ews!

Now, this guitar was made of five ply, and would have weighed at least 180Kilos. To say we were staggered at his securing method was an understatement. We flatly refused to let him do it. After a heated debate, we called it a day after dragging the guitar inside.

Now we had a thirty-foot guitar clogging up our load in area and we took control over the securing method. So much for the bargain. With some family help we made some metal straps that would be attached to the guitar, then fold over the top of the roof line. They could also be secured with coach bolts. This meant the main weight wasI can’t remember who’s idea it was. It may have been Glenn my business partner, or maybe me. If I had to lay a bet, I’d say it was our manager at the time, Gary.

The doors to our business had been open for about three years and we thought that we need a spruce up at the front of the building. First up was painting. A nice bright colour to make the building stand out. Vibrant purple! We choose that colour because it was in our logo. So the painting went ahead and it certainly made the building stand out, especially at night under the lights. But the original sign had to change. It was looking a bit tired. So, through who’s ever idea it was, we employed a chap to construct a BIG sign. He was actually a friend of our manager. He came and met with us and showed us his work. He had indeed done some BIG signs. 3D signs!

Since we were in the music business, we decided on using a guitar. A BIG guitar. We thought that we’d get some press as well as create a landmark for musicians.

So the sign man made some plans and began work. Now you’d figure that a thirty foot long 3D guitar would cost a bundle, right? Wrong. He had no idea how to charge. The total bill was only $1300.00 which included two ‘word’ signs in 3D as well. That price included delivery and installation.

It took the sign man about six weeks to make this thing. Then the fateful day came, a Saturday, when it would go up on to the front of the building. The sign man had driven from the central coast with this guitar. He had pieces inside his van and strapped on top. How he made it to us, I’ll never know.

First thing was to unload. Since he was by himself, we had to help him. How he planned to install the thing without any help is a mystery. So just to make sure he put the guitar on the right building, we suddenly became his associates! Once it was out of the van, we checked that it would go together OK. It all seemed to work.

Now to the magic moment, putting up the first piece. At this point I thought it may be wise to ask him how he intended to secure the guitar to the building. That was the moment I knew we’d made a bigger mistake than I originally thought. He pulled out a packet of 50mm self-tappers from his pocket. His idea was to screw through the wall sheeting and into the wooden frame of the building. He had put on a few right angle brackets to do this. About six. Yes, that’s right, he intended to hold up a thirty foot guitar with six screws!

Now, this guitar was made of five ply, and would have weighed at least 180Kilos. To say we were staggered at his securing method was an understatement. We flatly refused to let him do it. After a heated debate, we called it a day after dragging the guitar inside.

Now we had a thirty-foot guitar clogging up our load in area and we took control over the securing method. So much for the bargain. With some family help we made some metal straps that would be attached to the guitar, then fold over the top of the roof line. They could also be secured with coach bolts. This meant the main weight was through who’s ever idea it was, we employed a chap to construct a BIG sign. He was actually a friend of our manager. He came and met with us and showed us his work. He had indeed done some BIG signs. 3D signs!

Since we were in the music business, we decided on using a guitar. A BIG guitar. We thought that we’d get some press as well as create a landmark for musicians.

So the sign man made some plans and began work. Now you’d figure that a thirty foot long 3D guitar would cost a bundle, right? Wrong. He had no idea how to charge. The total bill was only $1300.00 which included two ‘word’ signs in 3D as well. That price included delivery and installation.

It took the sign man about six weeks to make this thing. Then the fateful day came, a Saturday, when it would go up on to the front of the building. The sign man had driven from the central coast with this guitar. He had pieces inside his van and strapped on top. How he made it to us, I’ll never know.

First thing was to unload. Since he was by himself, we had to help him. How he planned to install the thing without any help is a mystery. So just to make sure he put the guitar on the right building, we suddenly became his associates! Once it was out of the van, we checked that it would go together OK. It all seemed to work.

Now to the magic moment, putting up the first piece. At this point I thought it may be wise to ask him how he intended to secure the guitar to the building. That was the moment I knew we’d made a bigger mistake than I originally thought. He pulled out a packet of 50mm self-tappers from his pocket. His idea was to screw through the wall sheeting and into the wooden frame of the building. He had put on a few right angle brackets to do this. About six. Yes, that’s right, he intended to hold up a thirty foot guitar with six screws!

Now, this guitar was made of five ply, and would have weighed at least 180Kilos. To say we were staggered at his securing method was an understatement. We flatly refused to let him do it. After a heated debate, we called it a day after dragging the guitar inside.

Now we had a thirty-foot guitar clogging up our load in area and we took control over the securing method. So much for the bargain. With some family help we made some metal straps that would be attached to the guitar, then fold over the top of the roof line. They could also be secured with coach bolts. This meant the main weight was was out of the van, we checked that it would go together OK. It all seemed to work.

Now to the magic moment, putting up the first piece. At this point I thought it may be wise to ask him how he intended to secure the guitar to the building. That was the moment I knew we’d made a bigger mistake than I originally thought. He pulled out a packet of 50mm self-tappers from his pocket. His idea was to screw through the wall sheeting and into the wooden frame of the building. He had put on a few right angle brackets to do this. About six. Yes, that’s right, he intended to hold up a thirty foot guitar with six screws!

Now, this guitar was made of five ply, and would have weighed at least 180Kilos. To say we were staggered at his securing method was an understatement. We flatly refused to let him do it. After a heated debate, we called it a day after dragging the guitar inside.

Now we had a thirty-foot guitar clogging up our load in area and we took control over the securing method. So much for the bargain. With some family help we made some metal straps that would be attached to the guitar, then fold over the top of the roof line. They could also be secured with coach bolts. This meant the main weight wasews!

Now, this guitar was made of five ply, and would have weighed at least 180Kilos. To say we were staggered at his securing method was an understatement. We flatly refused to let him do it. After a heated debate, we called it a day after dragging the guitar inside.

Now we had a thirty-foot guitar clogging up our load in area and we took control over the securing method. So much for the bargain. With some family help we made some metal straps that would be attached to the guitar, then fold over the top of the roof line. They could also be secured with coach bolts. This meant the main weight was essentially hanging from the building frame and the bolts just held it close to the wall. It seemed like a good idea and it did work. We only intended to have it up there for about three years.

The next big day came when we lifted the guitar piece by piece into position. It was very, very hard work. Not only did we have sign man, but three of our employees and a friend of mine. Even with all this muscle, it was a devil of a job.

After some touch up paintwork, we stood back to take in the new sensation. It was quite impressive. It did get us some press and it did become a landmark for musicians. So from that aspect, I guess we got it right. But, it had caused us a huge headache and a mountain of time. After it was done, we gladly gave the sign man his $1300.00 just to see the last of him.

That guitar was put up about eleven years ago. Today is does not look anything like it used to. The business has been sold four times since we sold it and the place is in ruin. Most of the guitar has fallen down. Only part of the body and part of the headstock remain. It is a reflection of the current owners feeling towards their business. They obviously could not care less.

So the moral of the story is to find a good sign man, make sure he understands exactly what is required (and get it in writing!) and make sure you get everything for your money, even if it’s a bargain.