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Fuji ...if I were going to drop $1000 on an HVLP, I'd def go Fuji Mini-Mite 4 with the XPC gun (convertible to gravity feed as well) for under $700, or the Q4 Pro for about $920....both can be had on Amazon without paying Woodcraft's retail pricing. The difference between the Mini-Mite sprayers and the Q series is just additional soundproofing around the turbine - same non-bleeder, stainless guns, hoses, etc.

FWIW, almost all turbine sprayers use the same two turbines...the Ametek-Lamb 3 and 4 stage units, so the differences between the sprayers is in the guns, hoses, and the system used to control the volume of air reaching the gun. I prefer the Fuji guns to other turbine units - available in gravity feed, they have the same fan width control adjustments as conventional and conversion guns, are all stainless in the fluid path, and use the same high quality hoses and composite handles (no having to wear gloves during long spraying sessions..

In terms of specific recommendations:

#1: (Moderate price 4 stage system...$800) Super 4 Gold with XPC Gravity Feed Gun

http://www.amazon.com/Fuji-2809-G-XPC-Super-System-Gravity/dp/B002Z7EM6O/ref=sr_1_15?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1327236032&sr=1-15

Upgraded soundproofing versus baseline MM4; same turbine, gun, hose, etc. as Q4 Gold

#2: (Higher Price 4 stage system for better noise reduction...$920) Q4 Gold with XPC Gravity Feed Gun

http://www.amazon.com/Fuji-2894-G-XPC-Paint-System-Gravity/dp/B002Z7EM78/ref=sr_1_14?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1327236032&sr=1-14

#3: (Budget 3-stage system...$550) MM3 with XPC Gravity Feed Gun

http://www.amazon.com/Fuji-2803-G-XPC-Mini-Mite-System-Gravity/dp/B002Z7EM5U/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1327236032&sr=1-1

The MM series has the same turbine, gun, and hose as the more expensive Super and Q Pro/Gold series, but less soundproofing. The three stage units will handle everything that guitar builders need to spray.

Let me state again - even the $550 Fuji sprayers have the XPC non-bleeder gun, quality hose, high quality turbine, etc. - the differences are solely in the degree of soundproofing and the turbine packaging. If you can tolerate a little higher sound pressure level when spraying, and you don;t need to shoot latex paint, heavy primers, or other thicker paints, get the MM3 for $550 (about half the cost of the Apollo 1035) and spend the rest of your finishing dollars on a decent airbrush and a good conversion touch-up gun like the Iwata or the SATA for bursts.

The garage isn't working out and I hear about it from the big boss inside the house.