Members 2manband Posted March 28, 2006 Members Posted March 28, 2006 I'm in need of some opinions on my new acoustic guitar. I recently purchased an inexpensive campfire guitar - one that plays and sounds OK, but won't break my heart if i put a few dings in it. I got a great deal on a closeout model (mailorder - I know, bad idea, but it was laughably cheap).When I got the guitar, it tuned up well, played well, and sounded nice. However, I felt around inside the instrument and noticed that a portion of the bridge plate has splintered off and is missing. The missing bit is behind (tail side) of the bridge pins, and the plate is intact in front (toward the fretboard) of them. There is approx. 1/4" (varies somewhat) of solid wood remaining behind the rear of the bridge pins. I can see a couple of options: 1. Return the guitar- eat the shipping cost, and get a refund (doubt a replacement is possible as it was a discontinued model) I'd prefer not to do this, as I really do like the guitar, except for the bridge problem - and it's overall a very nice instrument for the small sum I paid.2. Let it go - it's a cheap guitar, and most of the bridge plate is intact - if I get a few years out of it, I've gotten my money's worth.3. Have the bridge plate replaced - not really an option as the cost would approach or exceed the cost of the guitar.4. Reinforce the bridge plate with a wood overlay or something like the Stewart MacDonald Plate Mate(http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_tailpieces/Acoustic_guitar_bridges/Plate_Mate.html) What are everybody's thoughts?
Members scoutll Posted March 28, 2006 Members Posted March 28, 2006 Is this by chance a Washburn D21SZ and was it bought from Music123?http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1167637
Members 2manband Posted March 28, 2006 Author Members Posted March 28, 2006 ha - yeah, I read that thread but ordered anyway - I don't think it's the same instrument, but seems to have a similar problem with the bridge - mine doesn't have glue fingerprints, glue around the bridge, etc. and the top isn't really tight grained spruce as you described yours - mine's actually a fairly wide grain. I don't have many objections except for the bridge problem. Maybe I can register the warranty and get it fixed by a Washburn dealer. I can't get it replaced w/ Music123 as it was the last "closeout" model - all that's left are "C" stock - which I would guess your old one is as it's now a return.
Members hammergjh Posted March 28, 2006 Members Posted March 28, 2006 Originally posted by 2manband ha - yeah, I read that thread but ordered anyway - I don't think it's the same instrument, but seems to have a similar problem with the bridge - mine doesn't have glue fingerprints, glue around the bridge, etc. and the top isn't really tight grained spruce as you described yours - mine's actually a fairly wide grain. I don't have many objections except for the bridge problem. Maybe I can register the warranty and get it fixed by a Washburn dealer. I can't get it replaced w/ Music123 as it was the last "closeout" model - all that's left are "C" stock - which I would guess your old one is as it's now a return. Well, for the cost of that bridge plate from Stewmac. Why not? Fix it and keep it. 120 bucks total cost for a decent acoustic is pretty cheap.
Members Freeman Keller Posted March 28, 2006 Members Posted March 28, 2006 The bridgeplate is a critical part of the whole top structure - having my r/w ones replaced with maple made a huge difference in sound. Anything you do to reinforce it will change the sound, and not for the better. That said, if you don't do something about it sooner or later it will probably blow itself apart. I guess only you can answer that question, but there are a lot of structurally intact guitars out there that I would prefer to play around a campfire. Go to the bottom of this and you'll see your StewMac thingieBridgeplates
Members knockwood Posted March 28, 2006 Members Posted March 28, 2006 Originally posted by 2manband I can see a couple of options:1. Return the guitar- eat the shipping cost, and get a refund (doubt a replacement is possible as it was a discontinued model) I'd prefer not to do this, as I really do like the guitar, except for the bridge problem - and it's overall a very nice instrument for the small sum I paid.2. Let it go - it's a cheap guitar, and most of the bridge plate is intact - if I get a few years out of it, I've gotten my money's worth.3. Have the bridge plate replaced - not really an option as the cost would approach or exceed the cost of the guitar.4. Reinforce the bridge plate with a wood overlay or something like the Stewart MacDonald Plate Mate(http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_tailpieces/Acoustic_guitar_bridges/Plate_Mate.html)What are everybody's thoughts? Just curious: Why would you have to eat the shipping cost if you return it? Seems like if it's a defective git, it'd be the seller's meal. Not really familiar with Music123's policies, though.
Members Hudman Posted March 28, 2006 Members Posted March 28, 2006 Originally posted by 2manband I'm in need of some opinions on my new acoustic guitar. I recently purchased an inexpensive campfire guitar - one that plays and sounds OK, but won't break my heart if i put a few dings in it. I got a great deal on a closeout model (mailorder - I know, bad idea, but it was laughably cheap).When I got the guitar, it tuned up well, played well, and sounded nice. However, I felt around inside the instrument and noticed that a portion of the bridge plate has splintered off and is missing. The missing bit is behind (tail side) of the bridge pins, and the plate is intact in front (toward the fretboard) of them. There is approx. 1/4" (varies somewhat) of solid wood remaining behind the rear of the bridge pins. I can see a couple of options:1. Return the guitar- eat the shipping cost, and get a refund (doubt a replacement is possible as it was a discontinued model) I'd prefer not to do this, as I really do like the guitar, except for the bridge problem - and it's overall a very nice instrument for the small sum I paid.2. Let it go - it's a cheap guitar, and most of the bridge plate is intact - if I get a few years out of it, I've gotten my money's worth.3. Have the bridge plate replaced - not really an option as the cost would approach or exceed the cost of the guitar.4. Reinforce the bridge plate with a wood overlay or something like the Stewart MacDonald Plate Mate(http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_tailpieces/Acoustic_guitar_bridges/Plate_Mate.html)What are everybody's thoughts? If you bought it from Music123, there is no charge for shipping on a return. I sent an Alvarez back that got damaged during shipping. They paid the return shipping and sent the replacement next day air. You're nuts if you keep it.
Members 2manband Posted March 28, 2006 Author Members Posted March 28, 2006 Good to know about the free shipping on returns - that's not what I expected. I'm going to try to pursue a warranty repair (replace the bridge plate), but that will probably be more $ than the thing's worth - so I'll probably end up sending it back for a refund. There's an authorized Washburn repair rep in my area - I'm going to go talk to him after work and see if he thinks it could be repaired under warranty.
Members Hudman Posted March 28, 2006 Members Posted March 28, 2006 Originally posted by 2manband Good to know about the free shipping on returns - that's not what I expected. I'm going to try to pursue a warranty repair (replace the bridge plate), but that will probably be more $ than the thing's worth - so I'll probably end up sending it back for a refund. There's an authorized Washburn repair rep in my area - I'm going to go talk to him after work and see if he thinks it could be repaired under warranty. If you call Music123 and tell them you want to return it, they will email you a UPS shipping label within the next 24 hours. If you give them your credit card number, they will rush ship a replacement the same or next business day. They will place a hold on your credit card until the returned guitar reaches them. It's a very easy process.
Members guitarcapo Posted March 28, 2006 Members Posted March 28, 2006 If it sounds fine and isn't causing any structure problems I'd not worry about it. A bigger bridge plate will suck tone.
Members 2manband Posted March 28, 2006 Author Members Posted March 28, 2006 Also got this very helpful reply from Frank Ford - a skilled acoustic guitar repair tech and operator of frets.com Mike - OK, here's what you're going to do: Take off strings, and reach inside the guitar with a piece of paper in your hand and crease it around the bridge plate to get an approximation of the size and shape. Then, trace and cut that shape on a piece of 1/8" thick hobby ply - you know, the birch stuff that's about seven layers that you get from the model airplane section of the hobby shop. Test to see if it fits, approximately. Next, mix up a batch of epoxy and stir in some talcum or any other powder - sawdust, whatever until it reaches peanut butter consistency. Butter up the plate, squish it up against the broken bridge plate, and you'll see some epoxy coming up into the pin holes. Clamp it lightly in place, or, if you don't have clamps, simply lay the guitar face down until the epoxy sets. Drill through the epoxy filled holes 3/16" and, if necessary ream the holes to fit the pins by wobbling the drill around, or whatever. Should do the job - make everything nice and solid. ---------------------------------------------------- If I can get a replacement from Music123, I'm going to do that - if not I'll follow Franks advice - maybe even be able to get a luthier to do the repair under Washburn's warranty.
Members scoutll Posted March 28, 2006 Members Posted March 28, 2006 Originally posted by 2manband ha - yeah, I read that thread but ordered anyway - I don't think it's the same instrument, but seems to have a similar problem with the bridge - mine doesn't have glue fingerprints, glue around the bridge, etc. and the top isn't really tight grained spruce as you described yours - mine's actually a fairly wide grain. I don't have many objections except for the bridge problem. Maybe I can register the warranty and get it fixed by a Washburn dealer. I can't get it replaced w/ Music123 as it was the last "closeout" model - all that's left are "C" stock - which I would guess your old one is as it's now a return. My replacement is a lot better than the first one (except the top isn't as pretty), though not great by any means (reviewed on HC). Music123 was out of everything except for several damaged returns (you probably got one of these) by the time I got tired of waiting for the return and started calling. After a day of "oh well, tuff for you" from the customer service people, I finally got a supervisor who admitted it was their fault. They forgot to process my return and sold out AFTER my replacement should have been sent. She offered me a D9 as a substitute and I said HELL NO! The next day she contacted me and said she talked to Washburn directly and arranged for a replacement to be sent from them. Maybe that's why it is better than the first one. I have talked to several people who jumped on this fantastic 500 dollar Washburn for 99.00 deal who have had little quality control issues. I'm pretty sure that Music123 bought up all the "B" stock from Washburn and were closing them out as new unblemished stock. It's still a great deal for a guitar, but if that's the case, it's shady business as far as I'm concerned.
Members Gretsch Fan Posted March 29, 2006 Members Posted March 29, 2006 Go the return route. You have the right to get exactly what you paid for. Let us know how it goes.
Members 2manband Posted March 29, 2006 Author Members Posted March 29, 2006 I'm sending it back - I looked a little more closely when I got home from work yesterday and the top is starting to bow up already due to the lack of support. That and the overall build quality is just pretty poor. Strange - I have another Washburn that is very well built. I think I'm just going to get a refund - I don't need another acoustic guitar- I just jumped on this one cuz it seemed like a great deal. Then again, there is this: hmmmmm. GAS.http://www.music123.com/Washburn-WD45S-Rarewood-Exclusive-i304663.music
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