How many times have you returned guitars?

[CoastStrings]

It's fine. It's best to acknowledge early that it's the wrong instrument for you and carry on.

I've returned at least nine guitars since I started my journey in 2008. Many didn't last more than a couple of days.

[Dave in Olympia]

Two, both recently. I returned a Gibson G-00 after a couple of weeks. I loved the playability, but I just couldn't get used to the tone. I sent that back and got my Blueridge. The second was the Guild F512 that I had waited 45 years to get. I was just underwhelmed. My 45+ year old Takamine plays better and sounds just as good. That decision only took a couple of days. I sent that back and got my 000-18 Modern Deluxe, which is stellar.

[fregly]

Another thing was, I have one of Ed Bonds guitars here that overall kicks the new guitars behind and is less than half the cost, so there was that. I know the Halcyon has the advantage of having been played a ton, then again I knew it was a fun one and a keeper after a half hr of getting it. That is the feeling you should have with a new instrument.

[Skip Ellis]

I've sent several back over the last couple years. I'd like to try them first but, in my area, we only have the two main big box stores and they have nothing I'm even remotely interested in so it's on to the internet. Most recent (last week) was a Cordoba Stage from Sweetwater - unplayable out of the box; truss rod was tightened the wrong way and had to cut the saddle down to almost no break angle on the first string. Plays pretty much OK now but I still don't care for the sound, especially the body pickups. They'd be OK for someone who plays a percussive style but not for me. Calling for a return label tomorrow.

[TBman]

2.

One was a Seagull something or other I bought at GC that sounded like junk when I got it home. It sounded good in the store though.

The other was a J-45 that I also bought from GC that "developed" a top seam split the day after I brought it home. I put a sponge hole humidifier in it and the next day was treated with a surprise. No wonder why the salesman was so happy to sell it. I brought it back to a different GC because they had another one that I knew sounded really good.

[ghostnote]

None for me. There are a couple that probably should have gone back, but they are inexpensive, so they ended up staying around. I gave a couple like that away, and there are another couple that will probably be donated too, at some point. You never know what kind of talent some kid might discover in himself simply because you gave away a guitar.

[Dwight]

I've never returned any.

[abn556]

Never for me as well and I have been buying guitars since the 1970s. I have only bought a few without playing them first and those were from very reputable dealers.

+

[jaymarsch]

My answer is 2 over 20 years and both of those I had on agreed upon trial periods by the dealer/owner. One was a carbon fiber guitar that I had shipped from Southern California and the other was a Schoenberg Soloist from Steve Swan. Both were returned for ergonomic reasons. Neck shape and specs didn’t feel great for my fretting hand.
Best,
Jayne

[rollypolly]

Originally Posted by fregly

Another thing was, I have one of Ed Bonds guitars here that overall kicks the new guitars behind and is less than half the cost, so there was that. I know the Halcyon has the advantage of having been played a ton, then again I knew it was a fun one and a keeper after a half hr of getting it. That is the feeling you should have with a new instrument.

My build slot is coming up with Ed. Can’t wait to get started! It’s been really hard being patient.

[xStonr]

I never returned a guitar until recently. I had purchased a Eastman dread while it sounded great and the build quality was great, I just found it uncomfortable to play. I would have returned it but I had passed the return limit so I flipped it. Then I bought a Taylor but found the quality lacking in the model I bought so that I was able to return. Next I bought a Martin. That I'm keeping.

[Zissou Intern]

Just one, an Eastman E20D to Dave's a couple years ago. I felt bad, but it was nothing like the E20D I had back in 2013-15.

[K20C]

Just once. I returned a National Tricone to GC years ago, but that was on me. Slide didn’t come as natural to me as I’d hoped. lol Walked out with a new 1996 D42, so that was a nice exchange. Still have that one.

[Monty Christo]

I've returned two -- both by the same manufacturer, both for shoddy construction. You'd think I would have learned from the first one!

[eternaltinkerer]

I've returned one. It was a high pressure laminate guitar I intended to use as sort of a camp fire / outdoor guitar, and simply sounded awful. Oh well.