Before I buy from online dealer: What should I ask?

[West R Lee]

Cool, what did you order Chazzy? I happen to have a prototype Westerly, but certainly not made to my order.....just an ugly little acoustic/electric I stole off of eBay. This is the "Prestige Classic" prototype.

West

 

[6L6]

If I were buying a new Guild, I'd just order from Bing at Guitars of Montana and not worry about it. Never heard anything but the highest praise for Bing, a member here at LTG.

+1

 

[chazmo]

Cool, what did you order Chazzy? I happen to have a prototype Westerly, but certainly not made to my order.....just an ugly little acoustic/electric I stole off of eBay. This is the "Prestige Classic" prototype.

West

West, I dig it! Nice!

I have ordered a new F-212XL Standard Series, however "ordered" is perhaps a misnomer. Those of us at Let's Meet Guild 2010 were treated to a feast of Standard Series prototypes; in fact we were the first people outside Guild/Fender to see them. We got to play them, which was awesome, however they don't exist yet as far as the public is concerned. Anyway, my order is placed with my local dealer and his Fender rep. -- as well as my request to have the factory folks sign the inside of the soundboard as it goes through -- but the order cannot be taken and processed until the company releases the Standard Series. I've been told this is pushed back until later this year.

Anyway, that's all irrelevant as far as Carpe's hunt for an F-512 goes. At least in the interim, I can live vicariously through his hunt.

 

[adorshki]

I happen to have a prototype Westerly, but certainly not made to my order.....just an ugly little acoustic/electric I stole off of eBay. This is the "Prestige Classic" prototype.
West

Hi West, just curious, do you have the manufacturing era info? It bears a VERY strong family resemblance to my F65ce, just less bling. Round soundhole like an F47, but shallow body like the F65. Looks like ebony fretboard on 3pc neck but rosewood bridge? And maple body?
"Perspiring" minds want to know! :lol: Thanks in advance!

 

[valleyguy]

I bought my D50 from Music Gallery in Illinois, was very happy with it and the service.

 

[West R Lee]

I happen to have a prototype Westerly, but certainly not made to my order.....just an ugly little acoustic/electric I stole off of eBay. This is the "Prestige Classic" prototype.
West

Hi West, just curious, do you have the manufacturing era info? It bears a VERY strong family resemblance to my F65ce, just less bling. Round soundhole like an F47, but shallow body like the F65. Looks like ebony fretboard on 3pc neck but rosewood bridge? And maple body?
"Perspiring" minds want to know! :lol: Thanks in advance!

Boy, that's one for Hans adorshki. I do know there were 3 models of "Prestige" guitars, but can't remember their names, other than the "Classic" of course. I believe the "Classic" was the middle model as far as bells and whistles or appointments and price. It has a rosewood bridge and fretboard and gorgeous flamed maple body with a beautiful spruce top. I can also tell you that she was built in '89 and her serial # is FF000005, 1 thru 4 being prototypes of the other "Prestige" models. On the soundhole tag it gives no "Model", but merely says "Prototype".

Very similar to an F65, but without the ebony and fretmarkers I think.

Hans......help!

West

 

[Ian]

Here's my problem with internet purchases, and I've done quite a few. When the guitar comes- in my case they are always just fine, no damage, no shipping issues- UPS, FedEx, none have caused me grief- anyway, I take it out and play it and I often don't love it....do I send it back because I don't love it? There's nothing wrong with it- action, structure, tone is what that model produces, etc. etc. like there's no way to say "it's defective" I am returning it. So I'm left with a very nice guitar that just isn't "the one" and let me tell you it's mighty hard to send that back. Maybe it'll wake up and sound better tomorrow, maybe I have to adapt to where to pick, etc. You wind up keeping it because you got a good deal from a nice guy and it all went well and maybe you can sell it later and get most of your money back- but you never return it. You never get a chance to A/B it with a few like guitars and pick the winner like you do in a store, it's just you and your new purchase, which is real nice, and costs you $40 to send back for no reason you can put your finger on- you'll keep it. It's so much easier than continuing the hunt....


Good luck.

I had exactly that issue with a Martin I bought from Elderly, fine guitar but I couldnt just get to love it....

 

[adorshki]

Hi West, just curious, do you have the manufacturing era info?

I can also tell you that she was built in '89 and her serial # is FF000005, 1 thru 4 being prototypes of the other "Prestige" models. On the soundhole tag it gives no "Model", but merely says "Prototype".
Hans......help!
West

Satisfies my curiosity though, thanks!

 

[Dr Izza Plumber]

Wow, what an active and helpful forum....16 responses in less than 12 hours! Thanks for the very specific advice. I got a bunch of useful information:

1. :arrow: Ask about a return policy so that I can try it out and send back if dissatisfied....but check for restocking fee.

From killdeer43: "you need to have that guitar in your OWN hands to make the decision, and the return option will make for a more relaxing test drive"

From Joe: "...still need to feel/hear that guitar in the flesh….hear and feel the guitar"

From fronobalax: "If there is major damage by the carrier do you get a complete refund, a new guitar, or just reimbursed for repair work"

2. :arrow: Be cautious of UPS ground, consider upgrading (from capnjuan

3. :arrow: Try it out
From onewilyfool: "You may ask YOURSELF, why you are buying before trying"
I'm definitely uneasy about buying without touching it. I'd like to try one out but have found no F512 at any Guild dealer within 250 miles of where I live... I played someone else's F512 a while back and liked it better than my current G312. Craigslist has turned up a 1-2 in the past few months but they are either sold right away or priced very close to the price of a new one and have no warranty. So I think I will definitely need a generous return policy with a zero or low restocking fee so I can play it and make sure I'll be happy with it.

4. :arrow: Authorized Guild dealer
From evenkeel: "That the dealer is an authorized Guild dealer" Good idea, I went to Guild site and found the dealer on their authorized dealer list.

5. :arrow: Try Guitars of Montana
From West: "I'd just order from Bing at Guitars of Montana and not worry about it."
I just emailed Bing to ask about some NOS Tacoma Guilds he mentions on their website.

I'm in no giant hurry so if anyone has any other tips, I'd appreciate them! Thanks

http://guitarsofmontana.com/policies.html

Read the satisfaction guarantee. :wink:

 

[chazmo]

Hey, Carpe... See: viewtopic.php?f=15&t=20122

Might be worth a phone call... motivated seller, but still a used guitar, I guess. NOt sure what the implications of that are with a guitar so young.

 

[valleyguy]

I dropped off my D25 at my luthier, who is associated with California Vintage Guitar and Amp at: http://www.californiavintageguitarandamp.com/

While there I played a number of Guilds. I see they will mail guitars, so if you want to buy one, I'd be more than happy to go there and inspect and play the instrument for you, make sure it's what you want before they send it to you. They do have more Guilds than what is listed on their site.

Always willing to spend other people's money. Seriously, PM or email me.

 

[adorshki]

Always willing to spend other people's money. Seriously, PM or email me.

:shock:
Oh, waitaminnit, now I get it. In real life you're a public servant aren't you? :lol: