Gibson finishing standards...

Neil

Sync

Ah DV247....shipped from musicstore.de. I have a midtown VSB on the way back to them (music store) after receiving a new one pre damaged for my convenience.

No way should you accept one without the warranty card etc and in that condition. That is either a used one or customer return. They have the polishing/buffing machines so can remove light scratches and buckle rash etc to make it look new.

Did the serial number on the outer box match the guitar?

Sync

Ah DV247....shipped from musicstore.de. I have a midtown VSB on the way back to them (music store) after receiving a new one pre damaged for my convenience.

No way should you accept one without the warranty card etc and in that condition. That is either a used one or customer return. They have the polishing/buffing machines so can remove light scratches and buckle rash etc to make it look new.

Did the serial number on the outer box match the guitar?

imalrightjack

Sync said:

Did the serial number on the outer box match the guitar?

The serial number is actually barely readable!  But the box, after closer inspection, didn't match the guitar as it was from a 2016 Standard.  I'm still happy with the instrument and price - my original post was based on Gibson's standards, although it's maybe ultimately about DV247's standards!

Is that a Custom VSB?  Not sure what VSB stands for!

milamber

I've not actually bought from DV247, but made a decision to steer clear based on reviews I'd seen, particularly on FB, which echo your experience. Also I have contacted them several times in the last fortnight. Of the three guitars I asked about, one wasn't in stock despite showing as 5 available; one's price increased when I enquired, although the online price was still the lower one and the other was ex display, but didn't mention this on the website.

Also I asked if they checked and set up guitars prior to despatch and they replied that they only did for guitars costing over £1000. Less than that and they charge extra or send directly as from the factory.

TheMarlin

I've heard Gibson are improving QC

Sync

Vintage Sunburst.

olafgarten

They did you a service! It's pre reliced.

imalrightjack

Sync said:

Vintage Sunburst.

Shame it has to go back.  I love my Pelham Blue one, although it required a little bit of work to really get it up to scratch.

imalrightjack

olafgarten said:

They did you a service! It's pre reliced.

It'll end up with worse in my ownership, so I'm not too concerned

stratosonic

My pal has a 5 year old goldtop with some noticeable cracking/lifting on the top and sides, contacted Gibson and got no replies?

imalrightjack

stratosonic said:

My pal has a 5 year old goldtop with some noticeable cracking/lifting on the top and sides, contacted Gibson and got no replies?

They will just tell him to go to the dealer anyway.  I emailed Gibson out of interest and that's precisely what they told me to do (although they are sending me the missing 'case candy').  Given the partial refund, that's my acceptance of the standard it's in so I can't go back.  As I say, a friend is a skilled luthier and I'm sure it's all totally salvageable without massive expense.

richardhomer

Without wishing to let Gibson off the hook - even 'Golden Era' instruments have their issues - this isn't a new phenomenon.

The kind of people who accuse PRS et al of being 'sterile' and 'soulless' love these kinds of flaws....

rossi

My 2015 midtown is perfect .Cant find a fault at all despite looking hard.Case could do with a fourth  catch though .

imalrightjack

rossi said:

My 2015 midtown is perfect .Cant find a fault at all despite looking hard.Case could do with a fourth  catch though .

Totally agree.  It feels a bit floppy.

Jack_

richardhomer said:

Without wishing to let Gibson off the hook - even 'Golden Era' instruments have their issues - this isn't a new phenomenon.

The kind of people who accuse PRS et al of being 'sterile' and 'soulless' love these kinds of flaws....

Haters gonna hate.

Evilmags

Send it back. That is well out of order. 

This is not 1958, and the machinery to make guitars is miles different and more accurate. That is simply not what you paid for. 

imalrightjack

Evilmags said:

Send it back. That is well out of order. 

This is not 1958, and the machinery to make guitars is miles different and more accurate. That is simply not what you paid for. 

That's all down to price really...

WezV

richardhomer;1140649" said:

Without wishing to let Gibson off the hook - even 'Golden Era' instruments have their issues - this isn't a new phenomenon.

The kind of people who accuse PRS et al of being 'sterile' and 'soulless' love these kinds of flaws....

I get the point but its not really the same thing.

I am all for the odd sign of being handmade, my guitars certainly show it... But there is a big difference between hand made anomalies and actual flaws. Anyway, they are not really handmade like they used to be so that's no excuse.

ThePrettyDamned

I got laughed at for banging on about it but I saw a cherry red custom shop 335 that has no finish on the inside edge of the f hole (and images and other examples showed it absolutely should have) as well as poor finishing elsewhere. It was £2399 if I remember right. Bonkers! Being ply, you don't really want to see the edge of the wood - ugly. But when Gibson et it right, the guitars can be stunning. And they can be stunning across the board -ive played an awesome lpj.