Good points mark, anyway in an attempt to turn this thread around... i have a few suggestions.
1st - alex really reacts like that... not that its bad.. but its his way of responding to things. In my head i always have a large overbearing voice in my head when reading his posts... but if you imagine a sexy secretarys voice... parang it becomes ok.
2nd - for the makers, Instead of bashing alex.. why not use him? He's got tons of experience when it comes to fit and finish so try to use him as a counsultant instead of an "online" enemy. He probably has the time to visit the shop and qc some of the stuff. Dont take offense if he says... this is not good enough .. .etc etc, kasi kayo rin gagaling dyan over time.
3rd - I think Jon is Ok. Like I said, I'm good friends with the owner of this guitar and the guitar is indeed very playable. Fretwork is good! Not as great as some more expensive guitars but definately on the level of Epi and maybe Gib USA. Fit and finish is another thing. Im not at all impressed by this relic or how it was handled ... but like i said in TGP thread, My friends LOST IT! ... hahhaha.
4th - Jon dont let the international guys get you down. Use it nalang to refine your craft. If they say it was handled with gross disrespect, it probably was and you could have approached it better... but we all learn. Parang doctor yan, do you wanna go to a doctor thats laughing when hes in surgery... parang hindi maganda. Take all of the criticisms constructively.. and in the end... baka ikaw pa habulin in asia for repairs and restoration.
Peace boys