Not-Too-Late Posted August 6, 2011 Share Posted August 6, 2011 I did place the order with GC for the Epi Les Paul Standard Plain Top, but when I placed the order, the sales clerk asked if I wanted to add the 2 yr replacement insurance to the order. I asked if I could think about it and make the decision when I pick up the guitar. The insurance (not warranty) is supposed to cover any type of accidental damage with no questions asked. If it can't be fixed they simply cut a check to me for whatever I paid for the guitar. Not quite sure what to decide. It is another $80 for 3 years of insurance. Has anyone here taken advantage of this when you bought your guitar? You never know what could happen down the road, but in all the years I have owned instruments I have never had an accident where I have encountered damage. But there is, of course, the first time. Would you guys go for this insurance deal if you had a choice? Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaSTuS Posted August 6, 2011 Share Posted August 6, 2011 Personally I think insurance is a crock, it's fantastic when you need it, but how often is that, the odds are certainly in the insurance company's favour, otherwise they wouldn't be so profitable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianh Posted August 6, 2011 Share Posted August 6, 2011 If you were going on tour, or it was going to be used as a stage prop where there was going to be a high likelihood of accident or misuse, then sure $80 seems fair for 3 years. But if it's going to stay in your home and be used only by you and on occasion by a few friends and family members, then the risk is so low it's not worth it. Better to invest $80 in a good hard shell case - that's insurance that will last for decades.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matiac Posted August 6, 2011 Share Posted August 6, 2011 What Brian said. Get yerself a good hardcase, and yer good to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stein Posted August 6, 2011 Share Posted August 6, 2011 "insurance" is only as good as what it does for you in the event you have to use it. When you weigh out what it covers and the likelyhood of what it covers happening, then what you pay is the question. So, what does it cover? Does it cover theft? Does it repair it for you if you need it? if it doesn't, and there are things likely to happen, then add THAT to the cost of insurance. If you truly WANT insurance, you might talk to an insurance agent about covering ALL your guitars, and then, the policy is only as good as doing what you WANT it to do in the event you use it. Personally, I think if you add the cost of the GC "insurance" they offer, and the likeyhood of using it, the cost of the coverage does not add up. The money you spend on the insurance for every piece you might buy if you did would easily pay for repairs and/or more guitars on average by a long shot. It is a personal choice, of course. You have to weigh out your own experience and responsibility, of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaSTuS Posted August 6, 2011 Share Posted August 6, 2011 Better to invest $80 in a good hard shell case - that's insurance that will last for decades.... +1 Excellent point Brian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The.Traffic.Lights Posted August 6, 2011 Share Posted August 6, 2011 Better to invest $80 in a good hard shell case - that's insurance that will last for decades.... Agree, BUT! Get yourself a set of good straplocks as well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitmore Willy Posted August 6, 2011 Share Posted August 6, 2011 Same as others..... Insurance.........$80.00 : Willy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blues335 Posted August 6, 2011 Share Posted August 6, 2011 Insurance..........when you lose a love, it is the blues........not replaceable.........get insurance if you want........but where is your soul........mine are irreplaceable........not insured but cared for............. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Not-Too-Late Posted August 6, 2011 Author Share Posted August 6, 2011 Same as others..... Insurance.........$80.00 : Willy I'm deffinately getting one of those, as I will be travelling around to homes of friends and family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Not-Too-Late Posted August 7, 2011 Author Share Posted August 7, 2011 Personally I think insurance is a crock, it's fantastic when you need it, but how often is that, the odds are certainly in the insurance company's favour, otherwise they wouldn't be so profitable. Ditto! What prompted me to think along the lines of insurance is the negative reviews I got from different videos on youtube. Some were saying that the neck could breakaway from the body, frets coming loose, neck cracking around the nut. I don't know what to think, because I have always owned American made Telecasters, and one Gibson while in my teens. This is the first time I'm venturing into the realms of oversees made guitars. Perhaps I should ask you folks if you have encountered or have heard of the issues I have mentioned? Thanks for all your help guys, I really appreciate it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The.Traffic.Lights Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 Ditto! What prompted me to think along the lines of insurance is the negative reviews I got from different videos on youtube. Some were saying that the neck could breakaway from the body, frets coming loose, neck cracking around the nut. I don't know what to think, because I have always owned American made Telecasters, and one Gibson while in my teens. This is the first time I'm venturing into the realms of oversees made guitars. Perhaps I should ask you folks if you have encountered or have heard of the issues I have mentioned? Thanks for all your help guys, I really appreciate it. Mmm... Sometimes, if being abused, headstocks can snap off due to the angle they're at. Extremely rarely it happens without any visible reasons - but isn't this case covered by a usual warranty? And on this forum I've never heard of necks breaking away, frets coming loose or something, even with the low-end Specials etc. Been around for over a year now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicmaker99 Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 Ditto! What prompted me to think along the lines of insurance is the negative reviews I got from different videos on youtube. Some were saying that the neck could breakaway from the body, frets coming loose, neck cracking around the nut. I don't know what to think, because I have always owned American made Telecasters, and one Gibson while in my teens. This is the first time I'm venturing into the realms of oversees made guitars. Perhaps I should ask you folks if you have encountered or have heard of the issues I have mentioned? Thanks for all your help guys, I really appreciate it. HA! I'd venture to say that THE #1 GUITAR FOR HEADSTOCK/NECK BREAKS IS A USA MADE GIBSON LES PAUL BECAUSE OF THE 17 DEGREE TILT. Check it out (granted the author is a notorious hater of Gibson and LP's inparticular but he has some good points about the design flaws): http://www.edroman.com/rants/les_paul_necks.htm Nix on the insurance. They'd probably find a way to deny covering a break, etc, etc and attribute it to improper handling, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete B Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 Was thinking of re-stringing mine with 0.5" strings, but I see they are weak necks :P Not sure they would insure me, also, must not change my name to Jimi Hendrix or Pete Townsend, they seem to have guitar "accidents" on stage lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicmaker99 Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 Was thinking of re-stringing mine with 0.5" strings, but I see they are weak necks :P Not sure they would insure me, also, must not change my name to Jimi Hendrix or Pete Townsend, they seem to have guitar "accidents" on stage lol You know, Epi, Ibanez, Tokai, Burney, etc, etc do not suffer from the broken necks like the Gibson LP's and SG's do (not that it doesn't happen; my Epi DOT has a repaired neck--but the incidents are much, much lower amongst other manufacturers of LP copies). Nope, Gibsons got the broken neck thing down to a science that no other manufacturer can come close to. I know my luthier sends Gibson a Christmas card every year thanking them for the business and to please not change the LP design.:P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Not-Too-Late Posted August 7, 2011 Author Share Posted August 7, 2011 Ditto! What prompted me to think along the lines of insurance is the negative reviews I got from different videos on youtube. Some were saying that the neck could breakaway from the body, frets coming loose, neck cracking around the nut. I don't know what to think, because I have always owned American made Telecasters, and one Gibson while in my teens. This is the first time I'm venturing into the realms of oversees made guitars. Perhaps I should ask you folks if you have encountered or have heard of the issues I have mentioned? Thanks for all your help guys, I really appreciate it. HA! I'd venture to say that THE #1 GUITAR FOR HEADSTOCK/NECK BREAKS IS A USA MADE GIBSON LES PAUL BECAUSE OF THE 17 DEGREE TILT. Check it out (granted the author is a notorious hater of Gibson and LP's inparticular but he has some good points about the design flaws): http://www.edroman.com/rants/les_paul_necks.htm Nix on the insurance. They'd probably find a way to deny covering a break, etc, etc and attribute it to improper handling, etc. What ever happened to that top of the line, the best there is "Honduras (?) Mahogony" Gibson uses? So the design specs for the Gibson neck is different than the EPI's? So it would appear then that EPI has one up on Gibson? I'm feeling better already . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Not-Too-Late Posted August 7, 2011 Author Share Posted August 7, 2011 You know, Epi, Ibanez, Tokai, Burney, etc, etc do not suffer from the broken necks like the Gibson LP's and SG's do (not that it doesn't happen; my Epi DOT has a repaired neck--but the incidents are much, much lower amongst other manufacturers of LP copies). Nope, Gibsons got the broken neck thing down to a science that no other manufacturer can come close to. I know my luthier sends Gibson a Christmas card every year thanking them for the business and to please not change the LP design.:P I'm thinking perhaps I should send them a little note thanking them for the Epiphone line . . . Gibson's best kept secret. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaSTuS Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 What ever happened to that top of the line, the best there is "Honduras (?) Mahogony" Gibson uses? So the design specs for the Gibson neck is different than the EPI's? So it would appear then that EPI has one up on Gibson? I'm feeling better already . Generally Epi uses a 14deg headstock angle whereas Gibby uses 17deg, the greater the angle, the weaker the joint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Not-Too-Late Posted August 7, 2011 Author Share Posted August 7, 2011 Not sure they would insure me, also, must not change my name to Jimi Hendrix or Pete Townsend, they seem to have guitar "accidents" on stage lol I wouldn't do that either. The insurance company will drop you in a heart beat. Jimi & Pete sure got excited during their performances. Ah, but their playing skills . . . I'm green with envy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Not-Too-Late Posted August 7, 2011 Author Share Posted August 7, 2011 . . . on this forum I've never heard of necks breaking away, frets coming loose or something, even with the low-end Specials etc. Been around for over a year now. According to other's comments, it would appear to be a problem with Gibson and not Epiphone. Perhaps I will send Gibson a note then, expressing my sincerest thanks for keeping Epiphone as their best kept secret! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianh Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 And on this forum I've never heard of necks breaking away, frets coming loose or something, even with the low-end Specials etc. Been around for over a year now. http://forum.gibson....__1#entry866221 http://forum.gibson....__1#entry936988 http://forum.gibson....__1#entry886112 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Not-Too-Late Posted August 7, 2011 Author Share Posted August 7, 2011 http://forum.gibson....__1#entry866221 http://forum.gibson....__1#entry936988 http://forum.gibson....__1#entry886112 Oh great! I'll hold off on that note I was planning to send Gibson . Perhaps I will check further into insurance that covers accidental damage. The coverage at GC will do that. I'm really curious as to how this happens. Has Epiphone not addressed this issue? If this does happen to me, I'm sure I will receive a lot of flak from Epiphone trying to get warranty to cover the damage. I have never heard of this in all the years I played Fender guitars. They make their necks out of maple bolted to either ash or alder bodies. Comparing maple to mahogony . . . which is more durable? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The.Traffic.Lights Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 http://forum.gibson....__1#entry866221 http://forum.gibson....__1#entry936988 http://forum.gibson....__1#entry886112 All right, missed the third one, but the first two are not about neck breaking away from the bodies, are they? As for breaking headstocks, I mentioned them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaSTuS Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 Comparing maple to mahogony . . . which is more durable? Maple, and by quite a margin IMO, Mahogany is fairly brittle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianh Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 All right, missed the third one, but the first two are not about neck breaking away from the bodies, are they? As for breaking headstocks, I mentioned them. Sorry, not trying to ding you, just wanted to point out that Gibsiphone guitars do have neck related warranty issues. I see a lot of repaired necks on eBay and CL, but it's extremely rare with Fenders. No surprise, it stands to reason that necks made with mahogany, mutliple pieces, scarf joints, headstock angles,etc. will have a higher fail rate than single-piece necks made of maple. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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