Buying a custom guitar for many is a major -- often lifelong -- commitment. As such Richard Wilson Guitars seeks to make the process as smooth and rewarding as possible. To ensure that both the customer and builder are on the same page throughout the process we have a set of terms and conditions and a warranty for owners of Richard Wilson Guitars.

Terms for Ordering Guitars

The following terms and conditions are provided for customers.

1. Placing an order secures your place in the waiting list. A non-refundable 50% deposit is required to secure such a spot, and locks in most features as well as the price of the guitar.
2. Guitars are built to the specifications listed on the invoice provided.
3. The estimated waiting period is given as an estimate and no guarantees as to the delivery date can be provided. Richard Wilson Guitars are not liable for any losses of time, wages or profits as a result of the instrument's delivery date.
4. Refunds cannot be offered for instruments whose completion and/or delivery has been delayed beyond any estimated delivery date.
5. The final balance including postage is payable upon completion of the instrument.
6. Guitars are sent via either registered post or courier (for cases) within Australia. International orders are shipped by air mail or international express. Insurance is always required. Collection from the Brisbane workshop at no charge is also available to all customers.
7. Once the customer has received the guitar, a 15 day return policy is offered. Given the personal nature of guitars, this is offered to ensure that the customer is fully satisfied with their instrument. Instruments may be returned for modifications, full replacements or refunds (upon the successful resale of custom instruments only).
8. If for any reason the customer is not satisfied, they should contact us and arrange its return. It must be received in its original condition with no wear, damage or alterations. The customer is responsible for all delivery or freight costs to and from Richard Wilson Guitars.
9. Refunds can only be provided upon the resale of the guitar. A refund is less postage/shipping costs to and from Richard Wilson Guitars and any applicable discounts offered.
10. Heavily customised guitar may not be refundable. This may include custom or personalised inlay, unique body designs or other non-standard features. Such instruments may be able to be modified and a full refund issued minus any modification costs.

Discount for up front payment

A 5% discount off the total price is offered for any new custom guitar where the full payment is made up front. This can include accessories such as pickups, slides, cases and extra strings that are ordered at the same time. Excludes final shipping/postage costs which are payable upon completion of the instrument. This is only applicable to custom ordered guitars and does not include any pre-made instruments.

Warranty Information

Richard Wilson Guitars are built to the highest standard with the finest workmanship and components available. All guitars are warranted to ensure customer satisfaction. This warranty only applies to the original owner of the instrument and is non-transferable. This warranty applies for the lifetime of the instrument, while Richard Wilson and/or Richard Wilson Guitars remains in operation.

Warranty excludes:

• General wear and tear.
• Damage due to neglect or misuse.
• Neck resets, refretting or nut/saddle adjustments as a result of typical long-term changes that take place naturally on string instruments.
  
• Instruments that have been exposed to abnormal or extreme temperature or humidity conditions.
• Components or accessories that are not manufactured by Richard Wilson Guitars, including but limited to tuners, pickups, strings or cases. Some of these items may however be covered by a manufacturer's warranty; contact us for more information.
• Instruments modified or altered after purchase are not covered.
• Delivery or freight charges that arise as a result of a warranty claim. It is the customer's sole responsibility to pay for any and all charges to and from Richard Wilson Guitars and/or an authorised agent.

Warranty Limitations:

The warranty covers only the repair or replacement of a defective instrument and/or components. Richard Wilson Guitars is in no way liable for direct or indirect losses as a result, including wages, profits, time or damage to or loss of property.

Warranty Claims:

Please contact Richard Wilson Guitars to discuss warranty claims.

Care Information

To ensure your instrument is a lifelong investment, customers should take care of a Richard Wilson Guitar as with any musical instrument.

• Always keep your guitar in a case when not in use. If a guitar is not purchased at the time of order you should source one locally to store your instrument in.
• Avoid extremes of humidity. Richard Wilson Guitars are built in a tightly controlled "average" humidity of approximately 40-50% and this is the ideal range for instrument storage. An in-case or in-guitar humidifier is always recommended in areas or periods of low humidity. Cracks and warping can occur in low humidity.
• Avoid extremes of temperature. A locked car on even a mild day can easily reach temperatures that can destroy the bond of glues used in musical instrument construction. Very low temperatures are also indicative of low humidity and should be avoided.
• Guitars with a lacquer finish will require some basic cleaning and maintenance over time. Refrain from using polishes containing silicone. Exposed fretboards and bridges can be lightly oiled to keep the wood from drying out. Wherever possible use products sourced from music stores; furniture cleaning products are often unsuitable for musical instruments and the types of finishes used. Avoid alcohol or solvent based cleaners as these can dissolve the finish and do not use excessive water as it can soak into the wood or weaken glue joints.
• Always string instruments with appropriate strings for the tunings required. Weissenborns in particular are best served with reasonably light strings; "medium" gauge suit Open C or D, "light" gauge strings suit Open D or E. It is recommended that you loosen or remove the strings if you are planning on storing or not playing your instrument for a while.
• When restringing ensure that the ball-end of the string is seated firmly against the bridge plate within the guitar and is locked in place. Tensioning strings without correctly seated strings can damage the guitar or bridge pins. Replacement bridge pins are available from Richard Wilson Guitars.

The Guitars