Visit with GFI

Archie Walpole · From: Virginia, USA

A number of months back, Mr. Billy Cooper put me in a GFI EXPO. A very nice, reasonably priced, pro model PSG. I'm fairly traditional....in all things American...and I knew someday I would visit the GFI shop and meet Bob Diekmeier.

I've just checked that one off the list.

Bob was kind enough to meet me at his shop the day after Thanksgiving, 2021. I was on a midwest/midsouth road trip and the planets finally aligned. OBTW, the GFI guitar works is certainly a GPS challenge.....but if one needs concentration and solitude.....this is the place!

Bob, a very pleasant gent, showed me everything in the shop! I was amazed at the large number of orders pending, the bin upon bin supply of small parts (heck, they're ALL small)....and then to find out he (after a specialized process) processes most every part that makes up these fine guitars. I'm a pretty simple guy and Bob's refined skill level and attention to detail impressed the whale out of me. The precision required to manufacture and assemble these instruments is definitely high order mechanics.

My personal thanks to Bob for his generous giving of his time for this ole boy from Virginia.

I hope anyone here on the forum planning a trip back to this part of the country can get by small-town-America Marshfield, MO. Make the time to give Bob an appointment call..........and let him show you "the works"!

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

My next trip back to Kansas City (MO) stopping at GFI is on my list.

I have a new Ultra keyless S10 with pad being set up with my copedent now by Billy Cooper. Should get it next week.

Gil James · From: Louisiana, USA

I ordered a student model back in March, not realizing what kind of lead time was involved. After 3 months I had changed my mind and wanted to upgrade to an Expo, ,Bob commented that it would be possible because of massive backlog of orders,after another 2 months,and saving up,I was pondering an Ultra.Thanks to Bob for moving my order up the list, and saving me some bucks, as the Expo is all the guitar I need! A beautiful easy playing instrument,that was above my expectations. Thanks Bob!

Ken Mizell · From: Lakeland, Florida, 33809, USA

I bought a used GFI S-10 Expo earlier this year. I've had a few questions for Bob at GFI, and I've bought some parts from him as well. I've added pulls, bought new legs and rods, and had questions. He is always efficient at answering the e-mails (usually the morning after you send them), and parts are shipped out fast. I doubt I will get out to MO, but I'd certainly like to visit GFI. The GFI guitar is an excellent instrument, and I'm sold on them.

Also - Their web site is second to none. Loads of information, FAQs, diagrams, charts, etc. Everything you need is there. I recently used the rodding chart to put my guitar back to factory settings, since a prior owner had changed things.
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Steeless.

Larry Dering · From: Missouri, USA

Somewhat odd but my mother lived in Hartville, just 15 miles from Marshfield and I passed by that shop many times. I have other brothers and sisters that live in the vicinity also a few miles away. This year my sweetheart purchased a new GFI Ultra SD 10 4x5 for my birthday. Now I have a reason to stop in and see the mechanical wizardry of Bob and GFI. It's on my radar.

Ian Rae · From: Redditch, England

I doubt I shall ever visit but even at this distance I've enjoyed great customer service!
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Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs

Mike Vallandigham · From: Martinez, CA

Sounds like a good time to me.
I've always wanted a GFI - almost never see them come up for sale, especially keyless. I've also enjoyed the videos they post on YouTube about their guitars and process.

Do they still make colored anodized frames? It's not shown on the website, but I've seen a pretty current one with a gold frame. See any while you were there?

Someday. Keyless D-10 8+7 with a colored frame - please.

Bobby D. Jones · From: West Virginia, USA

I have had real good service from GFI. Even though I bought both guitars 2nd owner. 2 ULTRA S12's 1 keyed and 1 keyless.
I have contacted them about pull changes, And ordered parts, In 2 or 3 days, Parts was in or hanging on my mail box. They sent me a rodding chart E-mail.
Send an E-mail and have an answer by 10am the next day.

The way their knee levers are made with both stops right on the knee lever itself. And you can use one knee lever for Left, Right, or Vertical by just changing 2 or 3 parts around.

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

I had originally placed an order Sept 2nd direct from the factory (after selling an Ultra D-10) for a S10PU (Ultra S10 with pad). Bob said he had a lot of orders but no specific time frame. One GFI dealer had told me generally 3 months for an order and accepted that. However, after the three months I was told there was "at least 40 orders ahead of mine". I looked around and found a new S10PU, gearless version, at Billy Cooper's and bought it. I cancelled the factory direct order and Bob is returning my deposit.

This will be my first experience with a "keyless" but I considered that before.

Richard Alderson · From: Illinois, USA

Dear Jack - Billy Cooper has a keyless 10 string GFI proto type that has a mechanism to change the strings to C6th; It will cost like a D-10 and not an S-10; Its an attractive blond mica guitar proto type he has had two or three in his shop for a while.

Did he tell you about that one? If you like double necks this guitar can do both E9th and C6th in a single 10 package, which could be attractive to you. It's still a slim guitar and not heavy at all.
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Derby SD-10 5x6; GFI S-10 5x5; GFI S-10 5x5; Zum D-10 8x7; Zum D-10 9x9; Fender 400; Fender Rumble 200; Nashville 400; Telonics TCA-500.

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