PLUNDER SALE
STOLEN, ABUSED, RETURNED, FIXED UP, ON SALE
These instruments have been on a mystery tour. Now they are home and a little bruised.
The saga continues. On August 27, 2019, someone broke into our shop and stole 13 instruments. Among them was every handmade instrument in my inventory. Miraculously, 8 months later, after having given up all hope, an anonymous phone call, which seemed preposterous, turned out to be the real deal and lead to the return of all of the instruments.
We are still unclear on the specifics of just what happened and where these instruments spent their hiatus. But they were not treated kindly and are cosmetically worse for wear. Some more than others. Most were stolen directly off the wall of the shop, and thus were not in their cases. They were probably never played and most of the bruising (dents, scratches, finish checking) was most likely caused by the way they were stored or more likely stacked on top of one another. We’ve spent some time assessing the instruments. We replaced any compromised hardware and frets etc, and fixed any dents on the back of the necks, anything that would affect playability. They will play like new. Rather than spending hundreds of hours trying to restore them to like-new cosmetic condition, we’ve decided they are now being sold as “slightly imperfect”. Actually road-worn. Think of it as relic-ing in real time. A plunder sale.
Here are a few that are ready to be sold. There will be a few more soon.
We’ve done our best to honestly document the battle scars on these instruments. If that pre-distressed look is not your thing, let us know and we’ll make you a new one.
The Mustang that went for a long walk. This replica really took some body blows. This was designed to be a lightweight guitar, so we used basswood, which is a bit softer than our usual woods. It proved to be no match for the abuse thrown at it. Most of the scuffs and finish damage is on the back but there is a fair share all along the edges and one generous spot on the front. There is also considerable finish checking on the back. The matching headstock just lost a little chip. It’s worth noting that these photos were taken before the guitar was properly cleaned up, the fret were leveled and crowned, and all of the screws were replaced.
Scale length, 24"
Body, basswood
Neck, maple
Fingerboard, rosewood
Frets, 22
Finish, Chevy blue lacquer
Want a so-fresh, so-clean Mustang? Preorder here.