thor177 Posted December 3, 2011 Posted December 3, 2011 Hey Guys, First off, let me state that I am a 55 yr old newbie guitar player who is just learning the ropes. A couple of weeks ago (11/12) I purchased a Les Paul Studio 60's tribute worn ebony guitar at a local guitar shop. In checking the serial number online 101511458 it seems the guitar was made in Nashville on Jan. 15th 2011. When I was testing guitars the salesperson, who I told I was new at this, went into the back of the store to get this guitar for me to try out. I played the couple of chords I know and liked the feel and sound of the guitar so I bought it. There were a couple of other 60's tributes on the wall so I was a little perplexed as to why he went into the back room to get this one for me. Also, the shop would not do the initial setup for me that day, I had to come in a week later to have that done. Yesterday I had to take it in to the shop to have the toggle switch replaced as it was not working in the treble position. They said they would replace the switch or I could have another guitar. I decided to keep the guitar I have and replace the switch. The guitar seems to play fine now, and I am practicing with it daily. I was wondering if this seems like a normal situation that occurs with new guitars or if you guys think there might be something fishy. I am also concerned if something else happens to this guitar once it is out of the 30 day warranty what my recourse might be. I did purchase their 2 year setup and maintenance program as well. Thanks
doctorbonkers Posted December 3, 2011 Posted December 3, 2011 Hi Thor, Having bought many "new" guitars from guitar shops & knowing guys who worked at them, I can honestly tell you that sometimes guitars hang out in the store for many months & sometimes years (depending upon asking price) as they try to get a buyer for it. Of course, much of that was in the days before E-bay where some shops try to unload their non-moving stock in auctions online. If you buy it from the dealer in such a case and it says "new" somewhere on the receipt, then it is considered a new guitar for warranty purposes. That is what you want to check for. In the old days, the best playing guitar of a shipment of the same model was put out on the sales floor and the lesser quality ones were kept in the back for the sticklers that wanted a "fresh guitar" or did not know better. Sometime in the 90's, I noticed that practice started to wane or change to the opposite. Some shops put the worst quality guitars out there to get beaten upon, scratches, dents, & dings, while keeping the best "players" in the back, so that they did not get needless abuse without a sale and could be jammed with on break. Hope that helps answer your question. Best, Dr. B
charlie brown Posted December 3, 2011 Posted December 3, 2011 Can't say, about the "fishy" part...I wasn't there. But, the Switch going bad, is not uncommon. Mine did the same thing. My dealer also offered me a replace- ment guitar, or switch replacement. I too, went with the switch replacement. So, it seems like they're on the up and up, that way. The date of manufacture means little, other than it may have been in Gibson's warehouse, longer than most, or in your dealer's stock, longer. Still, all warranty applies. And, as long as you're happy with it, I'd say just play it, and deal with what "might" happen, if/when it does, rather than worrying about it, now. Cheers, CB
charlie brown Posted December 3, 2011 Posted December 3, 2011 I may be wrong, but I think the 30-day thing, is like an extra "warranty" that some dealers tack on, in addition to Gibson's normal warranty, as a sales incentive. ??? CB
stein Posted December 3, 2011 Posted December 3, 2011 If you are in the USA, the warranty should be a lifetime warranty to you the purchaser. The 30 days sounds more like what most stores offer as a return policy to get another or get your money back should you not like the guitar. It is not unusual for the guitar to be 11 months old and still be new. What makes it new or used depends on if it was ever owned by someone else. It is a worthy question, because it affects your warranty. I have bought guitars from the back room on occasion when I was looking for something and the salesman would bring something from the back thinking I would prefer it when the floor samples were not "getting" it for me.
thor177 Posted December 3, 2011 Author Posted December 3, 2011 Thanks for the feedback guys! I am happy to know that Gibson backs their guitars with a limited lifetime warranty. I checked my receipt and it shows the SKU, Item description and price. Doesn't say new or used. I just went online and posted my warranty so I guess I am now covered as much as the limited warranty will cover me for. Now it is on to discovering the wonders of guitar playing!
charlie brown Posted December 3, 2011 Posted December 3, 2011 Thanks for the feedback guys! I am happy to know that Gibson backs their guitars with a limited lifetime warranty. I checked my receipt and it shows the SKU, Item description and price. Doesn't say new or used. I just went online and posted my warranty so I guess I am now covered as much as the limited warranty will cover me for. Now it is on to discovering the wonders of guitar playing! Well, enjoy it! I'm sure you will. And, Welcome, to the Forum! (AKA Nut House) We have a thing here, on the forum, about "If there aren't any photos, it didn't happen." regarding new (or, new to you) guitar acquisitions! SO...when you get a chance, post some photos of your new "baby!" We LOVE "Guitar Porn," here. CB
thor177 Posted December 3, 2011 Author Posted December 3, 2011 Here are a couple of photos of my new "Black Beauty". This is my incentive to finally learn how to play guitar.
charlie brown Posted December 4, 2011 Posted December 4, 2011 Cool! Well, I'm sure you'll enjoy it! I have an earlier "Gold Top" '60's Tribute, with P-90's. It's a total Hoot, to play! CB
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.