QC questions about JP12 and Guitar Center

[Ex-Lep]

I have never bought a Music Man instrument before so the JP is my first. I have to say, I am not at all impressed with the QC and Warranty of EBMM. Is it just me? Is this “normal”? Funny thing is my friend has 3 basses from this company, 1 of which is a fretless. He jokes that the fretless bass has the best frets.
Here is a summary of my experience: I bought the JP12 new from Guitar Center. When I opened the box, I first found a used razor blade in the welcome kit thing in the guitar case. You know the envelope that has the springs, string wipes, etc… It had paint on it and looked like it was from a used box cutter. I then picked up the guitar and started to tune it. I shortly realized that the high E string was buzzing when strummed open but not when you press anywhere on the fret board. I brought it back and they determined that the nut was ground too low from the factory. There isn’t a check in the QC line that strums the guitar? It wasn’t a subtle buzz, it would deaden the string! So I asked them to order me a different JP12 since I don’t want a guitar that I haven’t even played a song on fixed.

The next guitar came in and first off, the case was junk. It was not the same look or feel as the first case. It had a gap when it was closed and looked like it would pop open if you picked it up fast. There was a nail that wasn’t driven all the way in and it stuck out pretty far. Then, I opened it up and noticed that the Trem bar was black. Black? Why? The first one was silver and matched the trem. It sounds like a nitpick but when you pay $2500 for a guitar the trem bar should match the trem don’t you think?

I ended up taking the case and trem bar from the first guitar that they did not yet return, and trade it with the second guitar. With all that said, I got to say, the guitar is awesome. It sounds and plays great. But, I am a little soured by the company in general. I also noticed that it only has 1 year warranty. Really? Most of my other guitars have lifetime warranty and they don’t cost this much. This is a “Ball Family Reserve” too. Does anyone else thing that’s cheap? Does anyone else have a similar experience?

 

[Warg Master]

It's been my experience that what you experienced was a guitar center thing, not music man. Guitar Center tends to swap cases and parts around with their stock. I own a JPX that they "lost" the case and everything in it. The pulled a trem bar from another one of their guitars in stock and gave it to me. I've purchased and received everything one would expect when purchasing from other dealers. Oh, and FYI, they will likely want you to change the thread title.

 

[beej]

Welcome to the forum. Yeah, there's two things in the mix here- EBMM and GC. Does sound like that's a GC issue, and as a customer you should definitely demand the correct case and parts.

On the buzzing- those guitars do all go through QC before they leave the factory. Due to humidity changes, the fact that they're played at the stores, etc, often they need a setup tweak. Usually this is just a small truss rod adjustment and that'll eliminate buzzing or fretting out. If there was legitimately a nut issue, that's covered by warranty and would be fixed by MM and no cost to you.

Speaking of which ... every company has different policies on warranties. EBMM has always had the 1 year warranty from original purchase date, that's just how it works. In my experience, they will often handle issues beyond that if things are reasonable. They're good folks.

Hope you enjoy the guitar! And yes- if you wouldn't mind changing the title of the thread, that would by much appreciated, as it doesn't sound like your guitar has quality problems. Thanks.

 

[James C]

Both JP's I own have never had an issue at all. When my Koa 7 landed yesterday, the set up was perfect, the action was super low. Though there was a little bit of buzzing. The neck just needed to be relieved the slightest amount, now it's straight as an arrow and there's no buzzing at all. In both my experiences I've never had an issue led to believe it was EBMM who was at fault.

Hope to see pictures of the guitar soon though! I haven't seen too many of the 12's.

 

[Systems]

Definitely a GC issue. I've gone through 6? JP's and I got one of them from a GC at a ridiculous price. They tried to give me the wrong case, which I had them fix before I even left. But they also gave me the wrong COA. Had to call Music Man and they sent me a new, correct one. The setup on the guitar was moronic. Every string was buzzing, the fretboard was completely dried out. I've played other JP's at various Guitar Centers and they were HORRIBLE. Out of tune, disgustingly sticky necks, old/dead strings, out of tune, action either way too high or way too low causing buzzing. They actually do a disservice to these guitars and seem to turn a lot of people off to them which is a shame.
The other 5 JP's I got didn't have any of those issues.

 

[KungFu Grip]

Funny thing is my friend has 3 basses from this company, 1 of which is a fretless. He jokes that the fretless bass has the best frets.

If I was that disappointed with a manufacturer's fret work, I wouldn't buy three instruments from them. Your friend doesn't sound too bright.

 

[ScreaminFloyd]

Funny, I usually have to play a guitar and fall in love with it before I throw down the cash and take it home. Unless there is part of this story that is missing. I hope the best for you.

 

[Ex-Lep]

I actually decided to buy the JP12 when I played the JPXI. I basically wanted that guitar in the new color. I don't hear the tone difference between the basswood and alder which is good because I really liked the JPXI. I think the tone block is what locks in the sound. And I figured they have that policy where you can return it for a full refund within 30 days so it sounded like a good deal.
I've had it for about a week and so far so good. The neck on this guitar is amazing. I love the profile. The guitar is also very balanced. Some of my guitars require me to hold them up while I play and it feels good to not have to do that with this one.

 

[Big Poppa]

Im glad you are happy now but I still dont get the agro slamming of us....sort of not fair.

We try really really hard each and every day. If we do something wrong we fix it. Period.


You know your bassist really is taking a shot at us for something that we after 28 years are renown for.....

 

[DrKev]

My thoughts after reading the first post

I once worked as the guitar tech for a large music store in Paris. I worked in the warehouse testing and setting up instruments as we received them from the distributors and before they were sent out as customer orders or to the main store. Part of my job was my job to find those warranty issues before the instruments got to the customer. I also dealt with customer returns. Here is my experience with warranties on guitars...

Most of the products we sold had a one year warranty but our store offered a two-year warranty on everything. It didn't make any difference. Standard warranties are for defects in "parts or workmanship". Where guitars are concerned, there are very few occasions where a genuine warranty issue is not discovered very soon after purchase, assuming it hadn't already been spotted by the dealer before hand. A lifetime warranty sounds great but in practice gives little extra protection to the customer. If I was buying an amplifier or electronics, then I might pay attention to the warranty period, but for guitars, it's pretty much a non-issue.

And if ever there is an issue that your dealer can't make right, Music Man customer service are widely known as the best in the business (just like their fret work).


And BTW, Ex-Lep, welcome to the family! Unofficial forum rule - your guitar doesn't exist without pictures!

 

[jvh]

Both JP's I own have never had an issue at all. When my Koa 7 landed yesterday, the set up was perfect, the action was super low. Though there was a little bit of buzzing. The neck just needed to be relieved the slightest amount, now it's straight as an arrow and there's no buzzing at all. In both my experiences I've never had an issue led to believe it was EBMM who was at fault.

Hope to see pictures of the guitar soon though! I haven't seen too many of the 12's.

+1 on this. Musicman has some crazy low action(nut and bridge) for these guitars. Like James mentioned it probably just needed a truss rod adjustment to pull the strings off the first few frets. Temp and humidity change cause this problem. It's so minor, but it can clear up what would seem like a huge problem. I'm not an expert, but I understand the principle and you really have to be skilled to achieve what I would deem a perfect setup.

 

[christheasian]

EBMM and GC = two completely different things. Before I bought my first JP6 from my local guitar center, I brought in all my tools and set the guitar up myself.

 

[Ex-Lep]

Im glad you are happy now but I still dont get the agro slamming of us....sort of not fair.

We try really really hard each and every day. If we do something wrong we fix it. Period.


You know your bassist really is taking a shot at us for something that we after 28 years are renown for.....

1st of all, I'm not slamming you. This is a summary of my experience. If you think I have no valid gripe, you have been brain washed and you are no longer objective.

1. I Went to Guitar Center, put down the cash, and had them order me a JP12
2. A Week later, I got it with a defective nut (confirmed by EBMM). The guitar was unplayable right from the box.
3. A Week later, received my replacement guitar which came with the wrong color trem bar, and poorly built BFR case.

This is not my first guitar purchase. I have currently have and ESP (not ltd), PRS, Schechter, Ibanez, Dean, and Gibson. I have had zero issues like this with anyone. That is why I thought I would post on the forum to see if I just got on that slipped through the cracks or if this happens a lot. Judging by the responses, it looks like I am in the small percent which is good. I'm guessing that my #3 issues were all on Guitar Center after reading some of your posts.

On a side note, I went to the URL on the warranty card to fill it out online and the page doesn't seem to exist. Can anyone get to it? I guess I could just do the paper card but I was wondering if it was just temporarily down or relocated.

 

[koogie2k]

1st of all, I'm not slamming you. This is a summary of my experience. If you think I have no valid gripe, you have been brain washed and you are no longer objective.
QUOTE]

In a way it was. Second sentence of your post. Anywho, glad it worked out for you. GC needed to be notified as you can see from earlier posts.

Big Poppa brainwashed? No, he just pays the bills around here and takes pride in his product and company.

 

[Big Poppa]

1st of all, I'm not slamming you. This is a summary of my experience. If you think I have no valid gripe, you have been brain washed and you are no longer objective.

1. I Went to Guitar Center, put down the cash, and had them order me a JP12
2. A Week later, I got it with a defective nut (confirmed by EBMM). The guitar was unplayable right from the box.
3. A Week later, received my replacement guitar which came with the wrong color trem bar, and poorly built BFR case.

This is not my first guitar purchase. I have currently have and ESP (not ltd), PRS, Schechter, Ibanez, Dean, and Gibson. I have had zero issues like this with anyone. That is why I thought I would post on the forum to see if I just got on that slipped through the cracks or if this happens a lot. Judging by the responses, it looks like I am in the small percent which is good. I'm guessing that my #3 issues were all on Guitar Center after reading some of your posts.

On a side note, I went to the URL on the warranty card to fill it out online and the page doesn't seem to exist. Can anyone get to it? I guess I could just do the paper card but I was wondering if it was just temporarily down or relocated.

OK Im not brainwashed....thanks though....if you have a problem let us fix it. period...It is what I said earlier will say again...

 

[fbecir]

Hello

It is Sunday. A guy has a problem with a product and ask a question on the forum. The big boss of the company answers 2 hours later ...
I find that amazing.
I am not sure that this sort of thing happens a lot on other forums ... (most of the time it's already tough to contact customer support thus don't expect to chat with the boss !).

Concerning EBMM fret work, it's the first time that I hear / read a complain. On this side of the Atlantic, EBMM is famous for its necks. On all the EBMM guitars and bass I have seen, the frets were all immaculate.

 

[christheasian]

You just had a sting of bad luck. Have some cranberry juice.

 

[Big Poppa]

Enough