F-40 Trad

[DeArmond Hammer]

FWIW, and to answer a question that has come up previously regarding purchases from Tundra, I found this morning a bill for $174 in import duties for my F-40 Traditional. II'm visually impaired, so I sometimes miss things sent in the mail--the bill, from FedEx was sent about six weeks ago).

Jeff, I would talk to FedEx about that bill. If they did not receive the correct paperwork from the shipper, ask how to appeal for a refund.

A few months ago, I ordered a US-made guitar from a Japanese dealer. During transit, DHL sent a notice that I was being billed by US customs, but I immediately questioned the charge and they looked at the paperwork, saw the item's country of origin, and reversed the charge. As this was happening I read something about an appeal process for an improper customs charge. Even if the shipper neglected to put the correct country of origin on the customs declaration, you may be able to use the guitar's label or other evidence to appeal a charge.

 

[jeffcoop]

Jeff, I would talk to FedEx about that bill. If they did not receive the correct paperwork from the shipper, ask how to appeal for a refund.

A few months ago, I ordered a US-made guitar from a Japanese dealer. During transit, DHL sent a notice that I was being billed by US customs, but I immediately questioned the charge and they looked at the paperwork, saw the item's country of origin, and reversed the charge. As this was happening I read something about an appeal process for an improper customs charge. Even if the shipper neglected to put the correct country of origin on the customs declaration, you may be able to use the guitar's label or other evidence to appeal a charge.

Thanks, Richard. I'll look into it.

 

[twocorgis]

Wow, I missed all the action in this thread. I guess I was really lucky with Tundra, and while it took a somewhat circuitous route from Where they are (I would have expected it to come through Buffalo NY, instead it went through Detroit), it arrived here ind good order and within a week, so that's all god, as is the guitar. It's perfect. I had tried contacting Tundra via phone unsuccessfully in pursuit of a F40 traditional, but they never returned any of my calls, nor did they respond to an offer made through Reverb. I guess communication is not their forte, and you just have to get lucky like @jeffcoop and I did. I never received any invoice for customs duties, though.

I have given up the pursuit of another hog jumbo though, because in my quest for a cedar topped guitar to replace a wonderful Bourgeois JOM that I foolishly sold to a friend a few years back, I stumbled into an equally wonderful Lowden O-22.

2017 Lowden O-22

Explore this photo album by Twocorgis on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

The JOM is Bourgeois' lowest selling model, and an older cedar topped, deep body example like my '98 is near impossible to find. There was one on Reverb that I waited too long to move on, and it (not surprisingly) sold. This Lowden turned out to be the perfect setup though. The seller was in Queens not too far from me, and was selling it to fund a fretless bass purchase. Well, I just happened to have a fretless Pilot bass that I don't really play much anymore, so I brought it over to his place for him to try. He loved it, and $1900 and one fretless Pilot bass later, it was coming home with me. I've been channeling my inner Richard Thompson ever since. Now if I could only play like him!

 

[Rayk]

hah, well I can afford to be patient in this instance because I have been in the getting to know you phase with my new Les Paul standard, new strat Ultra Luxe and new SG Jr. Then I also felt at that price, heck you can't touch that anywhere in the US, so if it happens I scored a fantastic deal. As it turns out, I did speak with Tundra, they could not locate the item in their inventory, and so I opted for a refund. While they do still have the sunburst one, and offered a discount, he did say it has some finish checking, so I think that particular one has been neglected in their warehouse and I'm not down with a marred finish after all that. So I will continue to be patient, and the right F-40 Traditional will come along and if it is reasonably priced I will grab it

Now I do see this one, and it looks pretty sweet, but only one of? Was this like that recent GSR run where they made one of each?

Guild USA F-40 Traditional | Reverb

Reverb is a marketplace bringing together a wide-spanning community to buy, sell, and discuss all things music gear.

reverb.com

Err not so special to me . Lol seems the GSR ‘s from NH are nothing like the models now . very disappointing in my book .

But I yield to the longer and more dedicated Guild members on that topic. Lol

I hope Yamaha gets Guild back on course with OM’s /OOO’s which is mostly my only interest.

I’m a bit out of it may I ask who is Tundra is ? ( got me thinking about tumble weed ) and where are you located ? Lol

 

[SFIV1967]

I’m a bit out of it may I ask who Tundra is ?

Online Guitar Store - Finest Vintage and Rare Guitars in Toronto, PRS and Guild Ontario, Canada - Buy Sell Trade

Toronto Canada's best guitar store. Lowest Price Guaranteed for new, Ibanez, PRS, Guild, Marshall, Orange and more... We offer above industry standard service and repairs. Get your new, used, rare & Vintage guitars from our shop in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, specializing in the repair...

www.tundramusic.com

Ralf

 

[SFIV1967]

Now I do see this one, and it looks pretty sweet, but only one of? Was this like that recent GSR run where they made one of each?

Guild USA F-40 Traditional | Reverb

Reverb is a marketplace bringing together a wide-spanning community to buy, sell, and discuss all things music gear.

reverb.com

That is a 2020 made one, not 2022. And it is compelety satin finished.

Ralf

 

[Rayk]

Online Guitar Store - Finest Vintage and Rare Guitars in Toronto, PRS and Guild Ontario, Canada - Buy Sell Trade

Toronto Canada's best guitar store. Lowest Price Guaranteed for new, Ibanez, PRS, Guild, Marshall, Orange and more... We offer above industry standard service and repairs. Get your new, used, rare & Vintage guitars from our shop in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, specializing in the repair...

www.tundramusic.com

Ralf

Ah I see and Tundra makes sense now . lol

 

[D30Man]

Love the photo! I bet that F-40 sings.

 

[D30Man]

That is a 2020 made one, not 2022. And it is compelety satin finished.

Ralf

Yeah I would have not taken these photos in this much sunlight ( not that my photos are great ) as the satin finish really looks washed out. I am not a huge fan of the appearance of a satin finish on a guitar north of $1500 if I am being honest. I know it breathes better than gloss finishes. Special run or not, the headstock is plain. It probably sounds amazing, but for north of $2k and not being vintage, I think the aesthetic should reflect the price to some degree.. On the other hand, it probably sounds and plays beautifully. My ramblings are more a matter of personal preference.

 

[Boneman]

Yeah I would have not taken these photos in this much sunlight ( not that my photos are great ) as the satin finish really looks washed out. I am not a huge fan of the appearance of a satin finish on a guitar north of $1500 if I am being honest. I know it breathes better than gloss finishes. Special run or not, the headstock is plain. It probably sounds amazing, but for north of $2k and not being vintage, I think the aesthetic should reflect the price to some degree.. On the other hand, it probably sounds and plays beautifully. My ramblings are more a matter of personal preference.

I hear you, and when taking a second look, to me the headstock does look like a matte finish and kinda grimy in the photo. But other than that, I don't mind the satin finish in general, but I think the special thing about that one is the wood selection for the back, looks pretty awesome. Otherwise ageed, nothing really "special" about the "run" to shell out more dough, and I prefer the Nitro "smell" and luxury of the NC finish anyway So still on the hunt and in fact might have one lined up from a reputable USA dealer, and at a fair deal, will keep you posted.

 

[D30Man]

Good deal, Bone!

 

[Boneman]

Good deal, Bone!

Unfortunately that deal fell through, and Guild tells me they are backed up on F40 traditional production and won't have any with natural tops out for 9 months. Sweetwater told me the same, and CME's site shows they won't have any until December, GC shows out of stock. Oh well I guess I can put the breaks on spending and save up for a jumbo Christmas

 

[Norrissey]

There is a used (demo) F40 Traditional natural top available on Ebay. It was priced at $1500. Now at $1800. View the pics carefully, it does have a scratch on the top. No affiliation.

Guild F-40 Traditional | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Guild F-40 Traditional at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[GGJaguar]

It was priced at $1500. Now at $1800.

And there is a Make an Offer button!

 

[Wellington]

Classic Tundra experience lol
To be fair, they aren't crooks, just super terrible at communicating, advertising, not disclosing accurate conditions.

 

[Boneman]

There is a used (demo) F40 Traditional natural top available on Ebay. It was priced at $1500. Now at $1800. View the pics carefully, it does have a scratch on the top. No affiliation.

Guild F-40 Traditional | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Guild F-40 Traditional at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Yes, saw that, and it does even have the LR Baggs, however, yes, it does have that ugly scratch in the top and heck, I turned down a brand new one because it had dust trapped under the finish so I can't do that one. Only other one I found out there brand new is at GC in Manhattan, tried calling to see if they could tell me more, but no one is answering their phone. it' not even 7PM EST, they can't be closed right? Well if anyone is in the area wants to go check it out see how it looks 25 W 14th St, Manhattan,NY 10011-7402.

Edit: I suppose I could buy it sight unseen and have it shipped to my local GC, then inspect it and cancel the deal if it is not up to snuff

 

[davenumber2]

Yes, saw that, and it does even have the LR Baggs, however, yes, it does have that ugly scratch in the top and heck, I turned down a brand new one because it had dust trapped under the finish so I can't do that one. Only other one I found out there brand new is at GC in Manhattan, tried calling to see if they could tell me more, but no one is answering their phone. it' not even 7PM EST, they can't be closed right? Well if anyone is in the area wants to go check it out see how it looks 25 W 14th St, Manhattan,NY 10011-7402.

Edit: I suppose I could buy it sight unseen and have it shipped to my local GC, then inspect it and cancel the deal if it is not up to snuff

I would just buy it from GC. They have a 45 day return policy if it’s not up to snuff. And you get to live with it for awhile and really get to know it before deciding.

 

[fronobulax]

but no one is answering their phone. it' not even 7PM EST, they can't be closed right?

I cannot speak for NYC but in DC and the suburbs there are many specialty storefronts that close at 6 PM or even 5. I also note that today is Maundy Thursday and Passover and there are places that will close in order to let employees celebrate/worship/observe.

 

[Boneman]

I finally got hold of a GC employee there in Manahttan who got eyeballs on the guitar and turns out it was a customer return because it has finish checking(why its still advertised as new is ridiculous). Anyway, glad I checked and so now my quest is officially over. I'll just have to wait until December when Guild starts making more. And of course the price goes up. Although my silver lining is that production is now under Yamaha's stewardship, and I'm hopeful the Japanese oversight improves QC.

 

[Norrissey]

Unfortunately that deal fell through, and Guild tells me they are backed up on F40 traditional production and won't have any with natural tops out for 9 months. Sweetwater told me the same, and CME's site shows they won't have any until December, GC shows out of stock. Oh well I guess I can put the breaks on spending and save up for a jumbo Christmas

This just popped up on the GC site:

Guild F-40 Traditional Acoustic Guitar

For greater savings check out our Used Guild F-40 Traditional Acoustic Guitar and get a great deal today!

www.guitarcenter.com