I chose this dealer based on their informative website which I found helpful for comparing the sound of guitars I was looking to purchase. After a brief discussion and a tour of the Martin Guitar Factory I decided to spend 50K on four (4) Martin Custom Shop Guitars with the idea of buying two (2) more at even higher prices if I was happy with the first Four (4).
The process of ordering a custom guitar was new to me. I explained this to Paul at Music Villa that and told him that price was no object. Paul provided me with a configuration that he said was the ultimate setup. However, upon doing research I quickly found out there were many things Paul at Music Villa and the Martin Custom Shop failed to tell me. In fact, I discovered that Paul at Music Villa misled me on quite a few things. Details like 100% Hide Glue Construction which makes a substantial difference in sound quality, Quarter Sawn Wood vs. Flat Sawn which makes a huge difference in the long term stability of the guitar and the horrible torrefied “cooked wood" option which kills the sound of the guitar which both Paul at Music Villa and Martin were pushing on me.
About a week after ordering the guitars and after doing my research, I called to make some upgrades to my order. Bear in mind, I was spending much more money on the upgrades I was requesting, probably in the range of $3,000 plus per guitar. Instead of being treated fairly like a good customer, the response I received was shocking. Paul at Music Villa was annoyed and practically yelled at me for making changes to my order. He told me he had never had to do so much work for a custom guitar order. I found this strange since it took him 30 minutes to sell me $50,000 worth of guitars and another 30 minutes to answer my questions and make a few changes (upgrades) on my order.
Needless to say, I quickly realized that I was dealing with a self-entitled, egotistical and self-centered individual who had very poor people skills and even worse customer service skills. I expressed my disappointment with the fact that he was annoyed even though he agreed my upgrades would be a major improvement to the guitars. I figured maybe I embarrassed him by pointing out things he should have told me in the first place and wrote it off to his ego and odd personality in general. All I know is that I wanted was simple … the best sounding guitars possible for the money I was spending.
I decided to be nice when I explained my position and was very careful not to portray the disgust and disappointment I actually felt based on how I was being treated. I knew what I was dealing and clam intelligence and practical logic would only make matters worse. His uncalled for rage and emotional reaction was not something I felt like feeding in to. I remember actually feeling sad for Paul at Music Villa because it was obvious this was not a man who had passion for his profession. Guitars to him seemed like a commodity item.
Since I had another unrelated project going with Martin, I did not wanting to start trouble with Paul, Music Villa or C.F. Martin Guitar & Co. I just wanted to get my guitars built. I figured Music Villa is just a conduit to Martin and it would not really not matter much since my interaction with Paul at Music Villa would be minimal from that point forward.
However, to my surprise, I received an e-mail well after my phone communication from Paul at Music Villa. He said he was no longer going to sell me the guitars. I was surprised to hear this but I reminded him that he had a signed agreement with me that stated I could not cancel … nor could he. He reluctantly backed down and stopped threatening to keep my guitars.
Then about 8 months after I ordered and 1 month prior to receiving the guitars I had waited so long for, I received another e-mail form Paul at Music Villa He once again stated that he refused to sell me the guitars. This time he said he did not care about any contract i had with him or with C.F. Martin & Co. I called and e-mailed C.F. Martin & Co. about this and they never even responded.
Paul at Music Villa not only took my guitars but called C.F. Martin and had them cancel my other non-related deal … which he knew about. Needless to say, both Paul at Music Villa and C.F. Martin & Co. leave a lot to be desired.
Maybe I am wrong but spending 50K on four (4) guitars with the idea of buying two (2) more at even higher prices if I was happy seems like an OK customer to have in my book. However, I guess the Martin Custom Shop and their Dealers see it differently. I am extremely disappointed in the treatment by Martin and their Music Villa. I believe I would have had a different and more positive experience if I went to a reputable dealer like Elderly Instruments which has a fine reputation.
Music Villa Reviews
I chose this dealer based on their informative website which I found helpful for comparing the sound of guitars I was looking to purchase. After a brief discussion and a tour of the Martin Guitar Factory I decided to spend 50K on four (4) Martin Custom Shop Guitars with the idea of buying two (2) more at even higher prices if I was happy with the first Four (4).
The process of ordering a custom guitar was new to me. I explained this to Paul at Music Villa that and told him that price was no object. Paul provided me with a configuration that he said was the ultimate setup. However, upon doing research I quickly found out there were many things Paul at Music Villa and the Martin Custom Shop failed to tell me. In fact, I discovered that Paul at Music Villa misled me on quite a few things. Details like 100% Hide Glue Construction which makes a substantial difference in sound quality, Quarter Sawn Wood vs. Flat Sawn which makes a huge difference in the long term stability of the guitar and the horrible torrefied “cooked wood" option which kills the sound of the guitar which both Paul at Music Villa and Martin were pushing on me.
About a week after ordering the guitars and after doing my research, I called to make some upgrades to my order. Bear in mind, I was spending much more money on the upgrades I was requesting, probably in the range of $3,000 plus per guitar. Instead of being treated fairly like a good customer, the response I received was shocking. Paul at Music Villa was annoyed and practically yelled at me for making changes to my order. He told me he had never had to do so much work for a custom guitar order. I found this strange since it took him 30 minutes to sell me $50,000 worth of guitars and another 30 minutes to answer my questions and make a few changes (upgrades) on my order.
Needless to say, I quickly realized that I was dealing with a self-entitled, egotistical and self-centered individual who had very poor people skills and even worse customer service skills. I expressed my disappointment with the fact that he was annoyed even though he agreed my upgrades would be a major improvement to the guitars. I figured maybe I embarrassed him by pointing out things he should have told me in the first place and wrote it off to his ego and odd personality in general. All I know is that I wanted was simple … the best sounding guitars possible for the money I was spending.
I decided to be nice when I explained my position and was very careful not to portray the disgust and disappointment I actually felt based on how I was being treated. I knew what I was dealing and clam intelligence and practical logic would only make matters worse. His uncalled for rage and emotional reaction was not something I felt like feeding in to. I remember actually feeling sad for Paul at Music Villa because it was obvious this was not a man who had passion for his profession. Guitars to him seemed like a commodity item.
Since I had another unrelated project going with Martin, I did not wanting to start trouble with Paul, Music Villa or C.F. Martin Guitar & Co. I just wanted to get my guitars built. I figured Music Villa is just a conduit to Martin and it would not really not matter much since my interaction with Paul at Music Villa would be minimal from that point forward.
However, to my surprise, I received an e-mail well after my phone communication from Paul at Music Villa. He said he was no longer going to sell me the guitars. I was surprised to hear this but I reminded him that he had a signed agreement with me that stated I could not cancel … nor could he. He reluctantly backed down and stopped threatening to keep my guitars.
Then about 8 months after I ordered and 1 month prior to receiving the guitars I had waited so long for, I received another e-mail form Paul at Music Villa He once again stated that he refused to sell me the guitars. This time he said he did not care about any contract i had with him or with C.F. Martin & Co. I called and e-mailed C.F. Martin & Co. about this and they never even responded.
Paul at Music Villa not only took my guitars but called C.F. Martin and had them cancel my other non-related deal … which he knew about. Needless to say, both Paul at Music Villa and C.F. Martin & Co. leave a lot to be desired.
Maybe I am wrong but spending 50K on four (4) guitars with the idea of buying two (2) more at even higher prices if I was happy seems like an OK customer to have in my book. However, I guess the Martin Custom Shop and their Dealers see it differently. I am extremely disappointed in the treatment by Martin and their Music Villa. I believe I would have had a different and more positive experience if I went to a reputable dealer like Elderly Instruments which has a fine reputation.