Master built vs. Custom shop

[vector]

Okay, had a WTF moment when my CS purchase order came back about 1000 bucks more than the initial quote. I asked my sales person about it and he said that CS might be considering it a "master build" because of the custom paint job and thus cost more. I'm happy to say my dealer straightened it out and the quote is back to where it was. But what's the deal with master build? Is it just CS w/ a Master builder involved/overseeing?

[markD]

ughhh....that's what killed the fender CS for me. glad you got it sorted out. jackson needs to come up with specific parameters, like fender did....PRS too.

[neilli]

'Masterbuilt' was something they tried to implement on CS pricing in 2006 or so, and they canned it because nobody was ordering anything. I can't believe they'd be dumb enough to try it again, but then if ETAs are at 18 months plus, maybe they're trying to slow down orders apart from people who are so totally desperate they'll pay anything...

[vector]

'Masterbuilt' was something they tried to implement on CS pricing in 2006 or so, and they canned it because nobody was ordering anything. I can't believe they'd be dumb enough to try it again, but then if ETAs are at 18 months plus, maybe they're trying to slow down orders apart from people who are so totally desperate they'll pay anything...

Hmm. That'd be me though I hardly consider myself desperate enough to pay anything. More of I'm fucking lucky enough to be in a financial situation that allows me to pull the trigger. Having never ordered a CS prior to 2010 and current CS order is right in line with what I paid for the Charvel CS, I have no basis for comparison on cost increase. And the 18 + months makes even more convenient as I can take a year and half to easily gather the balance after deposit.

[euronymous]

Its almost 9 months since i put my first CS order, i heared nothing from J/C and dealer. I am actually considering canceling the order if they have not started building yet

[vector]

Its almost 9 months since i put my first CS order, i heared nothing from J/C and dealer. I am actually considering canceling the order if they have not started building yet

euronymous- as stated, build times are currently at 18 + months and the average CS takes roughly 4-6 months to build? (Guessing here) So, I'd say if they haven't started building by 12 months THEN I'd demand my money back. Just my opinion....

[neilli]

Hmm. That'd be me though I hardly consider myself desperate enough to pay anything. More of I'm fucking lucky enough to be in a financial situation that allows me to pull the trigger.

Sorry, no offense intended As you say, those of us who are in a position to order from the CS should consider ourselves fortunate.

What I was really referring to was just that back when they introduced the 'MB' charge, it was 2k, plus the cost of the option. So something like a maple fingerboard would cost you say $100 for the option, but it was MB only, so it'd list at $2100. Which was just insane. Maybe now they just use the 'Master Built' term to make it the product sound more 'high end' rather than dumping a 2k charge on you...

[xenophobe]

You were also supposed to get a leather portfolio with a picture of your guitar and whomever built it along with CDs with high resolution photos and a certificate of authenticity.

A few of these leather binders did ship with guitars, but they didn't follow through with it. A couple of months after they had started to do this, they stopped shipping them. I was supposed to receive this setup with my XTRR but never got it. I'm not sure how many people were upcharged for master build, but yeah, you really didn't get anything more than you would have without it.



Off topic: I honestly think there is too much chaos in the custom shop and with 2 year wait times I just can't trust them to get it right now. I just don't think the quality level is high enough for what FMIC is charging for a custom these days especially considering how long you have to wait. I want to order a custom right now, not finding out until half way during the build 16 months later that they forgot to spec something or interpreted your WO incorrectly just sucks. Two strikes...

[vector]

You were also supposed to get a leather portfolio with a picture of your guitar and whomever built it along with CDs with high resolution photos and a certificate of authenticity.

A few of these leather binders did ship with guitars, but they didn't follow through with it. A couple of months after they had started to do this, they stopped shipping them. I was supposed to receive this setup with my XTRR but never got it. I'm not sure how many people were upcharged for master build, but yeah, you really didn't get anything more than you would have without it.



Off topic: I honestly think there is too much chaos in the custom shop and with 2 year wait times I just can't trust them to get it right now. I just don't think the quality level is high enough for what FMIC is charging for a custom these days especially considering how long you have to wait. I want to order a custom right now, not finding out until half way during the build 16 months later that they forgot to spec something or interpreted your WO incorrectly just sucks. Two strikes...

+1 I can do without all that superfluous crap. Just build me a kick ass guitar and do it in less than 18 months.

[mattsmusiccenter]

It's my understanding that "Masterbuilt" is anything that's out of the norm. Guitars with special body shapes, etc... things that require extra work/time are now being priced with the masterbuilt upcharge.

[Hellraiser6502]

I am one of those that can easily afford at least one new custom shop guitar per year but.....

I wouldn't even consider ordering anything from FMIC-owned Jackson/Charvel. Why put up with their BS and price gouging??

Especially when you have an option like GMP which are, these days, a superior guitar in terms of quality and attention to detail ....not to mention only a 4-6 month wait time start to finish.

I realize that Dan & GMP are a smaller shop and therefore can *afford* to take the time to GET IT RIGHT, the first time...

That is what has been wrong with Jackson since Grover left. No one REALLY cares about the customer or the finished product.

[toejam]

Makes me glad I went with Carvin for my custom 7-string last year, which only took 9 weeks, and it cost less than a standard USA Jackson Select!

[xenophobe]

I am one of those that can easily afford at least one new custom shop guitar per year but.....

I wouldn't even consider ordering anything from FMIC-owned Jackson/Charvel. Why put up with their BS and price gouging??

Yeah, same. It's not the money I have trouble spending, it's Jackson I have trouble spending money with. I wouldn't mind the price if the wait time was 6-9 months. 2 years is beyond ridiculous, especially for the premium price they charge.

Makes me glad I went with Carvin for my custom 7-string last year, which only took 9 weeks, and it cost less than a standard USA Jackson Select!

Yeah, I've been playing with the custom forms at Carvin and Warmoth to see what I can create. I think I'm going for a natural oil finished Warmoth strat in mahogany with either koa or walnut top, koa or wenge neck and ebony board...

[Hellraiser6502]

I was so disillusioned by Fender that I've been spending my money elsewhere for the last 7+ years....I'm still buying guitars just not with FMIC.

I've gone back to my *OG* roots and (re)-built my vintage BC Rich collection and with Dan Lawrence's re-launch of GMP in 2008 started spending money on NEW guitars with him....

Sure I am biased, I work for Dan, but I certainly wouldn't spend my hard earned money there if I wasn't convinced they were the best bang for my buck.

For *ME* The Charvel/Jackson brand under Fender has morphed into something I don't care for....A PERFECT example is the new 'Desolation' series....wtf is that?

Just my .02 as a LONG TIME C/J collector-buyer....your mileage can, and probably does, vary.

[Chad]

For *ME* The Charvel/Jackson brand under Fender has morphed into something I don't care for....A PERFECT example is the new 'Desolation' series....wtf is that?

Just my .02 as a LONG TIME C/J collector-buyer....your mileage can, and probably does, vary.

Yeah, it's a bit scary right now with all of this stuff going on at once. Japan factory closes, Desolation series released, FMIC goes public, etc. Scary times indeed for a J/C fan.