Recommendations on “Willy Porter” custom?

[chazmo]

Hahahaha. Good one, Chris!

 

[Itamar4256]

The seller confest its not WP custom but he says its the CV2, and not the CV1.

I checked and didnt find maple back and sides on the CV1 model. He seems to be right on that? 650$ is a very low price.

 

[adorshki]

The seller confest its not WP custom but he says its the CV2, and not the CV1.

I checked and didnt find maple back and sides on the CV1 model. He seems to be right on that? 650$ is a very low price.

Right. The CV-1 had rosewood body, CV-2 was flatback maple. Note they also had 1-3/4" nuts or they'd be on my own radar.
They also used a unique neck attachment system which has been blamed (perhaps not completely unfairly) for some of its woes. But it does make neck adjustments much less laborious than a traditional re-set.

Some but not all of those had a problem with neck twist, attributed to use of not quite properly dried wood in some necks. Because of that, a large number of them were liquidated through refurbishing house called MIRC. Those guitars have a barcode sticker pasted over the serial number of the factory label, and/or are sometimes stamped "used" on the headstock.

In fact, revisiting your original pics, I think I can see the bar-code sticker on the label. That might be a reason for the price. I don't think this seller is being completely up-front with you and I don't think that particular guitar is worth the risk under the circumstances. Just based on observation of similar circumstances over the years.

To be fair MIRC, the refurbishing house, has an ethical business policy according to first-hand reports here. Many of their pieces appear new and flawless and may actually have been, or had minor cosmetic blemishes. They were simply liquidated in a lot when Tacoma closed, but had no Guild warranty, only MIRC's 30-day return policy for dealers. After inspection and repair where needed, MIRC was responsible for branding those guitars so they couldn't be confused with warranted New Old Stock still in regular dealer's stores.

By this time though, guitars that were going to show the problem have had plenty of time to do it. So a piece with a straight neck is likely to stay good. The problem here is ascertaining that from a distance, from a buyer who's already demonstrated less than 100% accuracy.

It's a crap shoot. We watch out for our brothers around here, but still try to give you the "full scoop"

 

[Itamar4256]

Right. The CV-1 had rosewood body, CV-2 was flatback maple. Note they also had 1-3/4" nuts or they'd be on my own radar.
They also used a unique neck attachment system which has been blamed (perhaps not completely unfairly) for some of its woes. But it does make neck adjustments much less laborious than a traditional re-set.

Some but not all of those had a problem with neck twist, attributed to use of not quite properly dried wood in some necks. Because of that, a large number of them were liquidated through refurbishing house called MIRC. Those guitars have a barcode sticker pasted over the serial number of the factory label, and/or are sometimes stamped "used" on the headstock.

In fact, revisiting your original pics, I think I can see the bar-code sticker on the label. That might be a reason for the price. I don't think this seller is being completely up-front with you and I don't think that particular guitar is worth the risk under the circumstances. Just based on observation of similar circumstances over the years.

To be fair MIRC, the refurbishing house, has an ethical business policy according to first-hand reports here. Many of their pieces appear new and flawless and may actually have been, or had minor cosmetic blemishes. They were simply liquidated in a lot when Tacoma closed, but had no Guild warranty, only MIRC's 30-day return policy for dealers. After inspection and repair where needed, MIRC was responsible for branding those guitars so they couldn't be confused with warranted New Old Stock still in regular dealer's stores.

By this time though, guitars that were going to show the problem have had plenty of time to do it. So a piece with a straight neck is likely to stay good. The problem here is ascertaining that from a distance, from a buyer who's already demonstrated less than 100% accuracy.

It's a crap shoot. We watch out for our brothers around here, but still try to give you the "full scoop"

Okay bro, I accept your (and others) advice.

 

[chazmo]

CV-2, then. As I mentioned earlier, Itamar, the fact that it is a "USED" (MIRC) reclaimed guitar is a big concern. It certainly is a good price IF the neck is perfect. If you go forward with this make sure there's an adequate return policy. Consider yourself warned!

Seriously, though, could be a real steal if it's in good shape.

 

[Itamar4256]

CV-2, then. As I mentioned earlier, Itamar, the fact that it is a "USED" (MIRC) reclaimed guitar is a big concern. It certainly is a good price IF the neck is perfect. If you go forward with this make sure there's an adequate return policy. Consider yourself warned!

Seriously, though, could be a real steal if it's in good shape.

I already have one red flag raised so I'll indeed say NO.

Thanks Sheriff