Woot! At least remote works. I can't upload either. I got same "exceeded" message. But that is prolly the sexiest headstock that my eyes and hands ever laid eyes on.
I was looking to buy one of these [ebayitem]350463809954[/ebayitem] as it would be a cheap ax that sorta looked like a Doc. My web researching lead me to Phantasy Tour, where I first learned of the Phred. Let me say this, PT has its share of dickweeds. Many were very UNKIND about this, calling Fred (Phred) every name in the book. Some were calling the Doc copy Fred had made a cardboard POS (even though no one owned one yet) while others were hoping anyone who bought one gets ripped off and that Phred should be sued by Paul Languedoc. Funny, I didn't see anyone saying the same thing about all the strat clones.
My continued reading lead me to contact Fred directly. Let me say this first. Fred is a genuine head, and loves this music. He was very supportive in the emails, explained why he was having these built (like most here, we'll never have the spare cash to own a Irwin or a Doc, or even the hi-end clones, or our playing level is not such that would warrant the purchase). He answered my questions as best as he could. When I asked if he would consider a Tiger copy, he sent pics of the Liger being built at the very time. WOOT-WOOT! I was sold and got in line. I may have even been the first one to have the Liger shipped out to me when they arrived. To that end, it had become my fav and has eclipsed my old Iby Artist, its that nice.
He let me know back then, that a Wolf (now Wolph) and maybe even a Cowboy Fancy (Phancy?) were possible down the stretch. Since then, he sold out of the first round of Langueknocks and I never got one. Based on my satisfaction with the Liger, I paid in full for the pre-order of the 2nd round of Knocks (which look a lot more like Trey's first Doc).
I just got the email a couple days ago saying he has a FB page now http://www.facebook.com/phredinstruments with pics of the build process, as well as saying that the Wolph is being build now. I'm hoping it will be ready for Xmas. As long as the price is good, and the quality is like it is, I'm game for every new model he comes up with. Maybe even convince him to make a 6string bass with a black cherry burl top, EMG DC clones and black hardware (sans graphite neck)?
I do see it as this. Either one of three things can happen:
1) He is successful at being a boutique guitar maker, and in which case these were the first and would be worth the most.
2) He gets a cease and desist, in which case these become the new "lawsuit Ibanezes" and would increase in value over time.
3) Zombie Apocalypse, in which case I'll be lucky to trade these for a box of .22 LR cartridges.
Hey, don't say it can't happen. I have 2 words to challange that... Bath Salts.
In any case, I'm happy. In fact, Fred found that many of the Ligers has small imperfections in the finish. Even though he send me one that was almost perfect, he emailed me about a week after I got it to say he was lowering the price because of the QC issues, and that he would be refunding me the difference from what I paid ($599) to the new price. I mean, what other guitar maker would do that? Although he is on the wrong coast, I hope to meet up with him someday and burn one down, then maybe jam a little. Very kind guy IMHO.
If I get any sneak peeks of the Wolph, and if Fred doesn't beat me to it, I'll post up pix.
Peace,
