I've also gotten rifles back from reputable gunsmiths that looked like they were bedded by piss drunk spider monkeys.
I think some reputations are more legend than reality.
Travis
At times it is hard to agree with Travis because he is usually a bit extreme on most of his posts, on this I could not agree more. I have had more custom guns built than I care to count. the worst by far was built by a legend
Darrel Holland.....some claim he is deity, but the gun he built for me is not to par with an off the rack factory rifle for MUCH more $$$$$$$