COMMENTS SENT TO ME
I'm sorry. I know based on your posts in the past how much you love that mandolin and I would be sick if I were in your shoes. I actually had one of those F-5-G customs, although mine wasn't varnished, and I loved it. I can understand how you would be disappointed with the results based on the pictures you showed me. If she made that offer, then she should abide by it IMO. It sounds like she took it to the board in an attempt to get her side out before yours. I don't know what was said when you guys were initially talking about the project, or what she told you that you could expect it to look like when the work was completed, but some of those pictures looked pretty rough to me.
I am stunned actually. I would have to agree that this look awful! Totally
unacceptable.
In fact, it would probably look like something I would do myself and I have
never done binding.
It took a minute for me to collect my thoughts -- then I recalled that she was
adding binding the the headstock and back of an F-5G.
I have to admit this mandolin maybe essentially ruined.
One hope -- I just do not know if someone like Randy Wood or Frank Ford could
undo this damage. You are probably not interested in the option but if it can be
restored would you be interested in seeing if she would pay the bill for someone
like Randy to fix -- if they even would tackle it.
Even the late Charlie Derrington would have to deal with the mis-cut binding
channels. How?
My sincere condolences. Like I said I am just stunned. That work is a light year
from the new mandolins that she presents on the Cafe. It is like a total
disconnect.
I just do not know what else to say. I hope you can recover from this soon.
If there is a someway I can assist you please let me know.
Here's a comment from one of her luthier friends:
I agree with you about a few of those photos. If she had built that mandolin from scratch for you, then I would be amazed. I know her work is better than that.
I can't believe a professional repair shop would do work like this. This is unbelievable and totally unacceptable. I wish you luck in your recovery efforts and please keep the community informed. I know I'll never allow any of my instruments to go to her for repair for sure.
Its unreal. I'm just totally shocked this came from Gail Hester's shop.
Oh my God!!! I would die if I sent my mandolin to someone for repair and it came back looking like this. This person should stick to doing something other than mandolin or instrument repair. Unbelievable!
This has to be the worst binding job I've ever encountered. Does she do this for a profession? I sure hope not.
This is terrible. I have read the emails and her offer, why didn't they follow through on the offer? It would seem in her best interests to get this mandolin off the streets and get it fixed if it has any bearing on her workmanship at all. I personally wouldn't want people to see this mandolin and know that I'd done this type of work on it.