TERMS OF SERVICE
CopperGhost Guitar Reserve
Custom Guitar CommissionsEffective date: August 27, 2026
Last updated: August 27, 2026These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern custom guitar commissions offered byCopperGhost Guitar Reserve (“CopperGhost,” “we,” “us,” “our,” “the Shop”), owned and operated by Ron Bonham,also known as Scarknuckle (“the Maker”). By inquiring about a commission, approving a design, paying a deposit, orotherwise placing an order, you (“Client,” “you”) agree to these Terms.If you do not agree, do not proceed with acommission.1. Nature of the WorkCopperGhost Guitar Reserve builds custom guitars one-on-one with each Client. Instruments are available by inquiryonly. There is no off-the-shelf checkout for a finished custom guitar.Every commission is made to specifications weagree with you in writing. It is not a stock retail product.Because the instrument is designed and built for you:
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Materials may be ordered or reserved specifically for your project.
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Shop time is reserved for you.
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The finished instrument may not be readily resalable to another buyer.
Consultation before a design is agreed is informational only and does not create a contract or reserve a build slot.2. How a Commission Works
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Inquiry. You contact CopperGhost Guitar Reserve to discuss goals, style, budget, and timeline.
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Design. Ron Bonham (“Scarknuckle”) works with you one-on-one to define specifications (body and neck style,woods, hardware, electronics, finish, appointments, and other details).
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Quote. We provide a written quote and estimated timeline based on the agreed design. Quotes are valid for 30 daysunless we state otherwise in writing.
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Agreement. A commission begins only when both of the following have occurred:
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You approve the design and quote in writing (email is sufficient); and
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CopperGhost receives a deposit of at least 50% of the quoted price.
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Build. The instrument is constructed according to the approved design.
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Balance and delivery. The remaining balance, plus shipping and any agreed extras, is due before the instrument isshipped or released for pickup.
CopperGhost may decline a project for any reason, including workload, material availability, or a design we cannot orwill not build.3. PricingThe quoted price covers the guitar as specified in the approved design.Unless the quote says otherwise in writing, theprice does not include:
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Shipping, insurance, crates, or packing beyond our standard method
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Customs duties, tariffs, VAT, import taxes, or brokerage
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Sales tax or other taxes required by law
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Cases, extra strings, straps, or accessories not listed in the quote
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Design changes after approval
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Rush work, if offered
If you request changes after the design is approved, we will tell you the extra cost and any effect on timeline beforeproceeding. If a specified wood or part becomes unavailable, we will contact you before substituting anything thatmaterially affects appearance, playability, or price.Prices are in U.S. dollars unless the quote states another currency.4. Deposit and PaymentDeposit. Once a design and quote are agreed in writing, a deposit of at least fifty percent (50%) of the quoted price isrequired to start the commission.The deposit:
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Confirms the order
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Reserves your place in the CopperGhost build schedule
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Allows us to purchase or reserve materials
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Is applied to the total price of the instrument
Remaining balance. The unpaid balance (typically the remaining 50%, plus shipping and any approved extras) is duewhen the instrument is complete and before it is shipped or handed over. We will notify you when the balance isdue.Payment methods. Accepted methods will be stated on the invoice or in writing from CopperGhost Guitar Reserve.If you pay by card or a third-party processor that charges fees, those fees may be added to your invoice.Late payment.If the final balance is not paid within 14 days of notice that the instrument is ready, CopperGhost may charge a storagefee and, after 60 days, treat the order as cancelled under Section 7. In that case the instrument remains the property ofCopperGhost Guitar Reserve and may be sold.Title to the instrument remains with CopperGhost Guitar Reserve until itis paid in full.5. Design Approval and ChangesThe approved design (including any drawings, spec sheets, wood choices, finish notes, and hardware list) is the buildspecification.Before wood is cut or parts are committed: Reasonable revisions may be possible. We will confirm anyprice or timeline change in writing.After materials are committed or construction has started: Changes are at the Shop’sdiscretion, may be refused, and will usually add cost and time.Cosmetic preferences that were not specified in theapproved design—for example exact figure in a particular board, or a finish looking slightly different under your lightsthan in shop photos—are not defects.6. TimelineCopperGhost will give an estimated completion window when the deposit is received. Handmade instruments dependon material lead times, humidity and finish cure, shop queue, and the complexity of your design.Estimates are notguaranteed delivery dates. Delays from suppliers, shipping carriers, weather, illness, or other events outside ourreasonable control do not entitle you to cancel for a refund except as stated in Section 7.If the timeline changes in asignificant way, we will notify you.7. Cancellation and RefundsCustom commissions are not standard retail purchases. Refunds are limited as follows.Before design approval anddeposit: No charge. You may walk away at any time.After design approval and deposit, before construction starts (nowood cut, no custom parts ordered that cannot be returned):
The deposit is non-refundable, except at CopperGhost’s sole discretion. We may, at our option, apply the deposit as acredit toward a future CopperGhost commission for 12 months.After construction has started (materials cut, shaped,ordered as custom, or substantial labor performed):
All payments received are non-refundable. You remain responsible for costs already incurred. If you cancel,CopperGhost may keep the unfinished instrument and any materials.After the instrument is completed:
The full quoted price is due. There is no return, exchange, or refund for change of mind, dislike of an approved spec, orbuyer’s remorse.If CopperGhost cancels:
If we cannot complete the commission (for example the Shop ceases operations, or Ron Bonham determines theapproved design cannot be built), we will refund amounts you have paid, less documented costs of non-returnablematerials already purchased specifically for your build, unless we agree otherwise in writing.We do not offer refundsbecause you found a cheaper option, your financial situation changed, or you no longer want the approved design.8. Completion, Inspection, and AcceptanceWhen the instrument is finished, CopperGhost will send photos and/or a completion notice and request the remainingbalance.Inspect the instrument promptly upon delivery or pickup. Notify us in writing of any manufacturing defectwithin 14 days of receipt.Failure to notify us within that period constitutes acceptance, except for latent defects coveredby the warranty in Section 10.“Defect” means a fault in materials or workmanship that prevents the instrument fromfunctioning as a properly built guitar of its type. It does not include:
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Choices you approved in the design
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Natural variation in wood, figure, color, or grain
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Finish texture or sheen variation inherent to the finish specified
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Setup preferences different from the professional setup we completed
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Damage after delivery caused by the carrier after pickup (see Section 9), climate, humidity, impact, modification,or poor maintenance
If a covered defect is reported in time, CopperGhost’s obligation is to repair or correct it. We decide whether repairhappens in our shop or by another method we approve. You are responsible for return shipping unless we agree thedefect is our responsibility.9. Shipping, Pickup, Risk, and International OrdersShipping is extra unless the quote says otherwise. We pack to a professional standard and can ship insured wheninsurance is available.Risk of loss transfers to you when the carrier takes possession, or when you (or your agent) pickthe instrument up.Inspect the package on arrival. If the box is damaged, note it with the carrier before you sign,photograph everything, and contact CopperGhost immediately.You are responsible for:
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Providing a correct, deliverable address and any special delivery instructions
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All shipping costs, insurance upgrades you request, duties, taxes, and brokerage
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Compliance with import rules in your country
CopperGhost is not responsible for carrier delays, customs holds, or seized or delayed shipments caused by incompleteor inaccurate information you provided.10. WarrantyCopperGhost Guitar Reserve warrants the instrument against defects in materials and workmanship for one (1) yearfrom the date of delivery, to the original Client only.This warranty is provided by CopperGhost Guitar Reserve / RonBonham (“Scarknuckle”).Covered: structural or construction defects attributable to our work (for example a jointfailure or an electronic fault caused by our installation), under normal use.Not covered:
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Normal wear (frets, strings, finish wear, plating wear, nut and saddle wear)
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Damage from impact, heat, cold, rapid humidity swings, or storage outside a stable environment (about 45–55%relative humidity for wooden instruments)
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Modifications, refinishing, or repair by anyone we did not authorize
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Aftermarket parts you supplied or requested that fail
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Subjective tone, output, or “it doesn’t feel like I hoped” after you approved the spec
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Shipping damage after risk has transferred to you
Warranty service may require the instrument to be returned to CopperGhost. We may decline warranty work if theinstrument has been altered or abused.This warranty is the exclusive remedy for defects. It does not cover incidentalcosts such as your travel, studio time, or a replacement instrument.11. Materials, Wood, and Handmade VariationGuitars are made from natural materials. Wood moves with humidity and temperature. Figure, color, mineral streaks,and grain will not match a photo exactly. Hand-applied finishes and inlay will have slight variation from piece topiece.These characteristics are part of a handmade CopperGhost instrument and are not grounds for rejection, refund,or remake.12. Client-Supplied Parts or DesignsIf you provide pickups, hardware, logos, or artwork:
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You confirm you have the right to use them.
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CopperGhost is not responsible for defects in parts you supply.
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Installing client-supplied parts may void the portion of the warranty related to those components.
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We may refuse parts that we believe are unsafe, poorly made, or incompatible.
13. Intellectual Property and PhotosCopperGhost Guitar Reserve and Ron Bonham retain all rights in construction methods, templates, jigs, unpublisheddrawings, and shop processes.The finished instrument is yours after full payment. CopperGhost may photograph andshare the build and the finished guitar (including your first name, or first name plus last initial, unless you ask us inwriting not to) for portfolio, social media, and marketing.If your design includes trademarked logos, licensed art, oranother maker’s distinctive headstock or body shape that CopperGhost has not independently developed, you areresponsible for any permission required. We may refuse designs that create legal risk.You may not use theCopperGhost Guitar Reserve name, the Scarknuckle name, our logo, or our photos to sell the instrument as if it werenew work from us after you have modified it, except as honest resale of the original instrument.14. Client ResponsibilitiesYou agree to:
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Provide timely, clear decisions during the design phase
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Pay the deposit and remaining balance when due
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Keep your contact information current
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Maintain the instrument in a reasonable climate after delivery
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Follow any care guidance CopperGhost provides
Delays caused by unanswered questions or unpaid invoices pause the timeline.15. Limitation of LiabilityTo the maximum extent permitted by law:
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The total liability of CopperGhost Guitar Reserve and Ron Bonham for any claim arising from a commission islimited to the amount you have actually paid us for that commission.
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We are not liable for indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages, including lost gigs, lost profits,recording costs, or emotional distress.
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We do not warrant that the instrument will achieve a particular commercial result, a tone you imagine beyond thewritten spec, or collectible value.
Some jurisdictions do not allow certain limitations. In those places, liability is limited to the fullest extent allowed.16. Force MajeureCopperGhost is not liable for delay or failure to perform caused by events beyond our reasonable control, includingfire, flood, storm, pandemic, war, labor shortage, supplier failure, utility failure, or government action. We will resumework when reasonably possible or discuss options with you.17. CommunicationsEmail to the address you give us, or to the contact email published on the CopperGhost Guitar Reserve website, issufficient official notice. Please keep that inbox monitored.18. Governing Law and DisputesThese Terms are governed by the laws of the jurisdiction in which CopperGhost Guitar Reserve is located, withoutregard to conflict-of-law rules.Before filing a claim, both sides agree to try in good faith to resolve the issue by writtennotice and a 30-day discussion period.19. Other Terms
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Entire agreement. These Terms, plus the approved design and quote from CopperGhost Guitar Reserve, are theentire agreement for the commission. They replace prior oral or informal promises.
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Changes to these Terms. CopperGhost may update these Terms. The version in effect when you pay the depositapplies to that commission.
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Severability. If one provision is unenforceable, the rest remains in effect.
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No waiver. If we do not enforce a provision once, we may still enforce it later.
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Assignment. You may not transfer the commission to another person without our written consent.
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Age. You must be legally able to enter a contract in your jurisdiction.
20. ContactCopperGhost Guitar Reserve
Ron Bonham (“Scarknuckle”), Owner Use the contact information published on the CopperGhost Guitar Reservewebsite (email, phone, or inquiry form) for questions about these Terms or an existing commission. Include your nameand project details.