Guitar Center sold me a SF-II without mentioning it's a factory second

[walrus]

My '84 D64 (now owned by wileypicket) also has a "2" on the back of the headstock. No clue why. Never bothered me, though.

walrus

 

[mavuser]

here is a hypothesis to perhaps make @hansmoust spit his coffee out onto his computer screen...

possibly some were marked "2" during production because the neck was set for a harp tail piece (SF "2") as opposed to the more common neck set for a Guildsby (SF "3"). So they would attach the correct tailpiece later.

 

[Harp Tail]

here is a hypothesis to perhaps make @hansmoust spit his coffee out onto his computer screen...

possibly some were marked "2" during production because the neck was set for a harp tail piece (SF "2") as opposed to the more common neck set for a Guildsby (SF "3"). So they would attach the correct tailpiece later.

It's a plausible hypothesis but the white spot on the back under the clear coat puzzles me..

 

[Minnesota Flats]

It's a plausible hypothesis but the white spot on the back under the clear coat puzzles me..

Recessive albinism?

 

[Harp Tail]

Recessive albinism?

If that would be the case, extremely limited symptoms

 

[bobouz]

GC pretty much never lists anything other than whether or not a case is included. You’ll only be going by the pics unless you‘re able to call & have someone get the guitar in-hand, and then ask specific questions. Regardless, my armchair observation is that being a factory second on an older USA-made instrument doesn’t seem to matter much anymore, as almost all such flaws were minor & cosmetic. Enjoy your new beauty!

 

[zulu]

I'd say if it's a keeper for sure, it doesn't matter a bit. I do think that you might take a small hit on resale value if you wanted to sell it.
It's worth an email to the store manager. Tell them you're considering returning due to the headstock stamp, would they consider a discount.

 

[hearth_man]

GC routinely fails to disclose key facts about the used gear they sell, I chalk it up to incompetence (not malice). But I'm fairly certain that they'll probably tell you to just return it if you aren't happy. If you like the guitar otherwise, and paid a fair price for it, no harm no foul?

I would agree. I have bought a few guitars from them where they forget the case. But when contacted they will ship it to you on their dime of course. In one instance I contacted them and they looked into it and found that the guitar
had been purchased and returned previously and the customer apparently "forgot" to return the case with it? At any rate they agreed to pay for a new Guild HSC.

 

[Harp Tail]

I'd say if it's a keeper for sure, it doesn't matter a bit. I do think that you might take a small hit on resale value if you wanted to sell it.
It's worth an email to the store manager. Tell them you're considering returning due to the headstock stamp, would they consider a discount.

I agree with both you and Bobouz.

When dealing with GC, never take anything for granted and always try to speak to someone who cares enough to actually grab the instrument in question and describe it over the phone.

This Starfire is a special guitar and I'm happy with the price paid, but since GC surely has a fatter bank account than me, I will still try to get something back from them. I have had a couple nice managers handle the case mishap, and I'm hoping they will at least make the gesture.

 

[LesB3]

GC pretty much never lists anything other than whether or not a case is included.

...and I have purchased guitars from them that still show up in a case, even though one was never mentioned!

 

[DrumBob]

That video of all those awful Firebird X guitars being destroyed was a symbolic publicity stunt to signal the thankful end of the Henry J. era at Gibson. Being practical, I would have scavenged them for parts and used them on other guitars, but that's just me. Gibson wanted to make a statement, and they sure did. I hate to say it, but someday, those guitars that survived may be very collectible due to rarity.

 

[NM156]

I'm not sure if they're notoriously vague but I find GC Used postings extremely vague. The descriptions are brief, and the photos not really closeup. I have a 'like new' Fender MIA anniversary Jazz bass in my closet that I got for a good price from GC Used. The ad didn't mention that around the edge of the lower bout, the paint was chipped off all the way down to the wood, like it had been dropped from some height. The tone control electronics have an issue. I'm not complaining because I got a great deal.

 

[Harp Tail]

"Notoriously vague" corresponds to truth, at least on their website.

But the few times I've inquired about an instrument over the phone, I lucked out by finding staff members that proved to be helpful and understood well my G.A.S.

 

[DrumBob]

I've had mixed responses and results dealing with GC employees regarding used instruments. Sometimes, you'll find someone helpful and knowledgeable, but many times you won't. I tend to believe at this point that most of them are clueless kids with a bad attitude once they figure out that GC is screwing them in terms of compensation.

Years ago, I wanted a Les Paul Standard. I searched the GC used site, found ten of them, and called every store. Of the ten sales people I spoke to, all of them said they'd send me additional photos. Only three of them did so. I then visited the Sam Ash website and found a really nice used LP at the Brooklyn store, so I called and got the manager on the phone, who promised to send me photos within fifteen minutes. He did. I called him back, we cut a deal and I got the guitar two days later. That's good service by a motivated employee.

 

[Harp Tail]

I've had mixed responses and results dealing with GC employees regarding used instruments. Sometimes, you'll find someone helpful and knowledgeable, but many times you won't. I tend to believe at this point that most of them are clueless kids with a bad attitude once they figure out that GC is screwing them in terms of compensation.

Years ago, I wanted a Les Paul Standard. I searched the GC used site, found ten of them, and called every store. Of the ten sales people I spoke to, all of them said they'd send me additional photos. Only three of them did so. I then visited the Sam Ash website and found a really nice used LP at the Brooklyn store, so I called and got the manager on the phone, who promised to send me photos within fifteen minutes. He did. I called him back, we cut a deal and I got the guitar two days later. That's good service by a motivated employee.

Sam Ash and its employees are usually much nicer to deal with than Guitar Center's - they claim it's still family owned, and I'd say it shows.

 

[Neal]

I have never had a bad experience with Guitar Center, either as a buyer or a seller.

Yes, their marketing of used and vintage guitars sucks, the descriptions are essentially worthless, the photos are poorly taken.

But, with their return policy, you really can’t lose, if you see a bargain and want to try it out.

 

[llmonty]

On thegearpage there are all sorts of long posts about GC/MF using sketchy used descriptions, deceptive marketing, and above all, terrible packing. A year ago I bought an open box Tele from them, which came without the case and case candy, and was thrown into a homemade box with 1 sheet of bubble wrap floating around inside loose. Shockingly the guitar was damaged. I got my full $ back, but swore them off for actual guitar buying, sight unseen. Even new.

But in other news, enjoy that sweet guitar!

 

[Harp Tail]

Thank you! It's not even clear if it's indeed a factory second, and it's a superb instrument no matter what.