Drove the 2 hours there and back today to visit the John Mann Guitar Vault. What an amazing and gracious host!
Backstory: Last week I bought a bridge for my SE CE24 Satin. I followed his video on setting screw heights and did everything I could to get it installed and functional. However, every time I engaged the tremolo, it would slide out of the notches and crash to the surface of the guitar. I tried 4 times, removing - verifying I could not see any damage to knife edge nor screw slots - reinstalling, and same thing. So in desperation I made the trek to the Vault.
I planned to call in advance, but got hit with a few things first thing in the morning. As I pulled into driveway, I thought "Doh! I forgot to call!" Oh well, I'll just leave it there if needed and fetch it next weekend.
Nope!
As I explained my situation to the only other person working there today, I hear a faint "tell him bring it in!" from inside. Thus, I was introduced to John Mann. Who, he himself, decided to reinstall and correct whatever blunder I got myself into. While at it, I mentioned I would have preferred the black nickel finish rather than nickel, but he had been out of stock for a while. Well they do now have them in stock, so we switched to the black to better match the overall vibe of this guitar.
One thing he mentioned, and said he may have to make an updated or additional video - It seems the SE guitars are machined for most everything, but they drill the holes for the bridge screws by hand. So sometimes, they are not aligned correctly. He checked mine and they were true - so that wasn't my problem. Not sure what exactly was, but the bridge he installed for me is working flawlessly. Guess it just needed his touch, or he's too nice to tell my that I screwed up.
While there I asked when his raffle drawing is, Nov 11 is the date. So he let me go up and see the prize - O.M.G. the grain on that guitar is amazing in person! He mentioned there were still a few tickets left, so if you haven't bought one - DO IT!
While we were chatting, I mentioned I've wanted to try a Horsemeat pedal, but haven't found any near me. He had them in stock as well, so I played through a gorgeous Sweet 16 amp (and wisely did not ask for a price on it (breath, breath, all is ok)). Picked up the pedal though, and now at home it sounds awesome with the HDRX 20! There are also 2 guitars on the wall that triggered a Lazlo-like dual voice debate in my head. One side said BUY ONE! and the other side said "Wait until first paycheck as permanent employee now that contract is ended!!!" Of course, John chimed in with "Buy them both! We do 6 month interest free financing!"
My 2nd voice won (for now) and I left with just the Horsemeat and my fixed SE CE24. But if I don't win that raffle, he's only 2 hours away and has that 6 month plan, and that amp! ...
tldr;
Had a great time at John Mann's Guitar Vault - had to tell the tale.
Backstory: Last week I bought a bridge for my SE CE24 Satin. I followed his video on setting screw heights and did everything I could to get it installed and functional. However, every time I engaged the tremolo, it would slide out of the notches and crash to the surface of the guitar. I tried 4 times, removing - verifying I could not see any damage to knife edge nor screw slots - reinstalling, and same thing. So in desperation I made the trek to the Vault.
I planned to call in advance, but got hit with a few things first thing in the morning. As I pulled into driveway, I thought "Doh! I forgot to call!" Oh well, I'll just leave it there if needed and fetch it next weekend.
Nope!
As I explained my situation to the only other person working there today, I hear a faint "tell him bring it in!" from inside. Thus, I was introduced to John Mann. Who, he himself, decided to reinstall and correct whatever blunder I got myself into. While at it, I mentioned I would have preferred the black nickel finish rather than nickel, but he had been out of stock for a while. Well they do now have them in stock, so we switched to the black to better match the overall vibe of this guitar.
One thing he mentioned, and said he may have to make an updated or additional video - It seems the SE guitars are machined for most everything, but they drill the holes for the bridge screws by hand. So sometimes, they are not aligned correctly. He checked mine and they were true - so that wasn't my problem. Not sure what exactly was, but the bridge he installed for me is working flawlessly. Guess it just needed his touch, or he's too nice to tell my that I screwed up.
While there I asked when his raffle drawing is, Nov 11 is the date. So he let me go up and see the prize - O.M.G. the grain on that guitar is amazing in person! He mentioned there were still a few tickets left, so if you haven't bought one - DO IT!
While we were chatting, I mentioned I've wanted to try a Horsemeat pedal, but haven't found any near me. He had them in stock as well, so I played through a gorgeous Sweet 16 amp (and wisely did not ask for a price on it (breath, breath, all is ok)). Picked up the pedal though, and now at home it sounds awesome with the HDRX 20! There are also 2 guitars on the wall that triggered a Lazlo-like dual voice debate in my head. One side said BUY ONE! and the other side said "Wait until first paycheck as permanent employee now that contract is ended!!!" Of course, John chimed in with "Buy them both! We do 6 month interest free financing!"
My 2nd voice won (for now) and I left with just the Horsemeat and my fixed SE CE24. But if I don't win that raffle, he's only 2 hours away and has that 6 month plan, and that amp! ...
tldr;
Had a great time at John Mann's Guitar Vault - had to tell the tale.