windhoek Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 I bought a brand new 175D from AmazonUK last week, but the pickgaurd came unstuck during transit. Amazon sent out another 175D, but it's clearly been used before or something like that because the packaging had been resealed with some 'Gibson' tape and there was a small scratch on the back of the neck and some dust at the top of the body. My guess is, it's been returned to Amazon and/or Gibson at some point and subsequently passed as still being in new condition. Amazon won't send me a third guitar, so my dilemma is this: keep the original which sounds more full-bodied or keep the second which sounds brighter but is more playable. Fwiw, Amazon said they'll give me a partial refund for my troubles, so all I need to do is decide which one to return tomorrow. Does feel trump sound or does sound trump feel? Or should I just toss a coin? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L5Larry Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 ... keep the original which sounds more full-bodied ..... Generally speaking, "full-bodied" sound is THE desirable and sought after trait in an archtop. "Brightness" is something you look for in other types of guitars. I would keep the "full-bodied" one. A dab of glue, and/or a screw hole plug and re-drill, and your finger-rest is back in place,...... with the discount cash in back in your pocket. Looks like a win-win situation to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windhoek Posted December 10, 2015 Author Share Posted December 10, 2015 Generally speaking, "full-bodied" sound is THE desirable and sought after trait in an archtop. "Brightness" is something you look for in other types of guitars. I would keep the "full-bodied" one. A dab of glue, and/or a screw hole plug and re-drill, and your finger-rest is back in place,...... with the discount cash in back in your pocket. Looks like a win-win situation to me. I just picked up the full-bodied 175D again and it IS the one to stay. Apart from being the guitar I've come to know so well so soon, it sounds better and although the other one seems just a bit more playable, it's not as if the first is unplayable - far from it! Besides, I've already got two guitars that are a bit on the bright side (my Big Baby Taylor is famously bright and my La Patrie has a slightly slimmer body than normal, so doesn't produce tones that seem as deep as other classical guitars), so I certainly don't want or need another bright sounding guitar; I wonder if that's why the replacement Amazon sent me seems to be a re-stock of some sort i.e. it's too bright. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayz Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 As someone who only buys used instruments, I'd be definitely inclined to take the one that sounds and feels best to you. Fixing the pickguard sounds very minor and if done well will not effect it's future resale value. I think this could be a blessing in disguise since you actually get to try out two of the same model/year and pick the one you like! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windhoek Posted December 10, 2015 Author Share Posted December 10, 2015 As someone who only buys used instruments, I'd be definitely inclined to take the one that sounds and feels best to you. Fixing the pickguard sounds very minor and if done well will not effect it's future resale value. I think this could be a blessing in disguise since you actually get to try out two of the same model/year and pick the one you like! Yeah I thought I was in a good position too with regard to having choices and as you say, could/should choose the one that seemed best and although the second one seemed a tad better for playbility - it was literally only a tad better - the first one sounds much better. And I just had the idea of taking the pickgaurd off the second and putting it on the first so I now have a complete 175D that sounds damn fine to my ears and the bright sounding one will be returned with a detached pickgaurd wrapped in soft cloth; Amazon did say I could keep the guitar I like best and it just so happens I like the first with the second's pickgaurd :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joevacc Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 Congratulations! Your gut instinct is the only real way to pick from the two! The playability issue would not really concern me had I had the same decision. Especially with a quality guitar like yours. My take on any new instrument is to play the daylights out of the thing for several weeks and then send it to my favorite luthier for a going over. Have them fix the pick guard properly and by then you will be able to tell them exactly how to set it up for you. I like to set my guitars up myself but I have always sent them to a real luthier for that initial going over. A thorough set up can last a decade or more once it's done to the nth degree. All the best luck with it! P.S. We really need to see a picture or two you know! ;~) jv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windhoek Posted December 11, 2015 Author Share Posted December 11, 2015 Thanks Joe, here's the keeper with the pickgaurd from the other :) I hadn't thought about taking the guitar to a luthier, but there's a guitar repair shop in the city centre that specialising in repairing guitars, so if anyone can do it in Glasgow, it's bound to be them. I'll look up their website and see what services they offer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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