Warranty question

[Meedleyx10]

Hey guys, I know i JUST started a thread last week about how I was looking at a silhouette (still am), but after some extensive test-driving of an Axis SS at my local GC, turns out the silhouette will have to wait for now My ibanez can cover strat tones well enough for now, so the Axis will definitely be mine....oh yes, she will be mine.....first.

Anyway, here's my question. The axis I was playing has same major fret-edge issues going on. I know it's something that happens and can be taken care of, but it's not something that I want to deal with on a NEW guitar. GC is doing the 12months ssame as cash deal and I'm really considering it because the guitar looked great (killer top and some sweet birdseye spots) and it just felt right (even moreso than the other MM's i've tried out). Now I know (or at least assume) that it didn't leave the factory in that condition and that it's obviously happened since it's been in the store. Will the warranty allow me to get the fret issue resolved for free through EB customer service?

If not, are there any standard procedures I can follow to get it taken care of? For example, would I be out of line to tell GC to fix it themselves before I buy it (while still keeping my warranty valid)? I'm totally cool with just buying it, then having my tech fix it for me, but if that's the case then I would definitely want a price reduction. Is that something the dealer would be allowed to do? I know some companies have a strict policy on things like that.

As always, any help is much appreciated!

 

[phatduckk]

the fret edge issue may be a humidity related thing. i dunno. but what i do know is that you shoudl contact customer service and get their take on it.

phn 1-800-543-2255
Customer Service Customer Service [email protected]

 

[Meedleyx10]

Thanks, I sent an email yesterday. It probably was a humidity thing... consistent with GC's apparent inability to take care of their merchandise (played a 20th anniversary Silo. in there a few months ago and the fret edges were bad enough to put a nice cut in my palm, don't even get me started on the general quality of stuff in their store.) I guess my problem with this is that things like that are easily preventable, especially in a controlled environment like a store (i know because I worked at a guitar store for a good while...in Montana no less so I'm used to dealing with humidity issues). While I trust EB's quality control, I don't trust GC so I would really like any issues with their merchandise taken care of before I hand over my money.

Anyway....does anyone have insight into the situation while I'm waiting for a reply from CS?

 

[Spudmurphy]

I have dealt with Fret sprout myself (though not on my AL).
My Tele developed it after 20 years of owning it and was caused by the installation of a more efficient home heating system. I cured it with some wet and dry working through the grades.
Buy the guitar and take it home - place it in a room with perfect conditions and the fret sprout may well disappear. I don't think you oughta worry much about it, if it still has it after say 10 days - get in touch with CS.
Good luck.

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I would personally insist that GC sort it out before you buy it. Nobody else is going to buy it if its sprouting like that.

 

[Larry]

I'd make Guitar Center fix it. Would you buy a car with a flat?

 

[silverburst]

And sure enough EB didn't send it to the dealer like that.

 

[Meedleyx10]

Yeah, that's what I was leaning towards (having GC sort it out/have it fixed) but I wasn't sure if that was a plausible option or not. Like I said, I have an email in to CS so I'll see what they say.....but I'm curious as to whether EB will take care of this (either before or after I were to buy it) or if I should just have them sell it to me at a discount and have my tech fix it (which then raises the issue of whether or not that voids the warranty). Thanks for your input!

silverburst- I'm sure they didn't, and like I said, I'm far more inclined to point the finger at GC (you know...with their amazing reputation for taking care of gear). It's just something that I would definitely want sorted out before any cash leaves my pocket so I'd like to see what EB would do about the situation for me (if anything) or if I should just let GC sit on a $**** guitar that probably wont be sold anytime soon.

 

[GWDavis28]

Meedleyx10, when I got my AL from GC it had been passed around from store to store for 3 years. The frets had fret sprout, I bought the guitar as new and since it was new it had a 12 month warranty on it. I contacted EBMM customer service and delt with them, they were great. I shipped the guitar to SLO and they took care of her and she came back to me mint, Jon did an awesome job with the fret sprout.

The humidity has a lot to do with it, how long has it been at GC? If you really like it and you want it, get it.

Hope this helps, Glenn |B)