Gail Hester Mandolins – Luthier
Below chronicles my experience with Gail Hester Mandolins – Luthier – Gail Hester
So you think you want Gail Hester of Hester Mandolins to build you a new mandolin or work on your new/vintage mandolin? Please read below to help you make an informed decision!
I’ll start by trying to convey my story and circumstances of some work Gail Hester of Hester Mandolins recently completed for me.
I will not use anything that I can’t back up factually via an email or written correspondence.
I sent Gail Hester of Gail Hester Mandolins – Luthier a Gibson Custom F5G to have the back and headstock bound and slight distressing completed as well as having Waverly tuners installed. It was shipped April 9th, 2008 via Overnight Express USPS Mail. She received it April 10th, 2008. This job was supposed to take 3 or 4 weeks, but I didn’t receive my mandolin until June 21, 2008, 73 days or almost 10 and a half weeks from the time she received it. After being 6 to 7 weeks late from the timeframe she was supposed to finish my mandolin, the pictures below will show you what I received.
I was in total shock and disbelief when I received my repaired mandolin from Gail Hester Mandolins – Luthier. If you are a luthier, ask yourself, would you allow something like this to leave your shop? Also, if you are just a mandolin enthusiast, would you be happy if this was your mandolin? Here is also a YouTube link for the content and photos of my returned mandolin: Gail Hester Mandolin Work
Click Here to read the comments I’ve received so far.
Below are links to the email exchange between the Hester’s and me.
Due to a failure of the Hester’s to honor the agreement, legal action is being taken.
See the images below of my mandolin as I received it after Gail Hester completed the work. If this was your mandolin, would you be happy with these results?
