Leaderboard

*Resolved* Gotoh 510 woes

In all these cases, they've offered to redo it and make it right.  The only thing you'd be out is your time.  So what, you wouldn't have to live a compromise in return for a 10 week wait.  That's the real world, things don't go according to plan.  Budgets and schedules go over.  If they made one body, with one color, and no options, I'd expect them to all be identical.  With more options comes more opportunities for mistakes, even if the options inherently have nothing to do with each other.  Send an order to anyone else's custom shop and get back with us on the available options, wait time, and price.  I've had 3 different incidents, different orders with different concerns.  Phone calls, emails, and many frustrations later, they've all been resolved.  They do try, they do make it right, and they are human.

Now let's get those Firebird control locations fixed already!
 
Super Turbo Deluxe Custom said:
In all these cases, they've offered to redo it and make it right.  The only thing you'd be out is your time.  So what, you wouldn't have to live a compromise in return for a 10 week wait.  That's the real world, things don't go according to plan.  Budgets and schedules go over.  If they made one body, with one color, and no options, I'd expect them to all be identical.  With more options comes more opportunities for mistakes, even if the options inherently have nothing to do with each other.  Send an order to anyone else's custom shop and get back with us on the available options, wait time, and price.  I've had 3 different incidents, different orders with different concerns.  Phone calls, emails, and many frustrations later, they've all been resolved.  They do try, they do make it right, and they are human.

Now let's get those Firebird control locations fixed already!
Click to expand...

It's not right when they BS the customer.  I agree that the part could be remade, but the issue here is the same mistakes being ,made repeatedly (510 route with wrong neck angle, Firebird controls) combined with shady accountability.  I also expect mistakes in manufacturing.  What I don't expect is being misled and no admission of mistakes made.  To look them in the eye, ask if they were comfortable with the body representing W's work, and to be told "well, there's always the return policy," tells me what sort of shop they're comfortable running.  Half-assed jobs are ok with them, and that's simply not something I'm comfortable endorsing.  I'll still buy and recommend showcase pieces, because they make great stuff... just not always what you order when you go the custom route.

As far as other shops, I've had 2 bodies made by a local luthier since this experience, and his work is at least on par with W.  It's not impossible to get done, and I only waited 5 weeks instead of 20 to get the bodies made right. 

-Mark
 
I'll admit I'm not near as judgemental about the Firebird controls and neck angle for 510, mainly because those aren't options I'd want.  Just don't get a Firebird with a 510, ouch!  I'm also not as concerned with talk of blame as long as it gets fixed.  Whatever they're admitting or not admitting to you in person, I'd hope that equals an in house butt chewing when I leave or hang up the phone.  It is common practice in the business world to not admit liability or fault to the customer, as it's impossible to ever say or do enough, instead fall back to a policy and resolve to do it right.  That being said, I don't know why recurring mistakes keep being made, Firebird controls and 510 neck angle.

In the case of the local luthier, yours or any, I don't know what options he does and doesn't offer, what his guarantee, and return policy is, whether he carries a license from someone he makes parts for.  A lot of what ifs there.  I was mainly speaking to the other shops that have custom orders available, comparable to what W does.  That other custom parts maker in Puyallup, I can't make heads or tails of what they do based on their website.
 
*If* in all these cases.  Besides trying to replicate the problem in house, nothing was done to make it right, because they said they couldn't replicate the issue.  They said that they had to raise the action to get the strings off of the frets.  I think that's a load of horse crap, personally; after reassembling the returned guitar, the problem was still there.  It took my luthier about 120 seconds to say, "Whoa, you're going to need a shim."  He has finished the last 3 warmoth guitars I've but together, only having to dress the frets and do a little nut work. 

Like I was saying, I'll continue to order parts here, because I've had good service over the past 10 years, but this experience has left me with a sore arse.

Super Turbo Deluxe Custom said:
In all these cases, they've offered to redo it and make it right.  The only thing you'd be out is your time.  So what, you wouldn't have to live a compromise in return for a 10 week wait.  That's the real world, things don't go according to plan.  Budgets and schedules go over.  If they made one body, with one color, and no options, I'd expect them to all be identical.  With more options comes more opportunities for mistakes, even if the options inherently have nothing to do with each other.  Send an order to anyone else's custom shop and get back with us on the available options, wait time, and price.  I've had 3 different incidents, different orders with different concerns.  Phone calls, emails, and many frustrations later, they've all been resolved.  They do try, they do make it right, and they are human.

Now let's get those Firebird control locations fixed already!
Click to expand...
 
fdesalvo said:
*If* in all these cases.  Besides trying to replicate the problem in house, nothing was done to make it right, because they said they couldn't replicate the issue.  They said that they had to raise the action to get the strings off of the frets.  I think that's a load of hore crap, personally; after reassembling the returned guitar, the problem was still there.  It took my luthier about 120 seconds to say, "Whoa, you're going to need a shim."  He has finished the last 3 warmoth guitars I've but together, only having to dress the frets and do a little nut work. 

Like I was saying, I'll continue to order parts here, because I've had good service over the past 10 years, but this experience has left me with a sore arse.

Super Turbo Deluxe Custom said:
In all these cases, they've offered to redo it and make it right.  The only thing you'd be out is your time.  So what, you wouldn't have to live a compromise in return for a 10 week wait.  That's the real world, things don't go according to plan.  Budgets and schedules go over.  If they made one body, with one color, and no options, I'd expect them to all be identical.  With more options comes more opportunities for mistakes, even if the options inherently have nothing to do with each other.  Send an order to anyone else's custom shop and get back with us on the available options, wait time, and price.  I've had 3 different incidents, different orders with different concerns.  Phone calls, emails, and many frustrations later, they've all been resolved.  They do try, they do make it right, and they are human.

Now let's get those Firebird control locations fixed already!
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

Were they using the exact same bridge?  Maybe the difference lies there.
 
There's nothing being said here that's any sort of bashing.  It's all issues and opinions at this point.  I've even applied "Warmoth" decals to some of my exotic necks since this last issue; it doesn't affect me in any sort of bum-hurt way.  I just prefer accountability and straight-forward thinking in my dealings.  For me, this is as if they were knocked down from a AAA rating, not like "OMG, I'm upset!"  Fix the known issues, and no one will have a chance to complain, publicly or otherwise. 

-Mark
 
fdesalvo, as much as this sucks, just shim it if the new bridge doesn't help. Yeah, it sucks, but it's better to have a functioning guitar than a pile of parts. Hope this doesn't anger you, friend. Just want to see you be happy with this thing. Once you play it, you're going to forget all about the shim.
 
Cough .... Cough ..... http://www.warmoth.com/Showcase/ShowcaseItem.aspx?i=M874&Body=2&Path=Body

Who's Game then ? .......  :dontknow:
 
They just need to say "hey, we've noticed that the raised section firebirds have clearance issues with some popular knobs. If you plan on using wide skirt knobs we recommend drilling your own control route. Thanks - W" on the raised section firebird online and showcase items, then they don't even have to fix it.

sorry for the threadjack, we were talking about angled neck pockets.  :doh:
 
Updown said:
Cough .... Cough ..... http://www.warmoth.com/Showcase/ShowcaseItem.aspx?i=M874&Body=2&Path=Body

Who's Game then ? .......  :dontknow:
Click to expand...

This may be a prime example of me continuing to buy from the Showcase.... om nom nom Firebird...

-Mark
 
Can someone refresh my memory on what Warmoth's official response to the Firebird issue was?
 
line6man said:
Can someone refresh my memory on what Warmoth's official response to the Firebird issue was?
Click to expand...

I was looking for the original thread with their response.  Can't find it in black and white, but the jist was they were moving the ones near the center lam so it wouldn't be a problem for future orders.

I wanna say he has since sold that guitar.
 
I've had 2 bodies made by a local luthier since this experience, and his work is at least on par with W.
Click to expand...

I like weird stuff, like Jaguars w/hardtails... there's plenty of people out there, it's a buyer's paradise. Warmoth's business model works for them; they're always hiring, and always have been trying to hire all through this economy. I suspect that they're pumping out a huge amount of O.E.M. stuff, to all these dozens of the "luthiers" that have popped up in the last several years. And they just call and say gimme a dozen teles, hold the turtle... Warmoth has a stock response, replacement, and it's rare that anyone takes them up on it. So it works, for them.
 
Yes

Danuda said:
fdesalvo said:
*If* in all these cases.  Besides trying to replicate the problem in house, nothing was done to make it right, because they said they couldn't replicate the issue.  They said that they had to raise the action to get the strings off of the frets.  I think that's a load of hore crap, personally; after reassembling the returned guitar, the problem was still there.  It took my luthier about 120 seconds to say, "Whoa, you're going to need a shim."  He has finished the last 3 warmoth guitars I've but together, only having to dress the frets and do a little nut work. 

Like I was saying, I'll continue to order parts here, because I've had good service over the past 10 years, but this experience has left me with a sore arse.

Super Turbo Deluxe Custom said:
In all these cases, they've offered to redo it and make it right.  The only thing you'd be out is your time.  So what, you wouldn't have to live a compromise in return for a 10 week wait.  That's the real world, things don't go according to plan.  Budgets and schedules go over.  If they made one body, with one color, and no options, I'd expect them to all be identical.  With more options comes more opportunities for mistakes, even if the options inherently have nothing to do with each other.  Send an order to anyone else's custom shop and get back with us on the available options, wait time, and price.  I've had 3 different incidents, different orders with different concerns.  Phone calls, emails, and many frustrations later, they've all been resolved.  They do try, they do make it right, and they are human.

Now let's get those Firebird control locations fixed already!
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

Were they using the exact same bridge?  Maybe the difference lies there.
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
  • Question Question
Player 2 bridge route option?
Replies
1
Views
303
stratamania
stratamania
J
Has anyone measured Jackson's radius? I'm skeptical
Replies
0
Views
136
jjwu
J
mrpinter
String Experiments
Replies
12
Views
656
JohnnyHardtail
JohnnyHardtail
E
Nut width 1.650 vs 1-11/16 but same nut?
Replies
4
Views
344
supertruper1988
supertruper1988
joelavely
Help finding and installing new 2-point tremolo studs
Replies
3
Views
405
stratamania
stratamania
Back
Top