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01-21-2025 02:46 PM
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Buying a carved archtop from China is like trying to get a slice of real pizza in california, it might happen but probably, not twice
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I call humbug. The Chinese have been making instruments and other intricate woodwork objects since well before our own civilisation, do you really think they couldn't learn how to make a carved archtop guitar? And so Eastman archtops (oh, and their bowed instruments) are all expensive firewood?
Originally Posted by Rickco
Californian or American pizza ... yeah, that's probably not "real" pizza, but I wouldn't go so far to extend the comparison to violins & family (another Italian invention).
Plus, the Chinese are very good at mass production. I have a hunch that if anyone can make 2 copies of the same instrument sound alike as much as possible, it'd be them.
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Hey, 2b.
1. I did request an acoustic build, I planned on adding a DeArmond myself if I wanted it, but the idea was to have an acoustic couch guitar with a side port.
2. You are correct, perhaps I wasn't dealing with the "real" Lara, but she did claim to represent both Wu and Yunzi guitars, so no reason to doubt it.
3. In the emails we exchanged, she made it abundantly clear that it was going to cost me $500 to have Wu build it start to finish and $250 to have Wu personally select the bookmatched wood, so yeah, I was a prize chump.
4. Iirc, there was also a $40 upcharge for the sideport and $25(?) For the pre-wired endpin (never installed.)
So, yes, I was conned in some way, I'm just not sure how. But I can't, in good conscience, recommend anyone doing business with Lora and company.
And yes, I knew the risks of dealing with China, there has just been so many success stories here that I thought I'd risk it. It's hard to take a 3K loss but I went into it knowing that might happen and I am fortunate enough that I could handle it financially. I basically have a playable instrument now but if I was looking to buy it, I'd probably offer $400. At my age, I'm used to life lessons.
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I feel bad for you. And although the person you spoke to may have acknowledged being Lora, her character did not sound like the Lora I knew. Lora responded to some 20 or so emails from me always within 24 hours. She was very reliable. The person who you communicated with did not sound like the same person. And I feel extremely bad for your experience, for you deserved better! Originally Posted by ah.clem
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Maybe the package wasn't perched on the table properly. Originally Posted by Jimmy blue note
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... Deep. Originally Posted by Woody Sound
I assure you I thought about that. It seemed solid enough, but somehow I didn't give it 24 in the box to acclimate it. It came in cold, and simply skated away from me.
Believe me, I'm never going to be that negligent about my unboxing. And I'm usually so meticulous too. Well I paid the price for floundering on the details.
I hope it turns out to be a fluke. But alas, in the end, we do the best with the cods we're dealt. (My Boston is showing).
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The upcharge for Wu started during/just after the pandemic. He apparently retired for awhile, then started building again on a somewhat limited basis, but charged more. This has been documented on the forum. As an independent artisan, he can charge whatever he wants. But turning out shoddy work will inevitably result in fewer orders. I have zero personal knowledge of what is happening in China, either in general or in Wu's situation specifically. I will say that communication was less during my last build, but I put that down to the raging pandemic. Whether that was the entire issue, I can't say, but the final product was certainly acceptable to me. Fortunately I don't feel the need to order another guitar, from anyone. I think my needs are met for the rest of my life.
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To be fair I was out of line. Its not a "Chinese" issue at all, its a multilevel cross continent transaction involving people who never meet and have completey different buisness protocols and buisness culture. I would say some unhappiness is inevitable and that there is ample testimony from satisfied buyers that those that are satisfied are very satisfied. I would say its not a picture of a perfect buisness model. I have several (close) associates that outsource manufacturing from China. They have had to negotiate the inevitble road blocks you would find anytime your involved in long distance transactions involving "durable goods" with any country outside their own. A product my company was known for producing of high quality was outsourced to "China". I was not happy and quite smug about what I was sure would be a lower quality piece if and when they ever got it. It took a patient back and forth to move forward but in the end the order was delivered. When it came to our work I was sick ego maniac and was used to and expected the praise. Talk about HUMBLED!!! what came out of those containers was pure candy every piece it kills me to say it but even if we could have made it work financialy Im not sure we could have competed on the quality and completeness of what was supplied from the company in China. I thought my earlier remark my have seemed racisist and I dont want to be associated with idiot racist's (Im not a racist) I dont however retract my remarks about the pizza!
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Look me up if you are in San Francisco and I will take you out for a slice as good as any that I ate growing up in NYC. Originally Posted by Rickco
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Same goes for hi fi gear built in China, specifically Tube amplifiers. In the past 20 years they’ve done a truly good job of building massive hi fi plants that compete with creating really good affordable tube amplifiers that the west can’t beat in price. A percentage of staunch hi fi members won’t purchase anything built in China, while others praise their products built for a fraction of what you can purchase a western built product for.
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I hadn’t read that Wu retired. So that alone would suggest someone other than him is building guitars. And as much as I hate to say it, it’s a strong possibility that, whom ever, received a $500 bonus for building a guitar in his name. Which would clearly explain the difference in the quality of this instrument. Originally Posted by sgosnell
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I think the idea was that $500 "bonus" tempted him out of retirement. Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop
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I don't know about 'retired', but he reportedly did stop building for awhile. I'm not privy to the cause. I haven't tried to keep up over the past couple of years, and about all I know is what I read here. I'm at an age where I don't even buy green bananas, let alone order custom guitars.
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A pipa. I’m pretty sure Chinese luthiers could make an archtop guitar if they desired.
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No reason, I just thought that I would post this photo of my Yunzhi
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Great photograph. So Yunzhi is now outwardly using the Gibson headstock? Originally Posted by nbevan3
No reason, I just thought that I would post this photo of my Yunzhi
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My green Archtop has been confirmed as being a 'Mr Wu' build.
It's design is based upon the famous Jimmy D'Aquisto Centura Deluxe.
I'm very pleased with my green Archtop and play it most days.
Pics below:
The original famous Jimmy D'Aquisto Centura Deluxe is shown in the pic below:
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Well done!
A very fine looking guitar.
Did you install the KA pickup yourself or came it with the guitar?
And, where is that exclusive guitar stand from?
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The KA P90 came with the guitar, the guitar was bought used, the pictures are from the original owner. Originally Posted by bluenote61
I have three ebony pickguards that came with the guitar, each now has a different pickup attached.
KA 90
KA Humbucker.
Attila Zoller humbucker.Last edited by GuyBoden; 03-28-2025 at 12:55 PM. Reason: different pickup attached
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inquiring about Mr Wu and his guitars - My three Wu Guitars.
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Wu Hoo! Originally Posted by RealDavidW
Wu's on first
Wu Who?
No, woo hoo! On the Wu!
Congrats
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I’ve had my custom 7 string lefty Wu for two years now, playing it almost every day, and it’s holding up great. Like others, I ditched the electronics upon arrival, and had a local luthier finish the job, adding a hand-wound KA pickup.
(Actual finish has more red in it, especially in daylight)
Last edited by Johnpiazza; 04-24-2025 at 03:22 AM.
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Wow! I thought I had Wu fever. Ah-Clem got hosed. Wu, who built that Monteleone inspired guitar, couldn’t have built that guitar with a unleved bridge. That stinger looks like —- !
I’ve been in contact with Ms Lora. Btw, “it now needs $1800” for Mr Wu to build. I intend to bring all this to her attention. Maybe you were lucky with yours.
Big Mike posted pictures of the Mr and Ms Wu, even Ms Lora. They are not old. But now it seems Ah-Clem never dealt with either of them.
Maybe some things are too good to be true after all.
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I feel your pain and disgust.
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