Minoin
Scientist
I just got an email from Marty (after 2 weeks); he's only recently been on top of emails again as far as I know.
Here's the deal on my build:
Specced out a 7-string custom with buckeye burl top in september '12 and payed the deposit. The building time quote was 4 months (which I knew was very optimistic). In dec/jan Marty told me he couldn't find a perfect piece of buckeye burl for my build, so he send me a couple of other burled tops to choose from. As you know, I went with a crazy burled top, which should have been delivered in february. I did have some spec-changes, but nothing that could slow the build.
He got back to me yesterday telling me the top he ordered (which apparently took 3 months to arrive) for my build wasn't the right one. The company that delivers the top made a mistake. I was a bit pissed off, because I felt like being jerked around for half a year and still not having a decent top (for a build that hasn't started). So I asked Marty to be straight with me and he did. He explained the situation and send me a photo of the wrongly delivered top.
Ironically, it's a buckeye burl!
So I'm satisfied with the top and my build is finally getting started 
Moral of the story is this; Marty is a hard working guy as far as I can tell. However, his quotes do not include the time it takes to get you the perfect piece of wood, which can take a week up to 6 months. He doesn't communicate every aspect of his search for wood, but at least he is working on it. Keep that in mind if you're asking crazy/rare woods; maybe even supply the top yourself.
Sorry for the rant, but I just wanted to keep you guys updated.
I guess my delay got him more time for your builds!
Here's the deal on my build:
Specced out a 7-string custom with buckeye burl top in september '12 and payed the deposit. The building time quote was 4 months (which I knew was very optimistic). In dec/jan Marty told me he couldn't find a perfect piece of buckeye burl for my build, so he send me a couple of other burled tops to choose from. As you know, I went with a crazy burled top, which should have been delivered in february. I did have some spec-changes, but nothing that could slow the build.
He got back to me yesterday telling me the top he ordered (which apparently took 3 months to arrive) for my build wasn't the right one. The company that delivers the top made a mistake. I was a bit pissed off, because I felt like being jerked around for half a year and still not having a decent top (for a build that hasn't started). So I asked Marty to be straight with me and he did. He explained the situation and send me a photo of the wrongly delivered top.
Ironically, it's a buckeye burl!
So I'm satisfied with the top and my build is finally getting started Moral of the story is this; Marty is a hard working guy as far as I can tell. However, his quotes do not include the time it takes to get you the perfect piece of wood, which can take a week up to 6 months. He doesn't communicate every aspect of his search for wood, but at least he is working on it. Keep that in mind if you're asking crazy/rare woods; maybe even supply the top yourself.
Sorry for the rant, but I just wanted to keep you guys updated.
I guess my delay got him more time for your builds!
haha 
