Build / How I Roll...
Personal Note
First off, a personal note to you about “how I roll"... I am deeply honored to build you this special instrument. It is my life’s work and all I do (okay, for soul fulfillment, personal morale, and keeping all creative cylinders firing, I “moonlight “a bit as a composer/ recording artist. This is how I began this journey…the GuitarViol was originally developed for my own musical expression without any initial intentions of re-producing it. Things just happened that way!) The fact that there has been so much interest in the instrument itself has been an extra blessing as I have met (and now count as dear friends) many fellow composers, artists, players, and music lovers around the world. All kindred spirits. I do not take lightly this life I have been blessed with today. Living this dream is damn hard work. It has been a long hard road getting here and I would not trade any of it for the world. Building instruments does not make me wealthy by any means, just rich in things of real meaning!
Workflow / Timetable
As you may gather, I am a micro-builder, artist. (some call it Luthier which is apparently French for “lute maker“). Having worked in the musical instrument sales business spanning three decades, I have come to prefer the quiet serenity in my shop (I call it my art “studio”) over the noisy cacophony of loud music stores, mass marketing NAMM shows, and high numbers “are never high enough” driven corporate culture. For me, it is quality, not quantity (in what I do, and in life). This is how I roll..... As a lone luthier, I am typically well backlogged with work (good problem these days) and have been so since early 2003. It is rare that a build wait exceeds a year, and the shortest build wait on record has been about four months. I make every monumentally diligent effort to tackle as much as I can on any given day (only to find out at the end of that day that I am still a mortal human.) This includes communications, cubicle diving (home office), emails, phone, ordering supplies, errands, engineering, R&D, the occasional blog, shipping, paying vendors, client visits to my studio, and actually managing to build some instruments!! (And you thought I simply roll out of bed, drink a pot of coffee, and fire up a band-saw….) I make the best possible effort to be in the ballpark of an estimated delivery window. Sometimes, my optimistic estimate flies in the face of other unanticipated realities. The occasional “bottleneck” (snag) can and does happen. If and when it does -- please -- just hang in there! You’re big day will come! I promise!
The Bistro Series Explained:
- • All "Bistro" series GuitarViols are built on spec by moonlighting apprentice Jude Matthew Wright under the guidance (and final set-up inspection) of GuitarViol Master Jonathan Wilson.
- • At this date, only available as Acoustic Models.
- • Offered as grab-n-go inventory when available.
- • Distinguished by typically Walnut neck, "Bistro" branded headstock, and natural satin finish (Though the essentials are the same)
- • Not transferable to other orders in the existing TogaMan GuitarViol queue.
Historically, TogaMan GuitarViols of all models have rarely been available as "For Sale" models. This is because of the typically long backlog of "sold" instruments being built! The Bistro series solves two problems: The availability of "inventory" instruments and the built in incentive to retain talented shop apprentices. (Good talent is hard to find and we all win if they are kept on-board!).
Call or email for availability!
Okay, now that you have a clear picture of “how I roll”, we’ll move on to the business stuff:
Business Stuff / Policy
All commissions, builds, orders (whatever we choose to call it) are done in three 1/3 installments. I do not accept whole payment unless it is the very rare “unspoken for” (off queue) instrument I may have for sale. The three installment plan allows for a couple of things: it spreads out cash planning/spending on your end. On my end, it more evenly spreads out cash flow as needed. A “paid for” instrument in progress is more likely to sit in progress longer if another pile of wood has greater potential of paying the rent, insurance and vendors on time during a particularly challenging month. (I do not like that idea any better than you do and really want to eliminate that potential scenario from the equation!) The three installment system works better for you and for me.
On very rare occasions, I have had to “ice” (make dormant for an indefinite time) an order/commission/build for a client who’s cash flow is not in harmony with a given time season/life event/income situation. Knowing that life’s set-backs are most often not permanent, (at my discretion) I’ll hang in there for up to 18 months (from “ice” date) and re activate your build when you are again ready to move forward. (If it is a limited run instrument, I’ll offer that spot to someone else). That said, deposits are not refundable. (Read that again). I am 100% committed and will work with you if and when situations arise. (Just keep me in the loop. I keep a “no BS” communications policy on the wall of my studio next to the queue board. I highly value my relations with clients. This is far more than mere business to me. I actually enjoy the camaraderie, emails, phone calls and your visits. I genuinely share your excitement!! That said, just remember, my day can (and does) get away from me very quickly and there are always many builds waiting to be built while that damn clock ticks away on the wall….. ;-)
I accept several forms of payment: Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Cash, Bank wire, Domestic Checks (USA), International money orders.
Shipping policy
I take great care in boxing your GuitarViol for a safe journey to your door to your hands!
Domestic US Shipments:
$100.00 flat FedEX ground to anywhere in the Continental US. (Includes insurance and boxing) Alaska and Hawaii shipments, will be calculated at the time of shipping.
International Shipments:
All international orders, receiver will have prepared package and documents picked up (freight collect) by carrier of their choosing. (Courier, FedEX, DHL, UPS, designated personal pick-up). Because of the fluctuations of international billing rates (random "special handling" etc.) versus what is quoted/ then billed, I can no longer process these transactions through my billing system. I will prepare all necessary customs documents.
Discounts?
From time to time, I am asked if I can offer discounts, endorsements etc. Although I am sympathetic to those things, in reality, I am not in the position to offer cut rates the way that more well heeled factory based “brand conscious” manufacturers can. Quite simply, my operating expenses (vendors, overhead etc.) do not discount (in fact go up at alarming rates). That damn sundial has a bit to say about it too… (If you are a college professor putting together a GuitarViol trio, quartet, quintet, do contact me and we'll put our heads together.)
Crummy prototypes for sale? For the most part, No. If it is not a worthy instrument, nobody sees it! Builders are judged by their worst work (especially if it is the only example someone, somewhere ever sees!). A chain is as strong as it’s weakest link. I am proud of the instruments I have built many years ago. They are indeed the best I could build at that particular time. That said, the best ones I am building are sitting on my bench right now! I build each one as if it were the only instrument I myself would play the rest of my life. It does take some time to work through the queue, perhaps with some planning, you can get in there?
I am honored to build your GuitarViol! (If you speak French, we’ll say “Guitar Viole” Oui?) When you send me the first 1/3 deposit, you agree (with full understanding) to this policy written herein. With that out of the way, I look forward to building this special instrument for you!
In heartfelt service,
Jonathan Wilson
GuitarViols inc.
13755 Polk St.
Sylmar, Ca. 91342
818.838.0715
All content written herein is subject to change without notice.
