being that the screw holes being added to the guitar would be a permanent modification. After all, the guitar is yours, not his. I'm thinking that, as busy as he apparently was, he saw the mod as a time-saver for himelf and wasn't thinking about you, the customer.

I would talk to the tech (when you are calmed down over this) and just tell him that although you are happy with how the guitar plays, you would have preferred that the bridge remain floating per the "Lennon spec", as that was more important to you than "ease of intonation".

I'm in agreement with the good Doctor. If that was me, I would have really made a stink.

Once those holes were drilled, it was already too late to make your wishes known. Did you emphasize that you wanted no holes drilled?

This to me is the equivalent of taking your antique car to a mechanic and having him make a modification to it which would alter its originality and value, without first consulting you.

So, basically, this guy did something to your guitar that you didn't want him to do? Who does he think he is? Without knowing this person, I can say that is out of line for a guitar repair guy to do. As a guitar repair service, he should do only what you say. Not to mention, he drilled holes in your guitar?!?! That definitely warrants a call to you, the owner, before anything gets done. If you are unhappy, I know I'd be ******, I would go back to this guy and tell him to undo the supposed "repair" free of charge. Stay cool.

Myself? I'd freak.

Thanks for all the comments. I did freak. And I did let him know I didn't ask him to screw it on there.

But I'm pretty mello. At least I'll always have the intonation down, and I won't always have to try to get it exactly in the right position. I still feel like I've lost a bit of that perfect Lennon vibe. Whatever that means?

On the upside, I've wanted that guitar since I was ten years old, and it is mine. I love it, so I guess I'll have to love it the way it is. I'm good to it. I rock it every night.

Harold, that sounds like it would bring on an early impasse. Obviously, the holes can't be reversed. Logical solution is to sell the guitar, buy a new one and have him make up the difference in cash or trade.

It does sound like he got a bit large for his Levis.

If I may make an analogy, consider an auto repair shop: it will always get a customer's authorization before repairs are made, and if something else comes up during the course of the original repair, it will call the owner to obtain authorization before making the new change/repair.

Although the luthier thought he was doing something right, it wasn't what the customer wanted.

I wouldn't be too pleased if that happened to me! Especially on a C58.

I'd be ******, and unfortunately would not be able to vocalize my displeasure as well as Gary. A very similar thing happened to me here in Portland in '95 with a very valuable vintage (VVV) piece at a top repair house. I even had them write on the work order: "inform on any changes of vintage parts" (I still have a copy). You can guess what happened and I haven't been back since (other than to pick it up and let them know what I thought)! I'm sure they still remember me.

Joe, keeping in mind that I'm in your area, may I ask who it was? Feel free to email me if you don't want to identify him on the forum.

I would be very upset.