Bernie Rico Jr. Guitars

[guitarbilly74]

Originally Posted by Khoifish321

Not the case with all small builders... my experience with Black Water Guitars (one man custom shop), was nothing short of amazing. So much so that I ordered another guitar one day after receiving my 7-string.

but BRJ on the other hand, would not deal with again. I'm actually trying to sell my spot now, but I don't think I would be able to with his reputation.

I agree it's not every small builder out there, I would even say that the VAST majority of them are honest. But on the other hand, there has been enough horror stories to make me hesitate from buying anything from a small builder unless I REALLY know and trust the guy.

As you can see, there are also success stories with BRJ in this thread. It seems like most of these companies start in good standing and build a reputation, then {censored} turns sour and 10s of thousands of dollars are "lost" . It's hard to know for sure and I really can't afford to gamble with that type of cash. Especially with so many great guitars readily available

Originally Posted by '63-Strat

I agree you can get a great guitar or amp that will do the job for any style no prob from regular production stuff. But I sympathize with these guys because a lot of the time these are dream guitars for them; a certain finish/shape/neck carve/other specs that they can't get unless they go custom. While I don't have any custom guitars or amps myself I get what it's like when you know exactly what you want and have to rely on someone else to bring that vision to life. Seems like a really {censored}ty situation to have saved your money and planned your dream guitar only to get screwed, ugh.

Obviously, I sympathize with those who lost their money too. It's not their fault.

I just personally can't take that type of risk. There is something to be said about being able to play a guitar before you buy it or at least knowing it will be delivered in a few days, it can be returned with no issues if you don't like it and any warranty issues would be promptly taken care of.

But I understand the desire for customized gear, of course.

[travis bickle]

Its a cryin shame bernie burned some folk here. For some reason my experience was the opposite. I bought someone's black friday slot back in early 2011 (and was able to completely change the specs) and got my instrument in july 2012. Which is acceptable to me since its a custom instrument. Its easily the best instrument ive ever played and am planning on maybe getting another one down the line. I was following that sevenstring thread closely so i figured it would take a while and didnt bug bernie for long periods of time. Once the instrument was near completion, me and bernie communicated frequently until i received said instrument.

[travis bickle]

Its a cryin shame bernie burned some folk here. For some reason my experience was the opposite. I bought someone's black friday slot back in early 2011 (and was able to completely change the specs) and got my instrument in july 2012. Which is acceptable to me since its a custom instrument. Its easily the best instrument ive ever played and am planning on maybe getting another one down the line. I was following that sevenstring thread closely so i figured it would take a while and didnt bug bernie for long periods of time. Once the instrument was near completion, me and bernie communicated frequently until i received said instrument.

[EdgeOfDarkness]

If it were me I'd call every day

[-Assy-]

if it were me I'd press charges. that is much larger than petty larceny.

mention lawyer

larceny

demand

all in the same email, and expect your guitar in two weeks.

[kmanick]

That whole Black Friday run is such a travesty.

I go my BRJ 7 about  a year before all of this went down and it's easily the best 7 I've ever owned (and I've

gone thru a lot of 7's in the past 8 years, many high end ones too).

He used to be able to put out amazing guitars , mine is not the only killer BRj I've played.

Seemingly that chapter has closed.

I'd be all over this buy with an attorney at this point 2 years for guitars ???

and now his website is sown and he's not even answering phone calls or emails????/

ya, things don't look good

[roopelv]

I have the same issue with this firm. I prepaid the totalt amount $3275 for a Custom Diva and a $300 deposit for a Vixen. This was in March 2012. Same story as above..no respond to my phonecalls or emails. He said "ill do my best to finish it within the next three weeks" so many times that at the end i didnt belive a single word of what he was saying to me..

 

My cardprovider refused to give me back my money since it was over 120 days since i paid for it. It **** up the whole thing:( Now his business is closed and as far as i know all guitars have been sold to cover bills.. Should be illegal to rip of people like this. I will never ever again buy a guitar with my visa card. From now on its paypal ONLY!