Sorry to start this one again...

[jimmyp]

I know this has been covered to death by the forums, however I'm going to bring it up yet again. My Sil Special developed a bad neck pocket crack last year - I posted it back to the distributor and they agreed it was a flaw in the paintwork and ordered me a replacement body (I know many of you have posted it is only a cosmetic defect and should not stop me loving my baby, but a guitar of this quialty should not have a crack in the finish, in my humble opinion). After a 4-5 month wait, my guitar arrived back complete with new body and an immaculate set up. All was well with the world, until I took another look at the neck joint and saw a worse crack in the top horn! In short, my ax has been sent back yet again and I'm depressed as this cannot go on forever. In all fairness to Ernie Ball and Strings and Things (UK distributor) they have been fantastic, but I'm now facing another wait of 4-5 months for either a new body or a replacement guitar with a different paint job - I really am not happy about this, especially as the distributor tells me my guitar will probably not be treated as a priority. Any comments from you guys?

 

[Jimi D]

It sounds quite bizarre to me that you would develop two stress cracks on different bodies so quickly - I own MANY EBMM guitars, and even the two that have stress cracks didn't get them within weeks of delivery, but after years of use. I know that they happen on some guitars, but when they happen frequently you might want to take a look at some environmental factors: how do you store the guitars, does the room you keep them in have reasonably steady humidity levels, etc. Other than that, I'd probably ask Strings & Things for a loner of some kind while I wait - 5 months is not a reasonable wait time for any warranty work, imho...

 

[Warg Master]

I always read about this stress crack issue. I've never owned any guitars that have had stress cracks, even the EBMMs..aside from the crack that was on the Axis when I got it (poor care from peopl at the store)... I just find it strange.... Though I don't live in a climate that shifts so often...it's more gradual, so maybe the guitars have tome to acclimate?

 

[kbaim]

Bummer.

But I agree with JIMID. Get a loaner guitar.

If the cracking issue is ever solved at the company level (if possible), that would be good too.

 

[jimmyp]

My guitars are all stored in their cases in a reasonable temperature and without excessive humidity. On top of this, it was stored beside my MM EVH which is 10 years old and has barely a mark on it. My argument is that these problems should not be occurring at all - I don't really want a loaner guitar from Strings and Things - I would be more than happy if they offered to resolve the issue by replacing the body/ guitar and jumping that body or whatever to the front of the queue so that I dont have a 4 month wait for my replacement. Any gesture beyond that would show they care about their customers and want to make me happy for the inconvenience and cost (I've paid postage etc) along the way. I still think EBMM make some of the best guitars in the world and can't wait to resolve this issue once and for all.