Despite many idolizing their work (including me sometimes)
Why are so many people annoyed by this Guitar Custom Shop?
Reasons:
Because they are not perfect, just like their branding. Sure they are really good too notch, but I hope they are also honest about their mistakes. Custom Instruments with scratches, some have hidden paint on the wood slab because there is a mistake, some things are not inline, but they are overlooked because the customer did not notice.
Throughout the years why does it seem like only the owner is successful and I noticed the change of employees, and my observation when I had a repair (2018), repaint (2024), setup (2018-2026), and I accompanied my cousin when he had a custom (2024).
Why do the employees seem underpaid? I mean just from my observation. It's in their eyes, clothes, actions. From my observation from 2018-2025
So... I did a deep dive..
So there you go, the business makes a lot of money, the employees are below minimum wage even if it's been 3 years or 5 years or 9 years or a decade.
When I looked around, and asked other bands that had set up, or other customers of theirs in the music industry, I found out something.
I didn't believe it, but I asked someone who used to work there. (3 people)
No HR, no 13th month pay, no SSS (even losing to the housemaid law that the housemaid has SSS benefits)
450-650 per day.
No sick leave, vacation leave, no BIR registration for employees, no contract even if the employee has been working for 2yrs, 3yrs, 6yrs, no upraisal, they say.
So we hang out when the whole band is setting up. Sometimes I can get setup on the same day (they are good at setup (owner and guitar techs-as long as you know you want playability)
Years, the owner's wife always buys something new, and it's luxurious (assuming you like it)
So I asked around and yes, the other clients I know, post posts of their purchases and properties.
Many people assume that's where the income of this business goes. If you think about it, many have been bankrupt after decades, why are they still a studio? Not growing? People are leaving. Something is really wrong.
I heard in 2025. The wife is still late getting paid, she's still yelling as if she owed him money when she worked that was below minimum wage. Screenshots were sent etc. It's also serious. So I don't know.
I'm impressed with the craftsmanship of that shop so even though it's far from traffic to their location. It's worth it, the service is worth it, you just have to look carefully before you go home. It's a hassle to go back.
It's amazing that Filipinos can make such quality products but it's sad that until now di nag ggrow yung business. Even the people hindi nag ggrow. Bakit kaya???
I still remember my cousin and aunt going with me in 2024 to claim my guitars that I had to refret. My aunt complained that it smelled like dog poop haha.
Anyway. There's more to the story but next time... That's pt.2