lemonhead Posted January 2, 2012 Posted January 2, 2012 I bought this G-400 Worn Cherry at Guitar Center. I assume that this is something that happened when the guitar was made. It seems to play good and I only noticed the chip when I changed the strings out for the first time. Bottom line, should I keep this guitar? I feel like the chip is a big issue for a new guitar. Am I wrong?
EpiphoneFan1989 Posted January 2, 2012 Posted January 2, 2012 I voted for -keep if it plays good- Of course this is not good for a new guitar but it´s almost invisible. I have the same on my old acoustic and it makes no problems. I would keep the guitar. Maybe you can get a little discount on Guitar Center. Tell them your problem.
Aethyr Posted January 2, 2012 Posted January 2, 2012 I really don't see how it would affect playing where it is, but if you feel strongly about it... I'll keep my vote for later, what about their return policy? Couldn't you complain about it if they sold it as a "new guitar" and get a replacement? Edit: Essentially what Pete.R set. If you paid for "new" price, complain. It's your right.
jcwillow777 Posted January 2, 2012 Posted January 2, 2012 If you don't send it back, you should at least get a discounted price as a B-Stock. Personally I'd send it back.
Gunner Posted January 2, 2012 Posted January 2, 2012 Generally I would tend to overlook something small like this on a guitar in this price range, as long as everything else about it is good (e.g., frets, tone, bridge alignment/intonatability, finish, etc.). There have been little things like this wrong with at least half of the guitars I have bought online over the years. I agree that the guitar "should" be right, but you can go nuts sending them back, only to have something else wrong with the next one. I find that after I have had the guitar for a while, the little flaws don't bother me anymore. I am voting to "keep it if it plays good", but if it is really going to bug you long term, you should send/take it back.
Blueman335 Posted January 2, 2012 Posted January 2, 2012 If you don't send it back, you should at least get a discounted price as a B-Stock. Personally I'd send it back. +1. Not acceptable on a new guitar, at least not at full price. Get a discount or return it.
Aethyr Posted January 2, 2012 Posted January 2, 2012 I'm voting "keep it if it plays good" after all, but ask for a discount. As was mentioned above, there's a chance that the next one might have a problem that actually affects playability. I tend to look more at B-Stock guitars with small problems like these anyway when buying, if it doesn't affect playability it can still affect price... However, if they don't give you a discount, send it back without even thinking about it. It's B-Stock and should be priced accordingly.
RSDx Posted January 2, 2012 Posted January 2, 2012 Lemonhead, you posted you bought this new AT GC .... Does this mean you bought it AT a brick'n'mortar store, or FROM them online? Kind of a difference, beings as I can't see how you wouldn't notice that if you bought that in person....but anyways.....agree with the others....you paid for a new guitar, you should have a new, unblemished guitar....they either owe you a replacement, or it should definitely be discounted...and don't accept their first offer, if "discount" - I went through an episode regarding shipping of a guitar from MusiciandFriend (guit was supposed to ship overnight to arrive on Xmas Eve 2 years ago, and order did not get sent to warehouse - I pitched a fit, they offered to waive the overnight shipping charge, and offered me $20 store credit...LOL....I pitched another fit, as that guit was a present from my wife to me that year, so they waived the overnight shipping and knocked a substantial amount off the price....guit arrived the following week, and it's been perfect from the get go.... I paid about $650 for an about $800 guitar. I would refuse store credit, unless it's substantial amount and you shop there often enough to make it worth your while.) So, after this long diatribe, I reiterate - unblemished replacement, or substantial discount (especially if you've particularly bonded with this guitar).... I did not vote, as I feel the polls should allow the option of choosing more than one response, as long as someone's not being an arse and clicking on them all... I'd choose the first 2 options..
lemonhead Posted January 2, 2012 Author Posted January 2, 2012 Thanks for all of the replies. I did buy this SG at a brick & mortar store. Believe it or not, the blemish is pretty hard to see. The flash from the camera really reveals it well. I found the chip when I unstrung the guitar and wiped it down. I looked over the guitar really well in the store and I guess the strings/lighting just camouflaged the blemish. Many of you are saying that it should be discounted. I paid right at $300 for it. How much of a discount should I expect?
brianh Posted January 3, 2012 Posted January 3, 2012 Many of you are saying that it should be discounted. I paid right at $300 for it. How much of a discount should I expect? Take a look at Musician's Friend's prices for returned SGs. MF and GC are owned by the same corporation. I'd expect 20% off at least. And I'd return it if they won't give you a break.
damian Posted January 3, 2012 Posted January 3, 2012 Take a look at Musician's Friend's prices for returned SGs. MF and GC are owned by the same corporation. I'd expect 20% off at least. And I'd return it if they won't give you a break. This..................
BillyGibson Posted January 3, 2012 Posted January 3, 2012 For $60 all will be better? Now for the decision....
jerrymac Posted January 3, 2012 Posted January 3, 2012 You say it plays good and you didn't even notice it until you changed strings... so here's my question... If you take it back to GC and they give you a cosmetically perfect SG that played like crap, would you swap? Guitars get chipped and dinged or worse, I would keep it if it's a good one. You could show it to them and see what they offer, but I wouldn't fret it.
chipwich Posted January 3, 2012 Posted January 3, 2012 I tend to agree with the "keep it if it plays good" philosophy, especially if you live in an area without a bunch of stocking dealers where you could try before you buy. I do worry that if these things aren't made an issue, then QC will suffer. Probably wishful thinking, but shouldn't the factory need to know when there are imperfections? If it is kept, then possibly a note to Epiphone would be in order?
RobinTheHood Posted January 3, 2012 Posted January 3, 2012 I'm with the "keep it if it plays good" crowd. I'm going to hazard a guess and say that the nut was replaced upon inspection and the fretboard was chipped during the process. Someone at Epiphone probably knew about it and decided that it was just a very minor cosmetic issue and not a big deal. Considering the types of flaws we have seen with Epiphone guitars that have made it in to the hands of consumers, I'd say that this was not considered a problem. If this were a higher-end guitar, the kind where you are really paying for the cosmetics, then I might take issue. But for $300? Nah. I'd just play it.
Morkolo Posted January 3, 2012 Posted January 3, 2012 I would send it back, I can't picture that being pretty afterwards if you ever decide to change the nut.
Blueman335 Posted January 3, 2012 Posted January 3, 2012 Someone at Epiphone probably knew about it and decided that it was just a very minor cosmetic issue and not a big deal. I've seen plenty of 2nds that you couldn't find a flaw on. This one is obvious, and will affect it's resale value.
RaSTuS Posted January 3, 2012 Posted January 3, 2012 I've seen plenty of 2nds that you couldn't find a flaw on. This one is obvious, and will affect it's resale value. It's a 5min fix with a bit of putty, done properly you'd be hard pressed to know the difference.
brianh Posted January 3, 2012 Posted January 3, 2012 I've seen plenty of 2nds that you couldn't find a flaw on. This one is obvious, and will affect it's resale value. Exactly right. Epiphone uses barely any glue on the nut, so it's doubtful that the fretboard was chipped to replace it unless the tech was a chimpanzee with an axe. The nut should pop right off with a slight tap, and even if was glued in tight, it would take wood off the headstock, not the fretboard. That guitar was effed up before anyone messed with the nut, send it back. It'll be a sore point on resale and make it virtually worthless, trust me.
lemonhead Posted January 4, 2012 Author Posted January 4, 2012 Guys, if you really look close, it looks like the top edge of the fretboard is a little weird from the D string all the way to the left side.
Lefty Bill Posted January 4, 2012 Posted January 4, 2012 I submitted a Yes, although I don't mean to say that you should get a replacement, but I firmly believe any defect on new products should be shown to the dealer and/or submitted to the manufacturer so they know (or can get an idea) of just how many defects are ending up in customers' hands. Cameras do funny things to images sometimes.. but it appears as though the E, A, and D sting slots in the nut have been filed. If they have been filed, it's apparent that someone had possibly replaced the nut (causing the damage) or certainly was aware of the chipped edge of the fretboard. I suspect that it's very unlikely that the "USA inspection and setup" includes parts replacements or nut slot hand filing on an instrument in this price range. If there are any real signs that the nut was replaced prior to sale, I'd suspect that it was done at the store.. for an obvious defect that should have warranted a return to the manufacturer (and a 2nd stamp on the back of the headstock), instead of pushing a defective product onto a customer without being informed of the issue (just shady business tactics, IMO, if that took place). If there are no actual indications of the nut being replaced/reworked, then it would seem that it's a matter of lower standards of quality being passed on to the dealer (should've been seen by at least one person or more before arrival at the store). Then it's still an issue of a new instrument being *first* quality, not a flawed product, which the dealer should hear about (and hopefully remember) so future inventory gets a thorough inspection and not just a quick glance. The dealer should let the manufacturer know that s/he expects first quality products when inventory is received (these types of issues are likely to be addressed in the dealer contract). Bill I bought this G-400 Worn Cherry at Guitar Center. I assume that this is something that happened when the guitar was made. It seems to play good and I only noticed the chip when I changed the strings out for the first time. Bottom line, should I keep this guitar? I feel like the chip is a big issue for a new guitar. Am I wrong?
Gunner Posted January 4, 2012 Posted January 4, 2012 The only thing I would add is that the picture is an extreme close up (about 3x on my 19" monitor), and to keep it in perspective that main chip appears to be smaller than the head of a truss rod cover screw. There does appear to be a small dent in the nut between the E and A strings adjacent to the chip, but again very small, and it doesn't look like it would affect anything since it is not in the area of the string slots.
james_edward Posted January 4, 2012 Posted January 4, 2012 Guys, if you really look close, it looks like the top edge of the fretboard is a little weird from the D string all the way to the left side. What you're looking at is the edge of the nut slot being rough and slightly splintered, probably cut with a dull blade. If the someone had seen it and broken the edge before the nut was installed there would be no thread here. It's a 2 minute fix and will be invisible when done - so if it's a player I'd say it's not worth your time to even dial the phone, never mind driving anywhere - missed it when buying, oh well - fix and forget. BTW - the upgrade that would benefit that guitar the most would be a new nut - don't forget to break that edge before you put the new nut in.
Blueman335 Posted January 4, 2012 Posted January 4, 2012 Gunner, that is a beautiful guitar in your avatar.
lemonhead Posted January 4, 2012 Author Posted January 4, 2012 Thanks again everyone for all the healthy debate. Now for my big decision. I think I will take the guitar back to GC and show it to them. I'll play every SG I can find in my price range and then make a decision, but regardless I will leave the store with a guitar that I am 100% satisfied with. It's funny that the opinions here fall almost exactly with a third each saying keep it, discount it, and return it (when looking at the actual posts). It is a tough call to make and I feel like I am being a little too picky.
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