Ordered a Gibson Melody Maker from AMS. The guitar I received was the wrong color. I thought I'd keep it until I noticed there was a gap on the fretboard by the nut. I was told it was just a tool mark, but I sent the guitar back for an exchange. Got the replacement. Its the right color, and everything seems to be ok except the pickguard is slightly warped. I called Gibson and they said its covered under warranty and a new pickguard will be sent out. Should I just say to hell with it and just return the guitar? Or should I wait to see if Gibson actually sends the replacement guard? I'm so tired of the lack of quality control these days. A friend of mine who is a guitar tech says that the only way to get a flawless guitar is to buy boutique. Anyway, what would you guys do?
New guitar woes
- Thread starter iceman79
- Start date
marvar
New member
Re: New guitar woes
This is the problem with mail order- even more so when it's a lower line guitar-it's harder to get service, you can't play/see before you buy, and no local shops would probably be willing to help.
I'd wait and see if Gibson makes good on the pickguard, assuming you are happy otherwise, you never know what they would send you if you exchanged it again.
This is the problem with mail order- even more so when it's a lower line guitar-it's harder to get service, you can't play/see before you buy, and no local shops would probably be willing to help.
I'd wait and see if Gibson makes good on the pickguard, assuming you are happy otherwise, you never know what they would send you if you exchanged it again.
tone4days
Heel Whacker
Re: New guitar woes
sorry to read of your bummers ... yeah, give em a chance to make it right .. you might end up with an axe you dig just fine after the rough start
how does she feel and sound? .. ultimately, you wanna base your decision on that once they make the pickguard issue go away
good luck
t4d
sorry to read of your bummers ... yeah, give em a chance to make it right .. you might end up with an axe you dig just fine after the rough start
how does she feel and sound? .. ultimately, you wanna base your decision on that once they make the pickguard issue go away
good luck
t4d
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: New guitar woes
The Melody Maker was always one of Gibson's student models. The current edition is a budget line. It would be unrealistic to expect Custom Shop build quality. Personally, I would feed it a beefier pickup (or two?) and rock seven shades of brown out of it.
I suggest a Strat Bro 90 (or two).
The Melody Maker was always one of Gibson's student models. The current edition is a budget line. It would be unrealistic to expect Custom Shop build quality. Personally, I would feed it a beefier pickup (or two?) and rock seven shades of brown out of it.
I suggest a Strat Bro 90 (or two).
sosomething
Seymour Duncan Customer Support
Re: New guitar woes
Gibson will send the guard. They actually do honor their warranties.
Gibson will send the guard. They actually do honor their warranties.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: New guitar woes
The neck on this guitar is amazing - it played great out of the box, which is uncommon for Gibson. I really dont feel like going thru the hassle of another return. I found a website that sells 3 ply guards for 1 pup Melody Makers, so I'm gonna hold onto it. Btw, I also bought a Reverend Sensei and that thing is flawless.
The neck on this guitar is amazing - it played great out of the box, which is uncommon for Gibson. I really dont feel like going thru the hassle of another return. I found a website that sells 3 ply guards for 1 pup Melody Makers, so I'm gonna hold onto it. Btw, I also bought a Reverend Sensei and that thing is flawless.
saladin
New member
Kam
Shaftologist
Re: New guitar woes
Hey man, I love those Sensei's, they're awesome. How's the neck on it feel to you? Nowhere around here stocks'em...
Sorry to hear about the suckiness surrounding your NGD. I agree with everyone else though, if you like how the guitar plays and feels then **** the pickguard. Get a new one or just ignore it.
Hey man, I love those Sensei's, they're awesome. How's the neck on it feel to you? Nowhere around here stocks'em...
Sorry to hear about the suckiness surrounding your NGD. I agree with everyone else though, if you like how the guitar plays and feels then **** the pickguard. Get a new one or just ignore it.
Bass_Medic_05
Purveyor of Low End
Re: New guitar woes
Yeah...mail order sucks!
Yeah...mail order sucks!
Kosh Naranek
New member
Re: New guitar woes
It's not unrealistic to expect a new made in USA guitar (even if it's not custom shop) to be built right. Having said that, I have seen quite a few new USA guitars by reputable makers with minor cosmetic flaws over the years. It's gotta be hard to get every detail perfect every time.
A construction issue, like a gap between the end of the fretboard and the nut, or aneck that's not attached to the body right (which I saw on a new Gibson years ago) is something I'd send a guitar back for for sure.
A pickguard that's not completely flat - I might just live with it, especially if the guitar sounded and felt great.
It is interesting that like 12 years ago I remember seeing a bunch of Gibson Les Paul Jr's at a big national gear store chain that had a store in my area for a few years, that had what I'd deem major construction flaws. When I picked one up to plink on it a little, it felt like a few pieces of wood, roughly cut and glued together any old way. About that time, I also stopped in a local shop, where they also had a new Gibson Les Paul Jr, and it was flawless. Playing it felt like playing an instrument that was an extension of my hands. It had that "just right" feel.
Form what conclusions you will.
It's not unrealistic to expect a new made in USA guitar (even if it's not custom shop) to be built right. Having said that, I have seen quite a few new USA guitars by reputable makers with minor cosmetic flaws over the years. It's gotta be hard to get every detail perfect every time.
A construction issue, like a gap between the end of the fretboard and the nut, or aneck that's not attached to the body right (which I saw on a new Gibson years ago) is something I'd send a guitar back for for sure.
A pickguard that's not completely flat - I might just live with it, especially if the guitar sounded and felt great.
It is interesting that like 12 years ago I remember seeing a bunch of Gibson Les Paul Jr's at a big national gear store chain that had a store in my area for a few years, that had what I'd deem major construction flaws. When I picked one up to plink on it a little, it felt like a few pieces of wood, roughly cut and glued together any old way. About that time, I also stopped in a local shop, where they also had a new Gibson Les Paul Jr, and it was flawless. Playing it felt like playing an instrument that was an extension of my hands. It had that "just right" feel.
Form what conclusions you will.
Re: New guitar woes
When I started playing guitar back in the 80's it seemed that every guitar from the lowliest MIJ Squire to the most expensive Gibson were built with care. My first 2 guitars were a '84 Squire Bullet and a '79 Ibanez Iceman - both played great and were cosmetically flawless. Hell, even my friends Peavey Patriot was built well. What happened to quality?
When I started playing guitar back in the 80's it seemed that every guitar from the lowliest MIJ Squire to the most expensive Gibson were built with care. My first 2 guitars were a '84 Squire Bullet and a '79 Ibanez Iceman - both played great and were cosmetically flawless. Hell, even my friends Peavey Patriot was built well. What happened to quality?
John_L
New member
BrockSamson
New member
Re: New guitar woes
Order from Sweetwater next time. They do a hand inspection on every guitar before they send it out and I've never been disappointed with any of the numerous guitars I've purchased from them.
Order from Sweetwater next time. They do a hand inspection on every guitar before they send it out and I've never been disappointed with any of the numerous guitars I've purchased from them.