Unfortunate tool marks in the binding

[chazmo]

Well, that's the process, MJ. Your decision of course. I would box it up and ship it out! Any music store should have the materials for you, unless you already have them.

You mentioned earlier that you were disappointed about the marks on the binding, and this is Guild's way of providing you a solution. You bought a new guitar and they're willing to fix it.

 

[SFIV1967]

Also I would definitely tell them that you like the guitar otherwise and you don't want a replacement guitar but just a fix of the issues.

Ralf

 

[MLBob]

Ugh! The dwasifar D55 debacle comes to mind.

 

[jwsamuel]

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?

I'd be more worried about the guitar being damaged or lost during shipping.

Jim

 

[adorshki]

At first I wondered why they'd want to bring it all the way to Oxnard, but now wonder if they want to examine it from the perspective of where it was built, to try to analyze how it happened?

Don't recall seeing if they've actually set up an authorized repair center program. I know Fender eliminated it around '11 or so, don't recall if Cordoba ever re-established.

The "non-servicability" of the Westerly Collection (import) line might have given them a reason to avoid setting up a system that might see 'em incorrectly routed for service, create a lot of headaches. And/or maybe they just didn't like the level of repair service offered at places like GC.

At least if it's in their hands they don't have to rely on an unknown "tech"'s assessment of the cause and cure.

Otherwise it seems like yeah, they want to discourage use of the warranty remedy by making the process onerous.

Trying to give 'em the benefit of the doubt this AM, though. "Equal time" and all.

 

[chazmo]

Otherwise it seems like yeah, they want to discourage use of the warranty remedy by making the process onerous.

Al, what are you talking about? There's nothing onerous about this at all. They are honoring the warrantee.

For the record, this is precisely how Guild handled warrantee service in New Hartford. They had the staff in New Hartford to do the repairs, and "authorized repair" centers were not nearly as effective for warrantee service.

 

[Uke]

Packing up a guitar and shipping it is not onerous -- it's just a pain in the ass. As jwsamuel said above, I'd be way more worried about feeding my guitar through the shipping process twice than about what seems (to me) like a relatively cosmetic problem.

 

[adorshki]

Al, what are you talking about? There's nothing onerous about this at all. They are honoring the warrantee.

For the record, this is precisely how Guild handled warrantee service in New Hartford. They had the staff in New Hartford to do the repairs, and "authorized repair" centers were not nearly as effective for warrantee service.

Do you remember when there was a period of time when they didn't even have repair available in NH?

Packing up a guitar and shipping it is not onerous -- it's just a pain in the ass. As jwsamuel said above, I'd be way more worried about feeding my guitar through the shipping process twice than about what seems (to me) like a relatively cosmetic problem.

That's what makes it onerous.

 

[F30]

Yeah, every guitar is unique and if you like this one get it fixed

 

[MJKelly]

Packing up a guitar and shipping it is not onerous -- it's just a pain in the ass. As jwsamuel said above, I'd be way more worried about feeding my guitar through the shipping process twice than about what seems (to me) like a relatively cosmetic problem.

 

[Uke]

That's what makes it onerous.

 

[MJKelly]

After much thought, and after consulting the luthier I use, I have decided not to return the D55 to Guild. The idea of shipping it round trip to California during the holiday shipping season for what amounts to a minor cosmetic flaw didn’t sit well with me.

My luthier said he could take care of this the next time I get a setup. Dan said, “I’ve seen this with some Guilds. They use lacquer [on the binding], which is great. Not everybody does that. But sometimes lacquer can shrink causing imperfections like this. The next time you bring it in for a setup, I’ll give it a light wet-sanding and buff it out. It’ll be fine.” He didn't think the marks are in the binding.

I feel better about this now.

My D55 has a wonderful full sound, almost orchestral. It lives up to its reputation. I'm glad not to worry about it in transit.

I appreciate all your comments. They have been helpful. Thanks.

 

[chazmo]

Great, MJ. Good luck with it!

 

[MLBob]

After much thought, and after consulting the luthier I use, I have decided not to return the D55 to Guild. The idea of shipping it round trip to California during the holiday shipping season for what amounts to a minor cosmetic flaw didn’t sit well with me.

My luthier said he could take care of this the next time I get a setup. Dan said, “I’ve seen this with some Guilds. They use lacquer [on the binding], which is great. Not everybody does that. But sometimes lacquer can shrink causing imperfections like this. The next time you bring it in for a setup, I’ll give it a light wet-sanding and buff it out. It’ll be fine.” He didn't think the marks are in the binding.

I feel better about this now.

My D55 has a wonderful full sound, almost orchestral. It lives up to its reputation. I'm glad not to worry about it in transit.

I appreciate all your comments. They have been helpful. Thanks.

MJ,
Weighing the possible time delays and uncertainty of shipping it off, it’s probably best to rely on the ability of a competent local luthier you trust to handle some minor cosmetic issues to your satisfaction.
Considering the state of flux that Guild ownership is currently in, and the degree of uncertainty / timeliness that accompanies how well warranty service might be handled, I think you have a win/win solution. Especially since you feel so good about the guitar in question.

 

[MJKelly]

i just received a recall letter from Guild’s new owner Yamaha to change the headstock logo on my guitar.

Come on! My recent experiences with Guild support have been positive. I don’t expect that to change. Yamaha didn’t buy Guild to shut it down.

 

[chazmo]

Yamaha didn’t buy Guild to shut it down.

I sure hope not. It's always possible, but I seriously doubt it.

 

[jwsamuel]

Yamaha didn’t buy Guild to shut it down.

You never know. When Fender owned Guild, it bought Tacoma to shut it down.

 

[Boneman]

i just received a recall letter from Guild’s new owner Yamaha to change the headstock logo on my guitar.

?? For real?

 

[chazmo]

You never know. When Fender owned Guild, it bought Tacoma to shut it down.

I don't think that's accurate. My understanding (second-hand from a couple of people who worked at New Hartford) is that Fender shut down Tacoma after they bought KMC (including New Hartford). The KMC New Hartford facility demonstrated that they had better tool-making and ability to keep up with changes to the products that were being designed by the Guild luthiers at Fender.

 

[jwsamuel]

I don't think that's accurate. My understanding (second-hand from a couple of people who worked at New Hartford) is that Fender shut down Tacoma after they bought KMC (including New Hartford). The KMC New Hartford facility demonstrated that they had better tool-making and ability to keep up with changes to the products that were being designed by the Guild luthiers at Fender.

I was talking about Fender shutting down the Tacoma guitar company and the Tacoma brand of guitars, not the factory. My memory is that Fender bought the Tacoma guitar company, shut the brand down, and moved Guild manufacturing from Corona to the Tacoma factory. Then, a few years later, Fender bought KMC and moved Guild production there.