djw171 Posted January 7, 2016 Posted January 7, 2016 So considering they have this 24/7 support they sure do take their time in responding to email enquiries. I emailed them regarding bridge pins. I'd like to obtain a couple of spares or even a set, just to have in my case for when I'm at gigs and maybe have to change a string. I know it's possible to measure and buy from a secondary source but I'd quite happily just buy a set from Gibson. Anyway I asked this question: Hi, I want to obtain some spare bridge pins for my Southern Jumbo Acoustic, Can you tell me if these can be purchased via a Gibson auth seller and if so the part number to order or alternatively the dimensions of required said pins. Thanks. Now I knew they were not showing on their site, there is not much in the way of spares to be honest. The reply: All packaged Gibson Gear parts and accessories may be ordered from our website at http://store.gibson.com or through an authorized Gibson dealer; http://www.gibson.com/Dealers. If the part you are seeking is not available through the channels above, we recommend the suppliers listed below for comparable aftermarket replacement parts; WD: 1-877-WDMUSIC www.wdmusic.com All Parts: 1-800-327-8942 www.allparts.com Stewart-McDonald: 1-800-848-2273 www.stewmac.com Warmoth: 253-845-0403 www.warmoth.com Pickguards: www.pickguardian.com Gibson Customer Service My reply to this: So basically you dont know the dimensions of the bridge pins. Wouldnt be hard to ask Montana would it? Pretty poor providing a link to your own website that DOES NOT supply the said item. Maybe as Customer Service you should know this! Really, recommending aftermarket??? Maybe the fact its a $3000 guitar (and I have three Gibson Acoustics), I want the manufacturers actually item not secondary aftermarket. Both Martin and Taylor offer bridge pins direct on their site. Very poor Maybe I expected too much...
j45nick Posted January 7, 2016 Posted January 7, 2016 Maybe I expected too much... I would say that pretty much sums it up. You're talking about $5 worth of generic parts. It's not like Gibson actually makes them. You don't need to go to the manufacturer of your computer for a USB key.
MissouriPicker Posted January 7, 2016 Posted January 7, 2016 I've had nothing but good experiences when I've had to deal with Gibson Customer Service. As a matter of fact, one question I recently sent to Customer Service was answered within hours, and then the very next day Jeremy (of Gibson and who frequents this board) contacted me with a message on this forum regarding if I'd received the info I was seeking. I think j45nick is correct. Kind of like if your tail light burns out, you don't call Ford or GM. You go to an auto store or the car dealer............Guitar Center is where I go. Got them for my HD28 there. I have no idea if Martin could have helped me. Sweetwater, Bob Colosi and dozens more on the internet can get you the pins for a specific guitar. Call Bob Colosi. They'll likely know exactly what you need,
djw171 Posted January 7, 2016 Author Posted January 7, 2016 I would say that pretty much sums it up. You're talking about $5 worth of generic parts. It's not like Gibson actually makes them. You don't need to go to the manufacturer of your computer for a USB key. They don't make the Truss Rod cover probably either, they don't make the tuners..there are a lot of parts that they don't manufacture themselves but obtaining the OEM parts if you like is something that is nice to have as an option. The real point of the post was that their reply was a generic answer that was obviously cut and pasted. Why would they direct to their website knowing the parts are not on there. I will try Bob Colosi. Thanks
aliasphobias Posted January 7, 2016 Posted January 7, 2016 I know Christmas has come and gone and blah, blah, blah but for some doggone reason I am still feeling Christmasy. P.M. me your address and I'll put you some in the mail, shipping on me, serious. No, I didn't miss your point. I can't wait until next Christmas!
duluthdan Posted January 7, 2016 Posted January 7, 2016 Wouldn't it have made an excellent story if someone receiving this inquiry had merely taken a set of these relatively inexpensive plastic pins and put them in an envelope with postage and sent them off with a quick little thank you note. Seems simple enough to me. Would've been told over and over, me thinks. In our jobs, and in our lives, we all have the opportunities to make these nice little gestures. Sorry the folk at Gibson didn't jump at this chance.
j45nick Posted January 7, 2016 Posted January 7, 2016 They don't make the Truss Rod cover probably either, they don't make the tuners..there are a lot of parts that they don't manufacture themselves but obtaining the OEM parts if you like is something that is nice to have as an option. The real point of the post was that their reply was a generic answer that was obviously cut and pasted. Why would they direct to their website knowing the parts are not on there. I will try Bob Colosi. Thanks Your point is well taken, and another thread here points out personnel changes that Gibson Acoustic customer service is going through right now. Based on those changes, I would not expect improvements in customer service, particularly if they are centralizing everything to Nashville. I would just put bridge pins in the same category as strings, since they aren't really attached to the guitar. The pins used by Gibson probably literally cost them a few pennies apiece, and there's nothing special about them. I always get a kick out of people selling vintage guitars touting that they have the original bridge pins. Never quite figures out how you prove that. You are correct, in that it wouldn't be hard for Gibson to put sets of "original" plastic pins on their website. But it would hardly be worth the trouble to do it. One of the first things a lot of us do after buying a guitar, whether new or used, Gibson or otherwise, is upgrade the bridge pins. I just put the old ones in a baggie and stick them in the accessory pocket. As you say, it's handy to have them if you drop a pin on stage while changing a busted string.
aliasphobias Posted January 7, 2016 Posted January 7, 2016 I just put the old ones in a baggie and stick them in the accessory pocket. As you say, it's handy to have them if you drop a pin on stage while changing a busted string. Or decide to sell the guitar with the "original" pins.
slimt Posted January 8, 2016 Posted January 8, 2016 The only way to access any parts , that you will have to pay for , is through a Gibson Dealer. You ask the dealer.. they will order for you.. Im pretty sure its the way it is.. it was in the past.. by the way.. buy bone grooved pins.. way better than plastic.
ponty Posted January 12, 2016 Posted January 12, 2016 Interesting. I am sure that I have seen these at Guitar Center. However, searching the web, they seem to be readily avaialable in Japan, Korea, and Russia!! My J-45 from 93 came with rosewood pins. The plastic one I would replace with bone.
Murph Posted January 12, 2016 Posted January 12, 2016 Wouldn't it have made an excellent story if someone receiving this inquiry had merely taken a set of these relatively inexpensive plastic pins and put them in an envelope with postage and sent them off with a quick little thank you note. Seems simple enough to me. Would've been told over and over, me thinks. In our jobs, and in our lives, we all have the opportunities to make these nice little gestures. Sorry the folk at Gibson didn't jump at this chance. Like Arrow, he has a point...........
badbluesplayer Posted January 12, 2016 Posted January 12, 2016 My reply to this: So basically you don’t know the dimensions of the bridge pins. Wouldn’t be hard to ask Montana would it? Pretty poor providing a link to your own website that DOES NOT supply the said item. Maybe as Customer Service you should know this! Really, recommending aftermarket??? Maybe the fact it’s a $3000 guitar (and I have three Gibson Acoustics), I want the manufacturers actually item not secondary aftermarket. Both Martin and Taylor offer bridge pins direct on their site. Very poor Maybe I expected too much... I hear ya, and at the same time it's early and I'm an old guy that understands how stuff works and I'm a little grouchy. So here's how it works. They're Gibson. They have dealers. You're a customer. You go through the dealer. America, baby! "Said" item! I'll bet that really got their attention. Tee hee....
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