Factory seconds?

[GuildyAsHell]

Stopped into my LGS yesterday and he had a couple “lower end” Guilds on the wall and I asked about them. Said he gets most of his guitars through a Tennessee wholesaler and he gets what he gets but that they have LOTS of Guilds right now. I wonder if it’s something to do with liquidating old stock after the Yamaha acquisition. I didn’t look the guitars over or play them because I badly cut my middle finger on my left hand.

 

[GAD]

Imports or US?

 

[ReevesRd]

MIRC in Franklin, TN https://mircweb.com/

 

[adorshki]

I wonder if it’s something to do with liquidating old stock after the Yamaha acquisition.

Doubt it very much, since the factory was retained and all branding and builds (US anyway) remained in place. Previous liquidations were associated with factory closures, and Fender being aware that the line would undergo significant construction changes.

I think Reeves was trying to suggest MIRC may be your friend's wholesaler?

MIRC in Franklin, TN https://mircweb.com/

(Reeves I just picked your quote 'cause it was easy, but info's really for GaH):
Their business model is refurbishing factory seconds received directly from the factory, and offering 'em at significant discount with limited warranty extended to dealers only. (30 day exchange last I heard and IIRC)

Fender used 'em at least as far back as Corona, to liquidate Corona stock when they moved to Tacoma, and again at close of Tacoma. They've even had some of the imports go through. That surprised me because they're problematic to repair, and Fender typically just replaced 'em when there was a warranty claim. It was cheaper and they were quite open about it. DIdn't even offer a factory repair option for 'em. (although to be fair around '09 they shut down all Factory Service centers in anticipation of revamping the dealer and service network)

Anyway, wouldn't surprise me if your buddy works with MIRC. Everything I've seen about 'em suggests an ethical business model.

 

[GuildyAsHell]

Imports or US?

Imports

 

[kostask]

My GAD-30R is an MIRC refurb unit. I can see no issue with it, but it came with some sort of pickup with it, and it had the "barndoor" controls. There is nothing wrong with it that I can see, but the label did have its serial number scratched out, and there is some sort of an MIRC serial number on there now. It a good guitar, and I did get it a really low price when I got it.