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FredW writes:
Several weeks ago a long time customer brought in a Gibson Epiphone
guitar autographed by Vince Gill. The neck was cracked. As with most
celebrity-signed guitars they are built as a display piece. Not intended
to be played. This isn't something Gibson would want anyone to hear
but it is the truth never the less. In most situations the neck would
have to be replaced. This is what I recommended due to the extent
of the damage. The customer who has brought several
repair challenges in the past, asked If I could try and repair it.
As how it was repaired I will gladly give details if requested.
Now why am I telling this story?
After all the repairs were made I placed the guitar behind a large case piece
so it would be safe. That guitar was stolen from my shop the following day.
Someone simply walked in and stole it.
I have never in the 25 years in business had anything belonging to
a customer stolen from my shop. To put it bluntly I was horrified.
I called the customer and shared the bad news. He hated to hear it was
stolen and to make matters worse his wife was a big time fan of Vince Gill.
He would talk to her that evening.
I spent the next 2 days searching for a replacement. I found one identical
guitar purchased for $9000 at a charity auction in Nashville.
Only problem the owner didn't want to sell.
I spent 24 hours (without sleep) searching endlessly over the net
and making phone calls. After exhausting all possibilities, I called
the customer that evening to see if they would accept a check.
I was perfectly willing to fork over whatever amount they requested
just to end this thing.
He told me on the phone he had forgotten all about the stolen guitar
after talking to his wife. Her only response, and I quote,
"Fred forget about that cheap guitar. When are you
coming to pick up my dining table to be refinished? "
That was Thursday.
Which just so happens to be my Birthday.
Fred Woodall
Houston, Texas
