Taking A Risk - The 1 in 5 Rule With Some New Guitars

Baxter and Jonathan discuss why some new in box guitars have QC issues and why you are risking issues when you ask for a guitar that has never been open or inspected by the shop or retailer.

[@bks252]

I miss the local guitar shops. I’m 63 now and when I was growing up in a small town in Georgia we had an awesome little music store. He treated us great, helped us all get started playing with inexpensive, entry level guitars and always supported us. Even provided sound equipment later on when we started forming bands and playing at local places. All of us always hung out there and Tony, the owner loved it. He never acted like we bothered him. Sometimes there would be 8-10 of us just hanging out wishing we could buy stuff. He finally let us start buying stuff and paying him a little every week. I will never forget his generosity or his desire to keep the music alive with the next generation. Too bad we don’t have more of that. I’m sure they’re out there but I just don’t see it. Love your guys channel and your spirit!

[@naturekev]

Shops like that are still out there. If you're ever in the area of Green Cove Springs, Florida, check out The Guitar Station. It's a lot like the store you described.

[@mikes9759]

A lot of the other stores too!! The sports store in my town was awesome and helpful!! We had a killer hobby store to with a 6 lane slot car track for the bigger cars!!

[@staceytindle1225]

Your comment is a cool little read.

[@bks252]

@@naturekev sure will. Thanks!

[@bks252]

@@naturekev sure will. Thanks!

[@gkott78]

I swear, I need to make the drive down from Michigan and buy a guitar from you guys. This channel is so entertaining, and you guys actually care about what you sell. I'd love to sit down, pick out a new guitar and have a beer with these guys.

[@joeydurant6267]

I'm in Monroe and dead serious bout to make a trip in the next month or so.... Ride share?

[@gkott78]

@@joeydurant6267 Ha, I'm not extremely far from there, but I'm out of the market for just a little bit. I just came home with a Gibson J45 the other day, so my guitar budget is bust at the moment.

[@joeydurant6267]

@@gkott78 understandable. However hit me up on the old FB if ya want. Might get together and jam or something.

[@csnide6702]

I'm in MI as well and have thought the same thing..... I'm just not wild about The South though..........

[@ryangunwitch-black]

I'm down in DUUUVALLL and I'm trying to plan my honeymoon around getting up to Casino. Lol

[@alanbeesby2220]

Bought an SE Silver Sky from Andertons about 3 weeks back, at practice on Thursday I went to take the wireless transmitter out of the Jack socket and the nut and washer of the socket fell off. Like a boss I then put them back on and tightened them with a socket only to over twist and snap the wire inside! I have had to resolder the wires back together for a gig this weekend (not ideal) and will drop into a pro to get the wire replaced (and look at the fret job). Just a small QC issue but it has soured the guitar a little!

[@surinderpunia2804]

I always go with boutique shops I know and trust, even if I pay a slight premium. It's comforting to know I always get the guitar I paid for. ✌️❤️🎸

[@derekeboyd]

After a run of rough guitars from a big retailer, I've started going this route too. Sometimes I find what I want in the big box, then go to the local shop and put my order in if they don't already have it. You have to pay a little more and wait, but it beats getting stuck with a poorly set-up instrument.

[@30smsuperstrat]

I prefer to pay $900 for a guitar and they hand me a $7000 custom shop. I don't mind getting the guitar I didn't pay for at all😄

[@texhaines9957]

Buying an acoustic, and if they have more than one, I ask someone there that I trust to try them and send the one that sounds the best. They know what I am looking for and deliver. So, yes, someone has voiced my guitar before I play it. And it's someone who has a lot more experience with different guitars than I. Kinda like a friend recommending a great wine. Thanks Baxter and Jonathan.

[@Mcfly0856]

Just picked up a new PRS CE24 sight unseen and it is absolutely perfect, I know I can't do that with most brands.

[@GoodmanRecordingsTokyo]

I love Fender, but this sounds about right. I have 18 guitars and basses from the Corona factory. Of that of that 4 had/have serious issues from a stripped truss nut, to unleveled frets, to slotted but not filed nut. And 1 with a paint blemish. So I'm grateful for Fender for making a guitar tech. I've learned how to do everything.

[@todddammit4628]

When I worked at GC, the most annoying thing I ran into was people finding a guitar they love in the store and then wanting a brand new one in a box or a discount on the one they love because its a "demo" or "floor model". I can't tell you how many times I tried to tell them that the J45 they order is probably going to sound completely different than the J45 they're playing. And odds are its gonna be worse.

[@rocktorrocks]

Makes me glad I went with my off the rack Standard 60s from my local GC. I ran the racks and played many Les Pauls but this one felt and looked just right. Turned out it was not only a floor model but was bought and returned once and someone flipped the neck pickup. They offered to let me get a new one from the warehouse or another location but I was hesitant to order sight unseen knowing how much these guitars can vary. So I kept the one I found and it’s one of my favorite guitars and one of the best examples of it I’ve seen to date. Glad I kept it and didn’t give it up for an unopened one.

[@ratwynd]

Traveling 2 years ago and found a guitar I had looked for for over 6 months in a shop in St. Paul, MN. A uncomon color Gretsch MIJ G6128T Jet Players Edition in Sierra Mist. Got a good price and they would have done free setup but I was on a schedule and could not wait a day. I took it in the box after inspection and set it up myself later. It is still one of my top 4-5 instruments, I love the DynaSonic pickups. The only mod I may make on this one is to add a roller saddle but have not found one to fit yet.

[@WindRider1]

I bought a Les Paul Tribute from Sweetwater. The body was a beautiful Satin Cherry Burst. The neck not so much. It had little dings and dents all over the back of the neck where the headstock meets. The fretboard was a 1/16 inch narrow on each side. You could hang your finger nail on the edge. I called my Sales Rep and explained and even took pictures and sent him. Before looking at the pictures he tried to say it was the weather difference between Indiana and Alabama. After looking at the pictures he agreed it was a Gibson QC problem. I also questioned how a Sweetwater guitar tech could send out such a bad quality instrument. I had always been a Fender guy. I wanted a LP so I did what I should have done to start with. I got twice the guitar for less money on the used market. We don't have a local guitar shop where I live, so it was mail order or used. Lesson learned.

[@t0msie]

Getting ready to buy a new reasonably high end guitar here and admit some online offerings are tempting (more for having stock than bige price differences) but you guys reminded me why i prefer dealing with my local independent shop that i know and trust. They always look after me and are only a 15 minute drive away on the small chance there are any issues

[@derektassie1479]

I was just looking at a jazzmaster American vintage II marked down 400 bucks from a dealer straight from the factory. It makes sense now.

[@judih.8754]

I never know what I'm going to get when I click on this channel. Keep it up!

[@glen7228]

I bought a GS mini from Sweetwater and the shipping box was nearly seven feet tall. They made damn sure the little guitar was going to get to me in one piece and in tune and it did.

[@andrewcourtney4005]

I live close enough to Sweetwater to drive over there to check the guitar out. They have great customer service. If I lived closer to you guys I’d stop in and check you out!

[@sqrly2u]

I had to look up "Derprecating". Thanks for making use my mind!!!

[@cgoebbert]

I bought a new Music Man Mariposa for $2700 from GC sight unseen - the only reason: I know their necks work for me and I used to work for the company and, equally important am in good standing w/ said co that I trust that if I’m not happy, I’ll get another one to my liking. As both Baxter and Johnny intoned, good relationships are what keep us happy and moving in the right direction.

[@jamespowers8826]

I've had almost 100 percent failure buying new guitars online. While I used to think ordering through Sweetwater would mean that someone had at least touched the guitar before I bought it, the guitars I have ordered through them have had significant QC issues. One Strat had so many issues it was unplayable and I began to expect it was a fake (it wasn't). I'm not picking specifically on Sweetwater. Great company that I frequently buy from. I've had the same kind of bad experiences with other online retailers. Unless you have a sense of adventure, and have some experience correcting QC issues on guitars. Go to a shop and play the instrument. These instruments seem to be generally just taken out of the box and hung on the wall. YMMV.

[@mikepodorski4272]

I have bought 2 used lemon guitars. One was a Player Plus HSS Strat that had a terribly cut nut and a Schecter that was miss wired. Both would probably pass a Sweetwater inspection. I got them for a fairly low price I would imagine because the previous owners regretted their purchase. Both are fantastic now.

[@chrisisthedude1]

Loving that shirt Johnathan🤙🏽

[@michaelw6277]

The only brand new guitar I ever sent back had a stripped truss rod nut. Personally, as long as I get to have the joy of removing the plastic wrap from the scratch plate/etc I’m happy. I don’t even care if the setup is bad because I’m going to set it up to my liking anyway.

[@davidsummerville351]

I'm in Wilmington and considering visiting your shop. Love to see what you have and mabe meet you and have you pick apart my character. I absolutely love your personalities and humor. 😜😎🤓 Great show!

[@CindyMattern]

I’m in Cameron and it’s definitely worth the drive!

[@bobbyhancock3347]

I live about 3 miles from Casino. I just went to Bass Pluckers last weekend. Both great stores.

[@77pearcearrow]

One guitar I bought, I immediately taught with it for 6 hours straight after taking it out of the box. I think there was a ding on the back but I'm pretty sure that was me and now I have many more dings and scratches on it. Its a tool, I don't collect hammers and display them.

[@FrankNavarroPanchoVilla]

Nice break down of what it takes to get a customer a good guitar. It’s never as simple as giving them a sealed box from the manufacture. There is a lot of work that goes into taking care of your guitar customers.

[@heyitsandrewcraft]

Depending on the shop, I have asked them pull one from inventory. What customers do to the guitars at Guitar Center can be criminal. 😉

[@Donholleyglobeaz]

Excellent. Drunk and fight about it! Rock and Roll!!

[@ravenbom]

Yeah, last 2 guitars I've had have had a dead fret that needed to be filed down less than a mm to play perfect. The first one I returned but the second one I did put in the time to file the fret down that little bit.

[@samhealey7603]

The key is definitely finding a shop you trust, and beyond that... preferably a smaller shop with a guy/small team you trust. I'm not gonna lie I definitely have some reservations having someone random from a big box checking my new guitar out, I've no idea if they're gonna take as much care handling as me... particularly when new.

[@THEItchybruddah]

My luck has held out so far. I've purchased instruments via forums, Reverb, GC yadda... Re: Squires. I'm a fan of getting them and THEN spackle them with fancy parts. (Thus, I guess I am a CVC guy of sorts... Classic Vibe Jag with Mastery bits, same for a Mascis with Fralin hum cancelling pickups. Both a astonishing instruments) As always, thanks for your time and tales!

[@user-tz2zz5ij1s]

My rule has always been if I’m buying any guitar over a thousand dollars, I go to every store that has the make I want and I play them first. When I find the one I like, I buy that one. I also compare to similar models. Sometimes once you actually hold and play the guitar you want, you find out that a more similar guitar is actually the one you want.

[@nightpandas7178]

Very true

[@Santaheckler]

All that to sell it a year later? 😆

[@user-tz2zz5ij1s]

@@Santaheckler huh?

[@randrothify]

This is the right approach if you want to be a smart consumer. That said, it is not reasonable for someone spending close to or more than a $1,000 to be told that the baseline expectation is for QC to be poor enough that 20% of the product is classified as being in someway defective or a second, and that if someone wants better quality they should pay more. No one accepts that rationale for phones, cars, clothing, or toaster ovens. Guitar makers shouldn‘t be given a free pass either, with the understanding that there is bound to be some variation due to the natural origin of the principal input material and the shipping/storage conditions.

[@user-tz2zz5ij1s]

@@randrothify the issue is pretty much all these parts are made by machines. For neck fitting and and pockets, to get a tighter tolerance it requires a more precise machine, which is a more expensive machine, which passes the price onto the consumer. For the lower end models, there is still an element of a person doing some of the installation. If the person is to spend more time on each guitar, again that price is passed onto the consumer. I have zero issues with the way the prices are now or understanding that not everything is going to be perfect. Cell phones, toasters, ect still have failures that get missed and end up in a consumers hands, only to be returned for a different one. There is no manufacturing and QC that is 100 percent. There are so many variables between the manufacturing to QC, to consumer that it is impossible to have 100 percent customer satisfaction. You also have to understand that nothing built with wood will ever be 100 percent perfect.

[@Megarobotsquadron]

I've never bought a guitar without trying it first. I can't imagine wanting one right out of the box.

[@Vykk_Draygo]

I had to to get my Flying V, but there aren't any large shops in this area. Having the same issue trying to find even ONE 5-string bass locally. I'm either going to have to drive several hours just to try what I'm looking for (if they have stock), or order online. 🤷‍♂ I do prefer getting a guitar from a good shop though. Having it setup and ready to go is worth it.

[@Dian2Gig]

I ordered a Sterling Music Man guitar from GC that arrived with rough finished frets. The store couldn’t believe how bad they were. Yep, I returned it. I need to schedule a trip to Casino Guitars. I’ll bring my gang of guitar aficionados. They love to spend money.

[@AlexVavra-of5kp]

I’ve had oddly good luck buying random guitars online. Reverb has been the bane of my bank account since my brother in law got me turned on to it, but other than a couple of used Gibson SG’s that needed tweaks and adjustments from previous owners setups and one Danelectro bass that had an undisclosed paint chip on the front edge, the ones that have just caught my eye in the moment have pretty well been amazing out of the box. Some were totally unopened, some were open box deals that had minor surface imperfections or a small chip in the nut, but still sound and play great. I’m sure my luck will catch up to me now that I’ve bragged about it, but I’m kinda at the end of my gear acquisition syndrome spell after not playing music for about 15 years and just re-outfitting myself to hit the ground running and go full bore back into music. Good luck to everyone out there and good points in your video!

[@howlingwolf7280]

Great video - as a brit, can I just ask about the country club voice / accent - please do that voice more.

[@antonharmacinski276]

I got a new D'angelico TD in Cherry finish sold as used from the GC back in December. It still had all the tags and plastic peally coverings. I guess it was put on lay-away and not paid off/picked up. which made it a purchased, ie. used item even though it never left the store.

[@Monedgar123]

Just bought the Aerodyne telecaster special, it apparently had a scratch that I can’t see and was 330 off the online price. Neck feels great but the cut out is tight. It was not in the box and I never would have bought it if it was. I suspect Baxter and Jonathan are unimpressed with this Japanese made sort of non-telecaster since they haven’t mentioned it. I like it though, might need new pick ups, but I’m gonna wait for awhile. I’ve been binging the channel over the last couple of weeks and have learned so much! Along with the new guitar it has really inspired me to play ALOT!!!

[@brandonjackson5865]

Japanese Fenders rule my guy. I’ve always liked them and the fact they do more modern stuff than American and Mexican fenders.

[@alexwoolridge94aw]

I returned a Taylor 324ce because of a dead note on the first fret. I returned it for a 324ce but the one I returned was back on the shops wall when I picked up the replacement. My local tech tried adjusting the neck but nothing would fix the dead note.

[@MightyGoodMooShu]

I have ordered many guitars online, (sight unseen) only one has come in with a manufacturer defect. The bridge was either drilled in the wrong position, or the neck was set misaligned so the pickup pole pieces are not directly under the strings and uneven string to fretboard edge. It is PRS SE 245 single cut. Not Sweetwater or AMS, played once heard, felt, and saw the issue. Just a wall hanger, due to the retailer not responding, so I could not return it, and PRS requiring it go through the original retailer. I would rather it be looked over, even though I do my own setups, than get a defective instrument.

[@Black-Jack-2022]

I ordered a Gretch guitar from Sam Ash and I wanted it un opened from the factory! It turned out great,but I did not know it should have been checked out before I got it!! we live and learn!!!😮

[@peterkoutros8190]

I bought 4 guitars from Sweetwater 3 had major issues.. I honestly don't believe they go through every instrument..Had a Breedlove acoustic so out of wack I had to a real guitar shop in NYC ..for complete setup and the bridge saddle needed to be shaved down the action was so high..One thing about them is they always try to make things right..Great customer service.

[@BounceBoomBounce]

Unfortunately, I live where it is hard to try many things out before I buy them. Most of my orders have been fine, but I have had a couple from respected sellers that were supposedly inspected. One was so bad their "inspection" could have only been a glance at best. The bridge was installed incorrectly, and it was sitting at a pretty severe angle. The pickups were pushing into the strings by quite a bit, and it wouldn't play a note at all. Stuff happens, so I wasn't too bothered by it. Luckily, they were things I could fix without too much trouble. Sometimes you just need to inspect the inspection lol.

[@bryantwalley]

PRS had some big discounts just a few weeks back on some of those SE's.

[@stoneysdead689]

I'm going to give a shout out to Total Music Source in Orlando Flo. for being the shop that finally sent me a good Classic Vibe Strat. I live in north Alabama and bought online- had to send the first 3 guitars I got back to the seller. The first one had a short or something in the 5-way switch, 2nd one had neck issues, 3rd one has scratches and stuff all over it and turned out to be a demo model- I paid new price, I want a new guitar. Finally- Total Music Source sends me a fully inspected, nicely setup, still new 70s HSS Strat (all blacked out with the maple neck) for 450$. It's a great guitar- when you finally get a good one.

[@rakentrail]

Back in the late 80's thru early 90's I worked in a store that had just about every major brand at that time. I ran the repair dept. Our owner insisted we inspect and set up every guitar before it went on display or left the store. Every guitar we sold had to feel, look & play it's best or we didn't sell it. If you wanted it "still in the box", you were told you would have to get it somewhere else! We grew fast because of that. One local pro would say, "do your magic and I want it to play like butter"! It was weird though when a player would buy a brand new Jackson and want the neck scalloped!

[@Mabel90666]

This past Christmas, in the UK, PRS was cutting prices by a third and in some cases more. The sales never made it to the United States. I wonder why? My reference points are the Anderton’s videos leading up to Christmas 2022.

[@michaeljoyce3286]

Had the opportunity to order a custom guitar, and even though my specs are exactly what I wanted in my head, he was very different not disappointing, which is a failure to convey my thought but I’ve also bought some really high-end guitars, and they work perfectly when I got them, but it was issues. I always blame some of the challenges on shipping, even though they’re protected in cases and wrapped up in being banged about jostled isn’t always the best things or what I’ve come to find out that means the most is how the shop works with you on any of these challenges to make sure that you’re happy with their product they’re selling

[@caiusmadison2996]

Personally, Impartial to middle of the road guitars meaning they are ISA, but not quite that Custom Shop nothing but custom shops are level. Thsoe leave no improvement room for my setup, which, is good and bad to me. I wamma worl a bit to set it up at first, so I know what to expect. What i fond with Fender, is they meed to clean connections before they kick stuff out the factory doors.

[@BrianBrazilHarmonica]

I have a local guitar store that deals in all vintage used guitars and used guitars that aren't. The have a very good guitar tech that takes care of all of my guitars needs. I don't have the money for high priced vintage or custom shop models. What I do have, I've been lucky enough to find at good prices that were affordable. So I do have good relationships with 3 guitar stores near me.

[@Json-mo6ny]

Yeah I can agree with this, I pickup a prs 20th anniversary custom 24, it played great, felt like butter. Took it to my guitar guy just for a basic set up, he suggested a fret job and new nut. Once I got it back it just didn’t play the same, cords sound outta tune and pulls outta tune. Totally bummed me out.

[@beyondthedead7677]

I've only ordered one guitar online, mainly because I'm super picky. Plus, the guitar I ordered ended up developing a back-bowed neck within a month of receipt, probably due to being shipped from a cold, damp place to one dry and warm. Luckily it was a new Gibson, so fully under warranty, but I doubt I'll ever do that again.

[@jaygallamore562]

Sorry if I missed it, how can we become a member for the livestreams? Do I need to send off for my Ovaltine decoder ring? Your 1 in 5 video provided lots of insight into how part of the industry works. I would like to think all manufacturers would strive for a very high quality level. Face it, guitars for most of us are a luxury item and folks should expect a good product for their money. I’ve had great experiences with both my local shop and Sweetwater, that’s why I will remain a loyal customer - they treat me right.

[@justiceforall6412]

Reverend has excellent QC too

[@anthonypanneton923]

If I buy a guitar online for $100 (and I have a few, and I love 'em), I expect stuff like that. I know when I buy it that it will need to immediately go onto the workbench for hours of fixing whatever (usually minor) problems it has, and a complete setup. I don't mind, because often I want to do some crazy mods to the guitar anyway. But if I spend $800 or $1000 for a guitar (which is considered not expensive these days), it should be pretty darn close to perfect. The fact that we make excuses for poor craftsmanship / quality, or create a narrative about why we should expect to pay more for something that's not broken right out of the box - its one of the reasons China is on the way up, and America is not.

[@R.L.Humpert]

Well hey guys, I understand your points however, I ordered a PR S Guitar that was the only one I could find in stock in the country from a place called guitar sanctuary and they told me it had never been played. It was a 2023 and when I got to Guitar , the tags weren’t even on it they were cut put it inside the bag and there were two dents like snake teeth bites on the side and that was a whole frustrating process because I really got excited so anyway I think they tried to pass up Guitar to me and see if they can sneak it by me. I will never deal with anyone again like that that’s when I emailed you Baxter but I know they’re hard to find right now those thin line, Sweetwater has a six month waiting list, I don’t know what else to do. You guys are awesome. Ryann.

[@R.L.Humpert]

By the way, it was red vintage smoke burst burst custom-made for the same price is too good to be true but I know it didn’t happen in PRS. This happened at that store and they tried to blame the shippers crazy they try to pull a fast one on everybody.

[@petersouthwell5971]

This is why I like buying guitars fully assembled from guitar shops. A good shop sets the guitar up.

[@festushaggen2563]

Because horrible things happen to packages in the mail (seen it first hand) I won't buy online. I have to be able to see it in the store and play it first. Then I know it's in good shape and I won't have to return it. That solves part of the restock/return problem for the customer and retailer.

[@t3hgir]

I've been very lucky with online guitars purchased from Sweetwater and American Musical Supply. Granted they were all under $800 and imports but beyond some basic nut work and setup I've been very impressed. I'd read enough comments of horror stories & QC issues, including someone trying TEN, yes 10 of the same guitar model because he wasn't impressed...

[@davidtomkins4242]

My prs se last year had a pickup that flat out died after a couple of weeks. Not wiring, just a dead pickup.

[@DigitalChemistryBand]

Paid a grand for a Charvel San Dimas... immediately took it to Mike Lull here in Washinton for a full setup and plek... now a 1500 guitar... Sweetwater didn't even ship it in the case I bought at the same time... I'd only bought one other guitar online 15 years before, a Carvin custom built, ended up selling it 6 months later, it was such a dog... rebranding to Keissle hasn't helped them. Both of my PRS SE... off the wall at GC, with a setup, absolutely perfect.

[@robchaloner7534]

I've just returned two brand new Fender Player strats. Great guitars but just silly QC issues, (high/ sharp frets, bad set ups, finish issues.) I understand these things happen and but 2 in a row on £600+ guitars kind of put me off?!. I ended up with a used USA telecaster so I left a happy chappy in the end 😁👍

[@Abbynorml1979]

the GC in my town doesn't do anything, and so many guitars on the wall are so badly set up that they are unplayable (mostly trust rod adjustment).

[@phillippitts6294]

Check out the new Night Court , it’s hilarious!

[@nelliejones1]

You ever get a sweet water inspected, brand inspected, factory inspected guitar with the bridge placed incorrectly? I ordered an overseas built guitar, branded here in the us of a, from sweet water. The low E was basically falling off the fretboard. Did I return it? Nope. Should I have? Probably. Instead I pulled the bridge, drilled out the screw holes, dowelled it and replaced the bridge. Not for everyone, not a simple fix, but I still have it, play it, love it. An aside, now the selector switch doesn't function. I'll get it fixed and still hang onto it. With that being said, it spoke to me right outta the box. Generally speaking tho I hate returning guitars, because I feel like I'm either passing it on to the next guy, or sending it to the boneyard.

[@wheeleratthesolarhouse3953]

I'm on the third tremolo arm and nut for the arm for my ultra jazzmaster. I don't know how I'm the only one but nobody else seems to experience the bar crossthreading and snapping off like I have. It's like chinesium from Corona

[@SirSneakerPimp]

I have a Ultra Jazzmaster, purchased over two years ago. I haven’t had a problem with my hardware. But I have a tendency to mod my guitars. I put a Mastery trem on it and it’s fantastic. Mind you I never had an issue with the original whatsoever. There are several companies that make upgrade parts. Go to Puisheen’s KZbin channel and you’ll see it.

[@bbrotherton6345]

Sweetwater sent me PRS with what appeared to be a 1/2 inch piece of copper wire painted into the back of the neck. They quickly sent me another one with a call tag for the 1st one. I haven't used GC or anyone else since.

[@jfrankcarr]

There are a lot of corksniffers in guitar land and forums and social media have only made them worse.

[@Jowls2024]

Safety first!

[@WalkenDead]

Whenever those purple Epi Prophecy Exturas came out I ordered one, because why wouldn't I. I did the order thru Musicians Friend, and I waited a bit. I knew they were non back order, wasn't a problem. The day came, I got the notification that it shipped, a couple of days later I had my guitar. I have all my orders shipped to my work place because I can, and thru the week that is where I am. Opened it up, everything looks good, strings are a bit loose, no biggie. Got it home and went to tune it up, neck break, explains why the strings were loose. Call up MF and explain the situation, the lady on the other end apologizes and sends what I need to send the guitar back. At this time these things were still hard to find. I got my replacement guitar before my return made it back to them. Still have it, I dig it

[@GraphiteandCigars]

I am in the same camp as Jonathan. If there is something wrong why I buy something, mentally I get locked up and have a hard time wanting whatever it is lol.

[@saltyscorpion2151]

That happened to me with an SG in the late 90's. The neck is not right and you just can't get the action low enough. I was a newbie and GS was glad to sell it to me. It is not worth getting it fixed, so it sits in the case most of the time. The shame is it sounds as good as my LP and is so much lighter. I stick with my Strat.

[@mikewendeln5218]

Have you had a guitar tech look at it? They may be able to find a fix. You may be surprised.

[@TAM-gz5tc]

the big makers can have badly made guitars. i purchased a fender tellocaster that sounded great but was not carefull enough in testing the guitar. the neck had a problem of straight grain on the bass e and curly grain on the treble e, this made it imposible to set up a low action without buzzing. in the end i replaced the neck and replaced the neck pick up with a fender old style humbucker. to day it is one of my favorite guitars. tam

[@csnide6702]

20% defects -- that's crazy ... ! What other business could get away with that....? Could you imagine a parachute factory with a 20% defective rate...? They wouldn't be in business long.

[@actorartistmusician]

John Mayer has his famous story about how his John Cruz #1 black relic strat came to him - and he did not like it at first. He even put it in the fridge - then he called Cruz and they found the problem was a mis-soldered wire…or a bad connection - I don’t remember. Then he made millions with that guitar on him. So - sometimes you get a legit lemon - sometimes your $10,000 masterbuilt still has QC issues. Whaddya do…?

[@gaberox1]

I have found that no matter what they say to you on the phone a decently discounted guitar that is claimed to be premium stock no issues brand new always have something wrong. At least in my experience.

[@benlogan430]

I must be different, because I like my guitar to have been opened and peeked at by someone before it gets to me. Never enjoyed getting an instrument that is factory fresh. I always feel like the retailer should inspect the products that they received. We use to do that at retail and sometimes send stuff back if it was not up to company standards. Vendors didn’t like it, but it would only happen once. Checks and balances not trust. It’s business.

[@ryangunwitch-black]

Do me a favor.... Ask Frank why it's going to be November before my local Fender dealer (who carries A LOT of Fenders) can get a three tone burst American Vintage II stratocaster for me! 😮😅😂 (They could get me one in Fiesta Red tomorrow....)

[@homegrownson]

When you get that 1 in 5 Turd, it's not as bad if you bought it from a Shop like Casino that would either Swap out Guitar or Give In Store Credit for the Return if Done in reasonable Time Frame , some shops carry a RESTOCK FEE they Disclose but You Ignored at Purchase Time, So No Yelling at a Clerk trying to get you a replacement because you didnt pay attention. Be Glad someone will take a return

[@catchofthedave8681]

Heres my deal, I LIKE guitars with blemishes. I ALWAYS buy blemished guitars when I can, or blemished amps. Cuz I'm going to ding them up anyways, hopefully I'll play it so much it becomes road worn naturally. I'll save $100 to buy a blemished guitar all day Every day. A lot of times I will buy cheaper guitars and upgrade the pots or pickups or whatever anyways so even if I get one that has an electronic Issue.......cool. I think everyone should know how to work on their own guitars. It's one of the first things you should learn after maybe how to hold the pick and basic chords. Theres so many bad things that come out of this information age we live in, but the good thing is that you can learn how to do almost anything from videos online.....from rebuilding a toyota motor to upgrading guitar pickups and soldering pots. Knowledge is power....and we have infinite knowledge at our fingertips.....but too many people are lazy piles that expect someone else to do it for them. I get it, It should work directly from the factory....If u get a guitar from factory that has a wiring issue and the solder came loose during shipping, it was a bad solder to begin with. I get it. But to say you don't want a guitar unless its sealed from the factory is silly. These guitar dealers are doing you a favor setting them up correctly and fixing any issues. These aren't action figures or something you collect in the package.....it's something you use, a lot usually, and it's going to get dings and scratches.

[@bryantwalley]

The only reason I would return a guitar would be for something physical that causes the guitar to be unplayable. Broken/stuck truss rod. Bad neck pocket cut., Etc. Character marks are not an issue.

[@dmgd509]

From personal experience... I'll never do sweetwater again... They sent one to me with the pickups so loose they fell out 🙄🤣🤣👌

[@mulemusic]

I've had it go both ways with out of box. I ran out of time getting a Joe Bonamassa Black Beauty and had to buy it directly from his site. There was no doubt it had never been properly set up, so I ended up spending $50 for a set up at a local music store. I have a Squire Strat out of the box that is perfect! I personally trust Sweetwater for going over an instrument and have been please many times with them. Also, I went to a Family-owned guitar store in Erie last year and got the Joe Bonamassa ES335 the day of release, right out of the box and it is exceptional. Before I left, I check the 2nd one they had out of box, and it was perfect as well. This is a great video!! I need to buy my next guitar from you!!

[@NLBassist]

I used to work i car world. Almost every car had an issue, mostly very small. From a tiny paint chip to whatever. And every new car will be back once or twice with an easy fixable rattle or loose screw. It just happens.

[@Ravenscaller]

I have spent thousands of dollars at a local shop on guitars of the Martin breed over the years. I had waited 2 years for a preordered model (Martin) because I trusted them to do me right and wanted to help a local business. Then the whole thing fell apart over a stupid CS-Mini I bought for my granddaughter. Although the problem ended up taking 5 minutes to fix it was caused by their salesperson who wanted to sell me a set up which itself is an issue. The guitar played fine in the showroom then he decided to reset the tension rod. Did he do it out of ignorance or to as mentioned sell me a $125 set up fee. Which it's own issue. A new guitar should come basically set up period. Meanwhile my granddaughter was upset that her Christmas present wasn't right. Anyway. Once lost trust is difficult to rebuild. I never did buy the Martin I'd ordered. How much business do they lose not just from me but on other people who aren't treated right as well.

[@smelltheglove2038]

Man, I got really lucky. I got two CS guitars in the last years. One, a 335 VOS from Gibson, and a ‘63 strat with rosewood neck from Fender(made short to send to my brother because he couldn’t open the video I sent to him via text from some reason, so if you want to see it check my channel) Both are fantastic guitars that I will keep forever, or until I need to send my kid to college, though that’s not looking likely as he seems to be more into fixing up vehicles. I bought them from a shop though so I was able to play them first.

[@JiminTennessee]

Those guitars will get you one semester of college :)

[@BasswipeNC]

They don't make things like they used to. I have found that. I feel they just don't care anymore. However my CS guitar was good to go. But I have purchased a few things within the last few years not musical related and it seems there is always something wrong with it. My last boat, motor, trailer purchase was a nightmare. There was something wrong with all of those I mentioned (boat motor and trailer). It took me about 6 months to get everything 100%. And I mean I spent a little money on that damn thing.

[@phucknuts]

I bought 5 new guitars this year. All demos...some with supposed Scratches..which I never found. I got a fender american professional 2 for 1225$ Down from 1800 new...with 10% from guitar center.. I got a demo SG this year from 1420 $... can't beat the price. Not mark on it.. Got a fender 60th anniversary Jaguar with 15% coupon.. N9t a demo..but 400$ off It's selling for 3800$ now. Got a hagstrom super Viking for 900$... 1245$ listed..as a demo.. Not a mark on it And finally...I just bought a PRS E 277..Baritone guitar A demo..for 650$.. 800 listed... Demos are the way to go as far as I'm concerned

[@seanzinger]

I’m just too uncomfortable going into shops. I know I shouldn’t care what people think, but there isn’t a shop close enough to me for it to be worth the mental anguish to go all the way there and feel that way and then I probably wouldn’t buy the guitar unless it was perfect. So no new guitar 😞 When I buy online I know it’s a risk but at least I get the guitar and I don’t feel judged. I still try to buy from a shop that sets it up first though. I have had bad experience with big box online stores.

[@cmet8280]

You don't need to put on a show, play a few open chords E, A, and D listen to the pickups, then play each string up the neck to check the frets and action and that's it. You're still ahead from buying blind online.

[@seanzinger]

@@cmet8280 Yeah good points. Maybe I’ll get over it someday but I’ve been playing for 20 years. 😬 Like I said though I don’t live very close to any shops.

[@finchwilliams9859]

It’s all about the quality. I tend to believe if a unit is ordered thru a shop, you’re steps ahead of the game…just saying.

[@JadeRaven75]

I just ordered a guitar and now I have anxiety

[@30smsuperstrat]

But would you fight Shannon Sharp if he came into your shop in a cardigan?

[@scotthansenmtbt4110]

I spent 20 years in the gun business….the similarities between guns and guitars isn’t that much different, from the business aspect of it….I’ve had to fix many “new” guns, out of the box, that I shouldn’t have to. Certain manufacturers consistently would be more sloppy on QC than others…..I wish I was as proficient with my guitar and bass, as I am with rifle, pistol, shotgun….

[@rickmoore52]

Is it just me or does there seem to be an over-abundance of guitars in the world now? There has to be at least 20 guitars for every guitar player in the world. And I only own 12.

[@kipawbrey4750]

I pick my guitars off the rack. The shop can open a box and refill the rack.

[@ROCK-vl5yw]

What's love got to do with it

[@drivenmad7676]

Ironically, some of the same people love vintage gear. LOL

[@ChrisOttoSTL]

I don't understand the mentality of demanding an instrument straight from the factory. I've bought a couple of instruments that way, and it's a gamble, and if I have the option of having someone at a shop make sure everything is OK on it, I'll take that option. At the same time, I'm not sure I want Baxter's filthy hands on my guitar. 😉

[@jarmentor1731]

Cracks me up that Johnathan knows when Baxter’s kids were born better than Baxter. 😅

[@alangreenway6695]

No idea why anyone would order directly off of Fender- currently seeing prices £150-£200 more on the Fender Website to several UK stores, and even those prices in store put me off.

[@timsmith8489]

In the US Fender had a Black Friday sale that lasted a couple weeks. Many of their popular models were 25% below the prices at Guitar Center, Sweetwater, local independent music stores, and Amazon.

[@alangreenway6695]

@@timsmith8489 Unfortunately that didn’t happen in the UK. I’ve been looking at a lefty Jazzmaster and Fender are selling it directly on their website for £1879, which is about $2315 dollars- that seems a lot for a slab body with a bolt on neck to me. You can buy Gibson Les Pauls cheaper over here.

[@yargnad]

Fender _wants_ you to go thru a dealer. That means all the headache of dealing with the customer is on the Fender _dealer_ instead of Fender _corporate._ Plus why would dealers sign up to be a dealer if customers could get it cheaper from Fender direct? It's not a good idea to undercut your dealers.

[@GaryKatz]

Dreamworld fantasy? What if manufacturers knocked off $75-100 from cost to Dealers?!!! Then, at least, the set-up and basic playability issues could be addressed. Crazy? Not to me.

[@imijofsoul-ajimiexperience7164]

We can’t wait to com e to your neck of the woods

[@30smsuperstrat]

Why can't Martin send you Kevin Bacon?!?!?