Unfortunate tool marks in the binding

[MJKelly]

I discovered a lot of tool marks in the top binding on the neck of my Guild D55e. I'm surprised the guitar was released in this condition. This is purely cosmetic, but the D55 is the top of the line and shouldn't have these marks. I'm trying to report this to Guild/Cordoba, but their Contact Us web page doesn't work.

It is difficult to see in a still photograph, but the marks are clearly visible in a video. About eight inches of the binding has these marks.

This is disappointing. What do they say, "it adds character?"

I'm wondering if this can be repaired?

 

[krysh]

Why don‘t you send it back?

 

[chazmo]

MJ,

From the other "Hello" thread:

I bought my D55E new on Reverb—Huber Breese Music, Inc. in Fraser, Michigan. I got a great deal. Outstanding music store. Wonderful communication and service. I’ll post better photos later.

Definitely contact the Huber Breese company. They sold you the guitar, right?!

 

[MJKelly]

I’m not sure what recourse I’d have with Huber Breese now. It has been a while since I bought the guitar through Reverb. If I was going to say something to Huber Breese it should have been soon after I received it.

The Guild Contact Us page wasn’t working so I sent an email to Cordoba support. I’ll see what they say.

 

[adorshki]

I’m not sure what recourse I’d have with Huber Breese now. It has been a while since I bought the guitar through Reverb. If I was going to say something to Huber Breese it should have been soon after I received it.

The thing is, Guild's warranty policy states your first contact should be with the selling dealer. That problem shouldn't be time-limited unless somebody tries to say you did it yourself. But the dealer can act as your ombudsman with Guild, and possibly offer a quick satisfactory solution such as a swap.

The Guild Contact Us page wasn’t working so I sent an email to Cordoba support. I’ll see what they say.

The complication is that Cordoba no longer owns Guild, Yamaha acquired 'em about 8 months ago. That may explain why the contact page is down on the website, might be needing maintenance.

I've heard in past Cordoba was good about phone calls, so perhaps they can let you know about better contact info.

In past new owners have honored warranty (to original owners) from the previous factory/owner for a few good reasons.

Actually can't recall if that was addressed in some of the threads about the change of ownership but given Yamaha's rep I wouldn't really expect a problem. Just need to get to the right party, I suspect. Hope that helps.

 

[Prince of Darkness]

The complication is that Cordoba no longer owns Guild, Yamaha acquired 'em about 8 months ago. That may explain why the contact page is down on the website, might be needing maintenance.

You may well be right. Yamaha bought Guild as part of Cordoba, but it might well make sense for them to manage the Guild brand as a separate entity, rather than as a division of Cordoba

 

[MLBob]

It is difficult to see in a still photograph, but the marks are clearly visible in a video.

???

 

[MJKelly]

White binding. The marks are visible as the neck is turned to catch the light—which is easier to capture with video than still photography.

 

[krysh]

I havent seen either.

 

[MJKelly]

Here is a photo of some of the tool marks. It is not enough of an issue to return or swap the guitar. It is more of an annoyance that Guild would allow this to leave the factory without fixing it.

 

[chazmo]

@MJKelly Now seeing this picture, it looks like the binding was damaged after the box was bound, i.e., after the marker dots were made in the binding -- not during. That may or may not be Guild's fault, but you should get in touch with the dealer and send them that picture. In my opinion, that should be covered under warrantee. Time is not a factor here, since you bought it new. And, having said that, it doesn't look like you could have caused that using a capo or anything so I suspect they will take care of you.

 

[MJKelly]

Thank you. I sent a message and photo to the dealer. I’ve also sent an email to a Guild Support Rep who helped me with an issue with the bridge pins in my M20. I didn’t know the pins were specific to the strings. When the dealer restrung the guitar before I picked it up, they didn’t put the bridge pins back in their proper slots. Noah at Guild helped me sort that out.

 

[chazmo]

I'm very surprised that you found individual strings had different pin bores on the M-20, but it looks like you got it sorted, MJ. Next time you change strings, keep the pins in the right order so that doesn't happen again.

Is that the same dealer that you bought the D-55 from?

 

[SFIV1967]

The complication is that Cordoba no longer owns Guild, Yamaha acquired 'em about 8 months ago.

Not entirely correct. Yahama Guitar Group in Calabasas, CA (formerly the Line 6 company) only aquired Cordoba Music Group but CMG continues as is. And Guild is still a brand of CMG as are Cordoba, HumiCase, DeArmond and Aquila and Savarez (for the last two CMG only acts as the primary importer and U.S. distibutor).

Scroll down on the new CMG page:

Yamaha Guitar Group, Inc.

www.cordobamusicgroup.com

Also the YGG page clearly shows it:

"Yamaha Guitar Group, Inc. is committed to providing the best products for guitar players through several distinct brands: Yamaha®, Line 6®, and Ampeg®, as well as the brands of Córdoba Music Group: Córdoba® and Guild® guitars, HumiCase® instrument cases, and DeArmond® pickups."

Ralf

 

[Guildedagain]

I always keep bridge pins in order, like a superstition, but well founded.

Why would there be any tooling marks on binding?

It looks like orange peely finish on the binding?

 

[MJKelly]

I'm very surprised that you found individual strings had different pin bores on the M-20, but it looks like you got it sorted, MJ. Next time you change strings, keep the pins in the right order so that doesn't happen again.

Is that the same dealer that you bought the D-55 from?

No, not the same dealer. I had no idea the pins were specific to the holes. I always keep tract of which pins fit in which holes, but it was mixed up when I got it. I should have figured it out, but Guild helped me sort it out.

From Guild, “Per our products team, these bridge pins are each seated for a particular string from the factory.”

 

[midnightright]

Sometimes, what you can do too, as I have been in your shoes, or similar to (although not with a new Guild) is when you go to change the strings. If you place the pins in the holes, you may find some fit or don't fit better in some of them than others. This is what I have generally done when purchasing used, and they have gone from your photo #1 (or before) to more like your photo #2 (after).

 

[adorshki]

You may well be right. Yamaha bought Guild as part of Cordoba, but it might well make sense for them to manage the Guild brand as a separate entity, rather than as a division of Cordoba

Actually forgot they acquired the whole damn company (CMG)(and thanks @SFIV1967), good point. Then I'd expect the web page contacts to be good, assuming any needed updates have been done.

 

[chazmo]

No, not the same dealer.

OK, I was going to say that maybe there's a pattern going on here, but no. Anyway keep us posted what happens with the D-55. IMO, they should take care of you. And you will probably have to go through the dealer that sold it to you.

If you get no joy in a few weeks, send a letter to the president of CMG. That's what I'd do anyway.

 

[MJKelly]

I discovered a lot of tool marks in the top binding on the neck of my Guild D55e. I'm surprised the guitar was released in this condition. This is purely cosmetic, but the D55 is the top of the line and shouldn't have these marks. I'm trying to report this to Guild/Cordoba, but their Contact Us web page doesn't work.

It is difficult to see in a still photograph, but the marks are clearly visible in a video. About eight inches of the binding has these marks.

This is disappointing. What do they say, "it adds character?"

I'm wondering if this can be repaired?

Here is an update. Guild sent a shipping label to send the guitar to California for inspection, repair or replacement. I have to find a shipping box and packing materials. This is a purely cosmetic issue, which can be seen under overhead lighting. I’m wondering if it is worth the trouble? This is my dream guitar and I’d like any wear to be the result of years of playing. There are also two small dings in the binding. I would like it to be fixed. I worry, though, about a “we don’t see anything” reply. I shouldn’t.

What do you think?