Very strange fret issue. Waranty?

[jpoprock]

Hey all.

As some of you know, I purchased my first MMAxis SS back in late July. I bought it new at Sam Ash, and it was on sale. I got it for less than half the list price! When they got it down off the wall, I noticed that the frets looked AWEFUL. They were caked in "gunk". They looked super oxidized and yellowed. I double checked to make sure the guitar was new and not used, and they said yes, it was new. I bought the guitar anyway because I knew that steel wool would do the trick, and it did. I was able to polish them back to normal, but almost every single fret was this way.

I've had the guitar a couple months now, and gig with it every weekend. Upon inspecting it this past weekend, I realized that the frets are doing it again! I don't understand. It's very strange. This is the only guitar I've ever had do this. It's NOT my hands, sweat, etc. I gig with this guitar and another every weekend. And the other guitar is perfect. Never have I had this happen. I can't figure out what could be causing it.

The dudes at Sam Ash were mystified (shock), and my buddy (who is no amateur) though it was very strange also. What do you guys think? Do I have a warranty issue? I dread sending it back, but I would if I had to. I have many other guitars I could use for the time being.

Thanks!
Jason

 

[GHWelles]

[ misinformation deleted.]

 

[jpoprock]

I leave it in the case 50% of the time. But it hung on the wall at Sam Ash for god knows how long, and they were really bad. These look to be "Tarnished" or something. If you slide the string back and forth over top of the frets, they start to shine up again. It's weird. I dig what yer saying about the case... but that seems like a long shot in this instance.

J

 

[GHWelles]

Hmm. Well, do you wipe fretboard down well after playing with a clean cotton towel? (Not used cloth that might have some polish or other residue on it?)

 

[jpoprock]

I don't wipe them off every time, no. The case scenario seems the most likey one, because I don't wipe off my Les Paul every time, and they never ever look like this! Maybe I can call MM and ask them what they think?

J

 

[GWDavis28]

Dude, when I got my AL it had been hanging on the wall at 3 different Guitar Centers. I got it home and the frets had sprouted. I sent it back to EBMM and Jon did an awesome job, it feels like a new guitar. It's also my favorite.

Just my $.02 worth. Glenn |B)

 

[jpoprock]

I can totally deal with sending it back to the factory. I have other guitars I can play. But I'll sure miss it! How long is the turnaround time?

Thanks,
Jason

 

[Big Poppa]

Sam Ash hasn been a dealer for quite a long time at least two years. Plese forward your serial number and we will let you know if it was used or shopworn.

 

[jpoprock]

Man, that would suck if I was duped!! I'll get the serial tonight when I get home.

It came in the case, full factory everything inside of it, etc. So, I had every reason to believe that it was new. They had a light purple one there too, but I think it was a sport, not a super sport.

Thanks,
Jason

 

[Big Poppa]

Jason I diddnt accuse sam Ash or anything I just stated that they haven't been a dear for a long time thats why the serial # request.

 

[TNT]

Jason,

Nothing to fret about! I've had a few guitars that tend to do this more than others. It's the %composition of the frets, combined with a humidity factor that affects the "skin" of the fret.

Double check too be sure though, it shouldn't be affecting the fretboard wood at all.

It's purely cosmetic. It doesn't affect playing or the life of the frets. Just steel wool them periodically.

If you play the guitar regularly, just wait until you do a fret "plek" job or re-fret the instrument.

TNT

 

[rrhea]

For some reason my Jem does it more than my Satch and they both have the same Dunlop 6105! Just weird. But it really does nothing to the sound or playability.

In fact, I only steelwool them when I am ready to actually clean the fretboard, which is usually about once or twice a year to get the sticky feeling off. Since I have the strings off and I am cleaning the board anyway, I'll usually tape off the board afterwards and hit the frets, too.

I haven't had this issue with my JP. Those puppies are still bright and shiny, despite the fact that is has damn near become my main fiddle.

Ryan

 

[Dodgeball]

Do you leave it in the case? Does the case still have that "new case" smell?

Sometimes the glues and chemicals in case and in the the fabric in the case will outgas and leave residue on the guitar. Residue like the gunk on the frets.

Good tip, I recently noticed that on my new Luke the case has that "new" smell to it but the frets are slightly grubby and the tuners feel ever so slightly sticky to the touch. The guitar has been sitting in the case since leaving the factory in SLO as I have been paying it off in deposits so this sounds like a likely reason.

I noticed that the case has no silica pack like I got with my Axis, could it help to bung one of these in the case?

 

[jazzbo jim]

BP and Jon may be too diplomatic to mention this, so I will:

This forum IMHO is primarily designed as an outlet for EBMM users (primarily) and wannabees to discuss different aspects of the the EB gear they own (or wished they own).

In fairness to EB, Warranty issues or potential manufacturer's defects should be addressed first to customer service via email or better yet by phone. (they are awesome BTW).

Posting those issues here FIRST (although you know it will be seen by EB eventually) kinda "hijacks" the process and doesn't give EB a fair chance to react-it also sends a certain message to potential EB users (not a positive one!)

My experience has been if you are fair, honest and civil, EBMM will respond in kind.

Just my opinion.

 

[Raz]

BP and Jon may be too diplomatic to mention this, so I will:

This forum IMHO is primarily designed as an outlet for EBMM users (primarily) and wannabees to discuss different aspects of the the EB gear they own (or wished they own).

In fairness to EB, Warranty issues or potential manufacturer's defects should be addressed first to customer service via email or better yet by phone. (they are awesome BTW).

Posting those issues here FIRST (although you know it will be seen by EB eventually) kinda "hijacks" the process and doesn't give EB a fair chance to react-it also sends a certain message to potential EB users (not a positive one!)

My experience has been if you are fair, honest and civil, EBMM will respond in kind.

Just my opinion.

Yeah just like that birdseye issue...

 

[koogie2k]

hehehe.....let that one die.

 

[Dodgeball]

Hang on a second let's not just kill the thread outright.

Ok so you may have a point, maybe the query should have been raised with customer services first but there has been some good information posted since that can quite clearly affect all guitars regardless of manufacturer.

I'm certainly an avid EBMM fan like the rest of you and have recently collected my second ball (Luke LE Buttercream) which is equally as great as my first.

The thing is I have noticed some fret tarnishing of the type mentioned that I don't believe was there some months back.

I don't have an issue with this, and I'm certainly not about to start talking warrantys, new necks or refrets (and the birdseye is perfectly adequate for me too ) I just would like to know if the chemicals in the LE case could be causing the condition described by Wonderdog and if anyone on the forum knows if it can be remedied by the addition of some silica packs and/or by airing the case?

Anyone?

 

[kbaim]

I too like the idea of being able to post about problems with our instruments.
I find it helpful to know if others may have similar experiences.

I love these guitars...but a few of mine have the stress cracks, several have had battery compartment problems, jack problems, etc.

It also gives the company an idea as to how severe or widespread a problem may be. and that is very useful information for a company to have.

 

[Big Poppa]

K and all

It is not fair to post complaints and pleas for help without giving us a shot first. If this continues I will either slash customer service or slash the forum. This is not a threat but reality. Why have customer service if people only use it as a last resort. Picture that we are talking about your body...would you go to the FREE doctor with your symptoms, or an internet site first?



Here is what it resembles from my seat. Someone buys a guitar "new" and admittedly very shop worn and dirty...they also admit that they bought it at a fire sale price FROM A DEALER THAT HASNT BEEN A DEALER FOR OVER THREE YEARS!.

Now he got the price because of the sad state of the guitar and then complains on the forum and now you have unsolicited clues from people that are great attorneys about why and then you have people complain they didnt get a silica pack, their case is contaminated, that their frets may be turning off color. Now it is suggested that Buttercream is tarnishing the frets! The simple fact is that if you dont play your guitar whether it is in the case on the wall or on the moon the frets will tarnish...They are made of nickel silver......Both nickel and silver tarnish...just ask your mom about her silver. Routine maintenance is necessary for any guitar.
\
Posts like this create urban legends that make it hard for any manufacturer to fix.

PS its funny that I asked for the serial number and still dont have it.

 

[koogie2k]

hehehe.....let that one die.

I was talking about the bird's eye comment.....