C/S Wait Times

[MikeStrat]

For those who have more of an inside scoop or knowledge, why are the c/s wait times so outrageously long? My impression is they are way under-staffed and cannot handle the work load which then leads to the QC issues.

The reason I ask this is because I ordered a c/s Jackson which took over 2 years to come in. When it finally got here, I didn't want it anymore. I had since replaced it with others that were just as nice if not nicer. The dealer had no trouble selling it so he just gave me my deposit back.

The only reason I bring this up is because C/J's wait time has gotten to the point where I will not order a c/s. I mean two years for a chlorine quilt top soloist H/S is basically what I'm talking about. To me, that is just stupid.

I'm not trying to start shit here. As a long time C/J player, fan and buyer, I am just trying to understand what they are doing. Between the pricing and wait times they have just about destroyed my desire to buy anymore guitars from them. I know I'm just one person but I also know I'm not alone. This is not meant to be a soapbox, follow me to the other side kind of post. This is not life or death for any of us. I'm simply curious so I thought I would ask.

[Newc]

While I agree that something as "simple" as a quilt top SL-1 with one less pickup should not take more time than it takes to make a regular SL-1, you have to remember the Custom Shop recently stopped taking new orders so they could clear the backlog.

They did that for about 3 or 4 months IIRC and then started taking new ones.

My 2 recent customs took just over a year (16 and 18 months IIRC), and those were both Custom Body Shapes (War Angel and 7-string Warrior - no CNC templates), so the times are definitely getting better for some things.

Neckthrough also takes longer than bolt on, hence the higher price, as well as the longer wait.

Additionally, I'm sure the SL and RR are their most popular CS orders, so those pile up quickly.

Then there's the possibility that they sift through the orders looking for "interesting" pieces like the Dweezil run, and some items are so common to them that they're actually boring to work on.

[~K~]

Supply and demand ... They end up with a waiting list because they have a lot of demand for CS instruments. This will cause the prices to increase. Over burdoned staff will also make more mistakes and cause more QC issues...

[neilli]

From what I've been told, the CS process is pretty random - we've all seen guitars posted here that have arrived in 6 months, and we've all heard about guitars that have taken 2 years.

I think part of the problem is that the builders don't build the guitars in the sequence that the orders were placed - it's more "what do we feel like building today boys?". That's great if your order fits in with their moods, but not so good if it doesn't.

Also, if you've spec'd a graphic, there's then the Dan Lawrence bottleneck. I'd bet most of us who know / care want Dan to paint the guitar, and he's just snowed under.

Add to that the issue of 'one guitar' getting lost in the big FMIC machine (i.e. shipping delays) and you have a problem.

I have 3 orders in process (one finished and waiting shipping) and have 1 order already with me. I've found that instead of it being enjoyable, it's a wholy frustrating process, and like many others, I'm seriously questioning if I'll ever order a CS again.

[shreddermon]

I can't answer your question as to why CS wait times are long. I'm sure there are a lot of factors that go into answering that question, including the specs of the particular order itself and so on.

Mine have taken as little as 6 months and as long as 18 months. Generally, they've seemed to average about 12 to 15 months. And it's basically taken about that long since back in the 80s. So, IMHO, it just is what it is.

I agree, though, that 2 years is absurdly waaaayyy too long. There's basically no excuse for that whatsoever, so I don't blame you for cancelling. I would probably do the same at that point.

[MikeStrat]

I think part of the problem is that the builders don't build the guitars in the sequence that the orders were placed - it's more "what do we feel like building today boys?". That's great if your order fits in with their moods, but not so good if it doesn't.

This is probably very true. Man, wouldn't it be nice to run a business based on the "mood of the week". But, as a business owner, if I don't cater to my customers or answer their phone calls, they take their money down the street.

This is exactly why PRS just doubled the size of his operation over here in Annapolis.

I'm not saying I won't buy anymore C/Js. They just have to show up at dealers first.

[Chrisb]

I'm pretty in the middle about this. I'm almost at 18 months wait for my guitar. It is a bolt on but its a rather unusual shape (not a one of a kind but it is an archtop death angel) but I know its not woodworking that is making my guitar take so long. The guitar was completely built way back in June. So anyways I asked Matt to get an update on the status. In the end there is not much he or I can do, its done when its done. No one else could have built this guitar, so I have no regrets. Hopefully he gets a response, but it won't suprise me if he doesn't. I'll be completely satisified as long as it lives up to what I asked for. I'm pretty sure it will.

[AK47]

ChrisB is this your guitar?

Edited to say I gave up on trying to link pics on this forum they made it so difficult since the last forum change...

Cut and paste this link.

http://lh6.google.com/image/meridianmusicguitars/RU_rjtG4ABI/AAAAAAAAAyE/sXehYe6oGOk/IMG_6180.JPG?imgmax=512

[neilli]

Hmm. Cutting and pasting doesn't work either...

[AK47]

Just click on the link it works.

[neilli]

Nope. I just get a 'Forbidden' message....

[AK47]

hxxp://lh6.google.com/image/meridianmusicguitars/RU_rjtG4ABI/AAAAAAAAAyE/sXehYe6oGOk/IMG_6180.JPG?imgmax=512

Replace the xx's with tt's then cut and paste.
This forum is driving me nuts in its auto html.

It goes html when you dont want it then it does when you do!

[1trussell]

I love Jackson/Charvels. But if I'm going to buy one, it's going to be a used one. The wait times for the custom shop are simply outrageous. If I want a custom guitar made, I'm going to order a Hamer for my traditional style guitars or a Carvin for my shredders. Both of these companies are averageing 4-6 months for custom orders.

That doesn't mean I like J/C any less. It just means that I'm impatient and I'll order somewhere else so I can get my dream axe before I change my mind.

[neilli]

Replace the xx's with tt's then cut and paste.
This forum is driving me nuts in its auto html

Got it!

[Chrisb]

HOLY SHIT! Yes thats it no doubt, its a little greener than I hoped but there is no doubt thats my guitar.

Umm...so if its done why haven't they sent it to me? Why are they showing it off at a clinic or whatever that is?

Wow thats incredible though, the close up really shows just what an OUTSTANDING job they did on it. I can't blame them for wanting to show that one off. I notice the truss rod cover is missing, maybe they are just waiting for that to be finished.

Whats the details behind that pic AK47, when was it taken, who's that there holding my guitar, was it a clinic, a guitar building workshop?