Well done Clean Supper!

If you've managed to do that with those improvised tools you obviously have quite an apptitude.

Guitars are cheaper than ever now because they are mass produced by machines.

Quality control is relatively expensive because it is labour intensive, and hence these problems arise.

Cheap flat top guitars also tend to lift at the bridge quite quickly when the "solid spruce top" is poor quality and unseasoned.

The bottom line is you only get what you pay for.

I agree with treewind though.

If you take our friend breezy's advice though, be ethical, point out and explain the modification you've carried out. With your skills you may be on the way to becoming a popular character in your local musical community, which would be far better than a reputation for selling dodgy instruments.

PS. I build mandolins.

Banjo,London