Problem with my guitar (something's loose) NEW PICS!!!

[adorshki]

Re: Problem with my guitar (something's loose)

Had one other thought over the weekend: Loose fret? Just enough to rattle but not enough to notice without pressing on each one to test?
Al

 

[Ridgemont]

Re: Problem with my guitar (something's loose)

Thanks again everybody for your concerns and suggestions. Took it back to the shop yesterday. It is most likely a loose brace, because the body rattles when you tap the guitar body next to the back braces. Our guess yesterday was that it is the main back brace that runs parallel to the neck. The shop will get ahold of their Guild rep today to see if there are any certified techs in the area. If not, they would send it back to Guild (I do not know where that is, I doubt they would send a GAD to the custom shop in Nashville). If the brace repair is cheap, it was also suggested that I just have the repairs done locally without the warranty. The shop uses a Collings luthier who does part time work on the side fixing guitars. Also Ross Jennings down in San Marcos would be a good bet. Everything is on hold right now to see what Guild has to say. I will keep you posted with updates.

Anybody have any experience with Guild's repair timeline. I know JazzmanG had a very long wait, but that was a different situation all together (shipping insurance, cracked body, etc). This is most likely a loose brace. I don't want to wait 6 months for a loose brace. :evil:

 

[jazzmang]

Re: Problem with my guitar (something's loose)

I had a GAD back in the day that required service. Guild replaced it outright. I don't think they bother fixing GADs at all, unless they pay your local shop to do it for you.
It was a pretty quick ordeal... about 2-3 weeks in all.

 

[Ridgemont]

Re: Problem with my guitar (something's loose)

I had a GAD back in the day that required service. Guild replaced it outright. I don't think they bother fixing GADs at all, unless they pay your local shop to do it for you.
It was a pretty quick ordeal... about 2-3 weeks in all.

Very interesting. I guess there are pros and cons to that scenario. I get it back fast which is good, but then I wasted all that time trying to break it in. That thick poly finish takes some work, but I guess I haven't had it long enough to make a difference. I understand replacing outright over repair work since it is an inexpensive instrument.

If I do get a new one, then it better sound the way the old one did as I hand picked that one out of a pile of poor sounding GADs!!!

 

[adorshki]

Re: Problem with my guitar (something's loose)

I had a GAD back in the day that required service. Guild replaced it outright. I don't think they bother fixing GADs at all, unless they pay your local shop to do it for you.
It was a pretty quick ordeal... about 2-3 weeks in all.

Very interesting. I guess there are pros and cons to that scenario. I get it back fast which is good, but then I wasted all that time trying to break it in. That thick poly finish takes some work, but I guess I haven't had it long enough to make a difference. I understand replacing outright over repair work since it is an inexpensive instrument.

If I do get a new one, then it better sound the way the old one did as I hand picked that one out of a pile of poor sounding GADs!!!

100% sympathetic. I'd ask 'em if they'd cover a local guy's work for just that reason, probably keep costs down on both sides anyway. Was thinkin' aboutcha yesterday but figured you were takin' care of business.
GOOD LUCK!

 

[Steelpickin']

Re: Problem with my guitar (something's loose)

If its just a loose brace and you are afraid that they might replace it with a guitar that you may not be as happy with, you may want to say the heck with it and pay for the repair yourself. Any decent luthier can repair a loose brace very easily and it should not cost very much. And at least you wont have to worry about getting something you may not be happy with.......all they are gonna do is put a little glue under it..

 

[Ridgemont]

Re: Problem with my guitar (something's loose)

Well, in the past week, the roller coaster has not slowed down. While Guild has still not decided what to do, I will let you know of all the different possibilities that we have gone through.

*The first option (both preferred by me and the and the shop) was to have a local tech repair the braces and have Guild(Fender) pick up the bill. The Guild rep looked into it, but had to shoot it down, because the tech needed to be Guild certified. Apparently, according to the shop, not many techs/luthiers want to do warranty work because the company (Guild) doesn't pay much.

*The next option was to get a Fender certified repair shop in San Antonio to do the work. I preferred to drive it down there as it is only 80 miles. Turns out, the shop is not certified to repair acoustic guitar braces (they work mainly on electrics).

*Now Fender is playing around with the idea of doing a total replacement, among other things they are looking into. I don't know what they will actually decide on doing.

I am not really opposed to getting a total replacement anymore. If braces come loose in less than a year, it makes you wonder what else could go wrong with it. I could have the work done myself and pay out of pocket, which begs me to ask the question if whether the guitar would still be under warranty after that. Hey I like the guitar, but it is not like it is your Grandpa's 1940s D18 or anything like that.

-Ridgemont

 

[jazzmang]

Re: Problem with my guitar (something's loose)

Yeah I would go with the replacement. The replacement is still a new guitar (I verified with FMIC if they sent out new ones as replacements and they do) and should be good to go. I'd have the authorized shop take a look at the new one when it comes in to make sure it doesn't suffer from any structural issues.

 

[West R Lee]

Re: Problem with my guitar (something's loose)

Well, in the past week, the roller coaster has not slowed down. While Guild has still not decided what to do, I will let you know of all the different possibilities that we have gone through.

*The first option (both preferred by me and the and the shop) was to have a local tech repair the braces and have Guild(Fender) pick up the bill. The Guild rep looked into it, but had to shoot it down, because the tech needed to be Guild certified. Apparently, according to the shop, not many techs/luthiers want to do warranty work because the company (Guild) doesn't pay much.

*The next option was to get a Fender certified repair shop in San Antonio to do the work. I preferred to drive it down there as it is only 80 miles. Turns out, the shop is not certified to repair acoustic guitar braces (they work mainly on electrics).

*Now Fender is playing around with the idea of doing a total replacement, among other things they are looking into. I don't know what they will actually decide on doing.

I am not really opposed to getting a total replacement anymore. If braces come loose in less than a year, it makes you wonder what else could go wrong with it. I could have the work done myself and pay out of pocket, which begs me to ask the question if whether the guitar would still be under warranty after that. Hey I like the guitar, but it is not like it is your Grandpa's 1940s D18 or anything like that.

-Ridgemont

As I mentioned earlier, take it to Scratch's guy Ross, he's in your area and will probably set you back just a few bucks. He just completed work on a good friend's D55 for me. Let's see, he repaired loose braces, repaired a cracked bridge, repaired the entire bottom binding and fixed a few top cracks.............all for the whopping price of $210..............superb job.


West

 

[adorshki]

Re: Problem with my guitar (something's loose)

If its just a loose brace and you are afraid that they might replace it with a guitar that you may not be as happy with, you may want to say the heck with it and pay for the repair yourself. Any decent luthier can repair a loose brace very easily and it should not cost very much. And at least you wont have to worry about getting something you may not be happy with.......all they are gonna do is put a little glue under it..

What he said...assuming it really is just a loose brace.

 

[taabru45]

Re: Problem with my guitar (something's loose)

Something strange goin' on? Maybe its time to call in a Priest....I hear that if you don't pay your exorcist you get re-possessed. :roll: :lol: Just a thought. Actually Ross might be good to talk to, at least to get some straight answere... :wink: Steffan

 

[Ridgemont]

Re: Problem with my guitar (something's loose)

Well, another update. It has become a wacky twist of events and I decided to go for it.

The shop talked to Guild and decided that a replacement guitar would be the preferred choice if I was fine with it. The options were:

*A hog replacement with a natural finish (mine was an antique burst). The price difference would be a loss of $50.

*A rosewood replacement with the same antique burst as mine.

I had been itchin' for a rosewood OM for a while now, so I jumped at the opportunity (unfortunately to the sacrifice of my beloved hog version). This is the way I justified it. All my guitars have hog backs and sides, and this was a good way to diversify. The rosewood version costs more (due to rosewood in addition to the upgraded ebony fretboard). Most importantly, I can now get the rosewood sound, which I have been wanting. It should arrive next week if all goes as planned.

 

[killdeer43]

Re: Problem with my guitar (something's loose)

Ridge,

All things being equal and to veer ever so slightly, I'm curious about the Washburn in your signature (or any guitar for that matter) that you "found in the attic." How does that happen? Perhaps I should get an attic? :wink:

Curious,
Joe

 

[Ridgemont]

Re: Problem with my guitar (something's loose)

Ridge,

All things being equal and to veer ever so slightly, I'm curious about the Washburn in your signature (or any guitar for that matter) that you "found in the attic." How does that happen? Perhaps I should get an attic? :wink:

Curious,
Joe

A few months after my wife and I moved into our new house, I decided that there was insufficient insulation over one of the bathrooms. I climbed into the attic to check it out. The insulation was fine but in the corner or the attic I saw a large flat black case. It looked like an instrument case, but I wasn't sure. As I approached I saw "Washburn" on the side and thought "what a lucky day." Took it downstairs and opened her up. It is a 1988 RS-8V. I am not sure what it is made of but it I think it is a mahogany solid body. We tried to contact the old owner of the home, but that was unsuccessful. It does work, but I currently do not have an amp so it gets no playing at the moment. I am more of an acoustic kind of guy, but it is always good to have an electric laying around just in case (this one fits the bill).

 

[adorshki]

Re: Problem with my guitar (something's loose)

...but in the corner or the attic I saw a large flat black case. It looked like an instrument case, but I wasn't sure. As I approached I saw "Washburn" on the side and thought "what a lucky day." Took it downstairs and opened her up. It is a 1988 RS-8V. I am not sure what it is made of but it I think it is a mahogany solid body. It does work..

DA-A-A-MN! Any other houses for sale in your neighborhood?
BTW hope the rosewood works out good!

 

[jcwu]

Re: Problem with my guitar (something's loose)

I climbed into the attic to check it out. The insulation was fine but in the corner or the attic I saw a large flat black case.

Oh thank goodness you found my guitar!!!! I'd been wondering where it went..

 

[Ridgemont]

Re: Problem with my guitar (something's loose)

Another quick update. My new rosewood replacement GAD 30 came in yesterday. I went down to give it a good inspection both inside and out. Tapped on it and no loose braces. I sat down to play it and WOW what a voice. It had that broad vocal range that a rosewood guitar should have. Deep bass in addition to having a piercing treble. Great tone all around. The thing that struck me was that it is much brighter than my old hog guitar. This should be a plus since I had been trying to brighten up the previous one. This specific guitar is loud too. Much louder than the other GAD 30s hanging in the store. What was also unique was that the back bracing was different than the other GADs. The two top back braces were thin and normal while the bottom two braces very thick (about 1 inch versus ~1/4 inch). I will try to post pics when I take the guitar home. Why didn't I take it home you ask? Well when playing around the 5th fret, I kept pulling the high e string off the fretboard. Upon closer inspection, the frets appeared more beveled than normal. Also, the nut needed to be readjusted, and there was a chip in the bone saddle. The shop is keeping the guitar to replace the saddle and renotch it, along with a readjustment of the nut. Both of these things should fix the pulling off of the high e string. I am excited to get it home and put it to work. It seems the turnaround was similar to Jazzmang's GAD replacement back in the day.

 

[adorshki]

Re: Problem with my guitar (something's loose)

Congrats buddy, hope this turns into a perfect happy ending!

 

[capnjuan]

Re: Problem with my guitar (something's loose)

... It is a 1988 Washburn RS-8V ...

Hi Ridgemont: did it look like this?:

One of the Harmony Central reviewers said it was mahogany ... great find! CJ

 

[12stringer]

Re: Problem with my guitar (something's loose)

Hey Ridge
Glad to hear you got an upgraded Gad! Way to go! You have good eyes to catch the nut and saddle issues. Sounds like you will end up with a great guitar.
Be sure and post some pictures when she comes home. :wink:
Randy