On the 19th of January 2011, I placed an order my first custom built guitar. After doing a heap of research online and checking out many forum posts and YouTube videos, I decided to buy my guitar from Brian Smiles Estes aka Big B Smiles of RnB Custom Guitars.
Initially I contacted Brian several times, asking if I could get an S-style guitar built, and what the quality of the guitar would be like compared to a Fender, because, at the time I had my eye on a Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster, he assured me that the guitar I would receive from him would be equal, if not better that a Fender Custom Shop guitar, Yippee I thought. A one of a kind, custom made guitar, built just for me, and it is going to cost less that a Fender Custom Shop.
After a long, 9 month wait, yes I waited nine months for my order, I finally received my guitar. Below are some pics of the guitar I received. I will leave it up to you to decide whether or not it is as good as a Fender Custom shop, as I was originally promised by Brian.
First up, lets have a look at the neck joint.
My RnB custom guitar neck joint.
My RnB custom guitar neck joint x2
My RnB custom guitar neck joint x3
My RnB custom guitar neck joint top view
My RnB custom guitar neck joint bottom view
The String Tree.
Next, I would like you to have a look at the placement of the string tree, this is amazing. The first pics are taken with the strings under the guides of the string tree.
My RnB custom guitar headstock and string tree
My RnB custom guitar headstock and string tree x2.jpg
Now, we’ll look at the placement of the string tree when the strings run from the nut, straight through to the tuners 
My RnB custom guitar headstock and string tree placement
My RnB custom guitar headstock and stringtree placement x2
My RnB custom guitar headstock and stringtree placement x3
A close-up look at the positioning of the tuning pegs…
My RnB custom guitar tuners placement
The Guitar was Shipped with the Tremolo Arm Screwed into the Bridge
The big arc you can see in the next pic was caused by the tremolo arm. The guitar was shipped in a soft Fender gig bag, inside of a Fender Squire cardboard box with the tremolo arm screwed into the bridge. Which I am assuming why the tremolo arm was bent on arrival, so when I tried unscrewing the arm, because it was bent, the angle caused it to be pressed hard up against the body, causing the paint to be indented, bruised or however you would describe the damage.
The trem block was also damaged, the thread inside of the hole for the tremolo arm was elongated, rendering the tremolo unusable.
My RnB custom guitar-tremolo damage
my RnB custom guitar damaged trem block
My RnB Custom Guitar was shipped in a Fender Squire box
My RnB Custom Guitar was shipped in a Fender Squire box- Address label
The String Spacing
If you haven’t picked up on it already from the pics of the string tree above, have a close look at how the strings sit on the nut.
My RnB custom guitar string spacing
My RnB custom guitar string spacing x2
I got a bit technical with the next photos, using a set of digital verniers to measure the inside spacing between strings. I know that having an exact string space between six strings would be impossible and not entirely practical, but I will leave it up to you to decide whether or not the variations in string spacings here is “Custom Shop Quality” or not. The measurements you see are in inches.
My RnB custom guitar string spacing e and b strings
My RnB custom guitar string spacing b and g strings
My RnB custom guitar string spacing g and d strings
My RnB custom guitar string spacing d and a strings
My RnB custom guitar string spacing d and a strings
So there you have it, my custom built guitar by Brian Smiles Estes of www.rnbcustomguitars.com.
I did contact Big B Smiles after receiving the guitar, asking for a refund, but he rejected that idea. He did however offer to build me a new guitar on the condition I send this one back, but, I would have to pay all of the freight costs involved, which would of set me back at least another $500.00 to ship this one back to the U.S. and have a new one shipped to Australia, I rejected that offer.
I have since repainted the body, replaced the different sized screws that were used for screwing on the pick guard, for screws that are all of the same size and appearance, as well as replaced the pick up height adjustment screws, so they are also all of the same size.
Here are some pics of the original screws used to screw on the pick guard.
my RnB custom guitar pick guard screws
my RnB custom guitar pick guard screws
I also had to replace the bridge, a friend has very kindly given me a Callaham bridge. Thanks Bert, your a very generous friend, I appreciate your friendship and generosity a lot.
and finally…
In all fairness to Brian, the parts used were of a good quality, the Klein pick-ups sound amazing, the Kluson deluxe tuners are very cool and he did do a great job of wiring up the guitar, but it’s obvious that the Allparts neck that was used on this guitar was second hand, I kinda figured that from the fret ware on the second and third frets. I did take a photo, but you can’t see it from the image.
If you have any questions about the quality of this particular guitar then you can contact Big B Smiles aka Brian Estes via his website, or eBay shop.
Hi there,
I am still waiting for my RnB relic strat. I placed my order in Dec ’10.
Have been concerned of late, as communication has stopped and a lot of rnb/Brian’s online presence has also disappeared. Seeing your review has left me shocked, is this really what he is putting out. Disgusting, and sounds like resolving the issues has not been as you should expected from somebody who has taken a large chunk of your money.
I have filed a claim with Paypal, though not hopeful as it’s a long time since I paid, but if you can provide anything from your dealings to support that, I would appreciate it.
Cheers,
Steve.
Hi Steve,
Sorry to hear about the issues you are also having. It sounds like there are more and more clients of Brian’s who have been left high and dry.
It doesn’t sound good with the PayPal issue, another guy, Peter, made a comment on my follow up post saying that there is a 45 day period where you can make a claim, after that all PayPal can do is help in supporting a criminal prosecution.
You can read that comment here…
http://rhythmicguitar.com/1123/fixing-my-custom-built-rnb-custom-guitar/#comment-2894
The site http://rnbcustomguitars.com has been “suspended”. I wonder why???
Hi, I am in the same boat; placed an order for a custom strat on the 21st of April and still nothing. Brian promised me several times to email me at least some photos of work supposedly already done but all correspondence seems to have stopped now.
I did point this website out to him and he replied that Jeremy was sent a 2nd hand guitar and not a custom guitar from him because he was too impatient…
Feel free to contact me Jeremy and I can send you the whole message from Brian…
It does seem like he has decided to disappear at least for the time being…
Cheers,
Rolf
Hi Rolf,
thanks for your feedback. Brian definitely sent me a secondhand neck, I can confirm that, not sure about the rest of the parts though, but I can assure you that is not what I ordered.
I am not sure what he means by impatient, I have the PayPal receipt in my inbox from the deposit I made on the 19th of Jan 2011, I didn’t get the guitar until after a week it landed here in Australia on the 28th of Sept, 2011. I suppose if waiting nine months for a guitar that was only supposed to take three months is impatient, then I guess I am guilty of that one.
No need to send me the email. I have enough of Brian’s emails in my inbox
Thanks again Rolf for sharing your experience with the rest of us, I sure hope you can work with Big B to get your custom made guitar or your money back, I tried.
If any of you are UK based and paid on a credit card, you can try and invoke Section 75 of the consumer credit act with your card provider, as it offers protection for this kind of thing.
I’ve done it before and been paid out, so that’s what I’ll be trying.
A lot of card providers will say that as you paid Paypal and they held up their end of the bargain (by transferring funds), you don’t have anything to claim against, however, some card providers still consider this type of transaction as fitting the criteria and will refund you.
Steve.
I’ve bought a 54 Tele and a 64 Strat from Brian. Both are great guitars, although I would say that the Strat, that was built this year, is not quite so good. The main point is that they were at least half the price of Fender Custom Shop and nowhere near half as good, especially in sound and playability. I’ve got no complaints.
Cheers
Graham
So Graham,
could you tell us how long was the actual waiting period for these both guitars?
Cheers, Carsten
(…ordering on 13 July – still waiting)
Hello Carston
The Tele was already built when I bought it. The Strat took approx. 4 months from first contact, to it arriving in the UK. It took me another month to get it out of Custom’s but that wasn’t RnH’s fault.
Cheers
Graham
I ordered an S-series guitar from Brian in late January 2011. It took a full eight months for him to finish and deliver the guitar (when he said it would take 2-3 months), and that is after devolving to threatening behavior (complaints via PayPal, threatening to file a criminal complaint with the Internet Fraud Task Force, and even threatening a lawsuit). This was certainly disconcerting, and unfortunately PayPal can’t do anything meaningful after your 45-day window closes.
That said, I was happy with the guitar once it was finally delivered. There was a very minor chip in the bone nut, but otherwise the instrument was well constructed and I only needed to apply some minor tweaks to get the instrument to my liking. The guitar is extremely playable and sounds incredible. From reading some of the comments on this page, perhaps I was lucky to get was I got?
Over the months, I had many conversations with Brian about the delays, and I understand he’s had some health and workshop issues, and in all fairness, he builds these guitars alone. That may not necessary excuse the lengthy delays, but perhaps it does speak to what’s going on. I also got the feeling that he takes on more work than he can handle at one time… but I’d venture to say that most businesses do this (not that that makes it acceptable).
Had I found this page *before* I ordered my guitar, I may have gone in a different direction… but still, most of the posts here are on the negative side. You *can* find many very positive posts about his work, and it was from those that I made my decision to go with RnB.
All things said, Brian built an amazing guitar for me, and I am entirely satisfied with the instrument. My recommendation is to understand that the nature of Brian’s small, personal operation may contribute to product and process inconsistency, but that he is surely capable of building very fine instruments.
The fact that he’s overbooked and had health issues is no excuse. HE is responsible for knowing his workload limitations. If he truly has “heart problems”, I’d be curious to know if this is a situation that just recently surfaced, or, as it usually the case in valid cardiac illnesses, it’s been an ongoing issue.
The bottom line is he accepted the money with full knowledge of his responsibilities. If he’s overextended himself, or simply accepted orders to bring in some case with the idea that he’ll deal with the customers’ complaints later, then he’s engaged in fraudulent activity and is liable for all of the consequences that entails.
I hope everyone can resolve this to his or her satisfaction, but I can’t honestly feel to optimistic about it . . .
I bought a RnBcustom guitar from Brian in Jan 2011 from ebay.After 9 mounths of waiting and dealing with ebay I was finally ship my guitar.Now my custom order was a 50′s style Tele with a lot of relicing.When I finaly recived it,it was what I ask for.Their was some small things wrong.I had to resucure the plug pot,the intination was out.Nothing my guitar tec couldent fix.As for the alinment of all the hardwear and tuners.Perfect.Brian does build quilty.Looks great,sounds awsome.I did take it to a local,reputable music store and they belive it to be a late 50,s early 60,s.Except for the wait and the fear of being riped off for 9 months.I am over all happy.I under stand your frustion.By the sounds of it,I got lucky.1300 $ is not something to be lucky with.I hope you are still trying to work with Brian to resolve your concernce.
Hey, thats great that you got your guitar, maybe some of the others will get shipped soon. Sounds like i ordered about the same guitar at about the same time as you and my name is also Steve, still waiting after 50 weeks. Looks like he is no longer registerd with Ebay, thats scary!!
No hope in working with him unless he answers his emails.
Yikes! I’m sorry to hear that Brian has dropped off eBay and is no longer answering emails. If it’s of any help, here are some phone numbers I had for him at which I was occasionally able to reach him (or that he called me from):
- 386.308.5343
- 386.562.5505
Those are US phone numbers, area code first. I don’t remember which was his shop vs. which was his cell/home, but they were both his numbers (assuming they’re still working). I was rarely able to catch him live on either phone… he usually was the one to call me back (and I always answered his call on the first ring since I was freaked out that I stood to lose all the $$$ I had paid for the instrument).
I sincerely hope things turn out well for you all who are still waiting for your guitars. Like the last Steve posted, it took forever to get the guitar, but it was very well done and with just some minor refinements, setup, etc., it’s a wonderfully playable, monstrously toneful instrument.
- GD
Hi Steve..I had to phone ebay and they got in touch with him.They should have a file on him,so maybe thay can help that way.The other is the Attic Guitar is or was a dealer for him.Randy is a friend of his.He also has FB page…Hope that helps…
Thanks Gregg, i know he does good work and am hoping he gets it together. The phone numbers are no longer in use so i assume he has changed those, the first number had a message that it was a magic jack number and it was not assigned to a customer yet. The second number is no longer in use. Thanks for the looking out.
Steven D hAYES….
PAID Bryan $1200.00 for a S-Build back in March 2011. No pics as promised, no email returns after I paid the cash. Won’t answer calls or emails. Have not heard from him since. I asked for a refund many times with no reply. I am a loss for words.
I’m in France and I ordered a Strat 5 month ago and he promise me shipping for Christmas after many mails I send and no hear from him since. Guitar Attic have no contact with him…
Hey Guys, i just called Paypal and filed a complaint.
Paypal also said we should call the internet fraud task force but i dont want to unless i have to but i will if it will help.
I am still trying to email Brian but still contact since dec 13 2011. He does know about this blog and mentiond back in november that it was making his life hell and he cant sleep at night worring about getting everybodys guitars to them so i dont know how much good this is doing about getting our guitars.
Brian Estes:
If you are losing sleep over this blog, maybe you should get it touch with us and give us all some evidence that you are in fact working on our guitars, so that we would start leaving some positive comments here? Just a thought…
any one order one in red ?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RELIC-STRATOCASTER-RnB-CUSTOM-RELIC-FIESTA-RED-WITH-ROSEWOOD-FINGERBOARD/230729381732?ssPageName=WDVW&rd=1&ih=013&category=33034&cmd=ViewItem#ht_527wt_1189
Very sorry to be reading this, I also purchased a custom relic from Brian last year via ebay. sounds like everyone goes thru the same thing, a promise to have the guitar in 2-3 months and then nothing but excuses. I’m sorry but I have no respect whatsoever for this guy, total sack of s**t liar as far as i’m concerned. My saving grace was that i put the purchase on a credit card when i paid via paypal, and when i did not even see pics of my guitar after 18 weeks i filed a dispute with my cc company. they immediately charged back paypal, so paypal was forced to deal with it! mr. estes was not very happy, believe me
all i can say is best of luck to all of you that have been swindled by this cat, i am posting this in hopes that it may keep someone else from being ripped off down the road…
Hi everyone. It seems I’m on the same boat with most people here. Ordered on back in May 2011. No update/pictures or any sorts as promised. Only short reluctant replies about ‘things getting done soon’. I managed to somehow requested that Brian send over the parts that he used my deposit to pay with. He agreed. Yet, until now still no confirmation of shipment of those parts. He seemed to disappear and not responding to emails anymore. Anyone got in touch with him lately? Such bummer.
Hi David, i have emailed Brian every few days for over a month now with no replys. The last i heard from Brian was December 13. It will be exactly one year tomorrow that i have waited. I ordered my guitar 01-23-2011.
I just want to say that i do own a strat that Brian built for me in 2010. The completion time on that guitar was about 8 months. He stayed in contact with me and sent pics untill the guitar was done and he did a good job on the guitar, it is a seafoam 59 strat. I really liked the guitar he made so i ordered a tele. I knew it would take several months but i was ok with that as long as i knew it was coming. Brian seems to always have excuses and problems when he gets behind but it seems this time he has went into hiding. My guess is that a lot of people filed claims after waiting so long and that has shut him down on ebay and his website. I have filed a dispute with paypal and ebay but is been so long and i payed with a paypal balance i dought there is much they will do unless more people complain. I have also reported him to he IC3, maybe they will find somthing out.
I am heartbroken over this and trusted Brian to do the right thing but it is out of my hands.
If anybody hears anything let me know.
Steven Hayes……
Thank you for information on this web site.
After I red all of your comment, I finally decided to claim a file with Paypal.
F.Y.I.
Paypal will not refund after 45 days of transaction.
Bank (Paypal thru) does not refund any fraud transaction after 60 days.
I am in stuck… now!
File a claim with the internet fraud task force(IC3.GOV) The more people that do this the better.
I am going to call paypal again and complain because this was a preorder and nobody that ordered from him could have any protection.
There has got to be somthing they can do after so many has filed disputes. I ordered my guitar one year today so i feel your pain.
NOTE: if you used a credit card during your PayPal transaction, it’s possible that your credit card company may be able to help you settle out your loss in your favor and/or reimburse you.
If you used a bank transfer (as I did), you are at the mercy of the universe to get your guitar or a refund since PayPal only offers a refund within 45 days of purchase… and Brian’s business operates on a “pre-order”-type basis wherein it will take at least “2-3 months” to deliver the guitar (so it is advertised). It took 10 months for me to receive my guitar (ordered January 2011, delivered October 2011), and that was likely expedited after I freaked out, filed a PayPal complaint, and threatened both a IC3 complaint and a small claims lawsuit.
The “business/order model” for these guitars has the built-in effect of ensuring that PayPal will never be able to help you get your goods or your money back… and it is a flaw that eBay is surely aware and should address. I learned a good lesson in that I will never order a “custom” product through eBay that will take more than 40 days to build *and* deliver… it’s likely safer to work with someone local who you can drop in on.
It’s regrettable to hear that so many people are in the dark and at a loss. I hope Brian can work through his backlog and make good on his orders with you. I do love the guitar he built for me, but given the recent developments… I wouldn’t feel comfortable placing a new order.
Steven and Gregg,
Thank you for your comment.
I used a bank account for Paypal payment at that time.
Because Paypal always push me to use bank account for withdarwing money.
Anyway, I came up an idea to find him and will do in this week… Please wait for my update…
I file a claim with the internet fraud task force last week IC3. It’s only what I can do in France…
Everyone,
I filed a claim at IC3.gov and requested “House check” with Holly Hill police department.
I counted there are 9 potential customers waiting for a guitar.
Jermey,
Thank you for giving us a place where we can share an update of RnB Guitars.
I hope you will keep this BBS open and help us for getting a right guitar… or …something?!
Thank you all for posting – Have been following this blog for awhile now but wanted to chime in. This gives some hope that I might get my guitar that was paid and ordered last March 2011. I have also filed a internet fraud claim a few months back but have had no movement with that – of course have sent many email requests to Brian, asked for a refund, spoke with paypal and my bank but was past the 3 months for them to dispute. Will also contact the Holly Hill police dept and file a complaint too. What Brian did and is doing is inexcusable and criminal and just wrong and a waste of our time try to track down what we paid for. Since he had a good rep back in the day we all blindly trusted him. Oh well sometimes lessons are learned the hard way. It’s just nice that we have this support forum and Jeremy thank you for opening it and allowing us to vent and share our experiences!
Actually, Holly Hill police dept said it is not within a city limit and asked me to contact to
Volusia County Sheriff’s Office
L.E.S. – District 3 (Holly Hill)
999 3rd Street
Holly Hill, FL 32117
386-323-0151
The, I did, but no answer yet…
Also, a claim to Paypal again with following message:
1. This business was made to order.
2. If the seller shows his intention of delivery,
We can not say it is a fraud.
3. If the Paypal does not help these case, they need to indicate “Paypal will not take a claim after 45 days” and “Please do not use Paypal for long lead time purchasing” with red highlited color in everywhere.
4. Do not prompt any disadvantage for using credit card payment at payment confirmation screen… bra bra bra..
Will update if I get any !
You can add me to the list as well. I ordered a Relic Strat back in October 2010 to Sweden, and all I have gotten are poor excuses and empty promises.
I think I will head on over to IC3, and see if I can register something there, and also try Visa for any kind of refund. Because, really people, don’t you think it’s long past the point where we are going to see any custom made guitars turning up at the door-step.
It’s really sad when someone slips like this…
I’ll keep checking in to see if there is any development.
Wow. So you have been waiting about 15 months. I have been waiting over a year also. When was the last time you heard from Brian? The last email i got was 12-13-2011. Ordered 01-23-2011. This blog is the only news i get and am very thankful for everybodys effort in getting these issues resolved if possible.
Steven Hayes………
Thankfully I didn’t get involved. Almost but decided to wait. What you guys could do is file a lawsuit claim with on of those TV shows. Like Judge Alex or People’s Court or Judge Judy. There are several others. I know someone who did just that a few years back thru the People’s Court show. They were ripped like this. The Television show actually tracked the would be defendant down. Sent him a summons to appear. You’d have to sue and be on TV. But may it would be worth it. Just a thought.
FOUND HIM!
His county sheriff office took my complain and found him,then interviewed.
I can not disclose all of information at here, but he promised investigator to complete all outstanding order.
But, he can not tell when it is complete due to his current situation.
The officer (investigator) also advised him to contact with all of outstanding customers.
This request is officially filed at his county sheriff office and numbered. If we do not hear or see any movement from him, we can get together and pursue him anytime.
I guess thats why he posted on the other blog of jeremys.
If you have not read it yet check it out.
Good job and thank you very much……..
Steve,
Yes, I asked him to come here!
Because it is easier than replying individual e-mails.
What is his condition?
To all you guys, when I started the ebay guitar special price deal it was so players and enthusiasts alike could afford a good quality S or T style guitar unlike the big name (Fender)that charges 0ver 3K. If the selling price is $999.99 and ebay and paypal collectively take a Hundred Seventy and the parts run me (since I am not a large guitar facaility)$650.00 to $700.00 it does not leave a lot of cash flow. Thats what it took to keep em rolling out the door at such a great price! Anyway now I have many dissapointed guys waiting for guitars that have not gotten finished. One of the setbacks has been my health, Besides a new pacemaker/defibulator that has knocked the dirt out of me and slowed me down a bit, the stress of getting further behind now has caused me to lose sleep because its on my mind 24-7. I have an enlarged heart with congestive heart failure and the doctors said they cannot operate. The only thing they can do is try and get me a heart transplant. For now I am going down the list of who is actually 1st in line and then on til they are all done. Completing guitars 1 at a time until everyone of you guys out there gets them. It is overwhelming for me right now to talk on the phone. So what I am saying is, if you ordered a guitar you will get it. I am doing all that I can to make it happen and as I told the investigator from the sherriffs office, I did not start selling these guitars on ebay to rip anybody off or cause so much heartache and due to my unfortunate set of circumstances I will do all in my power to make things right and guys I started selling these not to get rich by any means but because when they were coming out on time they made people happy. I truley apologize for making you all unhappy. I gotta just do them know per date ordered until they are all nicely done and you get what you paid for. I don’t want to give up yet. The chips are down. No one has ordered a guitar since the blog comments literally killing any cash flow so its a very hard situation and I will do the very best I can to get them finished and out to you guys.
Brian,
while I have the deepest sympathy for your health problems…..where are the promised pics of work done on my guitar?
I have several emails from you promising me photos tomorrow…..that was months ago.
If you have nearly finished my guitar as you said in several emails….why don’t you keep your promise and at least send me the photos?
Rolf
Brian, your health being in the situation it’s in is truly a sad state of affairs, and I would be confident in saying that everyone wishes you all the best in regards to regaining your health.
I also want to say publicly that these blog posts were never intended to be any kind of vendetta against you, but to merely educate the buying public of the quality of guitars you produced, mainly the guitar you sent me.
When I published these two posts, I had no way of knowing that there were so many people who have been let down by you, which really has surprised me.
…but what I want to know is, why did you send me the guitar you sent, why did you ship it with the tremolo screwed into the bridge, why was my guitar so badly built that it basically had to be rebuilt?
Brian, I was more than happy to come to a mutually beneficial solution to resolve the situation, you know that. I was even happy to pay another $150US to return the guitar to you, on top of the money already paid to get the guitar I originally ordered and you promised I would get.
The fact that you are not charging enough was never my problem. Brian, if you go back through our emails you might even see that I paid you directly, I ordered through your website, so excessive ebay fees should have never been a consideration with my order.
The fact is you took no responsibility for the poor workmanship you produced on my guitar, and the emails you sent after me publishing the pictures of the guitar you built me were appalling to say the least, not to mention the mail you sent Rolf.
I honestly don’t know why you thought the guitar you sent me would be acceptable, especially after you promised I would get a guitar equal too or better than a FCS.
Brian, I even told you that I would be publishing pictures onto the internet before the guitar was even finished, did you not read your emails?
I can not speak for everyone who is owed a guitar by you, but I am sure every one would be happy to wait if they knew what was actually happening with their orders. ie; updates with pics and so on.
I don’t think there is any doubt in our minds that you are more than capable of producing great quality guitars at a good price, which is why I was so surprised by my guitar, and to be honest Brian, most people would probably be happy to wait a reasonable length of time for a custom built guitar if they were informed and kept up to date of the progress of their order.
I’m sorry to say Brian, but the fact that this situation has escalated to the point it has, is no ones fault but your own.
That’s nice to finally have some kinda of official statement from Brian. Indeed sincere sympathy for his health and what he’s going through. However, just like most people here, we are all frustrated over the situation. Let’s just hope that Brian really abides to his words this time and get his orders done. I personally do not think Brian is bad guy or scammer. He might get more on his hands than he can handle and lack communication.
For my case, I’ve given up hope to actually have a new guitar (I went out and bought something else instead). All I asked was for Brian to send the parts that he used my deposit to buy them with. I’ll try to recover bits and pieces of my loss through the parts. He finally replied my email yesterday and asked me for my date of order so that he can see exactly what he’s supposed to send me. I replied with the list of parts I expect to receive. I just hope he really fulfills what he says this time round. He agreed to send the parts over way back in December 2011 and nothing yet until now.
I wish everyone all the best and let’s hope things will come to an end soon somehow.
Brian, you promised me that the guitar would be ready for Christmas and I asked you if you were sur. I told you I was going to sell my Les Paul and my old Strat and I was going to be without gear since you said me the guitar will be done. I can’t wait months and if the situation will takes a long time I would a full refound brian.
Thanks you all guys.
Brian, this is Darrell in Houston, Tx. I have not waited as long as some of these guys on thier builds. Its been almost 8 months. You know I am a tube amp tech and I build, repair old pre CBS **Fender tube amps. I know the business of what you and I do very well. Sometimes we take on to much work and it is overwhelming to us. I have learned that communication is key here. I have found that just a phone call to a client does wonders, when I have fallen behind on thier amp build. When working with voltages around 370 Volts AC or 460 Volts DC I can’t get into a hurry or no one’s amp will get completed. People DO understand problems arise, these clients want the best product we can build and that is why they have choosen me or you.
I am a one to two people small business like you. If you need any help on any of these S/T builds, call me and I can possibly help you. I can sacrifice some time to make this all go away. Never send a client an unsatisfactory product because you were in a hurry. Working under strict dead lines in this business is not a good practice. Just make the phone calls or emails.
**
I am not affiliated with (c)Fender Musical Equipment.
Brian,
firstly, if your health problems are genuine, then I truly do sympathise, and hope you are not working against your doctor’s wishes, and also have adequate insurance!
I have a couple of points/requests to make after reading your response.
- Can you post on this blog the list of people waiting for guitars, starting from first in line for a guitar, to last in line? If you are worried about protecting individual’s personal details, then you could use first name and last name initial (so for me – Stephen G), so we can see we’re on the list, but full details aren’t made public. This list would also enable us to track progress, no doubt a number of people on the list will confirm through this blog when they have received their guitars. It also has the added benefit of removing some of the burden from you of communicating progress through the list to those still waiting.
- Would it be possible to take some time out of the day from building guitars and to use it instead on emailing the pics and progress reports promised to a number of people. I think this will go a long way towards satisfying those who haven’t filed for a refund and are still holding out for a guitar.
- As you have stated you will do what you can to make things right, can you extend that and confirm to me, for my own order, that at some stage you intend to refund the outstanding $129 I’m still out? I have been refunded by VISA for the majority of what I paid, however, I have not received the amount that was from my Paypal balance.
Regards,
Steve.
Hi Everyone,
I’m also one of the people who order a S guitar and am still waiting since last March – so almost a year now.
Emailed Brian a few weeks back but no word and a month before that too a few times. Saw his posting here so decided to emailed him again yesterday and hoping to hear back soon. If anyone gets a response or hears somethings please let us know and I will do the same.
It’s good to know that he is acknowledging that he is backlogged and has promised everyone who order and paid for a guitar a delivery in the near future. When that is we don’t know. I’m still waiting for pictures promised as most of you are. I do feel for him and his health but this trying to get a hold of him and no emails back and lack of communication is taking it’s toll on the buyers and are patience is wearing thin. Anyways it’s just good to know that we all can at least communicate here and hopefully get some resolve to all this.
Scott
I am with Stephen on getting the wait list posted on this blog.
That would not take to much time at all and really show that brian is serious about his intentions. I have been waiting a little over a year and have heard every excuse since september why my guitar is not done. I emailed Brian last night and stated that if i dont get proof that this guitar is done or almost done i want a full refund or the police will be called again. I am truely sorry to hear that Brian is having health problems as we all are but it is always somthing with him. I am sorry but i have a hard time believing anything that brian says about getting these guitars done and want more then just a promise.
There are a lot of people here including me that will stand by Brian and try to help if he will just be honest and try to communicate when he can.
I hope you can do this Brian, it would really help and get you out of alot of stress.
Steven D Hayes…
Hello guys,
I’m sure I came here much in the same way many of you did…. I typed in a search online when I realized that Brian’s site has been shut down, his paypal is suspended and still no communication.
I ordered a guitar from Brian in August 2011, so it’s not as bad as it is for some of you guys, but still extremely frustrating to have over 1K tied up for that long. This guitar was to be used for specific demos that I have been waiting to do. I understand that Brian’s health is an issue currently, but from the sound of things, when I ordered this guitar he was still quite sick and very far behind. It would have been nice to have known that I wouldn’t have it in the 6 to 8 weeks like he said. Because he did not disclose this, I am a bit weary of what is truly happening here. He told me 6 to 8 weeks when this was obviously not the case…… so, I was lied to.
I tried lodging a complaint with paypal, but since it has been so long, they will not do anything. I have emailed Brian asking for a full refund immediately, so I will let you know what happens. I guess my next course would be to contact my credit card company, but I am worried that it has been too long.
Please keep me posted on any new happenings with Mr. Estes……
Bryan, I have a TEXT message from you dating November 24th 2011, You messaged me that you were in California doing some HIGH $$$ GIGS, and that you wouldnt be home for a while. When you got home my guitar would be ready the following week. You had already given me a completion date of Nov 16th 2011. Then why were you out of town getting paid BIG $$$ for gigs when that week you told me you collapsed from a enlarged heart? Something about all of this just don’t sound right. For me, or all of the other people that paid you thousands of dollars. I want you to email me or call asap.
I got a response from the email I sent Brian the other day. He didn’t answer the questions of when my guitar will be ready and where I am in line but at least it’s an acknowledgment. Just wanted to share my progress. Has anyone written Brian lately and gotten a response? Hoping to hear more soon and get a concrete date.
I sent an email 4 days ago after Brian replied on details of my order. He told me he will look me up and see which position I’m in and what are the parts that he’s supposed to send me. No reply until now, but I just sent another email. Hope he will reply soon. This has been dragging way too long unnecessarily.
I sent Brian an email a few days ago about sending some proof that he is actually working on my guitar but nothing yet and probably wont because i dought he even has the parts after a year of waiting. He knows i am beyond pissed and tired of his bullshit so i dought he wants to talk to me. I got an email in october 2011 saying my guitar was 94% done and almost ready for pics, then another email in november with some lame excuse, then another on dec 13 with some more lame excuses about this blog and how its made his life hell.
I tried to stand behind Brian and understand his issues because i know he can build a great guitar at a fair price even if his wait time is longer then he states, but i have no tolerance for lies and childish behaviour like shipping a inferiour guitar to jerremy because he complained about the wait. Sick or not he could have emailed and been honest but he chose not to and it has ruined his reputation.
I have escalated my claim with paypal and they are starting to understand that this was a preorder and should be covered. I hope to get a refund but i guess i am at the mercy of the system.
Good luck to everybody.
To All,
Requesting for any picture updates or status will be no meaning for him… I felt.
We strongly asked him many times and never took care of .
My question to answer was also same; your guitar is ready for wiring. Ship by end of Nov. Your guitar is nearly finished…
How many guitars he can put on the desk???
Most of overdues were told that “Your guitar is almost finished”… it means he has a large working space to put everyone’s guitar on the work bench!!? It does not make any sence to me.
If anyone lives near by him or any knowladge for filing a claim at civil court. We may need to get together and take a action shortly. Paypal, Bank and Credit card company will not help you unless Brian says giving up.
Brian,
We want to hear your plan as soon as possible.
This is why I bought up avobe idea.
I have a claim file number at your county sheriff’s office by local investigator.
This is not Paypal or Bank matter, but, This is your local police matter…
Ha ha, I also got the 94% done email on 1 October. Obviously a cut and paste job on the emails, or perhaps he got his Steves mixed up. A joke!
My belief is that there are no guitars. If were in his shoes and you had received a visit from the Police about the matter, would you not attempt to go some way to resolve the problem and possibly stop others from filing their complaints. My camera would’ve been clicking away over the whole weekend if I were him.
Steve.
I didn’t get the 94% done email Oct 1 – But did get a 98% done in late Nov. Did get a few emails saying it was going to be done 2-3 weeks tops back in July 2011 a few times and the same thing a few moths later after repeat emails and asking for a refund and status. Also ones of him saying that it’s in the next batch and on his bench almost done around that time too like a lot of you. I also got pics of am empty guitar body but it’s wasn’t mine (it was a black relic S model – the same one he posted up on eBay on his page – mine is a sonic blue relic S model). So I ask for ones that were mine out of good faith that he was working on my guitar but never saw or had them sent.
Then he said he had to move cause the EPA was shutting him down cause of the nitro spray fumes in Sep 2011. Then emails about his heart problem. And other excuses like hurting his hand and his daughter meeting a boy in PA in Sep 2011. For a while he was very responsive to emails but after he went dark after November and didn’t return any emails until the last one the other day.
Like all of you I’m very frustrated of these lies, false promises and trying to track him down and it’s not worth our time and paypal should take full responsibly for this since this was “made to order” and we had no control of it taking over 3+ months – I’m going to try that route again like Steve and re-open a case.
I tried hard to give him the benefit of the doubt, understanding of his heart issue and other problems but after seeing all the others on this blog and similar excuses with Brian it’s made me doubt more and more that I’m going to get the guitar I ordered and paid for and this is just not right and want this guitar debacle to be over and resolved.
Just opened a case with paypal but they were reluctant to do so since they said they do not cover made to order items and since it’s over 45+ days but I made my case and told them there are many others in my shoes and prob paid with paypal too. If anyone else hears anything from Brian, Paypal or the police please let us know. And if you can think of anything else we can do to get this resolved. This has gone on long enough.
Hi all, i just got an email from the IC3 telling me to file a consumer complaint with ohioattorneygeneral.gov
Looks like the IC3 is not goint to do much for me and pawning it off to somebody else. Man, i would love to get this over and done with. I guess as long as Brian says he will get them done we have to wait no matter how long it takes. As long as he can come up with more excuses we can do do nothing i am afraid.
Sorry for the bad news, maybe some others will have some better news soon.
I am completely shocked at what I am reading !! I bought a guitar from Brian , I remember it meant so much to me to be buying my stratocaster , because I bought it to signify a new start in my life , I sold nice guitars to pay for it and I paid rnb’s top rate , plus
shipping and customs , I could have bought a Custom shop but I had so much faith in Brian and really liked his presentation on youtube ,
My guitar arrived after 4 months and a month of those in customs ,
but it was gorgeous and it became my number 1 straight away ,
Big B was a name around our kitchen table my wife and two kids were happy that this guitar which unseen, and unplayed, I had spent all that money on out of faith had actually arrived half way around the world and that yes I loved it , I did have one thing that was not right , The klein S8 in the bridge was wired white to ground to offset that it was naturally out of phase with the two klein Jazz ,
and because of that it would short when ever a pole piece would hit ground (string) , lower the pickup brian advised ! WTF , I felt my guitar should have been sent with a full matched set , eventually after months of emails he sent me a replacement , also didn’t work , but I had realized the only thing I didn’t like about my guitar was the S8 and so I went to Lindy Fralin for a steel pole 43 , which I love
Now when I see this I realize how lucky I was , I think most people here paid him hard earned money in such good faith and I bet like me to a lot of you you it really meant something to be commissioning a guitar to be built for you ! because when I handed over my money I was off work because I hurt my neck badly resulting in the loss of power to my right arm I went through surgery to have a disk removed and to metal pins into my spine, I bought that guitar as a sign of hope , I had no business sending my money via PayPal to Brian and had a hard time justifying it to my wife and kids given I had no money coming in , but they were happy for me and wanted me to be hopeful. My business by the way is very similar I design and make furniture to order and I was also backed up and was paying all my tax while i could only lay there worrying , but one day my guitar arrived , B I know you will be looking in here pretending not to see all this , but how you can do this to these people is unreal !! Man you sure RELIC’ED the SHIT OUT OF YOURSELF ,
I feel so sorry for you all I wish I could help !! Trust and Faith are precious things ,
Jeremy well done for giving people a voice on this !!
Steven,
That’s right.
As far as he says he will complete his back order,
we can not say it is be a fraud.
If you feel what I did and really want to move any step
foward, please write a letter to
Volusia County Sheriff’s Office
L.E.S. – District 3 (Holly Hill)
There is open information below
http://volusia.org/sheriff/Admin_Addresses.htm
I can’t tell you whom I talked with at open BBS, but your letter to District 3 will help them to move.
I send 2nd request for reporting the situation when the investigator met him, but not replying from them yet.
Please write a letter carefully, with your ture information and any transaction data.
Not huting him, no bull-shit, no uncertain information.
Just need to report what you had with him.
I think many of us write a letter to them at same period and to same person will make more sence to investigate deeply.
Since English is not first language, I need a spelling checker on this BBS…
Brian responded to my email and said that he is going to post the list of people waiting for guitars on the blog this week. I told him we all understand about his health issues and really all we want is the truth and realistic completion dates.
Neil – I’m glad you got your guitar and from your description of how amazing it was we all took a blind leap of faith knowing that Brian B did make amazing guitars that would blow our minds and that’s why we went with him and have hung on this long. I too am out of work and had no business purchasing a guitar from him but I couldn’t resist after seeing the pics on eBay and listening to them and the reviews on Youtube. But no guitar and being out of the $1,100 for almost a year is not cool. Anyways I just hope we can all get this resolved soon and get the guitars of our dreams as you did!
Thats good news scott, thanks. I just wanted to say again that i know Brian can do some great work at good prices. I know the wait times can be a lot longer then he claims but when the communication stops i get worried.
I have one of brians Strats from 2010 and it took 8 month’s. I did think it was a great guitar for a grand so i ordered a tele and was prepared for 6 to 8 months but not over a year.
I will be surprised if this list is acurate but at least its something.
Thanks again Scott…
Unfortunately, I think Brian had become a victim of his own promotions on ebay and YouTube. There’s no doubt that he’s capable of producing superb guitars, for not too much money but he’s a one man band, at a time when guitars are more popular than ever. Maybe he’s pulled the website so that he catch up on the orders? There’s no excuse for not keeping people informed though. I sincerely hope you guys get your guitars and that Brian keeps the communication going.
Has anyone heard of or from Brian the last week? It’s Saturday and still no list posted like he promised. That’s disappointing. I wrote him the other day asking about the list but no reply.
I have not heard from him.
Not a word . I also emailed but no reply as usual.
This is not surprising, i have not heard from him since 12-13-2011.
Dear Brian,
My one year niece is in hospital since last week and she is fighting with her blood poisoning.
It will be very higher risk for younger and older age due to resistant of their body.
You are asking us for considering your condition, but we have our own condition to solve by ourselves.
I want to ask you for fully refund now (since you broke the promise with Steve on Feb.1 to update your status)
I want to raise a money for my niece or would like to sell your guitar as soon as possible for my situation.
Can you help my niece?
I need your honest answer.
FYI Brian posted a reply and list on the other page – http://rhythmicguitar.com/1123/fixing-my-custom-built-rnb-custom-guitar/#comment-2894
Thank you scott.
If you see the time stamp.
He posted after I did…
Finally, he disclosed he was bankrupted…
How many outstanding still here???
Please raise a hand!
Steven D Hayes 59/61 white blonde telecaster
Ordered on January 23-2011 a little over a year ago.
Hey Guys,
So I’ve been watching this blog for quite a while, and when I saw that Brian’s going to post the outstanding order, I thought my name would be somewhere up there
(I ordered on December 27 ’10) So its been a little over a year.
Just goes to show how far behind he is in getting these guitars. Has anyone had the same problem?
I’ve tried contacting him, but as usual no replies.
Compiling the names from both treads regarding Brian Estes rnb guitars on this forum , I’ve tried not to mention anyone twice , and not to leave anyone out , it reads like …
1 Steve
2 Rolf
3 Carsten
4 Darrell D
5 Oldskoolrulz
6 David
7 Aaron
8 FuzzBoxGirl
9 Peter
10 Steven D
11 Thomas K
12 Mario
13 Bart
14 Scott
15 Lucas
16 Steve Gllbanks
17 Dacca
18 Anders Gillgren
19 Pago 85
20 Darrell S
21 Adi P
Nice bid of fraud that !!! 20 something large on this blog alone
copy and paste this and amend it as you see necessary .
1 Steve
2 Rolf
3 Carsten
4 Darrell D
5 Oldskoolrulz ( refunded by CC company )
6 David
7 Aaron
8 FuzzBoxGirl
9 Peter
10 Steven D
11 Thomas K
12 Mario
13 Bart
14 Scott
15 Lucas
16 Steve Gllbanks
17 Eyal
18 Anders Gillgren
19 Pago 85
20 Darrell S
21 Adi P
22 Michael V
Hi all,
I compiled a bunch of the information I had on Brian, including emails he had sent me, as well as info from this site and the thread on TGP and wrote up a blog post. I am now in the process of posting it around so that anyone else that has been caught up in this will see they are not alone….
Jeremy, I hope you don’t mind…. I used some of the pics you posted of your guitar and I linked everything back to your blog post here.
http://www.fuzzboxgirl.com/2012/02/08/the-downfall-of-builder-brian-estes-and-rnb-custom-guitars/
Neil,
Thank you for the list.
We found that…
1. more than 20 outstandings
2. Brian said he was bankrupted
3. Brian said he has no monies.
I am thinking of using a small claim court option below.
Since he does not show us any proof of progress pictures
for individuals, this is my final option.
http://www.courts.ca.gov/1062.htm
His problem is he stated many people that thier guitar
is almost ready and “worth for wait!”.
But he never send any pictures for our request.
ON NOV 2011,HE SAID MY GUITAR IS READY SOON,
BUT WHY I WAS NOT ON HIS WAITTING LIST???
BECAUSE HE DOES NOT HAVE MY GUITAR DONE ANYTHING YET.
WITHOUT NOMONIES, HOW HE CAN COMPLETE MY GUITAR WITH
BETTER THAN THE FENDER CUSTOM SHOP QUALITY THAT
HE PROMISED.
PLEASE THINK EVERYONE!?
YOUR GUITAR IS ALMOST READY…
WHAT IS THIS MEANT?
WHAT WAS HE WAITED FOR COMPLETE THEM?
Wire? Solder Paste? Knobs? Strings?
It does not make any sense.
BUT, IF HE HAS NOMONIES, I CAN UNDERSTAND.
HE COULD NOT DO ANYTHING…
A new outstanding customers are thinking about police, Paypal, Credit card option… but, the police does not care of civil matters.(I already tried, but when we
move to sue him, they will help us)
Only filling a claim at a small claim court at local your place will be effective.
But, if we use this option and somebody won, he will suspended all of his job shop and could be assets also.
The result is he can not make any guitar any more.
I really do not want to execute this option.
I want to know what other people thinking about this option.
Is he worth for believe in?
I need to make a final decision shortly.
Pago85, if you are going to fill a claim, I’ll follow you but I prefer to wait a little Brian’s news.
I left a message on Fuzz Box girls sight explaining my experience with Bry. If interested,give it a look see.
Originally purchased a ’65 relic copy from Bry on Ebay. I wanted to cancel the order although with some persuasion from him on the phone,I went ahead with the order.It was my choice. Received a Robert Johnson body with what I believe were Lollar P’s. $1650.00. My girlfriend still contends it was her favorite,and I have owned many high end guitars. I communicated with him off and on via phone and E mails. After awhile the relic tuners froze up due to the rust,although I had no costs other than the shipping and was covered by his lifetime warranty. I decided to have different P’s installed so I shipped it off again later, put in new P’s and received it back in a timely fashion. Bry told me he talked with his partner,who regrettably informed Bry that I could have used the 65 as a trade,instead of just pickup replacement. Well I couldn’t resist the possibility of a high end strat and almost immediately got started with the transaction. He was to build the new guitar with his stock shop Kleins,Wildwood body, and stock neck.I pestered him to let me custom order S 1′s from Klein and a custom neck. I sent the money for these improvements. I talked with Brian on the phone almost everyday and was always replied to by Emails. Granted. It did take a long time.Around 10 months.There were problems with spraying finish in the Florida shop. Excessive humidity. The day before he was to send it out to me,he accidentally set the guitar on his workbench wich had some paint thinner on it, and it incurred a blemish on the back. I would have prefered to have had it repaired before being sent out,told him so, and again was persuade to wait until I received it and then make a decision about possibly sending it back to his shop,if I still desired to have it refinished. I never did return it for the repair and did not discuss it with him. Brian treated me as a friend. Although most communication stopped after I received my guitar. We would talk on the phone sometimes for an hour or longer just shootin’ the skeet.He spoke of health concerns at length,including his heart condition. I grew to respect him as a person and craftsman. I am not doubting all the client difficulties. Just surprised and saddened at what I’m hearing. I think he simply bit off more than he could chew. Hoping all find reconciliation. By the way, I LUV my guitar. Bry too!
I think biting off more than he can chew is being generous to say the least! The person you describe sounds like an honest and attentive businessman.
The person in my (and many other’s) experience has knowingly deceived and defrauded people. He was still taking orders in November ’11, with customers already backed up over a year. He knew he couldn’t deliver and had breached contracts. At that point, as the money continued to hit his account, he wasn’t a poor businessman who had taken a few too many orders/risks, he was acting as a criminal.
Brian may have treated you as a friend, but he didn’t even treat me as valued customer. In fact, Brian treated me with contempt and as a fool. Brian has apologised for not delivering on orders (albeit after the Police were called, can you sense I’m cynical), but he has not apologised for lying to us. That I can’t accept.
It’s my belief that after a certain amount of parts were shipped off, no more were bought and the money went either on the high life, or medical bills. Prove me wrong, I’d love to see pics of the 10-20 odd guitar bodies and necks that are so near to completion in the workshop.
Steve.
At the risk of seeming overly opportunistic, I would consider selling my S-style R&B. If you’re at all interested,send me an e-mail and we can discuss. I still have survivors guilt at the hassle all you folks are in the midst of. If you wish to consider my offer,that would be great. If this is the wrong situation for myself to be advertising,don’t hesitate to give me both barrels at my lack of consideration! I hope with all my heart,everyone finds complete reconciliation. I write this with sadness and lack of understanding, more than anger or contempt. I’m still not really “gettin’ it”,as far as the blatant and surprising lack of business skills that are being demonstrated by Mr. Estes. Like I stated earlier in this forum, I experienced some questionable protocol in my dealings. Bottom line? I received my guitar and was in constant contact with Bry. That is why it’s difficult to hear all your misgivings. If you have any interest, please feel free to contact me. THANX!
Hi Steve, hi all -
well after running through the same unlucky experience with Brian I personally agree with you 100%!
(not only 94% – just a joke… )
Just before I placed my order in Mid July 2011 Brian still was promising to finish the guitar within 8-12 weeks.
He even supposed to place the order soon “before it turns into 16 weeks” (now we all know even at this point of time this was a complete farce)
Thus in my eyes the special ebay price deal wasn`t just about “so players and enthusiasts alike could afford” (Brian) but to have a fast and extensive cash flow on his bank account.
Furthermore I can`t really follow Brians argumentation that all these cheap ebay price deals do mean a very bad cost-benefit situation for him.
I was offering him several times to pay more than that in case he is delivering valuable work. Others did the same.
During the last months there was a lot communication between customers and there were heaps of mails to Brian in an understanding manner and offering him a helping hand.
Mails that also were asking for his honesty and willingness for co-operation. He never replied to this.
Even now in this blog he isn`t coming up with a complete list of his unfinished orders (with customers short name and date of order) like he promised.
In the past Brian only showed reaction when there was real pressure on him (police visiting or people threatening him with/ initiating legal action)
In my opinion all of this behaviour is rather belonging to a fraudster than to a person who is diseased and bankrupt (you still can be honest, reliable and co-operative in this situation).
Cheers, Carsten R.
Carsten R. , T-Model with Klein pick-ups (1088 US $ paid in advance)
ordered on July 13-2011 over a half year ago
(already in your list I guess)
I wasn’t justifying his actions. It would be very unfortunate to be included in the list of clients and their issues presented on this sight. Is nightmare too harsh? I too would have felt abandoned and powerless. Maybe I’m suffering from survivor guilt.Regretfully, it almost sounds beyond a fair resolution. Not very good news! I was on pins and needles for 10 months missing an instrument, borrowing guitars from friends and relatives trying to fill the void.Only exception,I ultimately received my order. Enough said. My heart goes out to you all, and wishing everyone a reasonable compensation.
1 Steve
2 Rolf
3 Carsten
4 Darrell D
5 Oldskoolrulz ( refunded by CC company )
6 David
7 Aaron
8 FuzzBoxGirl
9 Peter
10 Steven D ( refunded by PayPal )
11 Thomas K
12 Mario
13 Lucas
14 Scott
15 Steve Gllbanks
16 Eyal
17 Anders Gillgren
18 Pago 85
19 Darrell S
20 Adi P
21 Michael V
22 Hakkon
1 Steve
2 Rolf
3 Carsten R
4 Darrell D
5 Oldskoolrulz ( refunded by CC company )
6 David
7 Aaron
8 FuzzBoxGirl
9 Peter H
10 Steven D ( refunded by PayPal )
11 Thomas K ( refunded by CC company )
12 Mario ( refunded by CC company )
13 Lucas
14 Scott
15 Steve Gilbanks
16 Eyal
17 Anders Gillgren
18 Pago 85
19 Darrell S
20 Adi P
21 Michael V
22 Hakkon
23 Peter (from Poland)
Since Brian listed first comming batch for
Steve G, Steve K, Peter R, Scott B and Theo.
Is anyone received his finished guitar yet?
Hi my name is Steve K..And I received my Guitar from Brian B….
Hi Steve K,
When did your receive your guitar? How does it’s look and play? I wrote him last week on when he thinks mine will be finished but haven’t heard back. Will write him again. Did you talk with him on the phone or just email?
Thanks,
Scott
Hi Scott…The guitar I ordered was a 52 Tele style custom.It has losts of relicing,50 thick neck maple.I had Brian put the Klein Brodcaster and T2 plus.They sound great and the neck feels awsome.Their we’re some minor issues,the plug jack needed to be set in place and the intiation was out.I have had it now for about 3 months and it is one of my fav’s..I have and had a couple of Tele’s over the years and it play’s just like I wanted it to.I understand what every one on this site is going throw,for a while I thought that I was getting screewed.I did have to use ebay and paypal to help me with Brian.Some how I got to be one of the lucky ones.Brian does very good work,I don’t understand what is happening with him.He has the skills to do this,some where it seems to be going wrong.I hope this helps and good luck…Steve K
I just found this post and it reminds me of mine. My situation sounds a little less unique after reading this. I own a very nice guitar from Bry.The only reason I am considering to sell in my other post is just my restlessness and desire to try something new. If I get no offers,I still have a great guitar.
Hi Steve K,
Thanks for the post and the reply. Yes we’ve all been waiting for the great guitar that we paid for and were promised and like you have felt like we’ve been left behind and neglected by Brian. I have been waiting for a year and from what Brian said I should be getting it soon. I wrote him 7 days ago but haven’t heard back. He has you on the short list of people of guitars completing soon but you said you go your guitar 3 months ago? Are you expecting another guitar or is there a mistake with the your name on the list? Thanks again and everyone keep us posted if you receive your guitar or hear anything from Brian.
Thanks,
Scott
Hi Steve K,
When did your receive your guitar? How does it’s look and play? I wrote him last week on when he thinks mine will be finished but haven’t heard back. Will write him again. Did you talk with him on the phone or just email?
Thanks,
Scott
Geezzz, cant believe he has to make 18 guitars before he gets to mine! This SUCKS! Got laid off 1.5 months ago and sure could use that money :/
Hi Darrell , the list up there is just a list of people who put their trust in Brian Estes to build them a guitar and paid down money , it does not have the order of dates on there . I just compiled the names , so perhaps you are further up the list , Brian has promised to post a list of the names in order of purchase .
I send a big pile of claims to Paypal Today.
Yes, it is kicked back to me immediately,
but I finally found a spot I can send my claim …
Please send claim to Paypal at a same time!
“If you can’t log in to your PayPal account, or if you have more information on an existing claim, please send details and your case number to complaint-response@paypal.com “
1 Steve
2 Rolf
3 Carsten R
4 Darrell D
5 Oldskoolrulz ( refunded by CC company )
6 David
7 Aaron
8 FuzzBoxGirl
9 Peter H
10 Steven D ( refunded by PayPal )
11 Thomas K ( refunded by CC company )
12 Mario ( refunded by CC company )
13 Lucas
14 Scott
15 Steve Gilbanks
16 Eyal
17 Anders Gillgren
18 Pago 85
19 Darrell S
20 Adi P
21 Michael V
22 Hakkon
23 Peter (from Poland)
24 Heiko
Hey Everyone,
Got a promising email from Brian today saying that he’s feeling a bit better, getting a lot work done and has a 2 famous Lutheirs to assist him in the builds while he fully recovers. Said he got 10 sets of Kline pickups and 17 painted guitar bodies delivered so it’s moving along!
I’d say you contact Brian with the status of your build and we should hold off on the paypal and claims courts for now. I still have any open paypal dispute open but it’s not doing any good ATM and will close it as soon as I have my guitar or maybe before if I have confirmation that my guitar is ready and on it’s way.
Anyways just wanted to shed that news and hopefully this is a positive step to having the guitars we ordered
Scott
Thank you for your update.
I was ready to fill a claim against paypal leagal section shortly. But, your information made me a little comfortable and I can hold my action now. I meant I really do not make a claim against him, but there is no reason we can believe in him from his writtings…
I will contact him Today.
SCOTT! Get a picture of all this stuff he has gotten from him. You believe another BS email so you can tell all of us everything is okay? If he cant produce a picture for you then what’s up with that then?
You’re welcome Page85! Just want to keep everyone update as I hear from Brian. I hope that he keeps his words this time. I wish I could get pics of the stuff he’s gotten but I don’t think he’ll send them. Guess we all have to take a leap of faith (not like we haven’t already) and trust that he’ll come through this time. He has made many nice guitars in the past and others here on this forum have received them and some recently so we just need to hold tight a bit longer. Darrell S if you can get him to send pics of the stuff he’s gotten let us know. Will keep you posted if I hear and thing.
Gosh! i just found this great forum today! i’ve also purchased a S style guitar on February 2011 and didn’t get form him yet! Maybe i’m also on the waiting list?
I’m getting the silence treatment again. I received ‘good news’, like Scot mentioned, that the Klein pickups are being shipped to him. I specifically told him that I expect an update again at the end of last week on the progress. Until now, no reply again if my parts can be sent anytime soon. Anybody has any communication? Geez.
1 Steve
2 Rolf
3 Carsten R
4 Darrell D
5 Oldskoolrulz ( refunded by CC company )
6 David
7 Aaron
8 FuzzBoxGirl
9 Peter H
10 Steven D ( refunded by PayPal )
11 Thomas K ( refunded by CC company )
12 Mario ( refunded by CC company )
13 Lucas
14 Scott
15 Steve Gilbanks
16 Eyal
17 Anders Gillgren
18 Pago85 (Refunded by Paypal)
19 Darrell S
20 Adi P
21 Michael V
22 Hakkon
23 Peter (from Poland)
24 Heiko
25 Doug C
I got a refund from Paypal Today!
1 Steve
2 Rolf
3 Carsten R
4 Darrell D
5 Oldskoolrulz ( refunded by CC company )
6 David
7 Aaron
8 FuzzBoxGirl
9 Peter H
10 Steven D ( refunded by PayPal )
11 Thomas K ( refunded by CC company )
12 Mario ( refunded by CC company )
13 Lucas
14 Scott (Refunded by Paypal)
15 Steve Gilbanks
16 Eyal
17 Anders Gillgren
18 Pago85 (Refunded by Paypal)
19 Darrell S
20 Adi P
21 Michael V
22 Hakkon
23 Peter (from Poland)
24 Heiko
25 Doug C
I got a refund from Paypal Today!
I really wanted to believe Brian this time but I’m tired of waiting and getting the running around so I took action and got my refund. Since I’m out of work money is very tight now and trying to get a reply from him sometimes takes weeks or months and I don’t have the time or patience anymore.
Good luck to all of you either waiting for guitars or getting a refund.
Thanks Pago85 for inspiring me to try for a 3rd time to get my refund!
Scott,
Gald to hear you got a refund too.
A email from Brian said just drop my name from his list
if I got a refund… But, no apologies…
Thank Pago85! Yeah I emailed him too but haven’t heard back and prob won’t. I wonder if he has to pay Paypal back for the refunds or do they eat the cost? Anyways I’m just glad that all this chasing him down for an answer and shipping dates is over and I can get on to more important things like getting a job and using this money to pay the rent
Thanks everyone here for all your support and input and Jeremy for allowing us a place to discuss all this!
Dear Jeremy,
Thank you again for disclosing and sharing your info.
It helped me to claim, recover my problem and got a result!
Outstanding customer,
I did waht I posted at BBS for my refunding.
There is no trick here, I am not good at using English
since I am not an American, but please explain what you got to Paypal if you are going to contact them. they will understand what happened with you and could know this BBS also.
Anyway, if you got a guitar from Brian, please share the info. at here… how do you like it? How is the quality? and hopefully shring pictures. These contributions will help other outstanding people who was not showed in his list.
Hey guys. I can’t get to open a dispute or request for refunda against Brian being an international customer, and I was naive back then to do the transaction as a personal payment since my idea was what I was just sending a deposit back then. I’m really frustrated now as Brian is not replying again and my only way to recover the money is to get whatever parts he promised to send me and sell them away.
Anybody happens to have any local authority contacts that are checking up on Brian? I have no means to liase and keep Brian in check to deliver whatever he promised to send me. I’m getting more frustrated by the days knowing that my money has been lost just like that with no goods delivered.
David,
Since we have no idea what was your payment method,
we can’t advise you what is your option.
I had a deal with him not through eBay, but used Paypal for payment.
The point is your transaction is not completed,
because you did not receive any item from the seller.
You can request a refund from original financial resouce
with evidence of your purchase and history of e-mail.
(However they said 45 days, 60 days against claim… you can!)
The seller said “No mononies”. So, you can not squeeze
his pocket for recovering your money.
This is why I(we) filed a claim to Paypal and ask them to get back our funds.
They can suspend his money from original account or using low enforcement to the seller.
If you do not have any option,
only possibility will be a small claim court system. But, I do not know you(overseas) can file a claim or not.
Please read all of our posts and do anything you can.
I think the problem is he payed using the personal payment option and not for goods or services.
Just like what Jeremy said. I was not familiar with Paypal back then and only thought that PERSONAL PAYMENT was the appropriate option, hence I transferred the money using that. I’ve called up Paypal over here and they can’t do anything since it wasn’t a business transaction. I’ve emailed Brian repeatedly as well but I’ve still not heard anything at all.
David,
You do’nt have to worry about PERSONAL PAYMENT or not.
You called Paypal means you used Paypal system right?
Please check your original paper work with paypal.
If the seller sent you a invoice and you sent a fund through Paypal. it is not pesonal.
If you sent your payment without any notes, invoice from seller, you can still claim a file with all of your conversation history (E-mail).
Again, please read what we did. I was out from ebay and I was also personal payment like you said.
But, I had a Paypal invoice from the seller and showed them all of history.
Also, I did call Paypal just only once.
As I said I am not good at English, so, all of my action was done by e-mail.
Hi Pago85, I contacted Paypal and they want to help me because of 45 days Paypal rules. I said to Paypal that some guys were refund after the 45 days and they don’t want to help me.
I tried this email complaint-response@paypal.com.
Do you have another contact ?
thanks
Received an email from Brian today:
“What I can do fuzz is build the guitar sell it and then refund you in full. I can also send you a refund once I climb out of this hole you and this other person in Australia with your blogs have dug for me. Have you ever heard of defamation of character or invasion of privacy? Look into that! I have done nothing absoloutely nothing fraudulent, what your doing with your blog is extortion and thats illegal and if I had not had a heart condition relapse you would have your guitar by now and we would not be upset with each other. These blogs where people purposely attack disabled american citizens in their time of sorrow, worry and need is whats really disgustiing! And the music industry has no room for people like that Fuzzy! I do not think you would like it one bit if I started my own page and personally attack your FuzzBox Deal you have going! Would You? Or this Jeremy guy who does not even play guitar. Knows 3 chords and thinks he’s an authority on the guitar industry and knows absoloutely nothing. I have to Ultimately have a Heart Transplant! What could suck more than that! Think about that! Let me know what you think I should do? I would really like to know! Should I hire a personal injury Attorney?”
I have never really met a real scammer of this level. I’m utterly disappointed in how Brian, as a human being, accused Fuzz Box Girl and Jeremy as making his life miserable. He got nobody to blame except himself.
I’ve been sending frustrated emails to Brian and he’s not replying. He has no dignity to even face up.
I’ve contacted Paypal as well to plead my case but I can’t be sure on if it will be successful. Thank you nonetheless Pago85!
Does anyone have his current address and phone number so that I can report a claim against him on ic3.gov?
I really do not accerate or encourage to file a claim against Paypal.
The reason (again) I asked Paypal for a decision was
that the seller said no monies, bankrupted and did not update any pictures that we asked him many times.
So, I tired to talk to the seller and asked Paypal for judgement for my case. (But I was still waited the seller’s update anytime…)
General speaking of …
1. After you sent a pile of your information at
complaint-response@paypal.com
It automatucally escarated from claim to Complaint.
At this stage you need to explain what you got,
what you think with your words and any evidence of
papers, emails and BBS logs in PDF files.
Paypal knew something happen to this seller already,
So, “Someone already got a refund” talking will not a reasonable for Paypal… You need to use your words.
2. Use outlook with send / receive comfirmation option with high priority mark. (You will see actual person email account when they open your email)
Also, use resistered email account with paypal and
send email under the original domain with your email.
Paypal security will check and filter the all of incomming emails and will kick you out if you send your files from a cafe.
3. After your complaint is sucessfully
delivered to Paypal. Just need to wait for their decision (will be 2 weeks).You will get a email from Paypal also.
It looks nothing happened to you, but at this stage Paypal investigator(?) really checking your case.
4. you can talk to Paypal rep. anytime, how many times,
But first skill rep. does not help you at all.
You need bring to dicision maker to your phone.
This was the reason I used e-mail to them.
Regards,
I forgot very important thing.
Before you file a claim again, you need to get your original claim number.
It means you can not send or submit your claim to complaint-response@paypal.com directly.
When you send it again put your cliam number in subjet.
Do not try any words in subjet instead of original claim number like “PPXXX-XXX-XXXX”
Dear Fuzz Box Girl,
Please calm down!
And please read our old post at first
you may find a answer.
Also, please do not ask a personal infomation
at open BBS.
ic3.gov will not help anything… from our post.
Got some parts last week and guitars are coming together finally with the help of some “friends”. At this point I am trying to keep moving forward and fufill my obligation to deliver a guitar to the people that have guitars coming despite all of the problems. Paypal has refunded many people here already, I wish it was possible to just refund everyone and get a good nights rest, when you have 14 guitars to get done I cannot buy 1 set of pickups at a time, I have to buy a minimum order and I finally scraped up the cash for most of the (guitars in questions)parts to finish. But I cannot do all of em at once guys so another list of builds being shipped out in the next two weeks will be posted by monday when I have the strentgh to continue.
I cannot change what has already happened, but one day at a time I can get guitars further along until completion. Every one of you people have feelings and I genuinely am sorry to have let you down while I go through this nightmare in my life. I will post Monday.
Shipping out this week.
Derek 1st
Adi 2nd
David wants his parts , being shipped also.
Waiting on $$$$$$
Chris’s Tele shipped, ordered last November.
Peter looks to have received a refund
Steve G got refunded looks like
4-5 other people have gotten refunds besides these fellows below.
Steven D ( refunded by PayPal )
Thomas K ( refunded by CC company )
Mario ( refunded by CC company
Pago85 (Refunded by Paypal)
Oldskoolrulz ( refunded by CC company
Scott (Refunded by Paypal)
As you know, I am doing the very best I can since no other guitar orders will ever come in again or at least until all 14 guitars get shipped out.
Steve, Theo, Anders, Hieko, are comin next and a new list will be compiled after I gp through all the paypal stuff again and see who has not received refunds. They are moving gentleman, and coming out beautiful. If it means anything to you guys, 16 sets of pickups arrived, 5 bridges, switches, pots, jacks, buttons, paint, sandpapers, strings. That being said, I will post again once these have shipped. Sincerely, Brian
Brian, I ordered my guitar Feb 15 of 2011. I like most people here ordered from you because we do not have a great deal of money and thought it was a great deal. I just wanted to be added to the list. Glad to see that you have been trying to fulfill some of your obligations. You abviously got in way over your head. I think you just should have been more honest in your email responses instead of telling people that their guitars were in a false state of process.
Just wanted to let you know that I am not waiting for a guitar. Have already been refunded my monies. Good luck to everyone getting there guitars. Looks like Brian is getting them out so that’s good.
Bryan, I been trying to contact you for 3 or 4 months now. It’s been almost a year since I gave you over $1000.00 for a guitar. There has been some changes that you seriously need to know about. Contact me asap.
Darrell in Houston, Tx.
1 Steve
2 Rolf
3 Carsten R
4 Darrell D
5 Oldskoolrulz ( refunded by CC company )
6 David
7 Aaron
8 FuzzBoxGirl
9 Peter H
10 Steven D ( refunded by PayPal )
11 Thomas K ( refunded by CC company )
12 Mario ( refunded by CC company )
13 Lucas
14 Scott (Refunded by Paypal)
15 Steve Gilbanks
16 Eyal
17 Anders Gillgren
18 Pago85 (Refunded by Paypal)
19 Darrell S
20 Adi P
21 Michael V
22 Hakkon
23 Peter (from Poland)
24 Heiko
25 Doug C
Brian, I am number 2 on that list and 5 months ago you promised me pics of my ‘nearly finished’ 2 tone strat…where is the axe, why no pics and when will I finally get it?
Rolf
Anybody has any updates? Brian has gone complete silent again. I don’t know why I’m still keeping hope of getting anything from the guy…
No updates for me…
Wow no one’s heard any thing from Brian or gotten their guitars yet? That’s crazy!! I would just call paypal again and try to get refunded. I got a new Variax JTV-69 and am loving it! Plays and sounds great with all the cool models and alt tunings! Good luck to everyone and hope you can get your money back.
Wasn’t Derek and Adi supposed to have had their guitars shipped around March 7th? Did you guys get your guitars? No one’s posted that they did or any pics so guess they didn’t?
Hey guys, thanks for sharing any updates please.
Up to now no confirmed progress for me AT ALL. Brian kept promising that my parts will be sent. He excused himself saying he does not have money to send the parts. Last week he dropped me an email he has money now and asked for my address. I gave him and requested for confirmed tracking number. Until this week still NOTHING.
Hey guys, so Brian e-mailed me about a week ago saying that he finally got some money and promised me an update later in the week. So far I’ve got nothing.
This is SO frustrating. The guy disappeared again. No communication so far.
I have been unable to receive any further info from Brian. I continue to email him and am not getting any replies. I have lodged complaints with everyone I can and filed claim after claim via paypal.
At this point, there isn’t any question…. this is just fraud. The lies just continue to come in. I think that there is no more playing nice here. I believe I am going to begin calling him every day.
I’m very disapointed like you. I have no news about Brian and I’m very frustrated…
Can you give me his phone number?
Does his phone still work? I got two numbers from someone who posted on Rhythmic Guitar blog. I think still can be found. But I asked for help from a friend in the States and he confirmed that the numbers don’t work anymore.
I’m an international customer and it’s been a pain trying to reach Brian. I’m helpless with only email communication and his unreliable words. I don’t see how this can come to a close.
I just got him by phone and he stoped the conversation when I tell him ho am I…
I think it’s a real fraud.
Anyway to bring this guy to justice or anything? It’s hard telling myself that my money is gone just like that…
If anyone need his phone I have it .
Lucas…. please send me his phone number
Everyone,
Today I sent a tip to the FBI in regards to Brian’s interstate and inter-country defrauding. Don’t use the IC3 complaint form. Use the web address I am attaching below and include all relevant information as well as any contact information you have for Brian. This goes to the FBI rather than IC3 which is only a partnership with the FBI. Perhaps if the remainder of us that have been scammed by Brian send in tips, we can see some sort of justice.
https://tips.fbi.gov/
Fuzz Box Girl , I hope it turns out Ok for you ! Your blog is great , It does stink of piss the above Email from brian where he accuses you and Jeremy of digging a hole for him , That is some self righteous Fraud going on !
Brian emailed me a few days ago and promised me some pics.
Still waiting…
Lucas, how long has it been since you PAYED Brian for your guitar?
Bryan sent me pics of my build almost 8 months ago and said it would be ready shortly. Since then I have not heard from him at all. This is the way he is getting away with this, with promises. Hope you do get pics… but I really doubt you will.
I bought it in October 2,2011.
I don’t believe it.
But he will see my face in Florida soon !!!
Take care Brian, where you are .
Brian sent me an email a few days ago claiming that he will send some of my parts FIRST THING in the morning. Until now, there is NO confirmation or tracking number. He apologised again and again but I’ve grown apathetic. I simply can’t trust his words anymore.
I’ve submitted the tip.
He send me two pics of the body but they are not the same bodies !!!!!
But no neck and parts…
Going to the tip too soon.
Man that sucks! He is just buying more time. The hammer will come down soon on Bryan. I dont expect a guitar from him anymore. The courts will take care of him.
I hope someone will bring this guy to justice soon. I’m pretty sure he’s hiding somewhere and refusing to communicate. If you do a search on Facebook and looked at his page, he has the time to comment on Joe Bonamassa’s page and even changed his profile picture. But no time to communicate or own up to his fraud with any of us. Disgusting.
How many people are expecting a guitar from Bryan still?
Lets get a list!
I imagine he owes the INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE as well. Call your ATTORNEY and see what he can do.
I am certainly still waiting for mine….over a year now…but I’m in Australia and he does not reply to any emails anymore or on here as we all know.
I wonder what happened to the sheriff?
I’d definitely open a lawsuit if I was in the States. But I’m not. So anyone has taken legal actions, I’d be willing to participate in any way too.
Anybody has any news or taken any action yet?
Here is the link for the Florida Attorney General… I’m trying to see if we can get some kind of action by contacting them…
http://myfloridalegal.com/contact
I have been told by a reliable source that his current address is:
16 Mason Park Drive
Daytona Beach, Florida
32117
Be sure to list this in the complaint to the attorney general… again, if enough people complain, we have a better chance of having some kind of justice…
Be sure to reference this page and the article I wrote up as links where they can find further info about his interstate and intercountry fraud…
I have also reported him to the IRS…. I’m sure he isn’t paying taxes on any of this money he has taken from us and since it was through paypal…. there is a tax record of it.
http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=106778,00.html
Send in a tip on IRS tax evasion…. please guys, please send in these complaints, don’t rely on someone else to do it. If enough of us do it, something will happen.
Yep, I should be added to the list too. Ordered my guitar on the 23rd March, 2011. Got all the same excuses and stories as the rest of you. The stories really don’t logically add up at all. Really frustrated at this point.
could anybody please email me his contact details? i have nothing at all, and even if i wanted to file something against him, i can’t as i have no details. my email is justin.t@mac.com
thanks!
Some news about this guy ?
Hi Lucas. All his phone numbers have been changed. I have tried and tried to contact him. Haven’t had a reply from Bryan in over 8 months. He is running from us all it seems, and having a good ole time with all of our MONEY! I have talked with my Lawyer and he stated this is a FELONY, and can be punishable up to 10 years in a State Prison. I offered to him to refund HALF of my money and I would not pursue any further action through the courts. He never responded. Good luck man.
I’ve exhausted all the methods above to report him. So far my contact with Brian is completely cut off. I was advised by an attorney to file complaint at a more ‘local’ platform below along with some of the quoted advise I received:
“We encourage you to contact the Florida Department of Agriculture and
Consumer Services, Division of Consumer Services (DACS) to file a
complaint. The DACS serves as the state clearinghouse for consumer
complaints and has a voluntary mediation program to assist individual
consumers. You may contact DACS at:
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Division of Consumer Services
2005 Apalachee Parkway
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
Telephone: (850) 410-3800
Toll-free within FL: (800) 435-7352
Website: http://www.800helpfla.com/
You may also wish to contact the following consumer agencies:
Federal Trade Commission
Toll-free: (877) 382-4357
Website: http://www.ftc.gov
Better Business Bureau of Central Florida (serving Winter Park, Orlando,
Altamonte Springs areas)
Phone: (407) 621-3300
(800) 275-6614 (toll-free in FL only)
Email: info@centralflorida.bbb.org
Website: http://centralflorida.bbb.org/
Finally, Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act provides
individuals with a private remedy to bring an action for damages,
attorney’s fees and court costs. If you need help finding a lawyer, The
Florida Bar offers a Lawyer Referral Service which you may contact
toll-free at (800) 342-8060. If you cannot afford to hire an attorney, you
may be eligible for low cost or pro bono assistance through a local legal
aid office. The Florida Bar can assist you with this process.”
Man I thought this was all going to get resolved but looks like a lot of people have been left in the dust and Brian has gone missing again. If you paid via paypal (even if it was over a year or more) keep calling them and referring to this forum and all the complaints. He has been reported many times which is on record and others such as myself have gotten full refunds from paypal after being persistent and don’t settle for when they say we can’t because it’s 90 days over, or it’s against policy, etc. Good luck everyone and hope you’re able to get your refund!
Anybody got any news again? I’ve contacted all of the above agencies for help.
Hi..Steve K here…was just going through some stuff in the basement and I came accross a postage address from the guitar I was sent by Brain not sure if any one has this one.Brian Estes 120 Boswell Dr Holly Hill FL 32117-4914 ….Not sure if this helps or if u guys have that….Good Luck
It seems that the guy is on the run now. I’ve got in contact with a local police deputy in the area. The guy has told me that someone will get in touch with me soon. I hope the local authority will investigate and bring him in.
Hi folks. Nobody received his guitar ? thereis some news about Brian ?
Not a peep! All his promises were bogus. One day I feel that someone will not be able to hold their feelings back, and will take him down.
From Big (F’n) Bs Facebook page ,
About
For more information email- BigBSmiles2004@yahoo.com
Contentment, Kindness, Eager to learn, Passionate, Logical, Sharing quality time with family and friends, Affection, Sense of Spirituality, Surrender for Serenity. Am both Lion and Lamb. Have traveled many roads in my lifetime in the dark and in the light. I have come to understand my emotions and my inner well being and cherish each breath I take. I have a personal relationship with my oh so forgiving Lord, my teacher, my savior, my everlasting friend. Today my life counts for something and I have learned to see through other peoples eyes hoping to find what is in ones heart and soul because its not all about me!
Male
both lion and lamb … snake too
I cant find that FB page. Got the whole url?
yes , https://www.facebook.com/brian.estes.7773
Hi guys. Here’s my update. I got into contact with a local investigator and they got hold of Brian. He FINALLY agreed to send me my promised parts. But the biggest joke? This only shows how much more of a moron and fraud Brian is. This is what he sent me:
- 2 pots instead of 3 for the electronics
- A BLACK body instead of my specific order of Olympic White. Furthermore, the relic work sucks. Just random dings and dents
- A set of 1962 Klein pickups. BUT I ordered a Jazzy Cat set
- Tortoise pickguard with a WHITE backplate (I ordered neither of these. It was supposed to be Olympic White with Mint Green and NO backplate)
- Rusty metal parts that are more like junks instead of ‘relic’
So the verdict is I highly doubt any decent guitars are going to come out. The dude has no tracking of his own orders and he exercises his mouth of excuses more than actually building anything. Imagine it took me another 2 months just trying to come up with ways to engage local law enforcement to put pressure on this guy. Brian did not return me any emails until that local investigator talked to him.
I saw that FB page too. You can’t see anything now. But earlier this year, Brian still had the time to post stuff on his FB, especially on Joe Bonamassa’s page about how much he adores him. Basically, he has time to roam around FB instead of worrying about his long line of backlogged orders.
My thought is that if possible, someone from the US should really file a lawsuit against him. I would have done it if I was from the US. I find it hard to have sympathy with whatever health issues he’s facing (or whether he really has them or not, that’s another possibility). Many people are affected in this with hundreds of dollars lost.
Lance Lamee
That’s the local investigator who got in touch with me. May be you guys can get in touch with him for help. He’s well aware of the situation but if more people raised their voices, may be a bigger investigation can be implemented.
Sorry, somehow the email address did not show.
Lance Lamee : LLamee@vcso.us
Thank you David, I just contact him and I encourage everyone to do thing.
Awright you guys – I haven’t been too active here, sorry, but I did correspond with the investigator just now after David posted this email address. He was surprisingly swift with replies, don’t know if I should post the entire summary here or what…but civil action is unfortunately our only option aside from keep calling Paypal. (And I guess we all know it’s no use sending’em emails, as they never reply through resolution center..)
And David: What address did you use when you finally got in touch with Brian..?
Cheers guys
He replied me through vintagereplicas@gmail.com
He only did after the investigator got in touch with him. And I showed email proofs that Brian promised to send the parts over to me, hence I guess the investigator pressured him to do so.
The investigator can’t do anything now because he closed the complaint as he said me…
Lucas, try contacting jbonnevier@vcso.us
He’s the officer in charge of the area where Brian stays. I got into contact with this officer first, before he engaged Lance the investigator to look into the matter. I sent an email pleading for help and he responded. May be you can start here. And as I said, don’t count on getting a complete (well functional and to your specs). I highly doubt Brian can deliver anything decent from now on. Try other means to get your money back. Hope you get yours sorted out soon. Mine is certainly not since all the parts sent to me are practically useless. I can’t use any of them and having a hard time selling them off.
Thanks David, I’ll do it.
On 17/08, I received a mail from Brian that he done 7 guitars last month and still 5 in front of me lol.
And when I told him to send me only parts, no hear from him…
I wonder if anyone managed to get anything back. I’m still stuck with all the lousy parts Brian sent.
Hi guys. I’m still waiting my guitar from Brian.
Do you have some news about your gear please?
It seems that it’s all right for us because nobody talks now in this forum.
Thanks all.
Hi Lucas,
I think it’s a case of everyone’s stopped expecting any action from big B. and in all likelihood given up any hope of getting their guitars or money back.
It’s such a shame that this has happened, and it has certainly caused me to look suspiciously on anyone selling these reliced custom builds on eBay. I for one will never go down that road again.
I sincerely hope this gets resolved so that everyone, including Brian, comes out with a best case scenario, but doubt it ever will.
Jeremy
Hi Guys n Gals, Isn’t this just lovely. Okay! I live in the Daytona Beach area and i know Brian personally. I did not know Brian long enough before i made the same mistake as everyone else. I had Brian build me a Fender Jaguar. I actually got my guitar in about an 18 month period of the same ol story as above. I do know Brian did suffer from a heart attack and does have a pace maker in. He was down for a couple weeks. After the same nightmare of BS for so long. I finally started pushing him harder to get it done. after all we are musicians in the same town and i thought we were friends. We have actually giged together in local bars n done open jams. you know the usual type stuff. So i felt comfortable with getting him to make me a guitar. I see him making them and selling them on ebay. yes at a turtles pace. his “SHOP” was at that time when he was making mine was a 10 x 12 living room complete with couch chairs tv. you know, a living room. No Shop at all. anyway bottom line here for me is i gave him money over a period of time he would get parts and the process would go on. 18 month and $1800.00 later. i get my guitar. i guess i am leaving out part here. in the process of building the guitar i went to his “shop” to check on my progress. He bought the cheapest tail piece, and plate covers pick guard. everything was cheap Chinese or Mexican parts. So i re-ordered the fender parts myself and took them to him and told him to use them. He bought the pickups supposedly custom wound from KLINE. the neck pickup sounded pretty nice. the bridge pickup was useless nothing but diminished sounding buzzing crap. The neck adjustment was so bad it buzzed all the way to the 7th fret. the tremolo tail piece was put in so incorrectly the whammy bar would not move at all. unless you really pushed on it. then it would lock where ever you pushed it to because there was absolutely no free travel at all. so the tail piece is screwed up too. the pictures above of the paint broken on the neck joint area. Same with mine. Did not order a reliced guitar i wanted it to look like a new guitar. it had lots of paint damage from sloppy craftsmanship and had been dropped, knocking a nice big chunk of paint off of it. two of the switches on the switch plate did nothing at all. every knob on the guitar acted as a volume knob. no matter which one you would turn for a given pickup would just kill the volume. no tone control anywhere. The nut was filled too deep. the mute was put on upside down facing the wrong way locked in the off position without the mute pad i had supplied. As soon as i got my guitar from him he immediately went home and deleted me from his friends list on fb and blocked me.. I was just so freaked out. i did not know what to do. i wanted to kill the ass hole. I paid cash and never got a single receipt on any payment. I know, how stupid. I thought we were friends. We had known each other for a couple years. He had been to my house and done some recording in my home studio. we had giged together. I did not know he owed lots of other people guitars he had not delivered. i did know he took a long time to finish anything. His kinda of ex-room mate would keep saying “I don’t know” talking about brians business dealings. His ex roomie had actually worked with him previously and would not do it anymore. “I DON’T KNOW” i should have taken as a warning. So I sat on it for a little while whilst trying to decide exactly how i was going to handle it. I had no receipt and now i know Brian has no problem lying. so it would be my word v his as to if i ever gave him money, and if i had how much even. So in the end i decided to sell it and take my loss and lesson learned. I took it to the local pawn, they offered me $200.00 for it. I could not do that. so I went down the street to my friends shop Randy at the same shop that Brian did his video from. Randy just looked at and shook his head and handed it back to me and said “I’m Sorry”. I said i totally understand. what do you think i should do. He said sell it on ebay. So, i pondered that for a day or two. finally i decided to go ahead and do the ebay thing. I put an honest of a description as i could showing all the damaged paint spots everything visibly wrong was pictured. description, told of the buzzing…. right down the line… It sold for just over $500.00 so i lost 18 months of concern and worry and $1300.00 and a person i thought was a friend. I haven’t seen Brian around town yet after i got my guitar from him. He is still here I know where he lives and still i am friends with his ex-roommate. Brian is a con-man. period. end of story. lesson learned.