rockalways4ever Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 Bought a Gibson Dove. Other than a few very visible bridge marks, there seems to be some severe scratches on it and depressions on the fretboard. What can I do about it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitarstrummer Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 Welcome to the forum. If you want it fixed, you'll have to take it to an authorized Gibson repair facility or contact Bozeman yourself. I can't visualize what you're talking about very well (as far as the bridge marks). Can you post some photos? If you're unhappy with it, Bozeman will make it right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 Put down the magnifier, and play the guitar. In a few minutes it'll have all kinds of scratches around the bridge and pick guard. The case is to transport the guitar to a gig. The guitar is a tool. The case is, uh, a case. Sometimes you people drive me nuts. No offense. Murph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockalways4ever Posted October 5, 2008 Author Share Posted October 5, 2008 Magnifying glass? It's not just aesthetic, my friend. The depressions in the fretboard are pretty deep. Also some weird white dust around the between the bridge and the body. Holes in the velvet case, but whatever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jefleppard Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 could the dust be pick or skin dust? are you a finger picker? skin is more likely to flake and accumulate from fingers 2-5 than it is from the thumb only. picks also get shaved down and, unless you play the guitar flat on its back, gravity will cause the dust to settle under the treble strings. as far as the obvious problems and, judging from many claims made here on the forum, bozeman will get it right. (except for that one 'sent to the chipper' story) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Pup Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 Gibson said send it to them and they'll take a look at it...sounds like a no brainer to me. If this was the seventies, I'd have a few more questions about the white dust. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onewilyfool Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 Black finish guitars show EVERYTHING>...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 Wow, I can't believe this post, it sounds like my recent experiance exactly. I ordered a new SJ 200 (burst) from Sweetwater and when I got it, it had scratches on the top and that white dust around the bridge that just does not seem to go away. My case had a big piece of blue velvet missing and the wood was exposed just like yours. The case had all kinds of scratches on the outside of it also. You know I payed a lot of money for this guitar and I really did not expect a Gibson in that price range to be in that kind of shape! There were some nitro runs in the finish on the neck too. I think Gibson's quality control have been asleep at the wheel lately! I e-mailed Sweetwater and expresed my disapointment with my rescent purchase and they took it back and Gibson made me a new one. I had to wait a little while but it was worth it. My new guitar arrived in great shape. So, I can really feel your pain, I don't mind a new guitar with scratches on it, but I want to be the one to put them there! Ya know what I mean! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitarstrummer Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 Question about the "white powder". Is it on the actual bridge or is it on the top of the guitar? If it's on the bridge or even on the top where the bridge meets the top, it could be polishing compound that didn't come off completely when they buffed it. Sometimes you will see this on the wood at the end of the neck, by the sound hole. If that's the case, it will come off. You just have to use some elbow grease. As far as the case problems, as you probably already know, Gibson does not manufacture the cases. The case manufacturer should have caught any problems. Gibson QC probably should have also looked for problems, but unless it was something major, they could have missed it. I think they probably rely on the QC of the case manufacturer to catch any significant problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acousticat Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 rockalways4ever Welcome to the forum. I feel your pain, as I had a similar problem with my J-45, it had the white buffing powder around the sound hole. Like Mike said, a little elbow grease will do the trick. As far as the scratches and case, if they bug you that much, then return it to Gibson. Gibson has an excellent service department, and any QC issues should be covered by your warrant. Gibson stands behind all their products. If you feel this is a keeper, I would just try to get over it and just play the darn thing... it a guitar and it meant to be played. Please don't take this so seriously, life to short to sweat the small things. Hope you make the right decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockalways4ever Posted October 7, 2008 Author Share Posted October 7, 2008 Thanks for the help guys. The only reason it bothers me, is because it's a pretty expensive guitar. And I'm working the whole summer to pay for most of it. Called the guys at Gibson, they're not really helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearbasher Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 If it bothers you that much, send it to Gibson. Insure for the full value. If it gets damaged, let the PO, UPS or FedEx pay for it. If the bridge looks like it's lifting on one side, get a sheet of paper and see if you can slip the corner under the bridge. If it goes in, I would definitely send it back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosewoody Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 I thought Gibson was supposedly very selective about their dealers, trying to upgrade the representation as it were. I would take it to the dealer and explain your point of view. You can't make them take any responsibility for the guitar, as far as returning it to Gibson, but I would start with them. Guitar Center gets a lot of knocking in the forums, but they do honor 30 day returns. You could bring that up to Memphis Showcase, for what it's worth. If you are unhappy, return it to Gibson. Just be sure to pack it well; should be OK. Do pack it well! This is where it seems that the dealer might have some responsibility. At least get a good box and packing from them. Send it off. Most reports are that Gibson makes things right. If you are going to be miserable, get it taken care of. $3500 is a lot of money and life is short. A lot of people won't buy unseen and unplayed for these reasons. It is helpful to remember it's a tool, but it should be your scratches on a new item. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitarstrummer Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 If you're that unhappy, take it back to the dealer where you bought it from. Let them look at it and see what they think. They don't use knives to install the bridge, so I doubt that the marks you're seeing are from a knife. If the bridge is actually lifting (separating) from the top of the guitar, you need to have it looked at. If the problem is that the wood on one side of the bridge seems a bit thicker than the other side, that's normal on some models. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 That's my point, and I hope I didn't come off as being rude. But my '03 J45 got it's first major ding when I dropped a cordless phone on it's top. It's got a lot more now, and the nitro is worn through where my thumb sets on the back of the neck. It hooked another snag on the top a few weeks ago. My 79 SG went through the DOUBLE AUGHT years (cdbaby.com) and looks like it's done hundreds of gigs in smoky bars because it has. My brand new ES-339 has done 6 gigs in bars in its first 5 weeks, and is booked through New Years, and is so far scratch free, but it's going to happen any day. My 1933 Gibson A-00 Mandolin, that belonged to the late GREAT Scotty Stoneman is weathercracked, worn, scratched, and a part of the family. Hangs on the wall with everything else. Best of of luck. Murph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockalways4ever Posted October 7, 2008 Author Share Posted October 7, 2008 I've decided just to get over it. Nothing's perfect, lesson learned. Thanks for ther help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockalways4ever Posted October 7, 2008 Author Share Posted October 7, 2008 *the Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitarstrummer Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 You need to either contact the store where you bought it or contact Gibson in Bozeman. Someone will probably need to give you a RMA number, so they and you can track the repair. Put it in the case and put the case in the original guitar shipping box. The original box should have had a foam insert for both the top and bottom of the guitar case. Ship it per the instructions of your store or Gibson in Bozeman. Make to insure it and get a tracking number. Enclose a letter, outlining the problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWilson Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 Gibson Customer Service 1894 Orville Way Bozeman, Montana 59718 (800) 426-2636 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosewoody Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 When you pack the guitar, make sure it is snug in the case. http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/General/faq.html#Airline I use Fed X, others like UPS. Insurance seems to be a joke, but I would get it anyway. The best insurance is to pack it well with reiforced corners. Support the headstock. Assume the shipper will throw the box around. I have shipped a lot, no problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dotneck Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 That's the kind of stuff a dealer should be taking care of. That's why manufacturers have dealers....to sell product and take care of minor problems. I think you should be able to return it. That's a lot of money to spend and not be happy with the product. I think you are being done wrong by the dealer. OTOH...in the scheme of things...it sounds like you have some very minor issues with the guitar. I'm not sure how I would feel if I spent $3500 for a guitar and it wasn't right. I'm 55 and have never been able to spend that much on a guitar. So to be able to get one after only six months of babysitting is quite an accomplishment...so I can understand wanting to be satisfied with the purchase. If you play it for a while these concerns will most likely fade away.... I guess there is something to be said about buying a guitar that is in hand vs ordering from a catalog. Each one is distinct and its nice to be able to see what you're getting...especially at that price point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearbasher Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 If it hasn't been mentioned, when (if) you ship the instrument, loosen the strings. I usually tune them down a full step before shipping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitarstrummer Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 rockalways4ever, you have a private message. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 i hear ya...i had some problems with my new j45rw. (slight hump in the neck where it joints the body...a weird rattle/buzz that i still have a bit, glue splatter inside, broken ribbing inside etc) not what we should expect for an expensive guitar. from the MANY gibson guitars i've inspected in the past 6 months and hearing some other other peoples stories, gibsons qc is seriously lacking. i figure they let a lot of imperfect guitars out the door knowing that 99% of buyers wont do anything about it...(as with most manufacturers sadly) however..it sounds (and smells!) amazing. i returned it only to buy it back the next week. in the end i figured i was just going to bang it up anyway, who cares about the minor imperfections...and i didnt want to hunt forever to find a "perfect" one. but if it bugs you and you can't let it go..do something about it or it will bug you for a long time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bohemian Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 2 options Keep the guitar and live with it ( unhappily) Send the guitar to Bozeman with a list of your observations/complaints. The latter requires some faith, but provides the best option for satisfaction. Good luck and pack well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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