Would you accept this guitar

[Aaron Smith]

If it had playability and tone to die for, I would consider keeping it.

If not, I'd send it back. I'm sure there's nothing "wrong" with it, but I think it's ugly and looks like they made a mistake in manufacturing.

[guitar george]

I guess this would be considered really ugly. Or is it ok to have multicolored wood on the back of a guitar?

1714red3.jpg

[hairpuller]

Originally Posted by guitar george

I guess this would be considered really ugly. Or is it ok to have multicolored wood on the back of a guitar?

Attachment 15574

I kinda like that! Reminds me of an old surfboard I once had.
scott

[jhmulkey]

Originally Posted by guitar george

I guess this would be considered really ugly. Or is it ok to have multicolored wood on the back of a guitar?

I have a classical that looks very much like that on the back except not quite as much sapwood. I think it's more traditional reserve highly figured woods or special features like sapwood for the back of guitars. Of course, there will be exceptions. Maybe that's because there's nothing "interrupting" that piece of wood like the bridge, fret board, strings, rosette, and sound hole on the top. Perhaps people think it would look too "busy" on the front because of those factors.

I remember on my first small-shop custom, I designated a center back strip on a moderately-figured ziricote back. The builder said he'd do it, but he'd hate to put that strip on such a beautiful back. And I was glad I went with his advice and left the back plain.

[Rumblefish]

At the risk of keeping the Ebony derail going, Taylor is doing some cool side projects that are designed to utilize ebony that’s not suitable for instruments. They just introduced an Ebony slide that I’m hoping to find in my Christmas stocking and Bob Taylor has been working with a Japanese company on a chopstick. Cool stuff

[Beachnut]

GC Corporate came through! "Women's intuition" on the integrity was right.
Spoke 5 x's via facetime to the GM or corporate relations for GC. After his initial shock, had me take closeup of every part.

*It is DEFECTIVE. 1" split in the sapwood below the bridge . Incorrect paint color. Even at GC cost, he recommended I return it. Unfortunately, there aren't any more available (despite the GC and MF websites) except for 47 scattered around the country in stores.

We found 1 unplayed in a glass display case. I like the look and feel of this edition, so if all goes well tomorrow it will be mine. If not, I'll move on.

Either way, I'm done with GC as this was my 3rd gtr with either cracked wood or dead spots from the striped African ebony fretboard in 9 months. Thanks for all your advise. I learned a heck of a lot.

[GCWaters]

Originally Posted by guitar george

I guess this would be considered really ugly. Or is it ok to have multicolored wood on the back of a guitar?



Attachment 15574

That’s gorgeous!!

[Blueser100]

Originally Posted by GCWaters

That’s gorgeous!!

Oh my I love that!

[buddyhu]

Originally Posted by Beachnut

GC Corporate came through! "Women's intuition" on the integrity was right.
Spoke 5 x's via facetime to the GM or corporate relations for GC. After his initial shock, had me take closeup of every part.

*It is DEFECTIVE. 1" split in the sapwood below the bridge . Incorrect paint color. Even at GC cost, he recommended I return it. Unfortunately, there aren't any more available (despite the GC and MF websites) except for 47 scattered around the country in stores.

We found 1 unplayed in a glass display case. I like the look and feel of this edition, so if all goes well tomorrow it will be mine. If not, I'll move on.

Either way, I'm done with GC as this was my 3rd gtr with either cracked wood or dead spots from the striped African ebony fretboard in 9 months. Thanks for all your advise. I learned a heck of a lot.

Sounds like you have clarity, and a plan. Good!

If I were in a store with lots of guitars hanging on the wall (including Mr. Stripey), I wouldn’t reach for the striped one at first. I think the stripe is not a harmonious visual element, and it puts me off a bit. If I eventually played it and loved the tone, that might override my initial aversion to its appearance.

Now that a structural defect has been identified, the decision is very easy.

I hope you find a superb guitar!

[Wade Hampton]

Originally Posted by guitar george

I guess this would be considered really ugly. Or is it ok to have multicolored wood on the back of a guitar?

Attachment 15574

No, it isn't, George - you need to send that back RIGHT NOW!! It's completely unacceptable, and I'm shocked and surprised that you need the rest of us to tell you that.

As your third grade teacher might have said to you: "I'm VERY disappointed in you, George..."

Beachnut: if you can score a guitar that you like better, more power to you. I hope it sounds as good as the one you're sending back.


Wade Hampton Miller

[David MacNeill]

Originally Posted by Beachnut

Either way, I'm done with GC as this was my 3rd gtr with either cracked wood or dead spots from the striped African ebony fretboard in 9 months.

Three defective guitars in nine months? I’m not trolling here, but were they all Taylors? If so, you may be boycotting the wrong corporation.

[51 Relic]

Sorry for any guitar I would play before purchase

[guitar george]

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

No, it isn't, George - you need to send that back RIGHT NOW!! It's completely unacceptable, and I'm shocked and surprised that you need the rest of us to tell you that.

How could I have been so stupid? It's the best guitar I've ever played! I thought this was THE ONE and now you tell me it isn’t. I made a big mistake and will have to send it back. Life can be cruel sometimes. I’ll look for another one without any stripes. ☹

[jhmulkey]

Originally Posted by Beachnut

GC Corporate came through! "Women's intuition" on the integrity was right.
Spoke 5 x's via facetime to the GM or corporate relations for GC. After his initial shock, had me take closeup of every part.

*It is DEFECTIVE. 1" split in the sapwood below the bridge . Incorrect paint color. Even at GC cost, he recommended I return it. Unfortunately, there aren't any more available (despite the GC and MF websites) except for 47 scattered around the country in stores.

We found 1 unplayed in a glass display case. I like the look and feel of this edition, so if all goes well tomorrow it will be mine. If not, I'll move on.

Either way, I'm done with GC as this was my 3rd gtr with either cracked wood or dead spots from the striped African ebony fretboard in 9 months. Thanks for all your advise. I learned a heck of a lot.

Glad it's working out for you. I think some posts have come across as quite condescending towards you, and that's disappointing. While I don't agree with you that the sapwood on the top is a "defect," the spit in the wood obviously is, and indicative that the instrument has not been kept in a suitable environment. And I can totally understand wanting a more traditional look to the top than sapwood down the center and being disappointed at what you got. Honestly, that type of top wouldn't have even crossed my mind as a possibility of getting, but you learn something new everyday!

[mikealpine]

Originally Posted by David MacNeill

Three defective guitars in nine months? I’m not trolling here, but were they all Taylors? If so, you may be boycotting the wrong corporation.

Unless GC isn’t storing them in a humidity controlled warehouse or environment suited to guitars.