SlimSongwriter Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 Hello, I am a new Gibson owner. I have what I see as in issue with my first Gibson, didn't know if I was being too picky or if I should send it back. The problem is cosmetic but I just dropped over 3 G's on this guitar and thought it would have been perfect.. The guitar looks like it has been refretted on the 16th and 17th fret. Frets could use a good polishing too.. 17th Fret And this I could live with but the case isn't even covered all the way around? I'm just wanting an opinion on how picky people are normally with high end guitars... I'm not happy, I guess that is the what really matters but I don't want to be too picky... Just not what I expected for the price.. What would you do? If this was sent back could they even fix it? Thanks -Seth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danner Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 That's unacceptable. Go get your money back from the dealer, and let him address the issue with the factory. I would be very careful about the dealer talking you into "working with the factory" to sort it out. Just get your money back. My 2¢ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onewilyfool Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 This seems pretty standard quality control on Gibson's theses days......They probably didn't have the right tool to fix it that day......This may even be historically correct for all we know..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlimSongwriter Posted December 21, 2011 Author Share Posted December 21, 2011 I'm glad I have people that agree with me. It was ordered through GC. The order is a long story, I'll spare most of the details.. BUT I have seen all 3 of the ones they have in stock. This one, another that had a gap in the binding on the fretboard, and an open box one that should have been called used. They told me they don't plan on ordering any more. So my last route is to get my money back or to send it off to get my brand new guitar "fixed." It is a Songwriter Deluxe Standard in a vintage sunburst... It's just disappointing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesKing777 Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 That looks 'not much good'... Is it a returned item (to GC)? Did you look at it when buying, or? I must say that my J45 is absolutely blemish free (except for the dent I put in it). BluesKing777. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlimSongwriter Posted December 21, 2011 Author Share Posted December 21, 2011 They wouldn't tell me but I do believe this one was new, not returned. It was bought through GC.com because they don't usually carry these in stores, so I didn't get to see it before it got shipped to me. Nothing like being excited to see your new guitar and have it messed up. I've done that three times. I stretched my budget to get the guitar, and with xmas gifts to buy I doubt I can afford to have it sent off. Especially cause I have no idea how it could be fixed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsech Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 I was worried about buying my SJ200 Custom Elite sight unseen, but when it arrived it was absolutely flawless and perfect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danner Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 I bought my TVSJ from MF sight unseen as well, and it was beautiful in every way. GC, with all the retail BS, deals with the lower end of the market, and they hustle and push a lot. Just sayin'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlimSongwriter Posted December 21, 2011 Author Share Posted December 21, 2011 I bought my TVSJ from MF sight unseen as well, and it was beautiful in every way. GC, with all the retail BS, deals with the lower end of the market, and they hustle and push a lot. Just sayin'. MF and GC use the same warehouses, same inventory... But I do know where you're coming from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stein Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 It looks like the frets were glued? So, do you think this guitar was repaired already? Perhaps a discount is in order. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlimSongwriter Posted December 21, 2011 Author Share Posted December 21, 2011 It looks like the frets were glued? So, do you think this guitar was repaired already? Perhaps a discount is in order. Discounts are nice but I bought this guitar with the intention if keeping it in the family, and passing it down to my future kids. I'm too particular for it not to bother me when I'd play it. The frets are just dirty, haven't cleaned or touched it really until I decide what to do with it.. I'd guess it looks like it got refretted? The chips are even more noticeable in person.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danner Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 MF and GC use the same warehouses, same inventory... But I do know where you're coming from. So does Woodwind Brasswind, but only GC deals with the retail slobs, and all that that implies. And yes, I know exactly where you are coming from. Go get your money back. Even a 10% reduction ($3000 to $2700) is not enough when you are dropping that kind of coin. It will gnaw at you for as long as you own the guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Del Nilppeznaf Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 I sympathize with you Slim', it's a disappointing. I think your definitely entitled to your cash back or a discount. How does she play/ sound? If your spending top dollar on a guitar i think it should be right. Hope all goes well whatever you decide, I'm sure it will turn out well :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drathbun Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 Return it before you get too attached to it. There is a serious finish flaw on my SWD but I was too in love (still am) with the sound of it to chance getting one that was merely "ok". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guth Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 That's disgusting, especially on a guitar costing over $3K. Return it and get your money back. Sorry that this happened to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParlourMan Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 Yeah, return it, take your cash and spend it elsewhere. I've no had any kind of QC issue with the 3 new Gibson's I've bought in the last 18 months, if I had anything close to those kind of issues then it would be 'return for refund' case. Good luck with the return and try to find a perfect Gibson to enjoy, there are loads out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EuroAussie Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 Definitely a strong argument for taking it back. However if you have the guitar replaced the tone will not be the same as the one you have now. All Gibsons sound somewhat different even same models. So you need to be prepared that what you get in return will not have the physical flaws but it will also possibly not sound identical to the one you have now. Personally if I found a guitar that had the tone I was dreaming of and had these flaws, i would take the flaws in exchange for the flaws. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 The grain tear-out on the board at the frets is completely unacceptable on a new guitar. It makes it look like a bad re-fret job. The fret polish-out I would do myself. The case problem looks like bad quality control at TKL. Speaking of cases, I'm working up a case thread right now, as I've now acquired several different J-45 cases of different levels of quality, and it's a bit of an eye-opener. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 Improperly dressed frets are one of the more common complaints you hear about cheaper offshore-made guitars. I would agree that it is unacceptable on a high dollar instrument. If it is a new instrument and you really like the sound of the guitar could you not just have it refretted under the warranty as opposed to returning it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 That looks 'not much good'... Is it a returned item (to GC)? Did you look at it when buying, or? I must say that my J45 is absolutely blemish free (except for the dent I put in it). BluesKing777. MF and GC use the same warehouses, same inventory... But I do know where you're coming from. There's a difference - Guitar Center has many store fronts, and sometimes an online GC order is filled with stock from a store, not from the warehouse. This can lead to returned merchandise being used to fill online orders, and stock that may have been out in a store for a long time being handled/played/mistreated by careless customers and kids also being used to fill online orders. I have made purchases at GC, but only in person - IMO buying online from GC is more risky than buying from other online retailers for these reasons. Here's an example - http://www.guitarcenter.com/Gibson-J-45-True-Vintage-Red-Spruce-Acoustic-Guitar-105130488-i1429417.gc - Go to the page (J-45 TV Red Spruce) and check the drop down box for picking a serial number and you see which store the serial number sits in stock at. Regarding SlimSongwriter's issue - the fret channel was improperly cut on those two frets - looks too wide with pieces ripped out of the wood - bad job. And certainly NOT a picky complaint. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greatwhite_10 Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 Unacceptable. Send it back. If you're buying a high dollar instrument like this: let me put a plug in for a fine, long-time retailer in all types of guitars ... "Grandma's Music" Albuquerque, New Mexico. Musicians selling to musicians. This would have never left their hands ... without FULL disclosure ... where you can decide ahead of time whether you want to purchase the instrument or not. They can find anything you want and will give a fair price for it. I have no horse in this race but have always had great dealings with them. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aster1 Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 Your're not being too picky at all!!! For $2000+ on gits they NEED to be done right with finishing to please me and I part with the cash. Been there, done that. I have had issues with every Gibson I have bought now. I always get things resolved and then I'm really happy with my guitars. If that guitar sounds & plays great, I would be inclined to get to a warranty shop or have Gibson take it back in to the factory to "make it right." Somehow, maybe I'm wrong thinking this, that the repair guys "HAVE" to be better Luthiers finishers sometimes that the ones building new. They have to make right all the BS that happens in production to keep a valued customer. I have to say I like MF MUCH better than GC to deal with. Also, you should have been able to get a 15% off discount on that git too from MF if you get on their email list. Update, Just received an email about 2 mins after I posted this even. Plus express shipping (which I don't need as I'm one day from the KC warehouse) for $9.95!! If you send it back you may get one that's look'n pretty, and is a DOG playing/sounding next. I demand both, just like you. Harder to get sounding/playing than looking pretty IMHO with a guitar. Open dialog with Gibson and find out about your options. Getting a small line on the finish of my new SG 50th Aniv buffed out by the local & excellent warranty shop right now myself. MF is paying for that to be done. Aster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onewilyfool Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 Return it before you get too attached to it. There is a serious finish flaw on my SWD but I was too in love (still am) with the sound of it to chance getting one that was merely "ok". I hear you Drath.....If that guitar has a sound that comes from the Angels.....I could live with the fret scratches....simple fix...but it is a shame they come out of the factory or warehouse like that.....tch tch AND I wouldn't send it back to the factory for 3 months for that kind of blem....just get your frets polished by a pro, and move on!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyHeart Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 Those fret markers look like an Advanced Jumbo. Just curious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rar Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 Those fret markers look like an Advanced Jumbo. Just curious. Note that the diamonds are hollow. -- Bob R P.S. I don't think that fretboard damage was done at the factory. And, since GC wouldn't take a guitar back after that had been done to it -- at least, if anyone bothered to check it first -- that seems to leave an incompetent tech at GC working on it as the likeliest possibility. Frets sometimes pop up a bit after installation, and I can easily see that how that result could have been produced by having someone who doesn't know much about fretwork deciding to fix the problem when setting up the guitar. (And the case problem looks like water damage.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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