Tech Disaster Kahler installation

[Toe-Knee]

Before I start this thread it isn't a naming and shaming or anything like that as that's not my style. Also I have already contacted Jonathan to see if this is salvageable at all.

The short version of the story is I took this to a local tech on the 30th September he said it would be finished by the following Wednesday I called up to check and he said Friday then again Friday comes around and he said next Friday and again then mon then tues.

I got the guitar back yesterday and it had been butchered imho.

Here's a breakdown of the faults

• The bridge posts weren't in the correct place
• The bridge studs weren't even fully inserted into the body
• The bridge posts also were installed at an angle into the body
• the bridge was installed at an angle.
• the finish is trashed somewhat
• the bridge was installed incorrectly

The bridge in question is a kahler 2710 killer model that is a fulcrum trem and rather than having knife edges it has indents and pivots against the studs which are like a countersunk screw making the edges replacable.
Initially when I got it the bridge was installed against the posts I corrected this as I guessed he didn't just understand and I was going to let the finish damage go.

Then I noticed all of the above errors.

I went back down today and he offered to repair it and nothing more he then also said that it was an unusual bridge that he has never encountered and didn't think would fit even though when I initially went down I told him I understood the existing holes will need plugging and moving in and this is what he said he would do.... He then also said the bridge wasn't suitable for strat type guitars even though It was initially designed for a limited run of strats....

Anyway I don't really want him to fix it as he clearly didn't know what he was doing and didn't even call up to let me know this and say he wouldn't go ahead with the work not knowing what he was doing. So really im screwed on this and i'm going to have to pay to get it sorted but it's a lesson learnt I guess.

Anyway here are the pics.



In this one you can see the indents and how it should rest and the fact the post isn't in fully and at an angle and that its meant to be more in towards the centre of the bridge this is common sense if you ask me,..,.








Anyway that's it. I just wanted to vent as its really put me on a downer and well it's given me general mistrust in people I believe should have certain standards and know their limitations.

[FELINEGUITARS]

Ouch - now I can see the pics I can see what you mean

Of course the trem is suitable for a strat type guitar , although with the bulk of the trem it might require more of a neck angle , or a recess into the body to make it work.

Paint de-lamination can be tricky for sure  and certain combinations of finish types are bitch for it - I'm assuming that we have a layer of enamel paint with a layer of acrylic or Polyurethane over the top.

I do wonder if the central hole for the bridge hasn't been drilled deep enough
On some of these bridges - the post is longer than the threaded insert and if the centre is screwed down so far than it bears against the wood, it forces the brass bushing back out of the body.

However the treble side post looks badly aligned and the knife edge will bind badly.
That and the way the trem was just mounted against the posts and not the knife edge suggest that the "tech" was somewhat out of his depth and dealing with unfamiliar products (experience and research do come in useful here.)

If the posts were pulled and dowelled , and the whole unit recessed cleverly , would it be possible to disguise the previous installation, without having to resort to a pick guard?

[Toe-Knee]

If the posts were pulled and dowelled , and the whole unit recessed cleverly , would it be possible to disguise the previous installation, without having to resort to a pick guard?

This is what i'm hoping for. I would even be happy for the dowels just to be filled in black or something.

My untrained eye tells me that the bass side is possibly in the right place even though its wonky but the treble side needs to be moved inwards towards the centre of the bridge a bit so that it is centred where the trem post should meet the bridge itself.

Obviously you know more than me on things like this. I can find out what types of paint were used in the finish itself if necessary. The clear coating was done by Bow as per your recommendation.

[FELINEGUITARS]

The clear coating was done by Bow as per your recommendation.

Ha - Impressed that you have it back already then
They do good work but you can get old waiting for completion.

[Toe-Knee]

The clear coating was done by Bow as per your recommendation.

Ha - Impressed that you have it back already then
They do good work but you can get old waiting for completion.

It took a while if I remember it right! but I was/am incredibly pleased by the work.

So is this rescuable? If so can you shoot me an estimate via PM/email and i'll hopefully make some arrangements with you to get this sorted.

[Telerocker]

Wish you good luck! Never had any hassle with the Floyd on my Jem (sold it years ago), Kahlers are a bit more challenging I understood.

[The Sorbz]

I had the old style kahler on a BC Rich Mockingbird - installed by one of the shops in Denmark St - it was the best trem I have ever used and I wish I still had it.

Jim

[Philly Q]

Only just seen this - sorry to see your guitar got messed up Tony!  :(

It's been discussed before, but it's a shame "anyone" can set themselves up as a guitar tech when they don't even know what they're doing (which is in no way meant as a snub to those who do know what they're doing!).  It's a bit like trying to find a builder, it seems..... word of mouth is really the only thing you can rely on.

Initially when I got it the bridge was installed against the posts I corrected this as I guessed he didn't just understand

I must admit I made the same mistake with a Kahler trem (not the same model) many years ago.  Couldn't understand why it felt so clunky!  It worked so much better on the edges of the screws! 

[richardjmorgan]

 :( Man, that sucks dude. Hope it's all fixable! I presume you got your money back from the guy who messed it up?

[Philly Q]

I presume you got your money back from the guy who messed it up?

I'm guessing not....