Mestric Guitars — Questions & Answers

Questions & Answers.

What is a Mestric guitar?

A Mestric guitar is a boutique aged electric guitar, handcrafted individually by Rob Mestric in Port Macquarie, Australia. Each instrument is finished in nitrocellulose lacquer, hand-aged, and fitted with hand-wound Mestric SSS pickups. Hardware is sourced from Gotoh and aged by hand to match. Every guitar receives a full PLEK fret level and setup before leaving the workshop. No two are the same.

How are the guitars aged?

Each guitar is aged individually, not from a template. Rob assigns every instrument its own character — a playing style, an era, a history — and the aging follows from that. Finish wear, hardware patina, lacquer checking, and fingerboard wear are all specific to the guitar. The fingerboard aging is a particular focus. Where most aged guitars treat the board as an afterthought, a Mestric fingerboard carries wear patterns that reflect how the imagined player actually used the instrument.

What is nitrocellulose lacquer, and why does it matter?

Nitrocellulose lacquer is the original finish material used on American electric guitars of the 1950s and ’60s. It’s applied in thin coats, dries hard, and continues to shrink and move over time — producing the checking and crazing found on genuine vintage instruments. It lets the wood breathe and resonates more freely than polyester or catalysed finishes. Every Mestric guitar is finished exclusively in nitrocellulose lacquer. No polyester, polyurethane, or catalysed lacquer is used at any stage.

Are the guitars available for custom order?

No. Every Mestric guitar is built as a complete instrument — colour, aging, character — before being offered. Rob doesn’t build to order or to specification. This means every guitar that leaves the workshop is one he’d be happy to keep.

Can I try a guitar in person?

Yes. Appointments are available at the workshop in Port Macquarie (Port Mac Guitars). Get in touch to arrange a time — you’ll get Rob’s full attention and the opportunity to play whatever’s currently in the collection.

What’s included with every Mestric guitar?

Every guitar ships with a Gator Journeyman Deluxe hard case, a wax-sealed personal letter from Rob about the specific instrument, a Mestric Guitars Care Guide, a limited-edition DSL Leather vintage strap with Mestric “M” branding, and a 10–46 gauge string set installed and set up to factory specification.

How do I ship or collect?

Collection is available from Port Macquarie by appointment. We also offer a flat-rate $99 Australia-Wide insured shipping option. International buyers are responsible for any customs duties, import taxes, and tariffs in their destination country.

What is the warranty?

Every Mestric guitar is covered by a 2-year Limited Warranty against defects in materials and workmanship, from the date of original purchase. The warranty applies to the original purchaser only and does not cover normal wear, intentional aging characteristics, or damage from misuse or environmental factors. Australian customers retain all rights under the Australian Consumer Law.

How do I care for a nitrocellulose finish?

Avoid conventional guitar polishes, silicone-based cleaners, and heavy wiping — these can cloud or streak the finish. After hard playing, the surface may feel slightly tacky; that’s normal for nitrocellulose and it settles. Contact areas will gradually self-polish over time. A bit of grime adds character. Play the guitar hard and let the finish do what it does. Full care instructions are included with every guitar.

How can I follow the build process?

Rob documents builds via the Port Mac Guitars and Mestric Guitars pages on Facebook and Instagram. These are the best places to watch new instruments take shape and to know when guitars become available. You can also sign up for the newsletter on the homepage.