Many of the boutique brands we work with operate on a Build to Order basis. This means they don’t hold stock — instead, every instrument is crafted once an order is placed.

Lead Times

When we place an order, we are allocated a production slot and given a lead time. This time frame depends on:

• How many instruments the builder already has in their queue
  
• The complexity of the instrument being built
  
• The specific company’s production schedule
  

Lead times vary significantly. For example, Collings typically has:

• Shorter lead times on acoustic guitars
  
• Longer lead times on electric guitars
  
• Even longer lead times on mandolins
  

While some builders may have lead times of 3–4 months, with companies like Collings it is not unusual to wait 12 months or more.

Customer Orders & Stock Builds

In certain cases, we can substitute one of our pre-allocated stock build slots with a customer’s order, effectively shortening the wait. This depends on the product and builder and is not always possible.

Pricing

We work on a flat margin as determined by the supplier. In most cases, purchasing through us is more cost-effective than attempting a direct import. However, final pricing can be affected by:

• Exchange rates
  
• International freight costs
  

We provide an estimated landed cost at the time of order:

• If the final cost is lower, we pass the savings on to you.
  
• If the final cost is higher, we absorb any increase beyond 10%.