D140 CE: Neck issues (ski ramp and truss rod)

[tomsaccount]

Hello!

I bought a new D140 Cutaway Electric.

In the store I already noticed a bit too much neck relief, like a quarter turn from usual.

At home I played a few days before changing anything. It was then that I also noticed a bit of buzzing when using 8th-12th fret.

Truss Rod:
The truss rod is really really stiff. The adjustment wrench bends heavily, while the nut almost doesnt turn. No chance making a quarter turn to reduce relief (strings loosened). The other direction (counter clockwise) is ok. Then I can turn back to the original point, but hardly beyond that.

Fretboard Geometry:
Also, from the 14th fret upward there is a ski ramp.

I really wonder about the production quality. The ski ramp requires at least filing down the frets (they are high ones so theres room left), but the truss rod is likely badly installed. The truss rod really is a surprise, because you can't test that in the store on a new guitar (realistically).

What would you do? Have you had similar experiences? I bought the guitar locally, so no online-send-back-because-I-dont-like-it possible.

 

[GardMan]

First, Welcome to LTG!

DId you buy your D140 new with warranty? Recently? If so, I'd say you have two options: (1) talk to the shop about a return/replacement, or (2) talk to Guild and arrange for a return/replacement under warranty.

If you bought it used, talk to the seller... but my guess is you will be less likely to get a satisfactory response. I'd also suggest taking it to a repair tech... they might have some ideas on dealing with the truss.

Good luck!

 

[tomsaccount]

Yes, I bought it new at a Guild authorised dealer less than a week ago.

Talking directly to Guild might be an option.
The shop ... I guess I could try. I fear I will get a bit of talk about relief and some frets filed and then sent home.

I think I will take some pictures and a video of the issues and contact Guild directly. This sounds like a good way to proceed.

 

[Br1ck]

I'd go to the dealer first. That is why they are there. Guild is more likely to take them seriously. The dealers are Guild's real customers.

 

[davismanLV]

I'd go to the dealer first. That is why they are there. Guild is more likely to take them seriously. The dealers are Guild's real customers.

^^ what he said. There is a protocol to follow. First the dealer and they should interact with the factory on your behalf. Just express that the guitar is unsatisfactory currently and you want it repaired or replaced. But dealer first.

 

[tomsaccount]

That is good information. I have been hesitant to go back there, but I think you are right.

 

[davismanLV]

Please let us know how it goes and what transpires as you work to rectify this issue.

 

[Neal]

Never be hesitant to take a brand new guitar back to the dealer you bought it from. It is their job to ensure you are satisfied as a customer. Otherwise, they won’t stay in business long, especially in these days of intense competition with online sellers.

 

[tomsaccount]

I also realised it's difficult to take a picture of the issue. You can see it with a "straight-edge" (ruler or something), but it's hard to make it visible in a picture.

I am quite bummed that I got the guitar that way (and a bit mad at myself for not noticing in the store). Thank you all for your kind help and your tips on how to proceed.

 

[7GuildsandanSG]

It'd still be helpful to see pictures, if it's not too much trouble ?

 

[davismanLV]

We're no strangers to straight edge pics. In fact, it's preferred when talking about relief and neck angles and such. Snap away!!

 

[tomsaccount]

I really can't manage to make a proper photo of the ramp from the 12th fret towards the body. It's there --> therefore the buzzing. But for a picture I honestly can't manage it. I mean, the ski ramp to me is aggrevating, but not a major unsolveable issue. I guess someone would file the frets and be done with it. In a used instrument I think one would definitely do that. In this case it's probably the best idea as well, because removing the frets and sanding down the fretboard just isn't necessary. But it's aggrevating for me getting a guitar in this state.

For a proper evaluation one would first have to be able to adjust the neck with the truss rod. I think that would be a good order of work. However, the adjustment is troubled, as described in the initial post.

Here's the truss rod in a video (righty tighty to reduce underbow a bit)


Edit: It's not stuck per se. I can loosen it (or in this case with a two-way truss rod, turn it the other direction, and then back). The neck is not particularly straight when the truss rod is fully tightened. It's playable, but not particularly well. My old Epiphone neck reacts differently. I tighten it slightly when the season changes (it usually requires it), and then I wait a day or so, if it's enough. It always is. But there would still be room to tighten it more.
I don't mind a bit of underbow. I like it. I also read that factory standards from big brands (Gibson) have a bit of an underbow. My trusted luthier usually goes more for straightness, I like a bit of underbow. The Guild is beyond what that experience has tought me.
That trusted luthier, however, did not sell the Guild to me. He's not a Guild dealer, he's the official Martin service center for my country.

 

[davismanLV]

I'm not exactly sure what "ski ramp" means. But the dealer will sort this out. I'd stop torqueing on it and let the dealer sort this problem.

 

[tomsaccount]

Ah sorry, I didn't explain. The neck joint with the body is at the 14th fret. From that point on towards the body the fretboard goes upwards slightly.

Here is a sketch of how it looks

https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/510519ace4b0869f641519d9/1547413401214-P70IK5C0VS8WHV7ZHQXD/BLOGIMG+-+Neck+Shimming+-+End-of-neck+Ski+Jump.png?format=2500w

It causes buzzing.

 

[ClaytonS15]

Honestly, if I was you, I would just return the thing and request a replacement with those issues on a new guitar.

 

[Dough!]

I've had similar issues with my D140, which I bought new from Sweetwater about two years ago. The guitar was perfect when it first arrived in Nov of 2021, but by February it was unplayable. Winters in Massachusetts can be tough on guitars, but I keep acoustics humidified. Sweetwater was good enough to pay some $160 to have it set up and some fretwork done, however the problem keeps recurring.

I had it set up again about two weeks ago and it came home playing well, although my luthier told me that the truss rod was completely maxed out as they are on several Asian made Guilds that he's seen, but he did manage to get the guitar playing well. However, after only two weeks, the high strings are again fretting out above about the 14th fret.

I'll take it back to my luthier but I've also reached out to Sweetwater regarding Guild's lifetime warranty on new guitars to see what my options are.