FedEx cracked my top - Value$$?

Bluesdale · #1 02-19-2019, 01:34 AM

I just received my 1956 Gibson LG-1 back from Baxendale Guitars who did an incredible conversion job on it. It plays and sounds amazing. The only issue is there was a crushed corner on the FedEx box and the top has an 8" crack above the sound hole and a brace underneath it got jarred loose. It apparently got dropped.

Scott Baxendale will fix it fine no problem but we are filing a damage claim to cover the cost of the repair and shipping back and forth from the Rockies to Georgia again.

I think I should claim an additional number to account for the affect on the value. It is in remarkable shape otherwise.

AGF, what do you think this repaired top crack will have on the resale value?

Paddy1951 · #2 02-19-2019, 03:27 AM

Take photos. Contact George Gruhn in Nashville and ask him how the crack will effect the instrument's value.
I think you are less likely to get an argument about the value if your evaluation comes from an established expert.

Sorry about your guitar. Good luck.

Guildman · #3 02-19-2019, 05:22 AM

One has to ask self, why couldn't this happen to that campfire beater instead. Gee. So sorry but at least your getting total cooperation so far.

rokdog49 · #4 02-19-2019, 06:43 AM

I have to ask. Was this guitar not shipped in a case?

Pura Vida · #5 02-19-2019, 03:45 PM

A guitar can sustain damage, even if it's shipped in a h/s case, especially if it's dropped or receives some other form of trauma.

Good luck with your repair and claim. Hope it works out.

hairpuller · #6 02-19-2019, 05:16 PM

What a drag! There's no doubt this "accident" will impact any future value if you decide to sell it. Hopefully you love the guitar so much you'll never have to find out. As far as reimbursement, I agree to have an expert write up an evaluation.
Good luck,
scott

johbren · #7 02-19-2019, 05:50 PM

Fedex damaged a guitar i even opened the box infront of the driver. I never saw a dime.

gmel555 · #8 02-19-2019, 06:31 PM

Really sorry to hear. You can try but unfortunately my experience is you'll rarely if ever get a reimbursement on "lost value" (just like autos after a collision). As a few others have said, definitely have your retailer get directly involved with the claim. FedEx will be a lot more concerned about a business who gives them a steady stream of business shipping versus one person at the receiving end. Good luck.

oliverkollar · #9 02-19-2019, 06:39 PM

Super bummer!!!
FedEx will try to get out of it anyway they can. But hopefully they'll buck up and pay the claim.

Best thing to do is insure your instruments through Heritage, or any other third party insurance.

Good luck.

Tone Gopher · #10 02-19-2019, 06:47 PM

FedEx has a limited liability of $1000 for musical instruments over 20 years old - the statement is in their handbook.

I hope your repairs don’t exceed that.

DenverSteve · #11 02-19-2019, 07:12 PM

Call your insurance agent and see what they devalue that damage. In the end, only your personal insurance (instrument) coverage and the company (FedEx) paying you for the damage will decide. What type of conversion job did you have done? Did Baxendale photograph the guitar as they were preparing it to be shipped? I do on every guitar I ship for this possibility.

Bluesdale · #12 02-19-2019, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rokdog49

I have to ask. Was this guitar not shipped in a case?

Yes, It was in a nice hardshell case and well packed. It just took a good fall apparently. And probably subject to very cold temps.

Bluesdale · #13 02-19-2019, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DenverSteve

Call your insurance agent and see what they devalue that damage. In the end, only your personal insurance (instrument) coverage and the company (FedEx) paying you for the damage will decide. What type of conversion job did you have done? Did Baxendale photograph the guitar as they were preparing it to be shipped? I do on every guitar I ship for this possibility.

Yes, Baxendale has a nice video of him playing the guitar after the conversion and before he shipped it. My insurance will just say they need a 3rd party opinion so the letter from Gruin's is probably a good call. Baxendale was their vintage guitar tech for 20 years or so back in the day so he may have some pull.

The conversion he did is described on his website. Basically he takes out the stiff ladder bracing and replaces it with pre-war Martin patterned forward-shifted scalloped Addy. Also he resets the neck and refrets it. It is truly amazing. He does it a lot on old Silvertones, Kay's, etc., anything with a solid top. Ryan Adams plays one among many others. I can't believe the results. Sounds like a $5K guitar now.