So for about the last 6 months I havent had access to much of a workshop or any of my stuff due to some…well, we will call them growing pains…its been a trying few months but hopefully everything will work out for the best (for everyone).
I dont have any real updates to mention but wanted to take a minute to mention a few people and companies that deserve a pat on the back and a hardy recommendation.
When I initially started this blog I didnt really intend to be too specific about the sourcing of tools and materials, mainly because I had no real relationships with any particular business or suppliers….and I hate to recommend something and have someone end up on the wrong side of a deal or get less than what they expected because of my big mouth…I’ve done it once and that was it…or so I thought. I’ve had a change of heart.
I recently had an issue come up with an item that I purchased..quite a few months ago I should add…wood, by its very nature is extremely susceptible to environmental factors and its sometimes unpredictable behavior once cut can make it a bit finicky….so this problem had absolutely no reflection on the quality of the product….NONE ZERO ZILCH…it is what it is, and things happen that you cant predict or control even if reasonable measures are taken to prevent issues.
What does matter is how these issues are addressed if they should come up. This is what separates the men from the boys, the cream from the milk or any other silly idiom you want to throw at it…this is when a vendor has a chance to shine in my book….and a lot of times (especially over the Internet)
this is where a lot of them fall flat on their faces….I usually chalk it up to a lesson learned and move on…sometimes poorer, but always wiser.
I know, I know….What am I getting at??? Bottom line….Tom Bartlett and Eastern Maple Carved Tops is the ONLY place (so far) that I can fully, without any reservation or doubt, recommend for items to help build a proper ‘burst. There are other guys out there, they might be a few bucks less…or closer or whatever….BUT when the rubber meets the road and the shit hits the fan you need to have a guy like Tom to deal with. He already has a fantastic reputation and really, what difference does my endorsement make…Im just some asshole behind a laptop blabbing about building a guitar FOR THE FIRST TIME…wtf do I know, right? I do know that Tom has fantastic products, and even better customer service and communication. I cant think of anyone who has addressed an issue so fast or so fully beyond what would have been expected or even acceptable…..buy your stuff from him with complete confidence. THANKS SO MUCH TOM!
Another person and company worth mentioning is Chris Miller at Whiteside Machine Company. Folks, NEVER buy cheap router bits…just dont do it…I went looking for router bits and had narrowed it down to a few well-respected manufactures. I emailed them and asked a few simple questions about 5 different bits…just 5, nothing in bulk just a small order of 5 bits. Chris at Whiteside got back to me right away with answers to all my novice questions and pointed me in the right direction…followed up right away and sincerely wanted me as a customer…just an ordinary Joe building 1 guitar. Their bits are made in the USA, priced competitively, and are about as good as it gets. Whiteside Machine Company , you cant go wrong with ‘em
I want to stress that these “endorsements” are made completely based on my belief that one good turn deserves another…..they didn’t pay or expect anything…these guys were just honest, easy to communicate with and did right by me…so they deserve a pat on the back…and your consideration when shopping.
Warm regards from cold Iowa…
Josh
