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I own 2 classicals for myself to play..One old factory and one handmade. I've yet to put a dent in my 20 year old factory built guitar. I have 4 whoppers in my EXPENSIVE 4 year old. I've come to expect a handmade just comes with dent karma. However, I think I'd let the new owner do the break in dent.
Personally I would treat it as a part of the complete building process that has imperfections and fixes for those issues. If it fixes without sight....then let'r go. If it looks like a fix...then let them know. We are lucky that wood has some forgiving properties in its raw form.

When tracing around my bridge with a new exacto knife, I dropped my knife when finished and it stuck sraight up in my guitar top ( OMG) 1/8 in. inside my bridge mark. Sometimes...we're just lucky.
Kent Bailey

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EXCELLENCE IN SCULPTURE, CARVING, LUTHIER, ARCHITECTURAL MILLWORK AND DESIGN

http://www.kabart.com

Lots of good replies. Some clients are more concerned with looks than sound. I hate building for those clowns. Most of them are beginners who think they are advanced players.

Now, I am NOT trying to be controversial here. Just pointing out that all customers are just that... customers. I would hate for anyone I know read a thought like that from me.

Just saying...

Oh, and I too would have tried steaming first.

Mike

my best customer is a pro who places equal emphasis on sound, playability, design and craftsmanship. He will reject a guitar with a craftsmanship booboo or questionable aesthetics even if the sound is better than the angel's harps. Maybe he is a clown (he actually says that about him sometimes ), but for me he is the major factor in becoming a better builder.

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Build log

My point was regarding those who place more importance on the aesthetics than the sound. I agree with Alex that there should be balanced emphasis on all aspects of the build. I disagree with those who feel that asthetics should be the most important and should have a greater importance than the sound. Those are the "clowns" that I was talking about. I hope all my customers read that thought. I refuse to make aesthetics priority over sound. The sound is my number one priority.

Yes, I'm working on a new OA. The Lattice OA is current on hold until I get a certain issue cleared up. I'm thinking about doing a flamenco guitar course.

Coming from a player/buyer (and probably a little late), that's not a dent, it's "character." If your customer is a player and not simply a collector, you're golden. The guitars Lance made for me have honest wear. The first one started as one I was going to keep at home and baby. Didn't stay that way long. It goes EVERYWHERE, as does the last one he built for me. I played a wedding a month or so ago in 98 degree heat, high humidity, and everything. If your customer is a player, he's gonna take that guitar out for the gig and play the fool out of it no matter what, ding or no ding.

My humble opinion however is the following: if your customer is solely a collector and not a player, he doesn't deserve this kind of instrument and should look elsewhere for aesthetic perfection.

Per,
You raise an interesting point. I do believe the voice changed after sanding. I believe it will be better. It seemed a little looser after sanding, with a deeper tap tone. Maybe this is working out for the best for my client, and for me. I build light with lattice bracing, so I'm not worried about it structurally.

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

Could be I have discovered a new market niche. Clowns that put Aesthetics and Sound as their number one priority.

Mike

As a maker, I do feel like a clown sometiimes.

Is it the red nose, or the big feet?

Sorry, CW, I couldn't resist!

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

An important thing I think was left in this thread is that we as builders have to remember that we cater to the customer. Sure, some builders may "know best" but ultimately its the customer we have to please. Will they want a guitar that sounds great? Sure! But will they prefer a guitar that sounds great and reflects fine craftsmanship?
I have seen a few guitars that sounded good but their lack of attention to detail made them less desirable....

Also,some statements made in this thread are probably things I would not say in a public forum that is frequented by a lot of players who may not post but definitely read....

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

I would also like to say that Steve did the right thing. He got some opinions from the forum but ultimately he consulted with whom it really mattered... the customer. My hat is off to him.
Some people would have left it alone and choose to ignore it or call it "character"....

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com