Mint condition...

GuitarMonkey · June 2014

ICBM said:
No. "Flawless apart from (description of flaw)" is entirely correct as long as the rest of it is in fact flawless.

"Flawless" *without* a description of the flaw is not correct.

I'm with @streethawk here. Something is either flawless or it isn't. No qualifiers with an absolute.

57Deluxe · June 2014

..should have gone to Spec Savers...

ICBM · June 2014

GuitarMonkey said:
Something is either flawless or it isn't. No qualifiers with an absolute.

It's only an absolute if not qualified! That's the whole point of the qualifier, or it wouldn't exist in language.

Gassage · June 2014

"Nut cut for players with big hands'

Go figure.......

NervousJohn · June 2014

p90fool;260656" said:
ICBM said:

Knowing the French for "end" and how to post it in a fancy font does not automatically make you right .

I disagree, well I was impressed anyway.

I thought there was just some weird fish thing going on.

richardhomer · June 2014

NervousJohn;260693" said:
I thought there was just some weird fish thing going on.

I'm off to practice some scales....

axisus · June 2014

I think you need to define 'mint' before you can have a meaningful discussion.

It was originally used to describe the quality of a coin leaving its place of manufacture, so likewise, a Fender custom shop relic is mint condition when it leaves the factory.

I ground up a packet of polos and rubbed the powder all over my guitar. It is in mint condition.

GuitarMonkey · June 2014

ICBM said:

GuitarMonkey said:
Something is either flawless or it isn't. No qualifiers with an absolute.

It's only an absolute if not qualified! That's the whole point of the qualifier, or it wouldn't exist in language.

Like a little bit dead?

richardhomer · June 2014

GuitarMonkey;260717" said:
Like a little bit dead?

It is possible to be almost dead.... Barely alive....

jellyroll · June 2014

Being offended by the apparent contradiction in the language when saying "mint except for...." is a whole level below the dishonesty I've encountered buying stuff from this very forum described as "mint" (without qualification) and receiving something that is so far from mint it's laughable. Still, I didn't ask for photos, so caveat emptor I suppose.

thermionic · June 2014

"Custom Shop Heavy Relic, mint condition."

stevenguitars · June 2014

the main thing is that any flaws are identified and brought to the buyers attention

iv attached a pic of a les paul standard faded i bought when i first got to sydney described as excellent condition......

except he had drawn a frigggn stick man on it.... i actually kid you not !

he didn't even accept a return and said ''i thought you were a cool guy now your just being a bitch '' i was gobsmacked

i had to fight it via paypal and supply luthier quotes etc a royal pain in the A.

UnclePsychosis · June 2014

[quote="streethawk;260562"
It's incorrect use of the english language.

If I describe something as flawless, and it has a flaw, am I correct?

NO.

~ fin ~[/quote]

If you're going to be pedantic then it generally helps to be right too.

Misty · June 2014

Mint is mint, period. If the item has one small scratch or whatever then it's clearly not mint, and shouldn't be described as such. Obviously if that item is a Custom Shop relic, for example, then the description needs to accommodate that. Otherwise, the wording could be adjusted, eg."The only reason this cannot be described as mint is....", but unfortunately the word is fast becoming meaningless. Having learnt my lesson as a buyer, these days I always ask for a detailed description of the item's condition. I'm fussy about my stuff, which I have every right to be, and this annoys me. Grrrr....

viz · June 2014

I'm enjoying this thread

downbytheriver · June 2014

New world record - the single most pointless thread in the history of fora.

fretfinder · June 2014

ICBM said:

GuitarMonkey said:
Something is either flawless or it isn't. No qualifiers with an absolute.

It's only an absolute if not qualified! That's the whole point of the qualifier, or it wouldn't exist in language.

Absolutely! The OP may not like what the English language means in this case but 'bar' means the same as 'apart' in this instance and therefore there's nothing factually wrong with the description, whether you like and approve of it as a description or not. Anything described as mint which then proves not to be, is way more annoying in my book.

What I also find amusing is when people say on eBay 'bought direct from the factory, boxed, so even more mint than a new one in a shop that's been played'. It may be theoretically true but does nothing for me as a potential buyer.

dogload · June 2014

JookyChap said:

It puts the moron in oxymoron.

My pet hate is 'Museum Grade', especially when applied to a 2yo PRS

Or to a very good condition old amp that dies a minute after you plug in, perhaps!

streethawk · June 2014

Right that's it!

I have written to the head of English at Queen's University, Belfast.

Expect a giant portion of humble pie Monday morning!

Dear Professor Burnett:

I am being harangued by a confederacy of dunces who - perhaps not coincidentally - share a love for the guitar.

I would greatly appreciate it if you would take a brief moment to confirm that the following statement is in fact incorrect use of the English language:

"Perfect condition, apart from a small scratch on the neck volute"

Yours sincerely,

Streethawk

(The Fretboard).

http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/17512/mint-condition/p1

downbytheriver · June 2014

Well he's not going to like that redundant comma for a start off!

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